State v. Cagno
211 N.J. 488
N.J.2012Background
- NJ RICO statute N.J.S.A. 2C:41-1 to -6.2 enacted in 1981 to counter organized crime; issue is whether Cagno’s 2004 racketeering conspiracy conviction was time-barred by the five-year limit in N.J.S.A. 2C:1-6; court also evaluates evidentiary challenges, jury instructions, and sentencing; trial centered on the New Jersey Colombo crew of La Cosa Nostra; key witnesses included Cagno’s brother Rocco and co-conspirator Lombardino; conspiracy theory treated as ongoing enterprise rather than time-limited acts; appellate and supreme court review conducted de novo on statutory interpretation and evidentiary issues.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governing limitations for RICO conspiracy | Conspiracy continued past cutoff | No post-1994 acts; termination | Timeliness sustained |
Key Cases Cited
- United States v. Persico, 832 F.2d 705 (2d Cir.1987) (RICO conspiracy ongoing nature; broad enterprise view)
- United States v. Pizzonia, 577 F.3d 455 (2d Cir.2011) (RICO conspiracy timing; ongoing enterprise concept)
- United States v. Yannotti, 541 F.3d 112 (2d Cir.2008) (presumption conspiracy continues; time-bar arguments rejected)
- United States v. Salerno, 868 F.2d 524 (2d Cir.1989) (conspiracy complete when purposes accomplished or abandoned; limitations for conspiracies)
- Grunewald v. United States, 353 U.S. 391 (Supreme Court 1957) (secret conspiracies; difficulty locating overt acts)