212-227-8877
  • Attorneys
    • Joseph Tacopina
    • Chad Seigel
    • Matthew Deoreo
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal Law
    • Civil Litigation
  • Notable Cases
  • Firm Overview
  • Featured Articles
  • Media
    • TV Appearances
    • Radio Mentions
    • International Press
    • In The News
    • Thought Leadership

If You Bring a Civil RICO Claim Against One of Our Clients, You’d Better Be Blameless

By Joseph Tacopina Published September 26, 2013
Civil RICO
Tags: civil rico, criminal penalties, RICO act

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, otherwise known as RICO, is a federal law aimed at prosecuting leaders of organizations when they order or assist others in racketeering. A common example is a protection service in which those who offer the protection harm any ostensible beneficiary who declines the service.

RICO was enacted in 1970 to target organized crime syndicates. Since then, the application of the RICO Act has been expanded to include many illegal activities related to interstate commerce by organizations in general. Thus, RICO claims may be brought against leaders of:

  • Corporations
  • Charities
  • Political groups
  • Other large organizations

While the RICO Act provides for criminal penalties, it also provides for a civil cause of action. Anyone can bring a civil RICO claim against a large organization. In fact, the law encourages individuals to do so, because a plaintiff in a RICO ACT civil suit who prevails receives treble damages, meaning plaintiffs win three times their actual damages.

Our law firm understands the complex nature of civil RICO claims. One defense to a civil RICO lawsuit is the legal doctrine of in pari delicto, a Latin phrase meaning “in equal fault.” A plaintiff should not expect to win treble damages in a civil RICO lawsuit if the plaintiff is as much at fault as the defendant.

footer footer-mobile

Let the best
in the business

defend you.

Call us for a free consultation 24/7

PHONE
212-227-8877
ADDRESS

275 Madison Avenue, 35th Floor,
New York, New York 10016

Background Image Background Image
  • Firm Overview
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal Law
    • Civil Litigation
  • Notable Cases
    • Notable Criminal Cases
    • Notable Civil Cases
  • Media
    • Thought Leadership
    • Featured Articles
    • In The News
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • facebookFacebook
  • twitterTwitter
  • linkedinLinkedIn
  • instagramInstagram
  • lawyersLawyers.com

Tacopina Seigel & DeOreo is located in New York, NY and serves clients in and around New York, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Astoria, Brooklyn, Woodside, Maspeth, Middle Village, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Ridgewood, East Elmhurst, Bronx, Rego Park, Corona, Forest Hills, Woodhaven, College Point, Ozone Park, Jamaica, Howard Beach, Bronx County, Kings County, New York County and Queens County.

Attorney Advertising. This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. [ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ]

© 2023 Tacopina Seigel Trial Lawyers
Design by SPINX Digital