What Is RICO, and When Can a Person Face Racketeering Charges?

 Posted on February 24, 2025 in Criminal Defense

When a person is accused of a crime, they may face criminal charges based on violations of certain laws, and the penalties they could face will depend on the specific violations they allegedly committed. However, there are some situations where people may face additional charges related to accusations of being involved in a criminal enterprise. In these cases, racketeering charges may apply, and a person may be prosecuted under a law known as RICO.

Charges related to racketeering are often much more serious than allegations of individual crimes. These offenses may be prosecuted at the state or federal level, and cases can become complex due to the involvement of different government agencies and the interaction between state and federal laws. When defending against RICO charges, it is crucial to secure representation from an attorney who has experience representing clients in these types of cases.

Understanding Racketeering and RICO Charges

In 1970, the federal government passed the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Prior to this law, people who were accused of committing offenses related to organized crime could only be charged individually. The RICO Act allowed prosecutors to take action against entire organizations, grouping related offenses together and charging multiple people in the same case.

In RICO cases, prosecutors may pursue charges to address offenses that are considered to be racketeering, which involves a pattern of illegal activity committed by a group of people, including a legal organization such as a corporation or an informal organization such as a street gang. In federal RICO cases, this pattern of activity must consist of at least two offenses committed within 10 years. There are a large number of crimes that could lead to racketeering charges, including wire fraud, mail fraud, drug trafficking, murder, bribery, kidnapping, or illegal gambling operations.

Racketeering charges may also be prosecuted at the state level. In Connecticut, the Corrupt Organizations and Racketeering Activity (CORA) Act covers many of the same offenses as the federal RICO Act. While federal charges will typically apply in cases where offenses involve interstate or international commerce, such as drug trafficking that occurs in multiple states, state-level racketeering charges may address organizations that allegedly operated within a single state.

While RICO charges may address organized crime, they can also apply in a variety of other situations, including cases where people and organizations are accused of white-collar crimes. Some notable recent RICO cases include charges against the Mormon church for concealing facts from church members, as well as a case against an Illinois racetrack that was accused of ignoring a veterinarian’s recommendations and allowing sick or injured horses to race, resulting in the deaths of dozens of horses. Perhaps the most prominent RICO case in recent years has involved the prosecution of Donald Trump and his associates in Georgia for their alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Contact Our Hartford, CT White Collar Crime Defense Attorneys

Accusations of racketeering and charges under state or federal RICO statutes are very serious. People convicted of these offenses are likely to face lengthy prison sentences, as well as civil lawsuits that may require them to pay damages to people affected by their alleged crimes. At Woolf & Ross Law Firm, LLC, our Connecticut criminal defense lawyers have the experience needed to defend people in RICO cases. We can provide representation in both state and federal cases. Contact us today at 860-290-8690 and arrange a free consultation with a skilled attorney‎.