Published on Apr 30, 2014
"RICO": Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act

RICO was enacted by section 901(a) of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 (Pub.L. 91--452, 84 Stat. 922, enacted October 15, 1970). RICO is codified as Chapter 96 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. § 1961--1968. Under the close supervision of Senator John Little McClellan, the Chairman of the Committee for which he worked, G. Robert Blakey drafted the "RICO Act," Title IX of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, signed into law by Richard M. Nixon. While its original use in the 1970s was to prosecute the Mafia as well as others who were actively engaged in organized crime, its later application has been more widespread.

Beginning in 1972, 33 States (including Nevada) adopted state RICO laws to be able to prosecute similar conduct.