Racketeering is a term used to describe illegal acts committed through a criminal enterprise for the purpose of profit. It is typically associated with organized crime and can include various activities, from narcotics trafficking to money laundering. Racketeering charges can be prosecuted at the state or federal level, and the penalties for racketeering vary depending on the type and severity of the offenses committed.

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act is U.S. federal legislation that includes 35 offenses under its umbrella of illegal activities, which range from murder and kidnapping to conspiracy and extortion. Prosecutors can charge someone through RICO if they commit at least two acts of racketeering activity, one of which occurred after RICO became law and the last of which occurred within 10 years after the prior act.

Racketeering activity covers a range of crimes that involve committing, attempting to commit, conspiring to commit, or intentionally aiding, soliciting, coercing, or intimidating another person to commit a specified list of crimes. Among these, felonies include gambling activities, extortion, drug offenses, weapons offenses, murder, assault, prostitution, and more.

The penalties for racketeering can include fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of property or profits gained during illegal activities. If convicted in federal court on charges related to racketeering under 18 U.S.C., offenders may face up to 20 years in prison and hefty fines of up to $250,000 per count charged against them (or both) .