During a recent House hearing, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a statement that raised eyebrows among legal experts. She claimed that 'RICO is not a crime' while questioning former Hunter Biden associate Tony Bobulinski. This assertion was met with criticism from legal professionals who pointed out that RICO, which stands for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, is indeed a federal statute that targets dishonest business activities and organized crime.
Bobulinski, during the hearing, alleged that President Joe Biden had committed a RICO violation and was involved in financial corruption related to his business dealings with his son Hunter. When pressed by AOC to specify the crime, Bobulinski mentioned RICO and corruption statutes, leading to a heated exchange between the two.
Legal experts and commentators, including Judge Jeanine Pirro and former Whitewater deputy independent counsel Sol Wisenberg, criticized AOC's assertion that RICO is not a crime. They emphasized that RICO is a federal statute that covers a pattern of racketeering activity and is a serious offense.
Despite the controversy surrounding AOC's statement, President Biden has denied any allegations of wrongdoing and has called for the impeachment investigation to be closed. The hearing highlighted the ongoing political tensions and debates surrounding the Biden family's business dealings and potential legal implications.
Overall, the exchange between AOC and Bobulinski shed light on the complexities of legal terminology and the importance of accurate understanding when discussing criminal statutes like RICO.