In terms of white-collar crimes in the U.S. Justice System, RICO cases are among the most serious. The government handles these cases with extreme prejudice and will use all resources at its disposal to pursue a RICO case if it believes they have sufficient evidence. Luckily, there are ways to arm yourself against legal action through the legal protection of a skilled defense team.
This guide seeks to provide you with a comprehensive overview of RICO cases, covering:
- The RICO Act and What It Entails
- Examples of RICO Cases in the United States
- Building Your RICO Defense Team with the Strongest Lawyers You Can Find
An Overview of the RICO Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act went into effect in 1970 in an effort to combat organized crime and criminal enterprises. Though groups like the Gambino, Lucchese, and Bonanno crime families were initially the target, traditional mafia families aren’t the sole targets of racketeering charges today. The act has evolved to encompass a wider array of illicit activities.
First, let’s look at the components of what this act targets, starting with racketeering. “Rackets” are any illegal business owned by an organized group. Said businesses contribute their funds to the organization in an effort to ensure its continuity. The act of racketeering refers to when an organization starts a series of illegal businesses; to legally convict someone requires the government prove a person’s investment and interest in a criminal enterprise and its business practices.
The types of businesses this act targets are those dealing with prostitution, drug or human trafficking, counterfeit organizations, or weapons trading. Modern forms of illegal businesses may involve cyber elements or advanced extortion tactics involving malware. More traditional and long-observed forms also include kidnap and ransom, upselling of stolen goods, and protection rackets (extortion through threat of harm unless paid a fee).
RICO cases are very complicated and may involve a lot of steps. For one, the government is quick to take a few steps in order to freeze assets and halt any further business activity. Injunctions (a restraining order from doing a certain thing) are their friend, and they’ll hand them out if they think there’s the possibility you’re guilty of racketeering.
It’s not uncommon for RICO cases to invite lawsuits from affected individuals. The person filing the suit must demonstrate that the accused racketeer meets a few conditions:
- There is a criminal enterprise in existence;
- The alleged racketeer exists independently of the enterprise; and
- Was either an investor, controlling party, participator, or conspirator in the enterprise.
In other words, the alleged racketeer must have had some type of interest or use for the enterprise that ultimately had a negative impact on the plaintiff. Damage recovery in RICO cases may rise to the tune of three times the actual amount lost.
“RICO is one of the most powerful tools the government has to combat organized crime, and its reach extends to a wide range of illegal activities.”
So, yes: RICO cases are complicated. If you’re charged, sent to trial, and don’t employ the best legal help possible, you may end up owing more than you have in recovery. Having a skilled attorney in MD, VA, PA, and DC is crucial when facing such charges. JC Law and lawyers like James E. Crawford, Jr., can provide the necessary expertise to navigate these complex legal battles.
Popular Examples of RICO Cases in the United States
The following are a few notable RICO cases known for their impact on the legal system and popular appeal. As you’ll see, there’s a mix of gang-related “mob” crime and crime committed by legitimate organizations otherwise known to the public.
| Organization/Case | Crimes Committed | Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| The Mafia Commission Trial (11 Organized Crime Officials, Heads of the Five Families in New York City) | Extortion, labor racketeering, and murder for hire | Hundreds of years of accumulated prison sentences |
| The Gambino Crime Family | Racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice | Multiple life sentences for convicted parties |
| Former Judge Mark Ciavarella | Mail and wire fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and honest services fraud | 28 years in prison, disbarment, multiple lawsuits, a class action lawsuit |
| FIFA Affiliates (Collecting Illegal Bribes) | Mail and wire fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and honest services fraud | More than $40 million in forfeitures |
| Scott W. Rothstein’s $1.2 Billion Ponzi Scheme | Racketeering, fraud, conspiracy | 50-year prison sentence, millions of dollars in returns |
| State Senator Len Fasano | Bankruptcy Fraud | $500,000 in fines |
The more crimes an organization commits, the higher its penalties. Since the dissolution of many of this country’s major crime organizations, the U.S. Government has been determined to demonstrate the full power of RICO on seemingly reputable citizens: using their resources to uncover beneath-the-surface practices that may otherwise spell legal trouble in the future.
Your Defense Against RICO: Fighting Against Every Hurdle
If the penalties above don’t paint the picture enough, the lengths to which federal prosecutors will go to pursue a RICO case should. You face down a few Goliaths when a RICO case comes knocking at your door: large forfeitures, decades of jail time, fines, and other professional consequences. It would be ill-advised not to have your own legal force behind you the entire time.
Your defense team will attack the prosecution’s claims of racketeering and search for all the weak spots in their argument. A RICO accusation needs to be air-tight in order for the prosecution to even have a case in the first place. In this, they need to prove a few things in order to satisfy the legal definition of racketeering: the existence of an enterprise, its effect on commerce, your employment with the enterprise, and proof of racketeering.
RICO does not apply if the prosecution cannot show that you committed at least two acts of racketeering within 10 years. Proving this may be easier said than done, of course, considering the government’s focus and dedication to investigating RICO-related cases.
This is where your defense team comes in: strategy-oriented, compassionate, and aggressive lawyers with the legal experience to attack your RICO case head-on. No pattern of racketeering in your past? Your team will craft an expert defense strategy to push for your freedom. If you did not knowingly or intend to participate in criminal activities, your legal team will mount a defense. Are you fully innocent but need to meet the government with something more than “I didn’t do it?” Your attorneys will make sure the case is full, thought out, and well-presented. JC Law and James E. Crawford, Jr., located in MD, VA, PA, and DC, can offer the legal firepower you need.
As we’ve reiterated, RICO cases are serious. Contact qualified attorneys immediately if you find yourself on the receiving end of government charges threatening major legal action. A skilled attorney will give your case the time it deserves and make sure you feel confident in your future.
