Experienced RICO Lawyer In Chicago
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal statute with widespread application, including civil claims. Liability for a RICO violation attaches when a person is involved in an enterprise that operates through a pattern of racketeering activity. The statute is commonly used as an instrument to hold businesses liable for engaging in racketeering activity over an extended period of time. Examples of racketeering activity include:
- Fraud
- Obstruction of law enforcement
- Forgery
- Embezzlement
- Bribery
- Extortion
The RICO statute allows for both criminal prosecution as well as a private, civil cause of action. Plaintiffs in civil actions are entitled to treble damages (three times the money lost due to the defendant’s actions) and, therefore, experienced and competent counsel is essential when bringing a cause of action under RICO.
We Adeptly Navigate Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act Claims
Partners Kathleen Chavez and Robert Foote, as experienced litigators and attorneys, have substantial experience litigating some of the most significant recent RICO lawsuits. For example, Kathleen Chavez and Robert Foote were class counsel representing plaintiffs in the widely reported RICO class action lawsuit against food distributor U.S. Foods. U.S. Foods agreed to pay $297 million for a release from the claims filed against it alleging that the food distributor used shell companies as part of a multimillion-dollar overpricing scheme.
If you believe you have a claim under RICO, contact Illinois trial lawyers Kathleen Chavez or Robert Foote for a free, confidential consultation. Reach us by phone or send an email contact form. Our office hours in Chicago and Geneva are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Evening and weekend appointments may be available by special arrangement.
Foote, Mielke, Chavez & O’Neil, LLC serves Chicago, DuPage County, Kane County, and Cook County from their office in Geneva, Illinois for all client’s complex civil litigation legal needs.