Haw. Rev. Stat. § 842-2

Current through the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 842-2 - Ownership or operation of business by certain persons prohibited

It shall be unlawful:

(1) For any person who has received any income derived, directly or indirectly, from a racketeering activity or through collection of an unlawful debt, to use or invest, directly or indirectly, any part of such income, or the proceeds of such income, in the acquisition of any interest in, or the establishment or operation of, any enterprise.

(2) For any person through a racketeering activity or through collection of an unlawful debt to acquire or maintain, directly or indirectly, any interest in or control of any enterprise.

(3) For any person employed by or associated with any enterprise to conduct or participate in the conduct of the affairs of the enterprise through racketeering activity or collection of an unlawful debt.

HRS § 842-2

L 1972, c 71, pt of §2

In class action brought against major cigarette manufacturers, tobacco trade associations, and the industry's public relations firm, first amended complaint asserted violations of federal RICO statutes; Hawaii's RICO statute (this section); federal antitrust statutes; Hawaii's antitrust act, chapter 480; various state common-law torts; and false advertising under § 708-871; defendants' motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim granted, where injuries alleged by plaintiffs trust funds in first amended complaint were not direct; even if remoteness doctrine did not bar claims, claims failed for other reasons. 52 F. Supp. 2d 1196. Under paragraph (3), an "enterprise" must (1) have a common or shared purpose, (2) be an ongoing organization with continuity of structure and personnel, and (3) have an ascertainable structure distinct from that inherent in the conduct of the racketeering activity. 84 H. 56, 929 P.2d 69. Definition of "associated with" in paragraph (3) includes (1) participation in the operation, management or conduct of the enterprise itself; (2) whether directly or indirectly; and (3) regardless of a stake or interest in the goals of the enterprise. 84 H. 211, 933 P.2d 48. Section does not implicate First Amendment concerns because it is neither directed at, nor does it regulate or proscribe First Amendment freedoms, i.e., membership in a political organization or certain beliefs held by an individual.84 Haw. 211,933 P.2d 48. Term "associated with" in paragraph (3) not unconstitutionally vague under Hawaii constitution.84 Haw. 211,933 P.2d 48. Section 701-109(1)(d) prohibits conviction under both paragraph (2) and § 712-1203, as both paragraph (2) and § 712-1203 seek to redress the same conduct--the control of an enterprise involved in criminal activity. In such case, the specific statute, § 712-1203, governs over this section, the general statute.88 Haw. 19,960 P.2d 1227. Where (1) no evidence that defendant and one or both of brothers shared a common goal or objective, (2) only defendant's reference to the "big boss" tied defendant to an ongoing organization with a system of authority directing individuals in furtherance of the alleged group goals of controlling gambling and drugs, and (3) no evidence of an ascertainable structure distinct from the alleged act of extortion or that an ongoing organization existed, evidence insufficient for purposes of paragraph (3) and the definition of "enterprise".103 Haw. 68 (App.),79 P.3d 686.