*Editor’s Comment* – Yes, yes, yes! But what about the government’s refusal to release documents?
The use of undercover agents and informants sometimes can be the only way to crack especially tough cases. The technique, however, also invites abuse. For both types of operatives, the incentive and ability to cut corners are always present. Reputations and rewards are improved when targets are found guilty, especially when the defendants are well known and the crimes are significant. But even in less important cases, undercover operatives are hard to control, because they operate on their own and report only what they want.
Source: Stings raise questions of entrapment vs. fair prosecutions – Central Maine
