The 2.75 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) / 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1962(b) is a federal law that enables the prosecution of individuals who are associated with criminal organizations. It is intended to prevent and disrupt organized crime by allowing federal, state and local prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against those who participate in activities that are part of a pattern of racketeering. This includes activities such as bribery, extortion, fraud and money laundering. The RICO Act has two primary components: civil and criminal. The civil component enables private parties to seek damages from those who are found to have participated in racketeering activities. The criminal component makes it a crime to participate in an enterprise that engages in a pattern of racketeering.