Former NFLers Plan To Use RICO Charge In Prescription Drug Case Against League

Former NFLers suing the league over prescription drug use plan to amend their lawsuit to include a Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charge. In a one-page order today terminating hearings and deadlines in the case to make way for the amended lawsuit, U.S. District Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California wrote, "Plaintiffs seek leave to file an amended complaint to add RICO and concealment claims.” The case -- Evans et al v. Arizona Cardinals Football Club, LLC -- alleges the NFL through the teams illegally prescribed pain medication. The existing complaint alleges the NFL violated the Federal Controlled Substances Act and/or Food Drug & Cosmetic Act and analogous state laws. Now the complaint will add a RICO charge, which is often used by federal prosecutors against criminal enterprises, and in particular organized crime. The Evans case is a civil one, but the federal RICO statute has a civil law provision.