Section 1: Definitions

453 words·~2 min read·/ma/part-iv/title-i/chapter-271a/1

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

''Criminal enterprise activity'', the commission, attempt to commit or conspiracy to commit or the solicitation, coercion, aiding, abetting or intimidation of another to commit any of the following criminal activities under the laws of the commonwealth or equivalent crimes under the laws of any other jurisdiction: a violation of any criminal provision of chapter 23K; a felony offense under chapter 271; distributing, dispensing, manufacturing or possessing with intent to distribute, dispense or manufacture a controlled substance in violation of chapter 94C; murder; rape; manslaughter, not including motor vehicle homicide; assault; assault and battery; assault and battery in order to collect a loan; assault with intent to rob or murder; poisoning; mayhem; robbery; extortion; stalking; criminal harassment; kidnapping; arson; burglary; malicious destruction of property; commission of a felony for hire; breaking and entering; child exploitation; assault and battery on a child; rape of a child; rape and abuse of a child; enticement of a child under 16; human trafficking; violation of constitutional rights under section 37 of chapter 265; usury; uttering; misuse or fraudulent use of credit cards under section 37C of chapter 266; identity fraud; misappropriation of funds; gross fraud under section 76 of chapter 276; insurance fraud; unlawful prize fighting or boxing matches; counterfeiting; perjury; subornation of perjury; obstruction of justice; money laundering; witness intimidation; bribery; electronic eavesdropping; prostitution under sections 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 6, 7, 12 and 13 of chapter 272; receiving stolen property; larceny over $250; larceny by false pretenses or embezzlement; forgery; procurement fraud; false claims; tax evasion; filing false tax returns; or any conduct defined as a racketeering activity under Title 18, U.S.C. s. 1961(1)(A)(B) and (D).

''Enterprise'', an entity including any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association, trust or other legal entity and any unchartered union or group of persons associated in fact although not a legally-recognized entity.

''Gaming establishment'', an establishment licensed under chapter 23K.

''Pattern of criminal enterprise activity'', engaging in at least 3 incidents of criminal enterprise activity that have the same or similar pattern, intents, results, accomplices, victims or methods of commission or are otherwise interrelated by distinguishing characteristics and are not isolated incidents; provided, however, that at least 1 of the incidents shall have occurred after the effective date of this chapter and the last incident shall have occurred within 5 years of another incident of criminal enterprise activity.

''Unlawful debt'', a debt which was incurred or contracted in an illegal gambling activity or business or which is unenforceable under state or federal law, in whole or in part, as to principal or interest under the law relating to usury.