one who commits crimes (especially fraud, bribery, loansharking, extortion etc.) to aid in running a shady or illegal business
some who commits crimes for profit (especially one who obtains money by fraud or extortion) carry on illegal business activities involving crime
A racketeer is someone who makes money from illegal activities such as threatening people or selling worthless, immoral, or illegal goods or services. someone who earns money through crime and illegal activities
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. The RICO Act focuses specifically on racketeering, and it allows for the leaders of a syndicate to be tried for the crimes which they ordered others to do or assisted them, closing a perceived loophole that allowed someone who told a man to, for example, murder, to be exempt from the trial because they did not actually do it
Racketeering is making money from illegal activities such as threatening people or selling worthless, immoral, or illegal goods or services. Edwards was indicted on racketeering charges but never convicted. when someone earns money through crime and illegal activities