Unusual RICO Case

John and Rosellen Griffin built Griffin Industries, a Cold Spring-based rendering company that in 2010 sold for $840 million.  Their children are now involved in a nasty and unusual legal battle over the company’s succession.

Four Griffin daughters are suing three of their brothers in federal court and invoking the RICO Act, alleging that after their parents died, the brothers conspired to position themselves to take control of the company as a part of a “racketeering enterprise.”  The suit has been allowed to continue as a RICO case, which is unusual in criminal cases and almost unheard of in civil cases.

Barring a settlement, this case is expected to go to trial sometime next spring. 

See James Pilcher, Inheritance Feud Claims Griffin Industry Brothers Ran Racket, Cincinnati.com, Nov. 19, 2013.