Tampa Racketeering Lawyer
A common type of fraud is racketeering, but not many people may be familiar with what it exactly means. Racketeering refers to the act of operating an illegal business or scheme (known as a racket) in order to make money through dishonest or fraudulent means. Racketeering typically involves activities such as extortion, bribery, fraud, and the operation of illegal businesses like gambling, drug trafficking, or prostitution.
Racketeering is often associated with organized crime groups, where people engage in various criminal activities to generate profit. Racketeering became popular in the United States when the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act was passed in 1970. This federal law provides for extended criminal penalties for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.
Under RICO, prosecutors can target individuals or organizations engaged in racketeering activities, allowing them to prosecute not just individual crimes but also the entire enterprise behind them. RICO has been used to fight against organized crime in the United States.
Have you been investigated for racketeering? If so, you need to defend yourself. A Tampa racketeering lawyer from Scriven Law, P.A. can provide you with aggressive representation.
Examples of Racketeering
Racketeering can encompass a wide range of illegal activities that are carried out in a coordinated manner by criminal organizations. Here are some examples:
- This refers to demanding money or other valuables from individuals or businesses through threats of violence or other harmful actions.
- Illegal gambling. This involves operating or participating in illegal gambling activities, such as bookmaking, running underground casinos, or organizing illegal sports betting.
- Drug trafficking. This involves distributing illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, or marijuana, often through organized crime networks.
- Engaging in various types of fraud schemes, such as securities fraud, insurance fraud, mortgage fraud, or identity theft, to unlawfully obtain money or property, is considered racketeering.
- Money laundering. This refers to concealing the origins of illegally obtained money by processing it through a complex series of transactions to make it appear legitimate.
- This refers to running or participating in prostitution rings, brothels, or other illegal sex trade operations.
- Producing or distributing counterfeit goods, such as fake designer clothing, accessories, or counterfeit currency, is a type of racketeering.
- This involves illegally taking or misappropriating funds or property entrusted to one’s care, often within a business or organization.
- Human trafficking. This refers to recruiting, transporting, or harboring individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation, such as forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation.
Contact Scriven Law Today
Racketeering penalties can vary. A person may face 5 to 20 years in prison or a $25,000 fine. As you can see, there’s a lot at stake.
Get your charges reduced or eliminated with help from a Tampa racketeering lawyer from Scriven Law, P.A. We provide attentive and aggressive legal representation. We’re available 24/7 to help you. Call 813-226-8522 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation today.
