In some instances federal or state prosecutors will try to bring “racketeering” conspiracy charges against businesspeople by stringing together several disparate allegations of wrongdoing allegedly tied to a definable enterprise, which can be a very legitimate corporation. Once again, charges brought under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act will ratchet up the potential penalties and make the case seem more ominous to a jury. Our firm has handled many civil and criminal racketeering cases over the years, and we have challenged the basis for bringing such claims. We assisted a New York lawyer in defending himself against racketeering charges brought in connection with a failed insurance company in Florida. He was acquitted of all charges.