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White Collar Crime: Federal and Ohio: Racketeering (RICO)

Black's Law Dictionary defines racketeering as a pattern of illegal activity such as bribery, extortion, fraud and murder, carried out as part of an enterprise that is owned or controlled by those engaged in the illegal activity. The federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) was enacted in 1970 and applies only to activity involving interstate or foreign commerce. Since then, many states have adopted laws based on the federal statute. The federal and most state RICO acts provide for enforcement not only by criminal prosecution but also by civil lawsuit, in which the plaintiff can sue for treble damages.
