Sedima, S.P.R.L. v. Imrex Company, Inc.
United States Supreme Court
473 U.S. 479 (1985)
Relevant factsFree
Sedima (plaintiff) sued its joint-venture partner Imrex (defendant) for fraud, including civil RICO claims based on alleged mail and wire fraud, but the district court dismissed the RICO counts, and the court of appeals affirmed, holding civil RICO could be invoked only against defendants already convicted of a crime and only for injuries actually arising from racketeering activity.
IssueFree
Whether civil suits may be brought under RICO even if the defendants have not been convicted of a criminal offense, or if the alleged injury did not arise from racketeering activity.