The federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute (RICO),[FOOTNOTE 1] as its title suggests, is often thought of principally as a powerful weapon used to thwart organized crime takeovers of labor unions and other legitimate businesses.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ recent decision in Williams v. Mohawk Industries, Inc.,[FOOTNOTE 2] on remand from the U.S. Supreme Court, suggests that RICO may have significant uses for employees suing employers for suppressed wages allegedly caused by violations of federal immigration laws.
