RICO



Do You Need a RICO lawyer?

We are experienced in successfully providing defense for individuals and businesses charged with any RICO violation; serving the cities of Columbia, Charleston, Florence and Greenville, South Carolina Atlanta, Miami, Miami Beach…and more.



As the Defendant:

If the U.S. Attorney General indicts someone under the RICO Act, a pre-trial restraining order or temporary injunction may apply as follows:

~ seizure of a defendant’s assets
~ prevention of a defendant’s transfer of assets
~ order the defendant to post bond

As the Plaintiff:

           ~ Persons seeking damages may sue one or more” racketeers” by proving the existence of a “criminal enterprise” i.e.: that the defendant and the enterprise are not one and the same entity.
           


Our RICO lawyers have seen successful indictments against:

  •     Health Care Facilities
  •     Accounting Firms
  •     Small Businesses
  •     Construction companies
  •     Political Fundraisers
  •     Charities


What is RICO?

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, (RICO) enacted in 1970, was intended to facilitate the prosecution of organized crime figures, although it has been applied in other cases, as well.

RICO trial lawyers draw upon this United States federal law in cases involving extended penalties for criminal acts committed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.


Standard RICO Applications

Alleged violations of RICO are commonly lodged against any group of individuals or a company, in an indictment. Old, “Mafia”-type indictments are now used against both legitimate and illegitimate businesses.


A person may be charged with violation of the RICO Act  if he/she is a member of an enterprise which has committed any two of 35 crimes (27 federal, 8 state), within a ten-year period.

  Persons found guilty of racketeering may be fined up to $25,000, sentenced to 20 years in prison per racketeering count, or both.

  All illegal gains and business interests gained through racketeering activity must be forfeited.
  RICO allows persons harmed by the actions of racketeering to file civil suits, which may award triple damages.


RICO Offenses:

  •     Violation of state gambling statutes
  •     Murder
  •     Murder-for-hire
  •     Kidnapping
  •     Arson
  •     Robbery
  •     Bribery
  •     Fraud
  •     Extortion
  •     Embezzlement
  •     Prostitution
  •     Drug trafficking
  •     Counterfeiting
  •     Slavery
  •     Money laundering
  •     Aiding entry of aliens to the U.S.
  •     Acts of terrorism
  •     Obstruction of justice

Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act- This is a favorite against any group of individuals or a company in an indictment. The old mafia scheme of organized crime is now used against legitimate businesses as well as many not so legitimate businesses. We are experienced at helping defend individuals and businesses charged with any RICO violation.

We have seen indictments against the following groups:

  • Health Care Facilities
  • Accounting Firms
  • Small Businesses
  • Construction Companies
  • Political Fundraisers
  • Charities

Call our office at 1-800-94-TRIAL or contact us online if you have received a subpoena and or one of your employees has received a subpoena. We can help prevent the situation from getting worse and possibly save your company.

Our South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney is available 24/7 to assist in the defense of any federal indictment.  We have defense attorneys in Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Miami, Miami Beach and throughout the states of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.