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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: racketeering

racketeering stories: 10 news summaries

(Newser) - Tobacco companies engaged in “deceits” and knowingly marketed cigarettes without regard for consumers’ health, violating civil racketeering laws, a federal appeals court ruled today. In upholding the verdict in a landmark case brought by the Clinton Justice Department in 1999, the court refused to overturn a district judge’s... More »

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crime • cigarettes • tobacco • racketeering • Altria • Philip Morris • federal • tobacco companies • cigarette • Big Tobacco

Lawsuit Targets Cruise, Scientology 'Crime Syndicate'

Files harassment lawsuit under federal RICO statute

Jul 31, 08 11:07 AM CDT
(Newser) - An ex-Scientologist says the organization is a “crime syndicate” in a $250 million federal lawsuit that names Tom Cruise as the head honcho's "right-hand man," reports the Daily News. The suit uses a statute designed to counter organized crime in an attempt to have the Church of... More »

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Scientology • Tom Cruise • racketeering • RICO • David Miscavige • Peter Letterese

 Hollywood Private Eye
 Found Guilty 

'Ultimate problem solver' Pellicano faces hefty term after racketeering conviction

May 15, 08 4:17 PM CDT
(Newser) - Celebrity private detective Anthony Pellicano was found guilty today of 76 of the 77 charges he faced, including racketeering, wire fraud, and illegal wiretapping, the Los Angeles Times reports. Pellicano, 64, could face a life sentence after prosecutors won conviction on charges he illegally threatened and placed several prominent celebrities... More »

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Hollywood • corruption • celebrity • racketeering • Anthony Pellicano • private investigator • wiretapping

Gambler Sues Casinos for $20M

Gambling 'addict' says dens failed to stop her from blowing $1 million

Mar 9, 08 5:30 AM CDT
(Newser) - A former New York attorney is suing seven casinos for $20 million, claiming they helped woo her to the tables, and let her continue to play and lose despite an obvious gambling addiction. Workers at Atlantic City and Las Vegas gambling dens should have stopped her from blowing $1 million... More »

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New York City • IRS • Atlantic City • gambling addiction • Las Vegas • casino • lawsuit • racketeering • Minnesota

Private Eye's Assistant
Spills on Stand

Arranged wiretaps, transcribed tapes for Hollywood's Pellicano

Mar 8, 08 10:16 AM CST
(Newser) - A former assistant to Anthony Pellicano, improbably named Tarita Virtue, told a packed courtoom yesterday that she transcribed many wiretapped conversations for the Hollywood private eye, Variety reports. She explained Pellicano's wiretapping process step by step, and described the detective's security system, including punch-code locks on every room  and files... More »

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Hollywood • Nicole Kidman • Tom Cruise • celebrity trials • trial • celebrity • racketeering • wiretap • Anthony Pellicano • private eye

Swindler Black Ordered to Jail

Court rules tycoon must spend appeal process in prison

Feb 29, 08 4:00 AM CST
(Newser) - Former media tycoon Conrad Black, convicted of swindling millions from his newspaper empire, will be behind bars by Monday night, reports the Chicago Sun-Tribune. A Chicago court ruled that he couldn't remain free on bail while awaiting a decision on his appeal. Black has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in... More »

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media • newspaper • fraud • Chicago • Conrad Black • racketeering • Hollinger Media

South African Leader Indicted for Corruption

Lawyer calls charges 'politically motivated'; party crisis intensifies

Dec 28, 07 10:39 PM CST
(Newser) - South African prosecutors hit a new ruling party leader with corruption charges today, threatening his shot at the presidency and risking a prolonged legal and political crisis, the Guardian reports. ANC leader Jacob Zuma was ordered to stand trial next year on charges including racketeering and fraud linked to a... More »

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fraud • corruption • South Africa • racketeering • arms deal • Thabo Mbeki • Jacob Zuma • African National Congress

Ex-Ill. Governor Must Report to Federal Prison

Justice Stevens denies Ryan's last-ditch bid to remain free on bail

Nov 6, 07 4:29 PM CST
(Newser) - George Ryan will report to prison tomorrow after Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens today refused the ex-Illinois governor's request to stay free on bail while fighting a corruption conviction. Ryan, 73, will begin serving his 6½-year sentence in a Wisconsin prison, the Chicago Tribune reports. He was convicted... More »

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fraud • racketeering • Illinois • John Paul Stevens • George Ryan • US Supreme Court

Jefferson Pleads Not Guilty

Congressman answers federal corruption charges with pledge to 'fight my heart out'

Jun 8, 07 12:13 PM CDT
(Newser) - In his first public appearance since being indicted Monday, Rep. William Jefferson pleaded not guilty in federal court in this morning. The Louisiana Democrat, facing a laundry list of charges including bribery, racketeering, and obstruction of justice, then held a press conference in which he reeled off his family's achievements... More »

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ethics • investigation • William Jefferson • Louisiana • bribery • corruption • racketeering • obstruction of justice • corruption charges

House Moves to Expel Accused Congressman

Louisiana Democrat charged with bribery, extortion

Jun 6, 07 6:22 AM CDT
(Newser) - Pressure mounted on William Jefferson to resign from the House yesterday as leaders of both parties piled on in the wake of his indictment on corruption, racketeering and bribery charges. Republicans moved to initiate proceedings to have the Louisiana Democrat, expelled—which, Dems noted, they did not do when GOP... More »

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ethics • investigation • William Jefferson • Louisiana • bribery • corruption • House of Representatives • resignation • racketeering • expel • corruption charges

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