{"id":352129,"date":"2023-12-06T10:06:23","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T15:06:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/racketeering-rico.html"},"modified":"2024-11-13T10:06:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T15:06:00","slug":"racketeering-rico","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/racketeering-rico.html","title":{"rendered":"Racketeering\/RICO"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Racketeering\/RICO<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Racketeering is not a single crime or criminal act, but an organized scheme of people committing crimes such as threats, extortion, bribery, or violence. It may include many different crimes occurring over a period of time.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

RICO stands for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act<\/a>, a federal law passed by Congress in 1970 to address organized crime.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The law’s design permitted federal prosecutors to pursue many corrupt enterprises, including white-collar crime groups and rogue governmental officers and units. Today, many states have enacted laws similar to the federal RICO Act<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This FindLaw article explores the crime of racketeering and RICO statutes. It shares examples of RICO cases, including both civil and criminal penalties. Because RICO violations are complex, it’s wise to ask an attorney<\/a> for guidance and defense in these cases.<\/p>\n

What Is Racketeering?<\/h2>\n

The U.S. Department of Justice<\/a> (DOJ) summarizes the crime of racketeering as follows:<\/p>\n

“It is unlawful for anyone employed by or associated with any enterprise engaged in, or the activities of which affect, interstate or foreign commerce, to conduct or participate, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of such enterprise’s affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity or collection of unlawful debt.”<\/p>\n

While this does not entirely define racketeering, it identifies key elements present in a federal RICO case:<\/p>\n