Federal RICO, or the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, is a law designed to fight organized crime. It allows the government to charge people or groups who engage in a pattern of criminal activity as part of an organization.
A “pattern of criminal activity” usually means committing at least two related crimes, such as fraud, bribery, or drug trafficking, within a ten-year period. The law can target both the individuals committing crimes and the organization benefiting from them.
RICO cases are complex because the government must show that the crimes are connected and part of a larger scheme. Convictions under RICO can lead to serious penalties, including long prison sentences and the seizure of property gained through criminal activity.
Sometimes, RICO is used outside traditional mob cases, like in business or fraud schemes, to hold leaders accountable for the actions of their organization.
The goal of RICO is to prevent criminal networks from hiding behind a business or group and to provide tools to stop ongoing criminal operations.
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Disclaimer: This is informational only and not legal advice. Contact The Mines Law Firm only if you want to hire representation for a federal criminal matter.