Former Prosecutors Dispute Rudy Giuliani's Claim of Being a RICO Pioneer
Rudy Giuliani's claim of being the pioneer of using the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to target mafia families has been debunked by former prosecutors who worked on RICO cases in the 1970s and 80s. They argue that Giuliani's self-promotion and mythmaking have misled the public. The origins of RICO can be traced back to the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, and many RICO cases in the Southern District of New York were initiated by Giuliani's predecessor. Giuliani's recent surrender to the Fulton County Jail on charges related to the 2020 election in Georgia represents a significant fall from grace for the former "America's Mayor."