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RICO / Racketeering

RICO/Racketeering

The Blanch Law Firm is one of New York's preeminent legal defense firms for defending RICO/Racketeering charges and accusations. Our RICO attorneys have years of experience dealing with government investigations, criminal accusations, RICO laws and more. The Blanch Law Firm's aggressive white collar defense techniques have been successful in defending clients in all manner of criminal and white collar trials. Our skilled defense attorneys combine an unparalleled knowledge of the law with an unmatched devotion to our clients' freedom.

The Blanch Law Firms is a recognized leader in the representation of corporations, boards of directors, management and other individuals in connection with a broad range of RICO investigations, government enforcement actions, internal investigations, and white collar criminal investigations and litigation. Currently, The Blanch Law Firm represents two multi-billion dollar companies in criminal and quasi-criminal litigation, which are unrelated cases, involving allegations of international anti-trust violations in one instance and cross-border corporate wrongdoing allegations in another. The firm regularly works with such high-profile and multinational clients, because we are one of the most dependable and trustworthy white collar law firms.

The Blanch Law Firm has a long track record of keeping clients out of prison and free from fines. We have represented high-profile individuals as well as other professionals in RICO and racketeering trials throughout New York and the country.

RICO/Racketeering Penalties

RICO violations can lead to stiff penalties if you are convicted. RICO penalties include fines in the tens of thousands of dollars as well as potentially 20 years in prison. In addition to these penalties, the person convicted of racketeering must forfeit all the allegedly "ill-gotten gains" as well as any interest from any business gained through a pattern of "racketeering activity." If convicted, RICO laws also permit a private individual harmed by your actions in such an enterprise to file a civil suit and the collectable damages are not capped (meaning the settlement amount could be quite high).

RICO Offenses

RICO/Racketeering laws cover both legal and illegal businesses, meaning that drug trafficking violators can be prosecuted under RICO statutes, as well as legitimate business people. Under the law, racketeering activity means:

  • Any violation of state statutes against gambling, murder, kidnapping, arson, robbery, bribery, extortion, dealing in obscene matter, or dealing in a controlled substance or listed chemical (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act);
  • Any act of Bribery, Counterfeiting, theft, Embezzlement, fraud, dealing in obscene matter, obstruction of justice, slavery, racketeering, gambling, Money Laundering, commission of murder-for-hire, and several other offenses covered under the Federal criminal code (Title 18);
  • Embezzlement of union funds;
  • Bankruptcy Fraud or Securities Fraud;
  • Drug Trafficking; and
  • Money Laundering and related offenses.

RICO Laws and Offenses

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly known as the RICO Act, is a United States Federal Law pertaining to criminal acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. Under the RICO Act, a member of an enterprise that has committed any two out of thirty-five crimes, (27 federal crimes and 8 State crimes), within a ten year period can be charged with racketeering.

Below are some high-profile RICO cases:

  • Financier Michael Milken was indicted on 98 counts of racketeering and fraud relating to an investigation into Insider Trading and other offenses.
  • Owners of the Montreal Expos baseball team filed charges under the RICO Act against Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and former Expos owner Jeffrey Loria, claiming that they deliberately conspired to devalue the team for personal benefit in preparation for a move.
  • On April 26, 2006, the Supreme Court heard Mohawk Industries, Inc. v. Williams, which concerned what sort of corporations fell under the scope of RICO.
  • Four members of the Gambino crime family were tried under RICO statutes, found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

As you can see, RICO attorneys represent individuals from all walks of life and all industries.

Contact The Blanch Law Firm

Our criminal defense attorneys worked for years as prosecutors in New York City district attorneys' offices, and possess an unmatched insight into RICO laws and RICO trials.

To speak with a white collar attorney about your RICO defense concerns, Contact The Blanch Law Firm by calling 917-472-9883 or at 1-866-690-9316 to arrange an initial consultation.