DWAC Speaker – John Cassara 08/09/2011

Terror Finance: The War Behind the War on Terror

It is an axiom within the U.S. law enforcement and intelligence communities that “following the money” is the key to disrupting and dismantling criminal organizations.  The same is true when it comes to terrorist networks.  Officials in the United States and abroad now realize that fighting terrorism financing (and its corollary, money laundering) is one of the best ways to prevent future catastrophic attacks.

In this lecture, John Cassara will present an overview of the challenges and give examples of hidden financial systems employed by criminal and terrorist organizations. Mr. Cassara served as an intelligence officer and special agent for 26 years, beginning as a clandestine case officer for the CIA. While at the Treasury Department, he served as a special agent for the Secret Service, Customs Service, and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. He was detailed to the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Anti-Money Laundering Section to help coordinate interagency training and technical assistance efforts targeting international terrorism financing.

Author of Hide & Seek: Intelligence, Law Enforcement and the Stalled War on Terrorist Finance (Potomac Books, 2006) and On the Trail of Terrorist Financing: What Law Enforcement and Intelligence Officers Need to Know (Red Cell IG, 2010) Mr. Cassara works as a consultant to the State Department, Treasury Department, Bureau of Justice Assistance’s State and Local Anti-Terror Program, business, and the intelligence and defense communities.

Date: Tuesday August 9, 2011

Time: 5:30-7:15 PM (5:30 reception; 6:00 presentation)

Venue: Denver Athletic Club, 1325 Glenarm Place, Denver 80204

Price: $25 IIE Members/ $35 Non-Members