This CLE program provides a focused examination of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) as a modern tool in both civil and criminal litigation. Once aimed primarily at organized crime, RICO now plays a central role in addressing complex business and insurance fraud schemes. The course traces this evolution while giving practitioners a practical understanding of how the statute is applied in real-world disputes.

Participants will break down the key elements of a RICO claim, including enterprise structure, racketeering activity, predicate acts, and pattern requirements. The program also highlights important distinctions between civil and criminal actions, along with guidance from leading federal decisions on issues such as conspiracy liability, causation, and the use of mail and wire fraud predicates. Statute of limitations and accrual principles are also addressed.

The session concludes with a practical look at how RICO is used in today’s litigation landscape, particularly in coordinated fraud matters. Attendees will learn when RICO is an effective strategy, how its remedies—such as treble damages and attorney’s fees—can create leverage, and what considerations are critical when pursuing or defending these claims.