G. Robert Blakey, RICO Act Drafter and Law Professor, Dies at 90
G. Robert Blakey, principal author of the RICO Act and Notre Dame law professor, has died at 90.
Why it matters: Blakey shaped modern strategies for prosecuting organized crime through the RICO Act. His legislative and academic work has influenced U.S. criminal law and investigative standards for decades.
- Blakey was the main author of the RICO Act, signed into law in 1970.
- He led the U.S. House Select Committee on Assassinations from 1977 to 1979.
- He taught at Notre Dame (1964-1969, 1980-2012) and Cornell (1973-1980) law schools.
- Blakey wrote 'The Plot to Kill the President' in 1981, addressing the JFK case.
The legal world is remembering G. Robert Blakey, who died on May 1, 2026, in Chicago at age 90.
Blakey played a central role in drafting the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), which Congress enacted in 1970 to help dismantle organized crime. Before this, prosecutors typically focused on individual criminal acts, but the new law made it possible to target entire criminal networks for coordinated illegal activities.
Blakey later led the U.S. House Select Committee on Assassinations, a high-profile Congressional investigation into the killings of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The committee, under Blakey's leadership from 1977 to 1979, concluded that both were 'probably assassinated as a result of a conspiracy,' though definitive proof was elusive. Blakey commented on the challenges, noting, "I have no confidence in anything the agency told me," referencing interactions with U.S. intelligence agencies (Washington Post).
As a professor, Blakey's influence reached generations of legal practitioners and scholars, holding teaching positions at Notre Dame and Cornell law schools for over four decades. He also authored 'The Plot to Kill the President' in 1981, which presented his theory on organized crime's involvement in Kennedy’s assassination.
- Born January 7, 1936, in Burlington, North Carolina, Blakey dedicated his career to lawmaking, investigation, and education.
- His legislative and academic legacy continues to impact criminal prosecution and legal scholarship in the U.S.
By the numbers:
- 1970 — Year the RICO Act was enacted, enabling group prosecution of organized crime.
- 90 — Blakey's age at the time of death in 2026.
- 45+ — Approximate years Blakey taught law at Notre Dame and Cornell.
Yes, but: Although RICO is widely used, some legal scholars argue it has been applied beyond its original intent, reaching into areas outside organized crime.