These notorious groups dominated organized crime in Chicago and New York for decades –- until prosecutors brought them down with one sweeping charge: racketeering. Blakey has helped draft racketeering laws in at least 22 statesIt’s not a specific crimeSimply put, racketeering means engaging in an illegal scheme. Prosecutors must prove a pattern involving at least two instances of racketeering activity to convict someone under the law. It’s purposefully broadCongress passed the RICO Act in 1970 to combat organized crime. But racketeering is “not only associated with organized crime,” Blakey says.

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Persons: Gambino, Lucchese, Donald Trump, Kelly, Young Thug, Sean ‘ Diddy ’ Combs, G, Robert Blakey, Blakey, It’s, ”, Antonio Corallo, ” Blakey Organizations: CNN, Chicago Mafia, Notre Dame University, US Justice Department Locations: Chicago, New York