Assuming this is true, why does that make it a federal issue?

Because the federal government has jurisdiction over many things that cross state lines. Even if you personally never cross a state line, if you're coordinating people in multiple states to break laws, and sending information to them about what to do and how, there's a good chance you're on the wrong side of some federal laws.

Yes, but for evading city taxi regulators?!?

Nationwide? Yes (at least arguably). At that point, it's a nationwide conspiracy.

(Note: I do not know if this probe is about more than one city. If it's only about Portland, my argument does not hold.)

The mafia-like, protectionist taxi regulations should be considered the true conspiracy, IMHO.

The taxi cabs aren't all one company though. Most taxi cab companies operate in one city. Additionally, lobbying is not a federal crime.

Isn't that up to the cities?

Sure. And that's why the feds should stay out of it.

> Cities make laws that are up to them

> Company seemingly undergoes systemic effort to break such laws in cities across state lines

> Fed gets involved to investigate possibility of racketeering

Not seeing the problem here...?

>Not seeing the problem here...?

Nope. Let the cities enforce their own laws.