Dictionary
racketeering
making money from dishonest or illegal activities (eg threatening people or selling illegal goods)
He was charged with racketeering.
Phrase Bank
- If convicted for racketeering, she faces a penalty of life in prison.
- But they were both acquitted (=found not guilty) of money laundering charges at a racketeering trial.
- Racketeering laws are commonly used against those involved in organised crime.
- They've charged him with racketeering and fraud.
- Police are starting a crackdown on racketeering.
- The Organized Crime and Racketeering Section of the Criminal Division supervises prosecutions of each of these statutes.
Additional Notes
- Racketeering is a broad category of criminal acts that includes bribery, sexual exploitation of children, and illegal gambling, among many others. Racketeering is closely associated with organized crime, since both are conducted by groups.
- Governments can be victimized by racketeering; eg counterfeiting money and trading in untaxed alcohol or tobacco.