Government efforts to control organized crime, including legislation such as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), are explored. Biographic sketches provide information on infamous criminals, key crime fighters, and important scholars of organized crime. A detailed chronology provides a historical perspective on the evolution of organized crime. The reference handbook also includes a comprehensive collection of facts and figures on organized crime, annotated listings of organizations that deal with organized crime, and print and nonprint resources for further research. The nature of organized crime and its effects on society are discussed, along with costs of organized crime in the United States, organized criminal activities, organized crime groups, and organized crime prevention. Notes, tables, and figures