In a heated exchange during a recent hearing on the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) made a shocking statement claiming that RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) was not a crime.
This statement, made in an attempt to challenge a witness, has caused many to question Ocasio-Cortez’s understanding of the law and her credibility as a lawmaker.
In case you’re not familiar with RICO, it is a law that was initially created to combat organized crime and has since been expanded to cover various criminal activities, including corruption and white-collar crimes. It may be a “category” of crimes, as Ocasio-Cortez argued, but it is most definitely a crime in and of itself.
AOC – “RICO is not a crime.” pic.twitter.com/YcTusJAaP4
— MAZE (@mazemoore) March 20, 2024
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) was quick to call out Ocasio-Cortez’s false claim, stating that RICO is indeed a crime and has previously resulted in massive felony sentences. He even went as far as to say that Ocasio-Cortez’s defense of Biden was clouding her judgment and causing her to make inaccurate statements.
“This is bizarre. RICO — the Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968—is most assuredly a crime. It often results in massive felony sentences. And yet @aoc — eager to defend Joe Biden — insists it’s not a crime,” Cruz posted.
This is bizarre. RICO—the Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961–1968—is most assuredly a crime.
It often results in massive felony sentences. And yet @aoc—eager to defend Joe Biden—insists it’s not a crime. https://t.co/5hxw4Jk4lv
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 21, 2024
Ocasio-Cortez’s lack of understanding of the law seems to have caused her to embarrass herself yet again. Her eagerness to defend Biden has blinded her to the facts and has led her to make reckless statements in an attempt to protect him. This is not the behavior of a responsible lawmaker but rather a biased and uninformed individual.
Even Sol Wisenberg, the former Chief of the Financial Fraud Unit for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, weighed in on Ocasio-Cortez’s gaffe, stating that if she is going to bully a witness, she should at least make sure she doesn’t embarrass herself by getting the law wrong. Many who have criticized Ocasio-Cortez for her statements share this sentiment.
Sol Wisenberg, who as frmr Chief of the Financial Fraud Unit in a U.S. Attorney’s office knows juuuuust a bit more about the law than AOC, sets her straight about RICO:
“If you’re going to bully a witness, at least you shouldn’t embarrass yourself by getting the law wrong.” pic.twitter.com/p7MU62xSWo— David Asman (@DavidAsmanfox) March 21, 2024
As Phil Holloway, a legal analyst and former prosecutor, pointed out, RICO is a distinct code under state and federal law, proving once again that Ocasio-Cortez’s statement was false and potentially damaging to the case against Biden.
RICO is a crime
Even #FaniWillis says so
That’s why is has it’s own distinct code section under state and federal law#ricoisacrime pic.twitter.com/m3G3IpGCuf
— Phil Holloway ✈️ (@PhilHollowayEsq) March 21, 2024
It is concerning that someone serving in Congress, making laws that affect all Americans, appears to lack understanding of even basic legal definitions.
Ocasio-Cortez’s statement that RICO is not a crime is false and shows her willingness to prioritize her political agenda over facts and the rule of law.
