What is RICO and what does it have to do with racketeering?

“RICO” is the shorthand term for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations.  In order to establish a violation of the RICO statute, the prosecution must prove the following five things:

1. The existence of an enterprise;
2. That the enterprise affected interstate commerce;
3. That the accused individuals were employed by or associated with the enterprise;
4. That the accused individuals participated, either directly or indirectly, in the conduct of the affairs of the enterprise; and
5. That the accused individuals participated through a pattern of racketeering activity.