July 17, 2005

The 11th Circuit has approved (PDF) a trial judge's ruling allowing a civil suit to proceed that charges carpet maker Mohawk Industries with federal racketeering based on its practices in hiring (knowingly, say the plaintiffs) illegal aliens as workers (see Jul. 12, 2004). Because the 7th Circuit last year refused to allow a RICO suit over the hiring of illegals to go forward, the ruling may signal a split between circuits that could attract the eventual attention of the Supreme Court, according to Law.com. Update: Supreme Court grants review, see Overlawyered, Jan. 5, 2006.