Prosecutors May Use RICO Statutes to Charge Rioters

[RandySF]

The Justice Department is considering whether to charge members of far-right groups involved in the deadly Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol under a federal law usually used against organized crime,” Reuters reports.

“The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, enables prosecutors to combat certain ongoing racketeering crimes such as murder, kidnapping, bribery and money laundering. The 1970 statute provides for hefty criminal penalties including up to 20 years in prison and seizure of assets obtained illegally through a criminal enterprise.”




https://politicalwire.com/2021/02/03/prosecutors-may-use-rico-statutes-to-charge-rioters/

[SheltieLover]

1. Good!

[dalton99a]

3. Kick

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-capitol-rico-exclusive/exclusive-u-s-mulls-using-law-designed-to-prosecute-mafia-against-capitol-rioters-idUSKBN2A32W2

U.S. mulls using law designed to prosecute Mafia against Capitol rioters
By Mark Hosenball, Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department is considering whether to charge members of far-right groups involved in the deadly Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol under a federal law usually used against organized crime, according to two law enforcement sources.

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, enables prosecutors to combat certain ongoing racketeering crimes such as murder, kidnapping, bribery and money laundering. The 1970 statute provides for hefty criminal penalties including up to 20 years in prison and seizure of assets obtained illegally through a criminal enterprise.

The sources, a current law enforcement official and a former official who recently left the federal government, said using the RICO statute to charge people involved in the Capitol violence is being debated within the Justice Department, with no final decision made. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity.

The RICO law was crafted to help prosecutors convict top Mafia leaders who ordered others to commit crimes. RICO cases are complex, often take years to develop, and require approval from Justice Department leadership.

“RICO was designed to address the Godfather - the person who doesn’t get their hands bloody,” said Jeffrey Grell, an attorney who specializes in RICO law. “You would really only use RICO to go after the kingpins or the leaders.”

Prosecutors have used it against other violent groups, such as one led by Omar Abdel Rahman, known as the “Blind Sheikh,” who was convicted of plotting to bomb the United Nations and George Washington Bridge in New York.

Democratic Senator Richard Durbin, tapped to become chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is advocating possible RICO charges. A Durbin spokesperson said, “There are multiple statutes currently available for federal prosecutors to use to hold the perpetrators behind the Jan. 6 attack accountable, including RICO, and prosecutors should appropriately evaluate potential charges.”

[Maraya1969]

5. It would get a lot of these crazies off the streets. I think it would solve many problems.

I really hope they do it.

[Maraya1969]

4. I just now mentioned this on another thread about Alfie Oakes who took several

busloads of people up to the capital. He is the one that owns the supermarket in Naples FL where no one is wearing a mask.

I hope they can get him with RICO.

[LeftInTX]

6. RICO has been used for some of the following

Key West, Florida Police Department, Major League Baseball,

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. Good idea.