Defense in Civil RICO and Fraud Litigation 

During or upon the conclusion of a criminal case, the alleged victim can file a civil suit seeking financial compensation or restitution from the person they claim committed the criminal act. In a civil RICO case, the "victim" may sue for treble damages, plus attorney fees. Even if the defendant is found not guilty in criminal court, he or she may be financially ruined by a large civil RICO verdict. 

Civil RICO cases are being filed at an increasing rate even when no criminal case or invistigation is underway. While the civil RICO case brought by a private party is not a criminal proceeding, the defense of a civil RICO claim benefits from an attorney experienced in white collar criminal defense.

At the Law Offices of Mark L. Horwitz, P.A., in Orlando, Florida, our attorneys provide a comprehensive defense in civil and criminal cases, in state and federal courts, and at the trial and appellate level. We are available to represent people throughout Florida and the nation. Contact our Orlando law office immediately or call (866) 784-0023. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day.

RICO and Fraud Litigation

A person or company can bring a RICO case based upon violations of almost any criminal statute. This results in an ability to sue based upon such broad statutes as federal mail and wire fraud.

An example of a civil RICO case defended by the Offices of Mark L. Horwitz, P.A. was a suit brought by a major insurance company against a medical doctor claiming over 700 acts of mail fraud. Each mail fraud claim was based upon the doctor providing medical services which the insurance company paid but later claimed were not medically necessary and had no diagnostic benefit.

The doctor was  not only being sued for millions of dollars in treble damages and attorney fees, but also could have lost his medical license if the insurance company had been successful in obtaining a jury verdict based upon the RICO claims.

Civil litigation most frequently involves claims arising out of:

• White Collar Crimes, such as embezzlement, computer and Internet fraud and breach of fiduciary duty
• Mail Fraud
• Healthcare Fraud

The Evidence Against You

In a criminal case, the jury must find a person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This is high standard to reach — and rightly so. Our justice system does not want to imprison an innocent person. A civil RICO or fraud case does not have that high burden of proof but can result in financial ruin and even the loss of ones profession.

In defending the civil RICO  and fraud case the experience in defending complex white collar crimes is used to properly and vigorously defend those who face accusations of criminal wrong doing in the guies of a civil lawsuit. While a defendant's liberty is not at risk in a civil RICO or fraud case, the potential of financial ruin and public disgarce is real. At the Law Offices of Mark L. Horwitz, P.A., we recoginze the gravity of civil RICO and fraud cases and defend those cases with the same energy and aggressiveness as if the cae were in criminal court. 

2008 Supreme Court Precedent for Civil RICO Cases

The United States Supreme Court, in the case of Bridge v. Phoenix Bond and Indemnity Co., issued an important decision in 2008 that makes it easier to bring a successful civil RICO suit. This case also made clear the legal issues that are helpful to the defense. Read an analysis of the decision.

The Law Offices of Mark L. Horwitz, P.A. is ready to go to court for you. Contact our office online or call (866) 784-0023 for experienced and aggressive criminal defense representation. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, ensuring a defense lawyer responds quickly.