Federal and State Legislation Against Organized Crime in the United States (From Resource Material Series No. 38, P 78-93, 1990, United Nations Asia and Far East Institute -- See NCJ-135723)

• NCJ Number: 135729
• Author(s): B J George Jr
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Japan

Annotation

Several pieces of Federal legislation have been instrumental in fighting organized crime in the U.S.

Abstract

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act is the primary piece of Federal legislation. It prohibits infiltration and control of legitimate enterprises, illegal acquisitions through illegal means, use of an enterprise for pattern of racketeering or loan-sharking, and conspiracy. In practice, RICO is most often applied to cases involving infiltration of a legitimate business, conduct of criminal enterprises, governmental corruption, white collar crime, and labor corruption. RICO can be used in civil cases as well. In addition, Congress included a criminal forfeiture clause in the original RICO statute. Racketeering-related criminal offenses which are covered in other Federal legislature include violent crimes in aid of racketeering and labor racketeering. Money laundering, a primary spin-off of racketeering, is also covered through laws controlling currency reporting, international financial transactions, and sting operations. Finally, the Federal government has tried to crack down on the involvement of organized crime in drug trafficking by prohibiting investment of illicit drug profits and continuing criminal drug enterprises. 173 notes