Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-15-4 (2026)

Civil remedies — Actions by attorney general and injured persons

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) The superior courts of the state have jurisdiction to prevent and restrain violations of this chapter by issuing appropriate orders, including, but not limited to:

(1) Ordering any person to divest himself, herself, or itself of any interest, direct or indirect, in any enterprise;

(2) Imposing reasonable restrictions on the future activities or investments of any person, including, but not limited to, prohibiting any person from engaging in the same type of endeavor as the enterprise engaged in; or

(3) Ordering dissolution or reorganization of any enterprise, making due provisions for the rights of innocent persons.

(b) The attorney general may institute proceedings under this section. In any action brought by the state under this section, the court shall proceed as soon as practicable to the hearing and determination of the action. Pending final determination of the action, the court may at any time enter any restraining orders or prohibitions, or take any other actions, including the acceptance of satisfactory performance bonds, as it deems proper.

(c) Any person injured in his, her, or its business or property by reason of a violation of this chapter may sue in any appropriate court and shall recover treble damages and the cost of the suit, including a reasonable attorney’s fee. In order for an injured person to recover pursuant to this subsection, it is not necessary to show that the defendant has been convicted of a criminal violation of this chapter.

(d) A final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the state in any criminal proceeding brought by the state under this chapter shall estop the defendant from denying the essential allegations of the criminal offense in any subsequent civil proceeding brought by the state.

(e) In addition to, or in lieu of, the criminal forfeiture procedure of this act, any property described in § 7-15-3 is subject to civil forfeiture pursuant to this section.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1986–2024 · leading case: Vitone v. Metro. Life Ins., 943 F. Supp. 192 (D.R.I. 1996).
Vitone v. Metro. Life Ins., 943 F. Supp. 192 (D.R.I. 1996). · cites it 3× “R.I.Gen. Laws § 7-15-4(c) (1992). This provision presents the same requirements as does its federal counterpart, and requires a similar analysis.”
Nat'l Credit Union Admin. Bd. v. Regine, 749 F. Supp. 401 (D.R.I. 1990). · cites it 3× “R.I.Gen.Laws § 7-15-4(c) (1985). The Rhode Island Supreme Court, in the only case (a criminal case) in which it interprets the state RICO statute, wrote, “Thus, the elements of a RICO offense are (1) the commission of one act of racketeering activity and (2) the use of…”
Ret. Bd. of Employees' Ret. Sys. v. DiPrete, 845 A.2d 270 (R.I. 2004). · cites it 3× “” Section 7-15-4(d). 8 See also United States v.”
Boyajian v. DeFusco (In Re Giorgio), 62 B.R. 853 (Bankr. D.R.I. 1986). · cites it 2× “LAWS § 7-15-4(c): Any person injured in his business or property by reason of a violation of this chapter may sue therefor in any appropriate court and shall recover treble damages and the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.”
Boyajian v. DeFusco (In Re Giorgio), 81 B.R. 766 (D.R.I. 1988). · cites it 2× “Is a claim filed in a bankruptcy court conduct which is “collection of an unlawful debt”? Since the statute limits recovery to a person “injured in his business or property by reason of a violation,” R.I.Gen. Laws § 7-15-4(c) (1985), can the bankrupt debtors or their estate…”
Nat'l Credit Union Admin. Bd. v. Regine, 795 F. Supp. 59 (D.R.I. 1992). “§ 7-15-4. In Rhode Island, extortion consists of a verbal threat to injure the victim, accompanied by an intent to compel the victim to do an act against his or her will.”
Ret. Bd. of Employees'ret. Sys. v. Diprete, 845 A.2d 270 (R.I. 2004). · cites it 3× “" Section 7-15-4(d). [8] See also United States v.”
The Preserve at Boulder Hills, LLC v. Laura Kenyon, in her capacity as Fin. Dir. for the Town of Richmond (R.I. 2024). · cites it 2× “” Section 7-15-4(c) provides: “Any person injured in his, her, or its business or property by reason of a violation of this chapter may sue in any appropriate court and shall recover treble damages and the cost of the suit, including a reasonable attorney’s fee.”
— R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-15-4(c) — 5 cases
Vitone v. Metro. Life Ins., 943 F. Supp. 192 (D.R.I. 1996). “R.I.Gen. Laws § 7-15-4(c) (1992). This provision presents the same requirements as does its federal counterpart, and requires a similar analysis.”
Nat'l Credit Union Admin. Bd. v. Regine, 749 F. Supp. 401 (D.R.I. 1990). “R.I.Gen.Laws § 7-15-4(c) (1985). The Rhode Island Supreme Court, in the only case (a criminal case) in which it interprets the state RICO statute, wrote, “Thus, the elements of a RICO offense are (1) the commission of one act of racketeering activity and (2) the use of…”
Boyajian v. DeFusco (In Re Giorgio), 62 B.R. 853 (Bankr. D.R.I. 1986). “LAWS § 7-15-4(c): Any person injured in his business or property by reason of a violation of this chapter may sue therefor in any appropriate court and shall recover treble damages and the cost of the suit, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.”
Boyajian v. DeFusco (In Re Giorgio), 81 B.R. 766 (D.R.I. 1988). “Is a claim filed in a bankruptcy court conduct which is “collection of an unlawful debt”? Since the statute limits recovery to a person “injured in his business or property by reason of a violation,” R.I.Gen. Laws § 7-15-4(c) (1985), can the bankrupt debtors or their estate…”
The Preserve at Boulder Hills, LLC v. Laura Kenyon, in her capacity as Fin. Dir. for the Town of Richmond (R.I. 2024). “” Section 7-15-4(c) provides: “Any person injured in his, her, or its business or property by reason of a violation of this chapter may sue in any appropriate court and shall recover treble damages and the cost of the suit, including a reasonable attorney’s fee.”
— R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-15-4(d) — 2 cases
Ret. Bd. of Employees' Ret. Sys. v. DiPrete, 845 A.2d 270 (R.I. 2004). “” Section 7-15-4(d). 8 See also United States v.”
Ret. Bd. of Employees'ret. Sys. v. Diprete, 845 A.2d 270 (R.I. 2004). “" Section 7-15-4(d). [8] See also United States v.”
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