Document: 510 U.S. 249 NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN, INC., et al.v.SCHEIDLER al. No. 92-780. Supreme Court of United States. Argued December 8, 1993. Decided January 24, 1994. In this action, petitioner health care clinics alleged, among other things, that respondents, a coalition antiabortion groups called the Pro-Life Action Network (PLAN) and others, were members nationwide conspiracy to shut down abortion through pattern racketeering activity—including extortion under Hobbs Act—in violation Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) chapter Organized Crime Control 1970, 18 U. S. C. §§ 1961-1968. They claimed respondents conspired use threatened or actual force, violence, fear induce clinic employees, doctors, patients give up their jobs, right practice medicine, obtain services; injured clinics' business property interests; PLAN is enterprise. The District dismissed case pursuant Federal Rule Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). It found failed state claim § 1962(c)—which makes it unlawful "for any person employed by associated with enterprise engaged in, activities which affect, interstate foreign commerce, conduct participate . in such enterprise's affairs activity collection debt"—because they did not allege profit-generating purpose also 1962(d) on ground 1962(c) RICO claims made could stand. Appeals affirmed, agreeing there an economic motive requirement implicit 1962(c)'s element. Held: 1. have standing bring claim. Since complaint was at pleading stage, must be sustained if relief granted set facts proved consistent allegations. Hishon v. King & Spalding, 467 69, 73. Nothing more than complaint's injury allegations are needed confer stage. Pp. 255-256. 2. does require proof either predicate acts motivated purpose. Nowhere 1961's definitions "enterprise" "pattern activity" indication required. While arguably commerce would profit-seeking motive, language includes enterprises whose "affect" commerce. Webster's Third New International Dictionary defines as "to detrimental influence on"; surely can without having its own motives. term subsections (a) (b), where tied motivation, lead inference subsection (c). entity acquired illegal money generated from activity: victim activity. By contrast, (c) connotes generally vehicle committed. being acquired, need interest nor for engaging activity; only association fact engages rack-eteering Nor supported congressional statement findings prefaces refers drain billions dollars America's economy. Predicate acts, alleged here, may benefit protesters financially, but still economy harming businesses clinics. Moreover, rather thin reed upon base neither expressed fairly implied Act's operative sections. Cf. States Turkette, 452 576. Department Justice's 1981 guidelines prosecutions unpersuasive, since 1984 amendments broadened focus those association-in-fact exist maintaining operations directed toward goal" "directed identifiable goal." addition, statutory unambiguous, no clearly intent contrary legislative history warrant different construction. ambiguity suffice invoke rule lenity. See Sedima, P. R. L. Imrex Co., 473 479, 499. 256-262. 968 F. 2d 612, reversed. REHNQUIST, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. SOUTER, filed concurring opinion, KENNEDY, joined, post, p. 263. 1 CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS SEVENTH CIRCUIT. 2 Fay Clayton argued cause petitioners. With her briefs Susan Valentine, Lowell E. Sachnoff, Jack Block, Judi A. Lamble, Alan M. Pollack, Mitchell G. Mandell. 3 Miguel Estrada amicus curiae urging reversal. him brief Solicitor General Days, Acting Assistant Attorney Keeney, Deputy Bryson, Cynthia Young. 4 Robert Blakey respondents. Clark D. Forsythe Thomas Brejcha respondent Scheidler Jay Sekulow, Walter Weber, Keith Fournier, Vincent McCarthy Terry Craig Parshall, John W. Whitehead, Alexis I. Crow Migliorino (Miller). Paul Benjamin Linton Murphy.* 5 CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST 6 We required once again interpret provisions 1970 (OCCA), Pub. 91-452, Title IX, 84 Stat. 941, amended, 1961-1968 (1988 ed. Supp. IV). Section prohibits conducting certiorari determine whether requires hold motive. 7 * Petitioner National Organization Women, Inc. (NOW), national nonprofit organization supports legal availability abortion; petitioners Delaware Women's Health Organization, (DWHO), Summit (SWHO), centers perform abortions medical procedures. Respondents (PLAN), Joseph individuals organizations oppose abortion, laboratory formerly provided services two centers.1 8 Petitioners sued Northern Illinois, alleging violations Sherman Act, 26 209, 15 seq., RICO's 1962(a), (c), (d), well several pendent state-law stemming According Scheidler's testimony, these aim persuade women abortions. See, e. g., Abortion Clinic Violence, Oversight Hearings before Subcommittee Constitutional Rights House Committee Judiciary, 99th Cong., 1st Sess., 55 (1987) (statement Scheidler, Executive Director, League). sought injunctive relief, along treble damages, costs, attorney's fees. later amended complaint, local rules, "RICO Case Statement" further detailed enterprise, racketeering, victims activity, participants involved. 9 including 1951.2 1951(b)(2) "the obtaining another, his consent, induced wrongful fear, color official right." App. 66, Second Amended Complaint ¶ 97. "has and/or interests [petitioners]." Id., 72, 104. constitutes purposes 1962(c). 72-73, ¶¶ 107-109. 10 Citing Eastern Railroad Presidents Conference Noerr Motor Freight, Inc., 365 127 (1961), held "involve[d] political opponents, commercial competitors, objectives, marketplace goals," apply. 765 937, 941 (ND Ill. 1991). petitioners' 1962(a) because "income" consisted voluntary donations persons opposed "in way derived complaint." Ibid. then concluded "an exists extent some order claim." 943. Finally, 11 affirmed. 612 (CA7 1992). As counts, agreed contributions received constitute income 1962(a). 625. adopted analysis Circuit Ivic, 700 51 (1983), "economic motive" element offense. determined "non-economic crimes committed furtherance non-economic motives within ambit RICO." 2d, 629. Consequently, affirmed dismissal 1962(d). 12 certiorari, 508 971 (1993), resolve conflict Courts putative (d). Compare supra, Flynn, 852 1045, 1052 (CA8), ("For RICO, goal"), cert. denied, 488 974 (1988), Northeast Center, McMonagle, 868 1342 (CA3) (because offense additional motive), 493 901 (1989). II 13 first address threshold question raised Standing represents jurisdictional remains open review all stages litigation. Bender Williamsport Area School Dist., 475 534, 546-547 (1986). correct DWHO SWHO, NOW, RICO.3 Despite attempted class actions, SWHO themselves standing. Simon Ky. Welfare 426 26, 40, n. 20 (1976), citing Warth Seldin, 422 490, 502 (1975). wrong, however, asserting alleges "injury" "fairly traceable defendant's allegedly conduct." Allen Wright, 468 737, 751 (1984). 14 "[a]t general factual resulting suffice, motion dismiss we presume embrace specific necessary support Lujan Defenders Wildlife, 504 555, 561 (1992) (citations omitted). stage 12(b)(6), so "under allegations." 73 force staff stop working elsewhere. DWHO's administrator reprisals she refused quit job clinic. 68, 98(g). Paragraphs 106 110 incorporate into III turn accompanied underlying participate, directly indirectly, debt." 1961(1) include "chargeable" "indictable" host federal laws.4 broadly 1961(4) "includ[e] individual, partnership, corporation, association, entity, union group although entity." 1961 16 phrase "any commerce" comes closest suggesting Arguably there; 35 (1969) on—used especially affecting commerce." An 17 thought should applied restrict breadth agree point our comment 489 (1985), regarding "violation," "[w]e lightly infer Congress intended [violation] wholly meanings neighboring subsections." do believe usage (b) leads plays role structure provides "shall who has derived, invest, part income, proceeds acquisition establishment operation of, Correspondingly, 1962(b) states debt acquire maintain, control referred thus something obtained activities. very "profit-seeking" acquired. But mandate entity; simply 19 committed, Subsection enterprise... activity...." activity.5 directs us conclusion. relied reasoning Bagaric, 706 42 (CA2), 464 840 conclusion upholding convictions, terrorist group, Bagaric court "`drai[n] fraud, corruption.'" 57, (quoting OCCA, 922). decided sort condemned 21 think so. Appeals, think, overlook extortion, financially case. 22 quoted nor, sections Act. said H. J. Northwestern Bell Telephone 492 229, 248 (1989): "The occasion Congress' action perceived combat organized crime. cogent reasons chose enact statute, one which, had crime focus, limited application crime." 23 576 (1981), faced analogous used confined "legitimate" enterprises. Looking language, "[t]here restriction associations embraced definition: fact." 580. Accordingly, resolved 1961(4)'s definition "appears both legitimate illegitimate scope; excludes criminal ones." 580-581. noted easily narrowed sweep inserting single word, "legitimate." 581. Instead, nothing indicate exclude entities sole criminal. 24 parallel present apparent. not, definitional section 25 persuasive issued Justice 1981. indictment charge unless "`for goal....'" 64, quoting Dept. Justice, Attorneys' Manual 9-110.360 (1984) (emphasis added). believed entitled deference administrative law principles. 64. Whatever appropriate afforded internal see, Crandon States, 494 152, 177 (1990) (SCALIA, judgment), note 1984. provide Attorney's (Mar. 9, 1984) Both parties rely positions. unambiguous find parties' submissions respecting "clearly contrary" Reves Ernst Young, 507 170, 580, Consumer Product Safety Comm'n GTE Sylvania, 447 102, 108 (1980). 27 finally argue result here controlled lenity cases. applies when present; "`it beget one. end process construing what expressed, beginning overriding consideration lenient wrongdoers.'" 587-588, 10, Callanan 364 587, 596 (1961) (footnote "`[T]he been situations expressly anticipated demonstrate ambiguity. demonstrates breadth.'" S., 499 Haroco, American Nat. Bank Trust Co. Chicago, 747 384, 398 1984)).6 28 therefore maintain conducted questions requisite commission fell pattern, us. contains requirement. 29 judgment accordingly 30 Reversed. Notes: Briefs ofamici reversal State York Abrams, York, Jerry Boone, General, Sanford Cohen, Attorneys respective follows: Richard Blumenthal Connecticut, Roland Burris Michael Easley North Carolina, Stephen Rosenthal Virginia, Hubert Humphrey Minnesota, Lee Fisher Ohio; Medical Association Bierig, Carter Phillips, Kirk B. Johnson, Ann Allen; Federation Elaine Metlin, Eve Paul, Roger K. Evans; Funds Kathryn Kolbert; NOW Legal Defense Education Fund David Goldblatt, Charles Sims, Deborah Ellis, Burt Neuborne. amici affirmance People Ethical Treatment Animals, Edward McGlynn Gaffney, Jr., Goldberger, Victor Rosenblum; Ohio Right Life Society, Forte; Southern Center Law Ethics Albert Jordan, Steven T. McFarland, Bradley Jacob. Liberties Union Louis Bograd Shapiro; Focus Family Reed Ronald McKinstry. named following: Patrick Ryan, Randall Terry, Andrew Scholberg, Conrad Wojnar, Timothy Murphy, Monica Migliorino, Vital-Med Laboratories, League, (PLAL), Direct (PDAL), Operation Rescue, Project 1951(a), provides: "Whoever degree obstructs, delays, affects movement article commodity robbery attempts conspires do, commits threatens physical violence plan anything shall fined $10,000 imprisoned twenty years, both." contend unable show actions violated reach issue express certification itself, targeted centers, centers. certify class, apparently deferring ruling until resolution motions dismiss. All pending moot respondents' 945 1991) "`racketeering activity' means (A) act threat involving murder, kidnaping, gambling, arson, robbery, bribery, dealing obscene matter, narcotic dangerous drugs, chargeable punishable imprisonment year; (B) indictable following title 18, Code: 201 (relating bribery), 224 sports 471, 472, counterfeiting), 659 theft shipment) felonious, 664 embezzlement pension welfare funds), 891-894 extortionate credit transactions), 1029 fraud related connection access devices), 1084 transmission gambling information), 1341 mail fraud), 1343 wire 1344 financial institution 1461-1465 matter), 1503 obstruction justice), 1510 investigations), 1511 enforcement), 1512 tampering witness, victim, informant), 1513 retaliating against 1951 interference extortion), 1952 racketeering) (C) 29, Code, 186 (dealing restrictions payments loans labor organizations) 501(c) (D) connected 11, sale securities, felonious manufacture, importation, receiving, concealment, buying, selling, otherwise ." One commentator uses terms "prize," "instrument," "victim," "perpetrator" describe four separate roles play 1962. Blakey, Fraud Context: Reflections onBennett Berg, 58 Notre Dame Rev. 237, 307-325 (1982). Several severalamici chill expression protected First Amendment. However, presented asked create unwritten limiting cases None constitutional argument proper construction almost entirely nature activities, RICO. decline Amendment amici. whom KENNEDY joins, concurring. I join Court's write separately explain why reading economic-motive (RICO statute), stress bar challenges particular avoid issues arise allowing protest statute just previously interpreted applicable statutes problems. 127, 138 (holding antitrust laws apply combining lobby government, even anticompetitive effect, alternative "would raise important questions" Amendment); see Lucas Alexander, 279 573, 577 (1929) (a "must construed eye possible limitations doubts validity"). meritless case, though, principle meaning doubt, Noerr, unambiguous," ante, 261. Even debate, follow ought read requirement, correspond poorly free-speech concerns. complain that, limited, permits ideological organization's opponents label vigorous thereby availing powerful remedial destroy organization. protect too much respect interests, keep reaching commit chilling. might prove under-protective, fully fail proposed test (for movements money) left exposed harassing suits. is, finally, unnecessary, addressed individual arise. precludes defendant raising defense Conduct amount example, other, somewhat elastic out entitling basis. NAACP Claiborne Hardware 458 886, 917 (1982) common-law prohibition malicious circumstances, constitutionally civil-rights boycott white merchants). And validly established, limit expression. Alabama ex rel. Patterson, 357 449 (1958) (invalidating compelling production NAACP's membership lists, enforce Alabama's requirements out-of-state corporations doing State). 930-932 (discussing limits assessment derivative liability organizations); Oregon Natural Resources Council Mohla, 944 531 (CA9 (applying heightened standard based presumptively conduct). This place catalog speech view possibility (since, observes, outside presented, 262, 6). prudent notice deter advocacy caution courts applying bear mind stake.

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