RICO Civil Case Playbook: Filing in Federal Court

## Overview The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968) provides civil remedies. This playbook focuses on filing a civil RICO claim. ## Step 1: Establish Standing - Injury to business or property - Caused by a RICO violation - Concrete and not speculative ## Step 2: Identify RICO Elements 1. **Enterprise**: Legal entity or association-in-fact 2. **Pattern**: At least two predicate acts within 10 years 3. **Predicate Acts**: From § 1961(1) list 4. **Nexus**: Connected to the enterprise ## Step 3: Draft the Complaint - Plead with particularity under Rule 9(b) - Identify each predicate act specifically - Allege pattern with continuity and relationship ## Step 4: Treble Damages - 3x actual damages - Attorney fees recoverable - Pre-judgment interest available ## Common Pitfalls - Failing to plead predicates with particularity - Conflating enterprise with defendant - Not establishing a pattern