Air Force Two Confiscated Under RICO Statutes

Peter Lee

2002

The fast-moving Enron scandal took another twist today as federal prosecutors ordered the Vice President’s official jet seized under RICO conspiracy statutes “as the illegitimate fruits of a massive criminal enterprise”.

An outraged Vice President Cheney condemned acts of “overzealous and politically motivated” prosecutors and vowed to fight the seizure in court. However, legal observers believe the courts will find that the broadly-worded RICO statutes provide ample grounds for the confiscation.

Indeed, it is rumored that Cheney is discussing with his lawyers shielding Blair House, his government papers, and the office of Vice President itself by putting them in the name of his wife, conservative firebrand Lynne Cheney.

At least one analyst gives Cheney’s strategy a good chance of succeeding. “It’ll go to the Supreme Court and philosophically and legally I am sure they’ll give the Vice President a favorable hearing”, commented James Baker.