Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

New Law: Adding felony theft to racketeering

Published (7/15/2011)
By Mike Cook
Share on: 



Another tool has been added for law enforcement and prosecutors to go after organized retail crime leaders and those performing the thefts.

Effective Aug. 1, 2011, felony theft will be added the list of eligible offenses for which an offender can be charged with racketeering.

Rep. Kelby Woodard (R-Belle Plaine), who sponsors the law with Sen. Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson), said to be affected by this change a person would have to be part of an organized crime group and have three or more criminal acts within 10 years at the felony level. Felony theft is defined as stealing something valued at more than $1,000.

The maximum penalty for racketeering is a 20-year felony.

Supporters emphasized the law is not about going after a teenager that steals a compact disc, rather it is about going after teams of sophisticated, well-connected criminals with specific roles who steal high-end products with the intent of reselling them.

In Minnesota, it is estimated that approximately $33 million is lost in annual sales tax revenue due to organized retail crime.

HF1001/ SF680*/CH81

Session Weekly More...


Session Weekly Home



Related Stories


Keeping the courts adequately funded
Public safety finance law doesn’t gut Human Rights Department
(view full story) Published 8/11/2011

Governor vetoes public safety bill
At about $1.8 billion in spending, no cuts to courts were proposed
(view full story) Published 7/15/2011

DNA - It’s all in the family
Familial DNA could help solve criminal cases, but at what cost?
(view full story) Published 4/8/2011

Creating a ‘Safe Harbor’
Wide-ranging support for bill to decriminalize juveniles exploited by prostitution
(view full story) Published 4/1/2011

Two omnibus bills merged into one
DFL legislators oppose cuts to Department of Human Rights, Civil Legal Services
(view full story) Published 4/1/2011

Safety versus savings
Home fire sprinklers would be costly, but can save lives
(view full story) Published 3/4/2011

Minnesota Index: State corrections
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's correctional system
(view full story) Published 2/25/2011

How young is too young?
Committee debates age for youth being charged as an adult in certain cases
(view full story) Published 2/18/2011