“A grand jury would likely be hearing testimony from other cases, not just those involving the Buffalo Diocese. But on clergy abuse, Covert and others suspect federal prosecutors are looking to use a federal law that devastated the Mafia — the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act — to investigate systemic cover-up in Buffalo and other dioceses.
“We think that they could be looking at RICO,” Covert said. “The obstruction of justice, which is a predicate act. Moving priests around. Did they destroy any records? Did they withhold any records? Were there any incorrect, untruthful communications to law enforcement? And fraud is also a predicate act.”
https://www.wkbw.com/news/i-team/federal-grand-jury-empaneled-to-investigate-buffalo-diocese