RICO: Racketeering Offenses in Brooklyn

Brooklyn White Collar Crime Attorney

RICO stands for the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. It is a group of federal laws that have been passed by the United States Congress to deal with racketeering activity. Racketeering refers to a service that is offered in a fraudulent manner to solve a problem. As an organized crime, racketeering has caused serious issues. RICO was established as part of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970. Racketeering laws included pertain to a variety of federal statutes and state common law crimes. United States government is enabled to bring about large prosecutions of criminal groups who are affiliated with a single criminal enterprise.

RICO Charges

Under the federal RICO Act, an individual who is convicted of any two of 35 crimes in a ten-year period can be charged with racketeering. Predicate acts are used to establish the pattern of racketeering and they can include:

• Violation of state statutes
• Embezzlement of union funds
• Bankruptcy or securities fraud
• Drug trafficking
• Money laundering
• Acts of terrorism
• Assisting aliens to illegally enter U.S.
• Acts of bribery or theft

Penalties for racketeering offenses include up to twenty years in prison. If convicted, the offender must forfeit all properties and the interest in a business which was gained through the RICO violation. A pre-trial restraining order can be sought after by the government. RICO is a complex law for all parties involved. Legal representation should be sought if you have been charged with racketeering.

If you have been charged with racketeering, feel free to speak with a Brooklyn criminal defense lawyer to find out how you can be defended! With help from an experienced defense attorney in Brooklyn you could avoid criminal penalties. At The Law Offices of Michael Mullen, our investigator, Stuart Schwartz, is a former NYPD Captain who retired with more than 15 years of experience with private investigation work.

Using the legal assistance of our experienced firm, you can have the highest chance of obtaining a positive result to your case. We represent clients with RICO cases throughout New York City, Nassau, Brooklyn, Suffolk and Westchester counties. 

Contact us today to learn more!