The 2.76.2 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act–Section C (RICO)–First Element–The Enterprise is a federal law that prohibits individuals or groups from engaging in a “pattern of racketeering activity” while operating an “enterprise.” The law was enacted to target organized crime and is often used to prosecute individuals and organizations for certain criminal activities. Under RICO, the "enterprise" can include any individual, corporation, association, union, or other legal entity, or any group of individuals associated in fact. The “pattern of racketeering activity” includes any act or threat involving murder, kidnapping, bribery, extortion, fraud, or certain other criminal offenses committed in violation of state or federal law. There are two types of RICO violations: “direct” and “conspiracy.” A direct violation involves the actual commission of two or more predicate acts, while a conspiracy violation involves an agreement to commit two or more predicate acts. Penalties for a RICO violation can include fines, imprisonment, asset forfeiture, and restitution.