Twenty retail loss prevention leaders joined a delegation from the National Retail Federation (NRF) on May 14 in Washington, D.C., to continue the education of congressional and Senate representatives on the effects of ORC and keep up the momentum on the CORCA legislation. This was the second “Fly-in” of retailers to Capitol Hill in two months, with the support of the NRF.
David Johnston, NRF VP of AP and retail operations, had this to say about the intent of the day on the Hill: “Over the last several months, NRF has convened loss prevention leaders from national retail brands in Washington, DC, to advocate for the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025. The group met with more than fifty offices across the U.S. House and Senate to offer firsthand accounts of how these crimes are affecting retailers. These meetings highlighted both the local and far-reaching impacts of ORC, ranging from supply chain challenges and fraud to in-store violence that threatens the safety of employees and customers. NRF remains committed to addressing one of retail’s biggest challenges by advocating for a coordinated federal center to align efforts, expertise, and resources across local, state, federal, and private-sector partners.”
The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) was introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley (R) and Senator Cortez Masto (D) in 2022 and reintroduced in April this year. Companion CORCA legislation was also introduced this April in the House by Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH). To support the passing of this legislation, the NRF has held multiple “Fly-in” days in which retail LP leaders have their voices heard by those in DC.
Retailers representing brands from Big Box to Specialty converged on the Hill to continue the momentum that is building behind this revamped version of the legislation. With a goal of reaching out to Senate and House members on both sides of the aisle on the importance of the CORCA legislation, LP leaders Carmen DuBose, LPC, CFI, Joseph Flynn, CFI, Mike Norman, CFI, and Dan Petrousek shared their thoughts on what transpired and the impact of these meetings in this LP Magazine exclusive.
Retailers’ Voices Were Heard
While the legislation has widespread bipartisan bicameral support, there are still opportunities to ensure that members understand the impact of ORC groups, which go far beyond shoplifting and affect communities and constituencies across the country—of all sizes.
According to Carmen Dubose, LPC, CFI, senior director of asset protection with Hibbett Sports, “It was important to show how organized retail crime is not just a ‘big city’ problem because that is what garners the most national media attention. It is a problem that affects small towns throughout this country as well.”
Mike Norman, CFI, digital asset protection manager at JCPenney, was pleased with the interaction he had during the visit. “…the conversations [with congressional representatives] were generally productive and receptive. While some staffers were already aware of the growing ORC issue, others gained a much deeper understanding after hearing real-world examples and retail industry data. There was a shared recognition that this is not just a retail problem, but it also directly impacts the economy.”
Face-to-face meetings are invaluable when driving home the impact of ORC. It’s also the perfect time to answer questions and assure representatives that retailers are doing everything in their power to keep customers and associates safe. “Several representatives asked about the link between ORC and broader criminal networks, such as how stolen goods are trafficked or monetized online. Others were curious about the role of law enforcement partnerships, the current gaps in legislation, and how CORCA would enhance prosecution efforts across jurisdictions. There was also interest in how companies support their workers and customers through enhanced store safety protocols,” said Norman.
Joseph Flynn, CFI, director of loss prevention at David’s Bridal, felt the day was an opportunity to further define what ORC is and how the legislation can help retailers. He was able to give real-world examples of an ORC group targeting David’s Bridal through refunds and credit card fraud. A scheme like this can be hard to explain, so an in-person meeting was a great way to field questions and make the staffers aware that ORC is not just shoplifting or smash-and-grabs. According to Flynn, “We have had a hard time getting the right agency involved, especially with credit card fraud. Who really suffered the loss?” With the CORCA legislation, including a centralized agency and crime coordination center, Flynn hopes this will change.
What’s Different About This Version of CORCA?
Reintroducing the legislation at the beginning of a presidential term, adding supply chain to the crime coordination center, support from supply chain and shipping organizations, and bipartisan groups such as the National Association of Attorneys General are boding well for the passage of this version of the legislation. The 2025 version of CORCA calls for an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security. According to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary website, that bill also:
- Allows criminal forfeiture for convictions under sections 659 (interstate shipments), 2314 (transportation of stolen goods), and 2315 (sale or receipt of stolen goods).
- Expands money laundering statutes to include gift cards as “monetary instruments” and adds ORSCC-related crimes as predicates.
- Enables prosecution of organized retail and supply chain crime groups using interstate or foreign commerce (e.g., the internet) to facilitate crimes.
- Permits aggregation of theft values totaling $5,000 or more over twelve months as a basis for charging under sections 2314 and 2315.
Retailers Passionate About CORCA and NRF Partnership
Dan Petrousek, SVP of LP at Ulta Beauty, summarized the tone and meaning of the visit well when he said: “Organized retail crime is affecting retailers nationwide and puts the safety of our associates, guests, and communities at risk. It’s an ongoing issue that cannot be addressed in a silo, which is why we actively work with industry leaders like NRF, retail peers, and the public sector to advocate for stronger, more coordinated enforcement and prosecution strategies. Our recent visit to Capitol Hill was another important step toward raising awareness and building momentum for meaningful solutions.”
Passion for their stores and employees is what drives many LP leaders to participate in these visits to the Hill. DuBose expressed this passion well when she said: “The same pride these government officials have for their districts is the same pride that employees have for their stores. Passing the CORCA bill is a win for all retail employees throughout this great nation. To serve the people is to protect the people which is the essence of the CORCA bill.”
Along with passion, LP leaders are harnessing their strong partnerships with industry associations to help get this legislation over the line. Norman explained: “The NRF has been an invaluable partner. From organizing meetings to preparing briefing materials and coordinating messaging, they made sure our voice was heard in a professional and impactful way. Their leadership in bringing together a cross-section of retailers amplified the message and ensured a well-rounded representation of the retail industry’s challenges with ORC.”
For more information on the CORCA legislation, please visit:
NRF Supports Federal Bill to Thwart Retail Crime
NRF | Fighting the Rising National Threat of Retail Crime
Bipartisan Coalition Urges Congress to Take Action Against Rise in Organized Retail Crime
