A strike force emphasizes the pooling of criminal intelligence data among investigative agencies and stresses the vigorous prosecution of indictments returned by a specially empaneled federal grand Jury.

Specifically, the Strike Forces were directed toward the identification and investigation of taxpayers and labor officials who derived substantial income from organized criminal activities.

[6] In 1989, Attorney General Dick Thornburgh presented a proposal to the Director to begin the process of merging and consolidating certain efforts of the Criminal Division, including the Strike Forces.

[7] Following this, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Joseph Biden, held a joint hearing on organized crime to look into the question of consolidating the Strike Forces with the offices of the United States Attorneys and Assistant United States Attorneys around the country.

[8][9][10] The primary problems noted by Senators Strom Thurmond and Ted Kennedy were the fact that the Strike Forces were not equipped to investigate enterprises of drugs or narcotics trafficking, and that rivalries existed between the Attorneys General and the Strike Forces in certain cities where they were investigating the same criminal networks.

[2] The Strike Forces had been overseen by prosecutors who were dedicated to the mission and vocation of eliminating organized crime and racketeering, and in contrast, the average US Attorney only held the position for roughly four years.

"[2] This prediction largely came true - the Strike Forces were allowed to operate independently for some time, but they were not given priority by their AUSAs.

However, during its time, the organizations were jointly responsible for the successful investigation and conviction of high-ranking Mafiosos such as Joseph Aiuppa of the Chicago Outfit, Anthony Salerno of the Genovese Family of New York and Paul Castellano of the Gambino Family, in addition to removing large amounts of corruption from The Teamsters.

[14] From October 2003 through September 2004, the OIG's labor racketeering program had 130 open cases involving organized crime groups.

In addition, during this time frame, its racketeering investigations resulted in over $36.5 million in monetary accomplishments, including restitutions and forfeitures, plus 260 indictments and 143 convictions.

[22] Bartels performed investigations, interviewed suspects, worked alongside federal agents, and arranged for witness protection.

Former Chiefs of the Chicago Strike Force include Gary S. Shapiro, Dave Shippers, and Peter Vaira.

The Cleveland Strike Force, which was a joint-operation between the Departments of Justice and Labor, faced a setback in the prosecution of Jackie Presser, the President of the Teamsters.

[30] In 1986, David Helfrey, chief of the Kansas City Strike Force, spearheaded the prosecution of several Midwestern Mafia bosses accused of skimming from the Stardust and Fremont casinos.

However, the Chief of the Miami Strike Force misplaced the key witness in the case, and was replaced by Mark Tuohey.

[36] The witness, William Stone, was recovered in Hawaii by the FBI, but not before Special Agent Ben Grogan was killed in a Miami parking lot.

[37] The New Orleans Strike Force took on the case of Carlos Marcello, who was arrested by FBI agent Patrick O'Connor.