Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

avebury

(10,952 posts)
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 11:18 AM Oct 2012

At what point can the Republicans be charged with RICO over voter suppression?

The Republican Party has been involved in a concerted effort to commit voter suppression in numerous states. It dawned on me today, should groups like the NAACP, ACLU, etc. be starting to shout from coast to coast that what the Republicans are doing does constitute RICO. DU members who are lawyers - is this a valid way to look at what is happening or am I just dreaming?

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. The RICO Act focuses specifically on racketeering, and it allows for the leaders of a syndicate to be tried for the crimes which they ordered others to do or assisted them, closing a perceived loophole that allowed someone who told a man to, for example, murder, to be exempt from the trial because he did not actually do it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
At what point can the Republicans be charged with RICO over voter suppression? (Original Post) avebury Oct 2012 OP
It would take a DOJ who cared more about voting rights, HooptieWagon Oct 2012 #1
+100 n/t IDoMath Oct 2012 #2
Gonna slide in here to add my +101. nc4bo Oct 2012 #4
call the doj and tell them they're growing medical marijuana, they'll be right on it leftyohiolib Oct 2012 #3
 

HooptieWagon

(17,064 posts)
1. It would take a DOJ who cared more about voting rights,
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 11:42 AM
Oct 2012

rather than being obsessed with busting pot-smoking grannies.
Yes, in theory the voter suppression,registration fraud, and election fraud could be bundled as a continuing criminal enterprise by the GOP under the RICO Act. It threatens the very foundation of our democracy. However, sadly it appears to be at the bottom of AG Holder's priority list.

nc4bo

(17,651 posts)
4. Gonna slide in here to add my +101.
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 12:07 PM
Oct 2012

Kicking that can down the road will continue to bite us in the arse.

For some reason, it's just not that important.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»At what point can the Rep...