Seventh Circuit affirms dismissal of Rennell RICO claims

The Seventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of civil RICO claims arising from Randall Rowe's purchase of Richard Rennell's interest in a manufactured-housing joint venture. The opinion identifies Green Courte and managers Stephen Wheeler and James Goldman among the defendants. It held that the alleged conduct did not constitute extortion under the applicable legal standard. The district court had declined supplemental jurisdiction over the state-law claims, dismissing them without prejudice. The appellate opinion assessed a complaint at the pleading stage, so its account of alleged conduct is not a trial finding of misconduct. No later state-court resolution was established in this bounded review.