The purpose of this website is to serve as a resource for attorneys, clients, the media, and any member of the public with an interest in the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1961-1968.  When it was passed in 1970, Congress’ goal was to eliminate the ill-effects of organized crime on the nation’s economy.  Today, although seldom used against the Mafia, RICO is a common claim in federal courts, usually asserted by the purported victims of white collar crimes, such as mail and wire fraud.

The most common defendant to a civil RICO claim is not the stereotypical godfather figure, but is instead the CEO of a corporation, the controlling shareholder of a closed-corporation, the trustee of an estate or trust, or the leader of a political protest group.  Even the Catholic Church has been named as a RICO defendant.

The purpose of this website is to simplify this very complicated area of the law and to articulate and make more predictable the legal standards that govern such claims.

For a general overview of RICO, visit our Nutshell section.  Decisions of United States Supreme Court or the Circuit Courts of Appeal cited in the Nutshell are also linked to the full-text opinions.

If you would like to retain Mr. Grell or discuss RICO issues with him, please first visit the section About Mr. Grell.  You should always feel free to post a comment.

RECENT RESULTS

RICO defendant’s motion to dismiss complaint on the basis of the court’s lack of personal jurisdiction denied.  Given that the defendant is a partner at a law firm and has previously served as counsel for co-conspirator’s estate, which is located in California, the court determined that the defendant would not be unduly burdened by defending herself in California. Click here to read the opinion of the Honorable A. Howard Matz.  Mr. Grell is co-counsel for plaintiffs.  Plaintiff’s lead counsel is Blake & Associates (Boston, MA).  Plaintiff’s California counsel is the Law Office of Gary Kurtz, APLC.

RICO claims survive motion to dismiss in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.  RICO claims are predicated on mail and wire fraud arising out of defendants’ sale of franchise opportunities.  Click here to read the opinion of the Honorable Williams M. Nickerson.  Mr. Grell is co-counsel for plaintiffs, along with Harry M. Rifkin (Baltimore, MD) and W. Michael Garner (Minneapolis, MN).

RICO claims survive motion to dismiss in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  RICO claims are predicated on acts of extortion, mail / wire fraud, and interstate transportation of stolen property arising out of defendants’ management of the affairs of a vulnerable elderly person.  Click here to read the opinion of the Honorable A. Howard Matz.  Mr. Grell is co-counsel for plaintiffs.  Plaintiff’s lead counsel is Blake & Associates (Boston, MA).  Plaintiff’s California counsel is the Law Office of Gary Kurtz, APLC.