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), codified as 18 U.S.C. § 1961 and following, is a federal law that targets organized crime by enabling the prosecution of criminal activities performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. In Ohio, as in other states, federal RICO laws apply and are enforced by federal law enforcement agencies. RICO allows for the leaders of criminal organizations to be prosecuted for crimes they directed others to commit or assisted in committing, in the context of the criminal enterprise. The law is broad in scope, covering a range of potential illegal activities including but not limited to gambling, money laundering, loan sharking, and extortion, even if these activities are conducted through seemingly legitimate businesses like laundry services or restaurants. The statute defines racketeering activity, lists the prohibited activities, and outlines severe penalties for those convicted under RICO, including imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of assets derived from or used in the criminal enterprise.
