Bipartisan legislation cracks down on organized retail crime, strengthens law enforcement, and protects working families from rising costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) announced House passage of his bipartisan bill, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA). Riley’s legislation will crack down on organized theft rings, strengthen law enforcement, and protect Upstate families and small businesses from rising crime and higher costs.
“Working families and small businesses across Upstate New York are already stretched thin, and organized retail crime is making it worse,” said Rep. Riley. “These criminal networks drive up prices and put a massive strain on the small businesses and local job creators our communities depend on. This bipartisan bill gives law enforcement stronger tools to crack down on organized crime, keep costs low for hardworking families, and ensure criminals who prey on our communities are held accountable.”
The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would:
- Expand federal prosecution authority over organized retail and supply chain theft by allowing prosecutors to aggregate stolen goods over a 12-month period
- Strengthen anti-money laundering laws targeting criminal enterprises profiting from organized theft
- Authorize criminal forfeiture of assets gained through organized retail and supply chain crimes
- Crack down on prepaid cards and gift cards used to launder criminal proceeds
- Establish a Department of Homeland Security coordination center to improve federal enforcement efforts
Nationally, organized retail crime costs businesses and consumers more than $121 billion annually, while these criminal networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. In 2025, 50 percent of retailers reported increased cargo and supply-chain theft tied to organized crime groups, while majorities also reported rising digital fraud, phone scams, and large-scale theft operations. In New York alone, State Police have recovered more than $2.6 million in stolen goods, conducted over 1,000 targeted operations, made more than 1,200 arrests, and filed over 2,100 criminal charges—underscoring the enormous scale of this threat and the urgent need for stronger federal enforcement tools.
National Police Weigh In:
“Organized retail crime is a serious threat to consumers, our economy, and to the safety of innocent civilians.“This bill goes a long way toward better equipping law enforcement agencies with the resources they need and allowing law enforcement partners at all levels to work in tandem to fight these crime syndicates.” ” — National Police Association
“These criminal enterprises are not isolated shoplifters—they are sophisticated networks that use violence, fraud, and money laundering to undermine commerce and public safety.” — Bipartisan Coalition of Attorneys General
“CORCA would provide the necessary resources at the state and federal level to bring the organizations and individuals behind this nationwide problem to justice.” — National Association of Attorneys General
Riley has made public safety and protecting local communities a top priority:
- April 29, 2025 — Introduced the Stop Fentanyl Smuggling Act to strengthen fentanyl interdiction at borders and correctional facilities
- May 15, 2025 — Became the first Democrat to co-sponsor the Supporting Local Law Enforcement Officers Act
- June 13, 2025 — Voted to toughen federal fentanyl trafficking laws through the HALT Fentanyl Act
- March 2026 — Secured $30 million in federal funding for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program, helping equip 20 law enforcement agencies across NY-19 with life-saving protective gear
###
