The tobacco industry as racketeers

Federal Judge rules the tobacco industry violated the RICO Act

[Exerpted from UNITED STATES' FINAL PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT, Executive Summary, August 15, 2005]

The United States established facts that prove that each of the Defendants in the case, United States of America v Philip Morris Incorporated, et. al., has committed violations of Sections 1962(c) and 1962(d) of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO"), 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968, as alleged in Counts 3 and 4 of the United States' First Amended Complaint.

The evidence introduced by the United States – presented through 58 live witnesses, over 10,000 documents, and testimony of 120 witnesses appearing by prior designation – proves that Defendants have engaged in a massive 50-year scheme to defraud the American public, including consumers of cigarettes, and that Defendants' past and ongoing conduct establishes a reasonable likelihood of future violations.