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ARTICLE · 31 JANUARY 2022

RICO: A Primer

Freeman Law
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The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act was enacted in 1970.

United StatesCriminal Law
Jason Freeman
Jason Freeman

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO") was enacted in 1970. Although RICO provides for both civil remedies and criminal penalties, the number of civil RICO claims far outstrips the number of criminal RICO cases brought each year.

RICO provides for a civil action against persons engaged in a "pattern of racketeering activity" or "collection of an unlawful debt." A successful plaintiff may recover treble damages, costs, and attorneys' fees.

RICO is, however, an intricate, complex statutory regime with numerous potential pitfalls. Yet a civil RICO claim involves several standard, key issues. We address several of those fundamental issues below.

What is "Racketeering activity"?

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