Cruz Bill Would Target Financiers of Riots With Racketeering Charges

Sen. Ted Cruz introduced legislation Wednesday to take on organizations that finance riots, using the same tools that brought down the American Mafia.

The Stop Financial Underwriting of Nefarious Demonstrations and Extremist Riots (Stop FUNDERs) Act, adds assistance to rioting as a predicate in order to prosecute organizations under the RICO Act, the Texas Republican lawmaker says.

The RICO Act, or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, was enacted in 1970 and was used to prosecute members of many organized crime outfits.

According to a press release, Cruz’s amendment would “Enable the Department of Justice to use RICO tools—including joint liability and group prosecution, conspiracy charges, asset forfeiture, and enhanced criminal penalties—against organizations and individuals who repeatedly fund or coordinate violent interstate riots.”

The bill comes as anti-immigration enforcement demonstrations have proliferated in Los Angeles and other major cities.

Cruz told The Daily Signal in a statement, “There is a pattern behind all of these riots. There is money behind the checks that are being written, coming from foreign adversaries and domestic NGOs [nongovernmental organizations].”

He added, “My legislation, the Stop FUNDERS Act, will give the Department of Justice the tools it needs to hold them accountable.”

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