What exactally does the RICO act do? I have a general idea, that the government can prosecute the Don under RICO and send him to jail even if the Don has never personally killed, extorted, bribed or engaged in any criminal behavior. The Don can be imprisoned because he operated and managed a criminal enterprise that engaged in such acts. The victims of the Mafia can sue the Don civilly and recover the economic losses they sustained by reason of the Mafia's racketeering. Does it help people like Sammy the Bull and other rats get lighter sentencing?