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 Oklahoma, as in all states, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal law that targets organized crime by allowing for the prosecution of individuals involved in racketeering activities as part of an ongoing criminal enterprise. Under 18 U.S.C. § 1961, RICO is used to combat the infiltration of legitimate businesses by criminal organizations engaging in activities such as gambling, money laundering, loan sharking, or extortion. The law enables the prosecution of leaders of criminal organizations for crimes they directed or assisted others in committing in relation to the enterprise. Section 1962 of RICO outlines three substantive offenses and also criminalizes conspiracy to commit these offenses. Section 1961 provides definitions for the statute's terms, while section 1963 prescribes the penalties for RICO violations, which can include imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of assets. While RICO is a federal statute, Oklahoma law enforcement agencies and attorneys may collaborate with federal agencies in RICO investigations and prosecutions.