![]() ![]() The criminal RICO statute provides prison terms of 20 years and severe financial penalties. RICO claims often involve “a pattern of racketeering activity” that breaks either state or federal crimes such as murder, bribery, fraud, money laundering, extortion, kidnapping, and more. RICO can be applied in public and private civil suits against violators, and it contains broad provisions on violations regarding consumer protection, commercial fraud, bribery, official corruption, and security violations. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act continues to help attack organized crime in the US, although it was originally enacted to combat organized criminal groups like the Mafia. Which Activities Qualify Under RICO Claims? If your business or property suffers at the hands of a criminal organization, such as a corporation or bank, you may have a RICO claim. Today, individuals or organizations can still use the RICO Act to file civil claims against racketeering activities performed as an ongoing criminal enterprise. The law was passed in 1970 and was meant to be the “ultimate hitman” in mob prosecutions. If you’re one of these bit players these claims can nevertheless ruin your life if you don’t have a qualified federal criminal defense attorney by your side.Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal law designed to combat organized crime in the United States. RICO claims are often used to sweep up “ bit players ” who may not have even known criminal activity was happening, all with the goal of forcing them to testify against the defendants they’re really after. They’ve even been weaponized to go after people who were in political disfavor. Often, defendants are so intimidated by RICO charges that they cave in and accept a plea deal, even if they would have otherwise had good cases. Many experts are stating that these laws should be abolished because they can add at least 20 years to a conviction, or push the sentence of a few decades up to a life sentence. Ĭivil RICO claims are more common than criminal RICO claims, but you should take criminal RICO claims very seriously if you’re being investigated or charged under these laws. ![]() RICO also has a civil component: civil litigants can assert RICO claims to increase the value of business lawsuits. These laws are used to target organized crime rings, gangs, and businesses or corporations involved in RICO activities. These acts must be committed within ten years of each other. The defendant conducted or participated in the conduct of the enterprise through that pattern of activity through the commission of at least two acts of racketeering activity.The defendant engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity.The defendant was associated with or employed by the enterprise.The enterprise affected interstate commerce.In order to be found guilty of a RICO crime, the government must prove the following beyond a reasonable doubt: The RICO Act grouped all of these crimes together because prior to 1970, law enforcement could only prosecute mob-related crimes individually, which made it more difficult to shut down organized crime. There are over 35 crimes associated with the RICO Act. Racketeering is organized, and is a method of profiting, with the help of an organization of any kind, through illegal activity such as kidnapping, murder, bribery, arson, wire fraud, mail fraud, economic espionage, theft of trade secrets, money laundering, or extortion. ![]() “RICO” stands for “racketeering influenced and corrupt organizations.” The RICO Act is a law that covers a multitude of activity. ![]() Either way, it’s not a term that’s in common, everyday use. You may have heard “RICO” mentioned on various police shows…or you might realize you’re up against RICO charges right now. ![]()
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