What is racketeering and why is Sean 'Diddy' Combs facing this charge?

BBC ^ | Oct 11 | BBC

[RandFan]

The trial of American music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is accused of running a sprawling sex trafficking operation, is almost over.

The 12 jurors at a federal court in New York have announced they have come to a decision on four of the five counts faced by Mr Combs, although these decisions have not been disclosed.

But the jurors are unable to decide on the racketeering charge, the most serious of the five, which carries a possible life prison term.

Mr Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations against him.

So what is the racketeering charge, which is more commonly used against mobsters - and what are the other charges faced by the rapper?

What is racketeering?

Racketeering conspiracy, or directing an illegal enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (Rico), is the formal name for the charge.

The law was created to take on mob bosses, but it has since been used in other trials, including for sex trafficking - such as in the case against disgraced R&B singer R Kelly.

It is also sometimes used against a group of defendants. US President Donald Trump and his allies were accused of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia - charges that Trump denied.

To convict Mr Combs on this charge, prosecutors must prove he used his loyal network of associates to run a criminal enterprise to commit crimes including sex trafficking, kidnapping, drugging and obstruction of justice.

In this case, that network would include his employees, who prosecutors say played a part in setting up the "freak-offs" at the centre of the case.

These were prolonged sexual encounters at which the prosecution's key witnesses say they were coerced to have sex with male escorts while Mr Combs watched.

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Conspiracy
KEYWORDS: corruption; pizzagate; rico

[RandFan]

A sordid affair. Are any legal eagle Freepers watching this trial and what are we expecting?

[Red Badger]

Even if he’s not convicted of charge #1, racketeering, he’s toast.

When the jury said they had reached verdicts in all the other charges, it was seemingly evident that the verdict is guilty............

[DIRTYSECRET]

What difference at this point does it make?

Libertarian here-registered. I’m getting sick of your favorite senator.

[Col Frank Slade]

The jury reached a verdict on the other 4 charges after just 12 hours of deliberations.

Quick verdict usually bad news for the defendant.

[Cowgirl of Justice]

I don’t know about that. Look at the first trial he was involved in with the gun charges. He pretty much danced out of there, completely unscathed, like a hero.

[bgill]

Jury has reached a verdict and everyone called in to have it read.

Don’t really care one way or the other. He’s going to prison with every other verdict. Evil sick monster is going away.

[PghBaldy]

I still wonder about a high profile black celebrity charged in an election year. Not that he is not guilty of it all, but why would the Biden Regime do this then?

[deport]

key witnesses say they were coerced to have sex with male
escorts while Mr Combs watched.

**********

Just paying for what the boss man wanted in order to close
a deal or something similar. Some coercing bought to get
the final signature or equivalent. jmo

[Racketeer]

Racketeering has been watered down to criminalize small family owned businesses as well. It is the ultimate gift for “political” persecution when used in such manner.

Why is has not been used for crimes committed by corrupt government actors is what blows my mind? I guess they refuse to prosecute the original gifter of RICO!! They just are not going to bite the hand that feeds them, so to speak.

[x]

You could indict — and convict — a ham sandwich with RICO if the ham and the condiments were a little too friendly.