The mobsters intimidated the storeowners by telling them they would protect their business from vandals for a fee. Once each storeowner was taxed out of their place of business, the mobster would move in. .
These forms of crime went unnoticed by the federal government, especially since the mobsters had control over local law enforcement officials. However, with each crimes of the Organized Crime Era came a section, act or law against that particular crime. Eventually, Congress passed an act dedicated to the investigation and ending of racketeering and extortion. This act against organized crime, The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, RICO, was enacted in 1970. "RICO has broad application beyond the organized crime context, since Congress has mandated that RICO be liberally constructed to effectuate its remedial purposes." In the Supreme Court case of S.P.R.L. v. Imrex, the Supreme Court ruled and concluded that RICO is not limited to just organized crime. The RICO Act can be applied to legitimate business as well. One of RICO's principal purposes is to remove organized crime from the legitimate business community. Its other main purpose is to stop the practice or activities that interfere with enterprise or interstate commerce through a pattern of racketeering activity, or through the collection of an unlawful debt. .
In most crimes Mens Rea needs to be involved to form a case against the alleged criminals, and in high profile cases Mens Rea play a huge part in the verdict and punishment of the crime, decided by the judge and/or jury. The RICO Act can also sanction the offender beyond those available for predicate acts. The RICO Act further specifically makes the following unlawful activities by any person, persons or organizations:.
1. Using income derived from a pattern of racketeering activity to acquire an interest in an enterprise;.
2. Acquiring or maintaining an interest in an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity;.
