Monday, Feb. 07, 1994

Randall Terry, Meet Michael Corleone

In light of the Supreme Court ruling applying the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to antiabortion protesters, Time asked three RICO experts for comment.

-- Richard Rehbock, attorney. Sample client: John Gotti Jr.

"What I suppose the antiabortion people are so upset about is the name racketeering. People are offended by the label."

-- Barry Slotnick, attorney. Sample client: Carmine ("The Snake") Persico

"There's nothing more gratuitous than the onslaught of a RICO action ... This is not what Congress meant when they passed the law."

-- Frederick Hafetz, attorney. Sample client: Venero ("Benny Eggs") Mangano

Tip for pro-lifers: "If you want to avoid a RICO prosecution, just don't commit a criminal act."