Civil RICO and Standing: Anza v. Ideal Steel Supply Corporation

RS22470 -- Civil RICO and Standing: Anza v. Ideal Steel Supply Corporation

July 7, 2006

Summary

The federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) provision creates a civil cause of action for any person or entity injured in their business or property by reason of a RICO violation. In Anza v. Ideal Steel Supply Corporation, the Supreme Court relied on Holmes v. Securities Investor Protection Corporation and held that to establish standing under this civil RICO provision, a plaintiff must demonstrate that he or she was the direct victim of the defendant's RICO violation, e.g., a business may not sue a competitor that may have gained a competitive advantage by not paying taxes. The Court explained that this construction will save district courts from the difficulty of determining an indirect victim's damages caused by attenuated conduct. This decision may have implications for the plaintiffs in Mohawk Industries v. Williams, a suit brought by employees under RICO for employment violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act. On the same day as its decision in Ideal, the Supreme Court remanded Mohawk for reconsideration in light of its holding in Ideal.(1)