What is racketeering? Donald Trump charged with Mafia-busting law

What is Racketeering as Donald Trump is charged with a Mafia-busting law?Source: PA, archive footage

Transcript

00:00 One, two, three.

00:02 [cheering]

00:04 [cheering]

00:06 Donald Trump has been indicted for the fourth time on Monday

00:10 with 13 new charges, including his most sweeping one yet,

00:14 breaking the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organisations Act.

00:19 But what does this mean?

00:21 Well, racketeering, also known as RICO,

00:23 helps prosecutors connect the dots between those who break the law

00:27 and those who give the marching orders to do so.

00:30 It was established in 1970, initially to prosecute mafia and organised crime,

00:36 helping to indict the people at the top of the criminal rings.

00:39 The law has now been rolled out, however, to combat corruption,

00:42 conspiracy, fraud and other coordinated criminal activity.

00:47 Penalties under RICO Act vary by state, but in Georgia they are tough.

00:52 If found guilty, you could receive prison terms between five and twenty years

00:56 or fines up to $250,000.

01:01 This latest indictment charges Mr Trump, as well as co-conspirators

01:05 with an alleged criminal enterprise, to unlawfully reject the outcome

01:09 of the 2020 election results in the state of Georgia,

01:12 against the will of the voters.

01:15 Well, this latest indictment now takes the number of charges

01:18 against the former president to 91,

01:21 all of which he's pleaded not guilty to and has called a 'witch hunt'.

01:26 (gentle music)