The RICO Act or the “Racketeer Influence & Corrupt Organization” act was created to give prosecutors a powerful tool they could use to go after large and small criminal enterprises.
If you were swept up in a net cast by local or federal officials using the RICO Act, Attorney Joseph Gagliardi and the legal team here, at The Gagliardi Law Firm, PLLC in Downtown Houston, can help you. The phone number to our office is 713-224-6277.
Understanding RICO Act Violations
State & Federal Charges
The original reason for the passage of the RICO Act was to give state officials a way to allow federal prosecutors to pursue legal charges against a person who was party to a crime, but lived in another state different from the state where the crime was executed.
Back in the days of Al Capone a person might have been arrested, busted and caught red-handed by state law enforcement officials in one state while knowing that others where involved in the crime in another state, but had no legal remedy to pursue criminal charges.
At that time, there was no legal basis for pursuing a co-conspirator who was not physically involved in the crime, that was instrumental in the carrying out of the crime, but was in another state. This is the basis of the concept of the RICO Act.
In short, the RICO Act is designed to allow prosecutors a way to pin criminal charges on persons who were involved in a criminal enterprise, knew about the operation of a criminal enterprise, or sat as the head of a criminal enterprise.
If you think you may be investigated by the FBI or other federal agency with regard to a potential RICO Act violation, you’ll need a legal defense quickly. The Gagliardi Law Firm, PLLC can help you. Call our office at 713-224-6277.
Common RICO Act Related Criminal Charges
There are a number of different, unrelated activities that can lead to criminal charges stemming from the RICO Act. Below, we’ve listed a number of activities carried out by organizations with will or can spur Federal RICO Act Violation charges.
- Intrastate, Interstate, or International Drug Trafficking
- Money Laundering
- Murder for hire and/or murder as a criminal enterprise
- Banking & Racketeering violations such as was/is reported to be the case with Wells Fargo
- Counterfeit rings & intellectual property thefts
- Unlawful debt collection
- Gambling Rings
- Robbery, Bribery, Extortion rings, and other Predicate Acts
Criminal & Civil Implications
If you’re prosecuted for a criminal offense under the RICO Act you may have a civil liability as well.
The civil liability part is where the government takes your property and/or any property and valuables believed to have been accumulated as a result of earned proceeds from the criminal enterprise.
We’ve seen people lose their freedom, their house, their grandmother’s house, all of their cars, jewelry, and then still be held legally responsible for paying fines, paying restitution, and the successful carrying out of any probationary sentence.
A Lawyer for Federal Rico Charges
Attorney Joseph M. Gagliardi
Finding the right attorney for a criminal case involving RICO Act violations can be tough. Let us not kid you, not every law firm and attorney in Houston can, or is even willing to fight the United States of America in the court of law.
Let’s face it, the United States of America has an unlimited legal budget and resources to boot. If you’re facing federal charges on any level, The Gagliardi Law Firm, PLLC has the preparatory experience, legal know-how, and testicular fortitude to fight the government on your behalf, and in an effective manner. If you need to talk to our esteemed legal team about your case, call us at 713-224-6277.