II
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 378
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 4, 2009
Mr. Bayh (for himself and Mr. Graham) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To correct the interpretation of the term proceeds under RICO.
Short title
This Act may be cited as
the Money Laundering Control
Enhancement Act of 2009
.
Findings
Congress finds the following:
According to the
2007 National Money Laundering Strategy, Money laundering, in its own
right, is a serious threat to our national and economic security. Integrating
illicit proceeds into the financial system enables organized crime, fuels
corruption, and erodes confidence in the rule of law.
.
The United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, the Model Money Laundering Act, and the 14 States that have money laundering statutes that define the term proceeds do so in a way that encompasses gross receipts.
In United States v. Santos (2008) (128 S. Ct. 2020), the Supreme Court misinterpreted Congressional intent with respect to the definition of proceeds in money laundering crimes.
Proceeds
Section 1956(c)(1) of title 18, United
States Code, is amended by striking represented proceeds
and
inserting represented proceeds, including gross
receipts,
.
Sentencing Commission Study
The United States Sentencing Commission shall—
study any merger problem that may result from the amendment made by this Act and, if necessary, amend its guidelines to avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities among those found guilty of similar criminal conduct; and
report the findings of the study to Congress not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.