ME LD1888

Creates a new criminal offense of racketeering in Maine, targeting individuals who knowingly participate in a "racketeering enterprise" (defined as 3+ persons with a common criminal purpose) by engaging in a pattern of 2 or more qualifying criminal acts within 3 years

Qualifying predicate crimes include murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, sex trafficking, drug trafficking, organized retail theft, burglary, robbery, arson, forgery, gambling offenses, and tax crimes related to alcohol, cigarettes, gasoline, or cannabis

Establishes sentencing: Class B crime if underlying offenses are Class A or B; Class C crime if underlying offenses are Class C or D

Expands asset forfeiture laws to allow seizure of money, personal property, and real property used in or traceable to racketeering offenses

Designated as emergency legislation to take effect immediately upon approval, citing ongoing racketeering activity threatening public health and safety in Maine