Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Law

What Is Racketeering?

Racketeering is when organized groups run illegal businesses, known as “rackets,” or when an organized crime ring uses legitimate organizations to embezzle funds.

According to the Racketeer Influenced and Corruptions Act (RICO), examples of racketeering include criminal operations such as illegal gambling, prostitution rings, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, embezzlement, and extortion.

RICO allows for the prosecution of all individuals involved in a corrupt organization. For mob prosecutions, that means that the government can go after top leadership as well as the hitmen and capos.

Sentencing

The criminal RICO statute provides for prison terms of 20 years and severe financial penalties. The law also allows prosecutors to attach assets, so they can’t be whisked out of the country before judgment.