Defending Clients Against Coral Gables Racketeering and RICO Charges

Racketeering and RICO charges in Coral Gables can lead to serious criminal penalties. If you or a loved one is facing such charges, it is critical to have an experienced defense attorney on your side. As Coral Gables racketeering lawyers, we have successfully defended numerous clients against these complex charges.

An Overview of Racketeering and RICO Laws

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal law designed to combat organized crime. Under RICO, it is illegal to acquire or operate an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity. An “enterprise” can be any business, organization, or group of associated individuals. The law defines “racketeering activity” broadly to include many state and federal crimes such as extortion, money laundering, fraud, and even murder.

To convict someone under RICO, prosecutors must prove a pattern of at least two racketeering acts committed within 10 years of each other. Showing this pattern of criminality is essential to getting a RICO conviction, as merely committing two crimes is not enough. Prosecutors must also prove the existence of an enterprise and a link between the racketeering acts and the enterprise.

RICO charges allow for severe criminal penalties, including up to 20 years in prison per racketeering count. The law also provides for forfeiture of assets connected with the criminal activity and triple monetary damages in civil RICO lawsuits. With so much at stake, mounting a strong defense is critical.

Common RICO and Racketeering Defenses

As Coral Gables racketeering attorneys, we employ numerous defenses to fight these allegations, such as:

• Challenging the “enterprise”: An enterprise must have an organizational structure beyond merely conducting predicate acts. We scrutinize the proof to see if the alleged enterprise lacks the requisite structure.
• Contesting the “pattern”: Sporadic or isolated criminal acts do not constitute a pattern. We analyze the timing, nature, and number of acts to defeat the pattern requirement.
• Disputing the link between acts and enterprise: We examine whether the evidence truly shows the acts aided the enterprise vs. merely the individual’s interests.
• Questioning predicate acts: If we can defeat even one predicate racketeering act charge, we may defeat the pattern and take down the RICO count.
• Attacking forfeitures: We fight expansive forfeiture efforts by showing the assets had no nexus to the alleged criminal activity.

Drawing on our extensive experience, we dig deep to find the flaws in the prosecution’s RICO theory and build a defense giving our client the best chance at acquittal or dismissal.

Case Results: Coral Gables Racketeering & RICO Charges

We have successfully defended business people, medical professionals, and ordinary citizens against RICO allegations. For example, the government charged our client, a Coral Gables physician, with Medicare fraud along with RICO violations. Prosecutors alleged over $2 million in false billings and described an elaborate kickback scheme involving other doctors and clinics.

Rather than taking a plea, we meticulously reviewed the evidence, identified significant proof problems, and attacked the prosecution’s legal theory. We ultimately defeated the RICO and racketeering charges pre-trial. Our client pled to a single healthcare fraud count with no jail, no restitution, and a nominal fine.

In another Coral Gables RICO case, the FBI arrested our businessman client for allegedly running an interstate stolen property ring. Agents seized his home, cars and bank accounts worth over $1.5 million. After filing suppression motions and conducting our own investigation, we negotiated a dismissal of all RICO, racketeering, money laundering, and other felony charges. Our client kept his property and served no jail time.

Why Choose Us?

If you face RICO or racketeering allegations, you need an attorney who knows how to dismantle complex RICO indictments. As experienced Coral Gables racketeering lawyers, we have the skills and track record to defend these high-stakes cases. We dig deep into the evidence and law, exploit every weakness, and build creative defenses tailored to the facts of your case.

We know firsthand local prosecutors and federal agents often overreach with RICO charges. We fight back hard against inflated allegations. Our sole focus is defending people accused of crimes, not prosecuting them. We will stand by your side, guide you through the process, and battle to achieve the best possible outcome.

To discuss your Coral Gables racketeering or RICO case with an experienced defense attorney, contact us online or call (305) 555-1234 for a free consultation today. We represent clients across Miami-Dade facing state or federal racketeering allegations. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can start building your defense.