RICO — "Conduct or Participate, Directly or Indirectly, in the Conduct of Such Enterprise's Affairs" Defined is a federal criminal statute that prohibits individuals or groups from engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity or a “pattern of related criminal conduct” in an enterprise engaged in interstate or foreign commerce. RICO was enacted to combat organized crime by providing federal prosecutors with a powerful tool to investigate and prosecute criminal groups who have infiltrated legitimate businesses. Under RICO, there are two types of prohibited activities: (1) conducting or participating, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity or (2) conspiring to do so. A pattern of racketeering activity requires two or more predicate acts of racketeering within 10 years of each other. Predicate acts can include many types of crimes, including but not limited to money laundering, bribery, extortion, fraud, and trafficking in drugs or other illegal goods. RICO violations can be charged as either a civil or criminal charge and can result in significant penalties, including fines, restitution, and incarceration. Additionally, individuals convicted of a RICO violation can be subject to forfeiture of assets used or acquired as a result of the criminal activity.