The Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly considering charging those involved in the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol building under an organized crime law.
US mulls using law designed to prosecute Mafia against Capitol rioter
US mulls using law designed to prosecute Mafia against Capitol rioter
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, enables prosecutors to combat certain ongoing racketeering crimes such as murder, kidnapping, bribery and money laundering.
advertisement
UPDATED: February 4, 2021 08:50 IST
The siege by supporters of former President Donald Trump left five dead including a police officer. (Photo: Reuters)
The U.S. Justice Department is considering whether to charge members of far-right groups involved in the deadly Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol under a federal law usually used against organized crime, according to two law enforcement sources.
Close icon
Two crossed lines that form an X . It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification. A member of the Proud Boys at a rally at Delta Park in Portland, Oregon, on June 26. Stanton Sharpe/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Proud Boys may have planned the Capitol siege as revenge on law enforcement, the FBI said.
Officials said some members charged in the riot, including Ethan Nordean, had prepared for violence.
They were angry at the police response to the stabbing of a member at a December rally, the FBI said.
Investigators are looking into whether members of the far-right extremist group the Proud Boys planned elements of the Capitol siege to get revenge on members of law enforcement, the FBI said in a newly released affidavit.
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
The U.S. Department of Justice is considering whether to charge rioters involved in the storming of the U.S. Capitol under a federal law generally reserved for cases against organized crime, according to two law enforcement sources, as reported by Reuters.
We’re talking “Godfather” charges.
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, allows criminal prosecution and civil penalties, including up to 20 years in prison, hefty fines, and seizure of assets obtained illegally through a criminal enterprise.
Two law enforcement sources – one currently working in the administration and one recently separated from the federal government confirmed the story to Reuters.
FOX News contributor Jonathan Turley joins Fox Report to discuss the potential impact of possible domestic terrorism bill.
The U.S. Department of Justice is exploring applying charges typically used in mafia and organized crime cases against those accused of storming the U.S. Capitol earlier this year, according to a report.
Reuters cited two anonymous law enforcement sources in reporting that the DOJ is mulling whether to apply Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ‒ RICO ‒ charges to those accused of taking part in the Jan. 6 riot.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request seeking comment. Spokesperson Kristina Mastropasqua did not comment when contacted by Reuters but instead referenced acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin’s past statements, which say that his office will apply charges according to the evidence in each case.