Document: 452 U.S. 576 101 S.Ct. 2524 69 L.Ed.2d 246 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.Novia TURKETTE, Jr. No. 80-808. Argued April 27, 1981. Decided June 17, Syllabus Chapter 96 of Title 18 the United States Code, entitled Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO), was added to by Organized Crime Control Act 1970. U.S.C. § 1962(c), which is part RICO, makes it unlawful "for any person employed or associated with enterprise engaged in, activities affect, interstate foreign commerce, conduct participate, directly indirectly, in such enterprise's affairs through a pattern racketeering activity collection debt." The term "enterprise" defined 1961(4) as including "any individual, partnership, corporation, association, other legal entity, union group individuals fact although not entity." An indictment charged respondent others with, inter alia, conspiracy violate 1962(c). described question for purpose engaging certain specified criminal activities. Respondent convicted Federal District Court, but Court Appeals reversed on ground that RICO intended solely protect legitimate business enterprises from infiltration racketeers does make participate an association performs only illegal acts has infiltrated attempted infiltrate enterprise. Held: used encompasses both illegitimate enterprises. Pp. 580-593. (a) Neither language nor structure limits its application On face, definition appears include within scope. section describes two separate categories associations come purview "enterprise"—the first encompassing organizations corporations, partnerships, "legal entities," second covering category more generalized description first, hence rule ejusdem generis cannot be properly applied hold should limited specific examples enumerated first. 580-582. (b) With respect "pattern activity" entity apart engages. In order secure conviction, Government must prove existence connected activity." 582-583. (c) Applying well render portion statute superfluous create structural incongruities statute's framework. contrary, insulating wholly prosecution under incongruous position. 583-587. (d) Nothing RICO's legislative history requires conclusion view purposes 1970 eradicate organized crime States, said Congress nevertheless confined reach law narrow aspects crime, and, particular, business. 588-593. 1 Cir., 632 F.2d 896, reversed. Mark I. Levy, Washington, D. C., petitioner. John Wall, Boston, Mass., respondent. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. §§ 1961-1968 (1976 ed. Supp. III), IX 1970, Pub.L. 91-452, 84 Stat. 941. this case whether former. First Circuit held did intend those are exclusively criminal. 896 (1980). This position contrary adopted every addressed issue.1 We granted certiorari resolve conflict. 449 1123, 938, 67 109 (1981). 2 * Count Nine nine-count 12 enterprise2 commerce activities, violation 1962(d).3 "a illegally trafficking narcotics dangerous drugs, committing arsons, utilizing mails defraud insurance companies, bribing attempting bribe local police officers, corruptly influencing influence outcome state court proceedings. . ." eight counts commission various substantive enterprise, possession intent distribute distribution controlled substances, several fraud arson means. common thread all respondent's alleged leadership organization he orchestrated participated crimes delineated count preceding counts. 3 After 6-week jury trial, evidence focused upon professional nature execution number distinct acts, nine He sentenced 20 years counts, 2-year special parole drug count. 20-year concurrent fined $20,000. 4 appeal, argued participation agreed. reverse. II 5 determining scope statute, we look language. If statutory unambiguous, absence clearly expressed ordinarily regarded conclusive." Consumer Product Safety Comm'n v. GTE Sylvania, Inc., 447 102, 108, 100 2051, 2056, 64 766 Of course, there no errorless test identifying recognizing "plain" "unambiguous" Also, authoritative administrative constructions given deference they entitled, absurd results avoided internal inconsistencies dealt with. Trans Alaska Pipeline Rate Cases, 436 631, 643, 98 2053, 2061, 56 591 (1978); Commissioner Brown, 380 563, 571, 85 1162, 1166, 14 75 (1965). begin statute. 6 Section 1962(c) 1961(4). There restriction embraced definition: includes fact. scope; excludes than ones. Had associations, could easily have narrowed sweep inserting single word, "legitimate." But nothing indicate consisting covered if 7 Appeals, however, departed It gave reasons doing so, none adequate. First, relied aid construction problems suggesting where general words follow enumeration persons things, things similar specifically enumerated. See 2A C. Sands, Sutherland Statutory Construction 47.17 (4th 1973). ruled because each "legitimate" one, final catchall phrase—"any fact"—should also at least flaws reasoning. ofejusdem comes into play when some uncertainty meaning particular clause Harrison PPG Industries, 446 578, 588, 1889, 1895, 525 (1980); Powell, 423 87, 91, 316, 319, 46 228 (1975); Gooch 297 124, 128, 395, 397, 80 L.Ed. 522 (1936). Considering 1961(4), perceive attributed phrase, fact" convinced another reason inapplicable context. 8 definition. corporations entities." covers assumed merely Having made assumption, concluded assumption untenable. Each type statute—those recognized entities not. latter itself containing followed description, bearing 1961(4).4 9 A offered support judgment giving ordinary would Act. said: 10 "If 'a racketeering' can 'enterprise' then phrases 'employed enterprise' 'the [a activity]' add section. coherent logical read applying enterprises." F.2d, 899. 11 based faulty premise. That ambit mean "enterprise." conviction present together course conduct. is, hand, series 1961(1) ed., III). former proved ongoing organization, formal informal, associates function continuing unit. requisite committed participants While proof establish these elements may cases coalesce, one necessarily other. activity"; times remains element Government.5 Apart 1962(c)'s proscription against participating proscribes investment income derived affects acquisition interest control activity. 1962(a) (b).6 provisions interpreted so apply sections limited, issue here, similarly limited. Again, do accept premise conclusion. obvious address businesses, agree were aimed preventing investing reinvesting acquiring gambling loan-sharking operation. inconsistency anomaly 1962 applies Certainly warrant Appeals' contrary. 13 Similarly, noted civil remedies provided 1964,7 divestiture, dissolution, reorganization, restrictions future violators treble damages. These thought utility As proposition, useful eradicating social fabric, ostensibly admittedly aim divest fruits ill-gotten gains. infra, 591-593. Even might serve limit concept. use circumstances warrant. untenable argue their provisions.8 Finally, urged interpretation will substantially alter balance between federal enforcement law. particularly true, argument goes, since included significant even assuming inclusive effect suggested,9 aware entering new domain involvement enactment measure. Indeed, very enable large seemingly neglected problem. existing law, federal, adequate problem, national dimensions. strongly indicates criminalized offense present. hearings debates reveal, fear mov[e] areas formerly totally power State realm." 116 Cong.Rec. 35217 (1970) (remarks Rep. Eckhardt). id., 35205 Mikva); 35213 (comments American Civil Liberties Union); Hearings before Subcommittee House Committee Judiciary, 91st Cong., 2d Sess., 329, 370 (statement Sheldon H. Eisen behalf Association Bar City New York). face objections, nonetheless proceeded enact measure, knowing somewhat role war alteration entail prosecutions involving acted beyond doing. being case, courts without authority restrict Culbert, 435 371, 379-380, 1112, 1116-1117, 55 349 (1978). 15 Contrary below, neither "enterprises." framework result surprising. 16 904(a) 947, directs "[t]he shall liberally construed effectuate remedial purposes." admonition, excluded coverage. quite sure conclusion.10 III 17 statement findings prefaces reveals pervasiveness problem addressing enactment: "The finds (1) highly sophisticated, diversified, widespread annually drains billions dollars America's economy force, fraud, corruption; (2) derives major money obtained endeavors syndicated gambling, loan sharking, theft fencing property, importation forms exploitation; (3) increasingly corrupt labor unions subvert our democratic processes; (4) weaken stability Nation's economic system, harm innocent investors competing organizations, interfere free competition, seriously burden threaten domestic security, undermine welfare Nation citizens; (5) continues grow defects evidence-gathering process inhibiting development legally admissible necessary bring sanctions bear available unnecessarily impact." 922-923. 19 light above findings, declared "to seek eradication strengthening tools process, establishing penal prohibitions, providing enhanced deal crime." Id., 923.11 Titles provide goal accomplished. Only three offenses, VIII, directed operations, IX, XI, addresses importation, distribution, storage explosive materials. procedural devices incarceration involved crime. Act's broad purposes, suggested below unacceptable. Whole placed enactment. For example, "loan drugs," 922-923, immune long deviate path. Yet among found typical see source revenue organizations. S. 30 et al. Criminal Laws Procedures Senate 1st 1-2 (1969).12 Along same lines, Senator McClellan, principal sponsor bill, types designed address. consistent offenses enterprises: "Organized criminals, too, flooded market cheap reproductions hit records affixed counterfeit popular labels. They heavily illicit prescription industry." 592 (1970). goals Act, unpersuaded 21 gainsay forcefully supports point time again during Senate.13 statements negative inference purposes. Naftalin, 441 768, 774-775, 99 2077, 2082, 60 624 (1979); U.S., 377, S.Ct., 1115. 22 full accord proposition equally applicable dimension yet acquire one. Accepting primary cope accordance terms, enterprises, source. Supporters bill uses sources power—illegal sharking distribution—as springboard sphere 30, supra, 1-2. Report stated: 23 "What needed committee believes, approaches individuals, base constitute serious threat well-being Nation. short, attack itself, take place fronts." S.Rep. 91-617, p. 79 (1969) (emphasis supplied). 24 Byrd explained debate floor, paves way criminals gain access eventually over thousands businesses." 606 Hruska "the combination penalties title offers extraordinary potential striking mortal blow property interests 602.14 Undoubtedly, businesses great concern, means prevent plainly Representative Poff, manager House, "[T]itle 35193. 25 measure preventive remedial. Respondent's ignore had circumscribed approach espoused been positive sign give rise concerns about infiltration. however—the most reliable intent—reveals opted far broader word "enterprise," unconvinced anything less effect. 26 accordingly 27 Reversed. 28 STEWART agrees reasoning 896. Accordingly, respectfully dissents. Sutton, 642 1001, 1006-1009 (CA6 1980) (en banc), cert. pending, Nos. 80-6058, 80-6137, 80-6141, 80-6147, 80-6253, 80-6254, 80-6272; Errico, 635 152, 155 (CA2 1980); Provenzano, 620 985, 992-993 (CA3), denied, 899, 267, 66 129 Whitehead, 618 523, 525, n. (CA4 Aleman, 609 298, 304-305 (CA7 1979), 445 946, 1345, 63 780 Rone, 598 564, 568-569 (CA9 Swiderski, 193 U.S.App.D.C. 92, 94-95, 593 1246, 1248-1249 (1978), 933, 2055, 662 Elliott, 571 880, 896-898 (CA5), 439 953, 349, 58 344 Anderson, 626 1358, 1372 (CA8 1980), 450 912, 1351, 336 605 260, 264-270 vacated, 1001 Rome, 573 (Ely, J., dissenting); Altese, 542 104, 107 1976) (Van Graafeiland, dissenting), 429 1039, 97 736, 50 750 (1977). provides: " 1962(d) provides "[i]t conspire subsections (a), (b), section." Pertinent charges, subsection "It further flawed entity" act pale mere favored proceeding along Therefore, legitimacy universal characteristic listed improper engraft takes sufficient enterprise: "We suggest sporadic isolated actor actors ipso facto 'illegitimate' enterprise; rather, independent shown." Reply Brief 4. little force. Language rendered contexts pertinent. provide: "(a) who received derived, debt 2, 18, invest, income, proceeds establishment operation of, commerce. purchase securities open investment, intention controlling issuer, assisting issuer purchaser, members his immediate family, accomplices after amount aggregate percent outstanding class, confer, either fact, elect directors issuer. "(b) maintain, commerce." 1964(a) district jurisdiction restrain violations chapter issuing appropriate orders, including, to: ordering himself interest, direct indirect, imposing reasonable investments person, to, prohibiting endeavor affect commerce; dissolution reorganization making due provision rights persons. "(c) Any injured sue therefore recover threefold damages sustains cost suit, attorney's fee." discussing remedies, referred equitable relief 79, 9, 81, (1969). references context discussion need expand combat imposes justice systems States. 947 ("Nothing supersede Federal, State, affording addition title"). Thus, remain exercise powers fullest constitutional extent defining prosecuting respective jurisdictions. predicate administration find occasion lenity "[T]hat 'rule,' true guide construction, serves resolving ambiguity; beget end construing what expressed, beginning overriding consideration lenient wrongdoers." Callanan 364 587, 596, 81 321, 326, 312 (1961) (footnote omitted). ambiguity play. Moore, 122, 145, 335, 346, 333 (1975), quoting 25-26, 68 376, 92 442 (1948) (" 'The canon favor strict [of statutes] inexorable command override sense evident purpose. Nor demand "narrowest meaning"; satisfied fair manifest lawmakers' "); Lewis 55, 60-61, 915, 918-919, 198 602 Sen. Yarborough) ("a scale crime"); 819 Scott) ("purpose States"); 35199 Rodino) truly full-scale commitment destroy insidious groups"); 35300 Mayne) (organized "must sternly irrevocably eradicated"). 601 Hruska); 606-607 Byrd); Scott); 962 Murphy); 970 Bible); 18913, 18937 McClellan); Rodino); 35216 McDade); Mayne); 35312 Brock); 35319 Anderson California); 35326 Vanik); 35328 Meskill); 108 Attorney General Mitchell); H.R.Rep. 1574, 90th (1968). McClellan) ("title removing organizations"); Hruska) ("Title remove attacking acquired operated methods"); 607 Byrd) ("alarming expansion field business"); 953 Thurmond) ("racketeers gaining inroads 845 Kennedy) us taking activities"); 76 also, e. g., 115 827 ("Organized gains ("illegally gained possible pollute 603 ("[RICO] root out business, channeled"); ("loan businesses"); 35193 Poff) ("[T]itle ."); 78-80; ("The President's Commission greatest menace presents ability accumulation unions"); 170 (Department Comments) inhibit like previous title, syndicates' ")

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