The RICO Act
What does RICO stand for?
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
What term is commonly used to refer to the Italian-American Mafia?
La Cosa Nostra.
What is the top position in a Mafia family called?
Boss or Don.
When was the RICO Act enacted?
1970
Which city is known for the presence of five major Italian-American Mafia families?
New York City.
Who is the second in command in a Mafia family?
Underboss.
Name two of the four types of criminal activity listed under the RICO Act
Bribery, counterfeiting, theft, and fraud
Name three of the five major New York Mafia families.
Gambinos, Genovese, Bonannos, Colombos and Luccheses
What is a "Capo"?
A ranking made member of a family who leads a crew of soldiers, similar to a military captain .
What is the purpose of the RICO Act in relation to organized crime?
To enable the leaders of a syndicate to be tried for the crimes they ordered others to do or assisted them in doing, closing a loophole that allowed a person who instructed someone else to, for example, murder, to be exempt from the trial because they did not actually commit the crime personally.
What is the role of a "Consigliere" in a Mafia family?
A counselor and adviser to the boss, usually the number three man in the family .
In the context of organized crime, what does "soldier" refer to?
A low-ranking member who has been made and is involved in the enforcement and operations of the family .
Describe a key feature of RICO legislation that differentiates it from other criminal statutes.
It focuses on patterns of illegal activity as a basis for prosecution, not just singular acts.
What is required for a member to become a "made man" in a Mafia family?
To become a "made man," members are required to take an oath of silence, called "omertà ," and in some families, commit murder
Explain the role of an "Associate" in Mafia operations.
An associate is part of a crew but has not been made, commits crimes under the protection/direction of made members, and remits a share of his illegal proceeds to his direct made superior