2088

Loansharking—Scope of Federal Jurisdiction

Congress did not intend to preempt the field of loansharking to the exclusion of State law nor create a Federal crime of usury. Section 896 provides that "[t]his chapter does not preempt any field of law with respect to which State legislation would be permissible in the absence of this chapter." Each potential investigation or prosecution should be judged in terms of the propriety of Federal prosecution. [cited in USAM 9-110.700]