Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the formation of a new crime fighting organization this week.

The Economic Crime Alliance of Alabama (ECAA) will fight financial crime in the state with state and federal law enforcement.

ECAA membership will include the following: Attorney General’s Office, Alabama Department of Examiners, Alabama Department of Insurance, Alabama Department of Labor, Alabama Department of Revenue, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama Securities Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Prosecution Services, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

“Our existing partnerships with Alabama’s U.S. Attorneys and the Justice Department have been foundational to the progress we are already making in eradicating violent crime,” Marshall said. “If we can work together effectively to confront violent crime, we can and should do the same to confront corruption and financial crime.”

Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson said he’s pleased with the formation of the ECAA.

“I am glad Attorney General Steve Marshall invited the District Attorneys Association to be a part of this Alliance,” Jackson said.  “All of these agencies need to work together to stamp out financial crime when victim’s retirement funds and saving accounts are wiped out by scams. Law enforcement efforts need to be utilized and focused like a laser to prevent and help these victims recover their losses.”

The federal–state partnership signifies a commitment to more information sharing, communication between agencies, and a comprehensive approach to fighting corruption and financial crime statewide. Each entity brings its own expertise and resources, which will be pooled together to bring about more efficient and effective investigations and prosecutions of financial crime.

“In today’s highly technical environment, financial crimes can destroy the hopes of Alabamians for a secure retirement, the dreams of young families for a home of their own or education for their children,” Alabama Securities Commission Director Joseph Borg said. “These crimes have no geographical boundaries and combining resources and working together as an alliance enhances our ability to track down, catch and prosecute criminals within or outside of Alabama.”