racketeering

An organized conspiracy to commit the crimes of extortion or coercion, or attempts to commit extortion or coercion. From the standpoint of extortion, it is the obtaining of money or property from another, without his consent, induced by the wrongful use of force or fear. The fear which constitutes the legally necessary element in extortion is induced by oral or written threats to do an unlawful injury to the property of the threatened person by means of explosives, fire, or otherwise; or to kill, kidnap, or injure him or a relative of his or some member of his family.

See extortion.

Activities of organized criminals who extort money from legitimate businesses by violence or other forms of threats or intimidation or conduct of illegal enterprises such as gambling, narcotics traffic, or prostitution.

See 18 U.S.C.A. No. 1961(1) ("racketeering activity" defined).

Racketeering is demanding, soliciting or receiving anything of value from the owner, proprietor, or other person having a financial interest in a business, by means of either a threat, express or implied, or a promise, express or implied, that the person so demanding, soliciting or receiving such thing of value will:

(a) Cause the competition of the person from whom the payment is demanded, solicited or received to be diminished or eliminated; or

(b) Cause the price of goods or services purchased or sold in the business to be increased, decreased or maintained at a stated level; or

(c) Protect the property used in the business or the person or family of the owner, proprietor or other interested person from injury by violence or other unlawful means.

For federal racketeering offenses, see 18 U.S.C.A. No.No. 1951 et seq; 1961 et seq.

See also extortion

- Hobbs Act

- RICO laws