RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act)

The RICO Act, or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, is a U.S. law designed to combat organized crime. Enacted in 1970, it allows law enforcement to target individuals and groups involved in ongoing criminal enterprises, such as drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering. Under RICO, prosecutors can pursue not just the crimes but also the businesses or organizations linked to those activities. This means that leaders of criminal organizations can be held accountable even if they did not commit the crimes directly, helping disrupt complex networks of organized crime.