Opinion ID: 552784
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Reference to Al Capone

Text: 28 In the government's opening statement, the prosecutor said: The concept of racketeering, I think, is a notion of organized crime, or Al Capone; but it's also fair to use this statute to address what the Defendant did.... The appellant argues that he was being compared to Al Capone, and so he should get a new fair trial. The appellant's contention misrepresents the point that was being made. The prosecutor did not say that Strissel was like Capone. The prosecutor was explaining that the RICO statute does not apply only to gangsters. Instead, it is designed to encompass any criminal activity that constitutes racketeering activity. A defendant need not be a mobster to forfeit assets. Accordingly, this comment was not prejudicial. 29 The judgment of the district court is hereby 30 AFFIRMED.