Final answer:
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) of 1970 is a federal law that targets organized crime by imposing severe criminal penalties and allowing civil actions against criminals participating in TOC groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of a federal law that combats organized crime is the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) of 1970. This law provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.
RICO's provisions are specifically designed to combat transnational organized crime (TOC) groups that employ violence and corruption in for-profit criminal activity that crosses state boundaries. By allowing leaders of syndicates to be tried for the crimes they ordered others to do or assisted them in doing, RICO closes the procedural gap that previously enabled the bosses of TOC groups to escape conviction.