The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act—commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO—is a federal law that provides for criminal prosecution of racketeering activities as part of an ongoing criminal organization. 18 U.S.C. §1961. RICO is designed to address the infiltration of legitimate business enterprises by organized crime and other illegal ventures—such as laundry services, retail stores, restaurants, nightclubs, and labor unions—to commit gambling, money laundering, loan sharking, or extortion.

Under RICO, leaders of criminal organizations can be held liable for crimes they order others to commit, or assist them in committing, in furtherance of the ongoing criminal organization. Section 1962 sets forth three substantive offenses and makes it a crime to conspire to commit any of the three substantive offenses. Section 1961 provides definitions for terms used in the RICO statute. And section 1963 establishes criminal penalties, including imprisonment, fines, and criminal forfeiture.

In Nebraska, as in all states, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal law that applies to individuals and entities involved in patterns of racketeering activity as part of an ongoing criminal organization. The RICO Act targets the infiltration of legitimate businesses by organized crime, addressing a range of illegal activities including gambling, money laundering, loan sharking, and extortion. Under RICO, individuals in leadership positions within criminal organizations can be prosecuted for crimes they directed others to commit or assisted in, even if they did not commit the crimes themselves. The law is codified at 18 U.S.C. § 1961-1968, with Section 1962 outlining the substantive offenses, Section 1961 providing definitions, and Section 1963 detailing the penalties, which can include imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of assets. While RICO is a federal statute, Nebraska law enforcement and prosecutors often cooperate with federal agencies in the investigation and prosecution of RICO violations that occur within the state.