Fort Worth Racketeering Lawyer

Fort Worth RICO Lawyer Defending Businesses and Individuals Accused of RICO Violations

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal law designed to combat organized crime. It allows for the leaders of a criminal enterprise to be tried for the crimes that their associates have committed. The Act allows for civil and criminal penalties to be imposed on anyone associated with organized crime.

The RICO Act allows for civil and criminal penalties to be imposed on anyone associated with organized crime. Racketeering is the organized commission of multiple crimes in furtherance of an enterprise, and an enterprise is any group of individuals associated with a common purpose. Because of these factors, RICO is often used to prosecute organized crime groups and gangs. However, it can also be used to prosecute individuals and businesses who are alleged to have committed multiple crimes in furtherance of a common purpose. 

Our federal criminal defense attorney at The Alband Law Firm has the experience and skills necessary to defend clients against RICO charges. RICO can also be used to prosecute individuals and businesses who are alleged to have committed multiple crimes in furtherance of a common purpose. 

Call (817) 997-4366 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation with our Fort Worth RICO lawyer.

RICO Violations

A RICO violation can be alleged when a person or business is associated with an enterprise that has committed two or more predicate acts. Predicate acts are crimes that are in furtherance of the goals of the enterprise. The enterprise must also have been established in order to engage in, or to facilitate, the commission of those crimes. The enterprise may be a formal organization, such as a corporation, or it may be an informal association, such as a street gang.

Examples of RICO violations include:

• Money laundering
• Embezzlement
• Tax evasion
• Bribery
• Drug trafficking
• Human trafficking

Federal Criminal Penalties for RICO Convictions

RICO violations are punishable by treble damages and a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or double the amount of proceeds earned from the activity.

The federal government may prosecute RICO cases under 18 U.S.C. § 1961 et seq. The Act was amended in 1986 to include 18 U.S.C. § 1963. This amendment allowed for civil remedies to be sought against defendants who were found to have violated RICO. It also allowed for the federal government to seek remedies from defendants who were not directly involved in the RICO violation.

The government may seek the following remedies:

• Restitution. This is the return of any money or property gained through the RICO violation.
• Treble damages. This is three times the amount of the actual damages caused by the RICO violation.
• Injunctive relief. This is an order that the defendant stop committing RICO violations.

The government must prove that the defendant committed two predicate acts in furtherance of an enterprise. In addition, the defendant must be proven to be associated with the enterprise. The defendant's association with the enterprise must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence.

If you have been accused of racketeering in Fort Worth, contact us today at (817) 997-4366 to request a free case evaluation.