Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a U.S. law designed to combat organized crime. It allows authorities to target entire criminal organizations, rather than just individual crimes. If a group engages in a pattern of illegal activities—such as fraud, money laundering, or bribery—they can be prosecuted under RICO, which offers severe penalties, including hefty fines and long prison sentences. Importantly, RICO also enables victims to recover damages from those involved in the criminal enterprise. Overall, it aims to dismantle complex criminal schemes by holding all members accountable.