Legal Definitions - Racketeering

Definition: Racketeering is a group of illegal activities that are done to make money, but they may look like legal business deals. These activities can include things like lying, forcing people to pay money, giving money to people to get something in return, and using violence or threatening to use violence.

• Fraud: This is when someone lies or tricks people to get their money. For example, someone might say they are selling a product that works really well, but it doesn't actually work at all.
• Extortion: This is when someone forces another person to pay them money or do something for them by threatening them. For example, someone might say they will hurt someone's family if they don't pay them money.
• Bribery: This is when someone gives money or something else to another person to get something in return. For example, someone might give a police officer money to not give them a ticket.
• Actual or threatened violence: This is when someone hurts or threatens to hurt someone else to get what they want. For example, someone might threaten to hurt a store owner if they don't give them money.

These examples show how racketeering can involve different types of illegal activities that are done to make money. They can be very harmful to people and businesses, and they are against the law.