Civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)

Defending Clients in Civil RICO Class Action Litigation

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as RICO, is a federal statute that provides for extended criminal penalties and civil causes of action for unlawful actions performed as part of an ongoing enterprise. Passed by Congress in 1970, RICO was originally designed to help the government combat organized crime. However, since that time, the use of the RICO Act has been extended to civil lawsuits involving a wide range of unlawful activities, from insider trading and political corruption to bankruptcy and securities fraud. RICO sets forth an extensive list of racketeering offenses that can result in severe consequences for those who are found to be involved in an enterprise that engages in a pattern of racketeering activity.

In addition to severe criminal fines and penalties, RICO violations can lead to a civil claim brought by private parties who have been victimized by the criminal enterprise.  RICO lawsuits are complex and can be extremely challenging for victims to pursue as private civil actions. However, because the statute provides for treble damages and attorneys’ fees, plaintiff’s attorneys often bring these cases as class action lawsuits.

Strategic Defense Counsel in RICO Class Action Matters

The attorneys at Kaufman Dolowich provide strategic counsel to clients in RICO class action matters. Our lawyers have successfully defended multiple RICO causes of action in federal courts across the nation. We are an experienced team of class action lawyers who focus on protecting our clients and limiting their exposure in these high stakes legal claims.  Our attorneys have an advanced understanding of the RICO Act and are fully prepared to build a strong defense in all types of civil RICO cases, including cases involving allegations of unlawful activity under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

When a RICO class action case is brought against our clients, Kaufman Dolowich attorneys take quick and decisive action to develop an aggressive plan of defense. We work directly with our clients to identify the best courses of action available. Should our clients choose to move towards settlement, our lawyers are strong negotiators who have been successful in working with opposing counsel to structure fair resolutions in complex cases. If our clients elect to challenge the class action, we vigorously defend the case in court.  

Kaufman Dolowich lawyers have been successful in dismissing class action complaints and defeating motions for class certification. When a favorable outcome cannot be achieved early in the process, our legal team is well equipped to defend our clients throughout the entire course of the proceedings, including any appeals. Regardless of what stage of the class action litigation may be in, our objective is to minimize the financial impact on our clients while bringing the case to a successful conclusion.