The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act—commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO—is a federal law that provides for criminal prosecution of racketeering activities as part of an ongoing criminal organization. 18 U.S.C. §1961. RICO is designed to address the infiltration of legitimate business enterprises by organized crime and other illegal ventures—such as laundry services, retail stores, restaurants, nightclubs, and labor unions—to commit gambling, money laundering, loan sharking, or extortion.

Under RICO, leaders of criminal organizations can be held liable for crimes they order others to commit, or assist them in committing, in furtherance of the ongoing criminal organization. Section 1962 sets forth three substantive offenses and makes it a crime to conspire to commit any of the three substantive offenses. Section 1961 provides definitions for terms used in the RICO statute. And section 1963 establishes criminal penalties, including imprisonment, fines, and criminal forfeiture.

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal law that targets organized crime by allowing for the prosecution of individuals involved in racketeering activities as part of an ongoing criminal enterprise. This includes a variety of crimes such as gambling, money laundering, loan sharking, and extortion, often conducted through infiltration of legitimate businesses. In Mississippi, as in other states, federal RICO laws apply and can be enforced by federal law enforcement agencies. Under RICO, leaders of criminal organizations can be prosecuted for crimes they directed others to commit or for assisting in the commission of those crimes, even if they did not commit the criminal act themselves. The law is codified at 18 U.S.C. § 1961-1968, with § 1961 providing definitions, § 1962 outlining the substantive offenses and conspiracy, and § 1963 detailing the penalties, which can include imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of assets derived from the criminal activity. While RICO is a federal statute, Mississippi law enforcement can cooperate with federal agencies in the investigation and prosecution of RICO violations.