| tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89036143590262715882008-07-07T05:07:34.586-05:00Mob-NewsTom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comBlogger306125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-63634292484862721962008-07-07T04:15:00.005-05:002008-07-07T05:01:14.985-05:00'Mafia cop' Eppolito gets 18 months on tax charge<div><strong><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R6oJP8818mI/AAAAAAAAAnY/_Lo8ILprBUQ/s200/eppolito-l.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R6oJP8818mI/AAAAAAAAAnY/_Lo8ILprBUQ/s200/eppolito-l.gif" border="0" /></a>Louis Eppolito</strong>, a former New York Police detective who aided the <strong>Lucchese Crime Family</strong>, has been sentenced in Las Vegas to 18 months in prison for filing a false income tax return, according to <a href="http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/16769493/detail.html">broadcast reports</a>.<br /><br />During his July 1 sentencing in U.S. District Court, Eppolito also was ordered to pay $102,000. The imposition of a prison sentence won't mean much to the former detective. In federal custody since 2005, he has been credited for time already served. He pleaded guilty in February to one count of filing a false income tax return. As part of his plea deal, Eppolito acknowledged owing just over $102,000 to the IRS for tax years 2000 through 2002.</div><div> </div><div>Eppolito is expected to be turned over to New York authorities. The state has a detention order against him in connection with a racketeering case.<br /><br />In 2006, Eppolito and his NYPD partner <strong>Stephen Caracappa</strong> had been convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn of participating in mob killings on the behalf of the Lucchese Family. The two former detectives became known in the press as the "Mafia Cops." A federal judge ruled, however, that the statute of limitations on the charges had expired. Prosecutors are appealing that decision.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-49626400761812032702008-06-27T12:46:00.005-05:002008-06-27T12:59:07.029-05:00Former bus union boss gets 4-plus years<strong><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R5U17yF8KzI/AAAAAAAAAmc/TqiA2GvS73w/s200/battaglia-salvatore.gif"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Salvatore Battaglia" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R5U17yF8KzI/AAAAAAAAAmc/TqiA2GvS73w/s200/battaglia-salvatore.gif" border="0" /></a>Salvatore "Hot Dogs" Battaglia</strong> (left), former president of a union of 15,000 New York City school bus drivers, was sentenced yesterday to four years and nine months in prison as a penalty for extortion and receiving bribes, according to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/nyregion/27bus.html?ex=1372219200&en=cd0e9fbc56415f69&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink">a story published by the <em>New York Times</em></a>.<br /><br />In January, Battaglia, 61, admitted taking payoffs in exchange for keeping his Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union out of certain bus companies. The payoffs were linked to <strong>Matthew Ianniello</strong>, former acting boss of the <strong>Genovese Crime Family</strong>.<br /><br />Two other union officials earlier pleaded guilty to related charges. Ianniello also acknowledged wrongdoing.<br /><br />Ianniello acknowledged in 2006 that he had arranged illegal payoffs for the union leadership. He pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice. Ann Chiarovano, who directed the local's pension fund, pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents about mob influence in the union local. She was sentenced to five months in prison. Julius "Spike" Bernstein, secretary-treasurer of Local 1181, pleaded guilty to racketeering charges and cooperated with the federal investigation.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-74584454058428316422008-06-24T12:32:00.005-05:002008-06-24T12:57:42.918-05:00Galante reaches plea deal on trash racket<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R6Md1s818hI/AAAAAAAAAms/QKAhTBC2944/s200/galante-james-2008.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R6Md1s818hI/AAAAAAAAAms/QKAhTBC2944/s200/galante-james-2008.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Connecticut trash czar <strong>James Galante</strong> (right) faces between six and seven years in prison when sentenced for racketeering and other offenses in federal court on Aug. 22, according to <a href="http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ctgalante0604.artjun04,0,396841.story">a story by Dave Altimari of the <em>Hartford Courant</em></a>.<br /><br />As part of a plea deal, Galante, 55, admitted earlier this month to one count of racketeering conspiracy, one count of conspiring to defraud the IRS and one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud, according to a <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct/Press2008/20080603.html">press release </a>from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut. Those crimes stemmed from attempting to fix bids on a garbage transfer station project, coaching witnesses in advance of appearances before a grand jury, arranging payroll kickbacks and improper business expenses, and setting up no-show jobs.<br /><br />Galante was one of 33 people named in a 98-count indictment back in 2006. Initially he was also charged with making regular payments to <strong>Genovese Crime Family</strong> bigshot <strong>Matthew "Matty the Horse" Ianniello</strong>. There was no mention of those payments in the recent plea deal. Ianniello reached an earlier plea arrangement, admitting to racketeering conspiracy and tax evasion. </div><div><br />In addition to the expected jail time of between 70 and 87 months, Galante has agreed to a number of forfeitures and to withdrawal from the trash industry. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, he will surrender all of his interests in 25 trash hauling companies in western Connecticut and nearby New York State, he will turn over a Southbury residence and land, six racing cars and a trailer, and he will drop any claim on $448,153.10 and interest on that money, which was seized from his business office and home. He owes an estimated $1.6 million in back taxes to the IRS. At sentencing, he could be fined additional money, up to a total of $750,000.<br /><br />The <em>Courant </em>reported that federal authorities eventually will return to Galante and his wife $10.75 million they loaned to the trash businesses. That payment is to be made after the companies, estimated to be worth $100 million, are sold.</div><br /><div></div><div>Investigation of the waste hauling "property rights" racket in western Connecticut led to charges against Connecticut State Senator <strong>Louis DeLuca</strong>. DeLuca, who admitted to seeking Galante's aid to threaten the husband of DeLuca's granddaughter, later resigned from the state legislature.</div><div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-24538762656990113112008-06-22T07:05:00.003-05:002008-06-22T07:27:24.109-05:00Mob-affiliate burglar pleads guilty<div><strong>John Melicharek</strong>, alleged associate of the <strong>Genovese Crime Family</strong>, pleaded guilty in a White Plains, NY, court last week to robbery, extortion and firearms charges, according to <a href="http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/June08/21/Melicharek_peal-21Jun08.html">a story published by the Mid-Hudson News Network</a>.<br /><br />Prosecutors say Melicharek was an associate of the Mafia crew led by <strong>Angelo Prisco</strong>. Melicharek was accused of leading home invasions in Orange County, NY, and Morris County, NJ, as well as of extorting the owner of a small business in New York City.<br /><br />He could receive a life prison term when sentenced in September.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SF5E8Orl1dI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Daax_aQhVLs/s1600-h/prisco-angelo-genovesenj.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214681220065383890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Angelo Prisco" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SF5E8Orl1dI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Daax_aQhVLs/s200/prisco-angelo-genovesenj.gif" border="0" /></a>Prisco (right), 68, of Brooklyn, is serving time in federal prison, according to <a href="http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates/2007/05/reputed_genovese_mob_boss_plea.html">a story published a year ago in the <em>Star-Ledger</em></a>. He reached a plea deal on extortion charges in Newark, NJ, last May and was sentenced to five years. He had been held in New Jersey lockups since a March 2006 arrest. Prisco's 2002 parole from state prison in New Jersey triggered an investigation of a top aide of then-Governor Jim McGreevey.<br /><br />Another reputed associate of Prisco's crew, <strong>Michael Visconti</strong>, 39, of Newburgh, NY, pleaded guilty to six criminal counts earlier this month, according to <a href="http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-10/1213072552175250.xml&coll=1">the Star-Ledger</a>. Like Prisco, Visconti was charged in connection with a scheme to eliminate competition for an electrical contracting job.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-23092862938253155872008-06-22T05:51:00.005-05:002008-06-22T07:04:06.211-05:00Italian court upholds Camorra life sentences<div><div>An Italian Court last week upheld life sentence penalties imposed on 16 convicted leaders of the <strong>Casalesi Camorra </strong>clan, according to reports by <a href="http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=635592">RTTNews</a> and <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2158768/Mafia-godfathers-jailed-for-life-in-landmark-murder-trial.html">Malcom Moore of the U.K. <em>Telegraph</em></a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SF41gS60L0I/AAAAAAAAAv4/uyD9UAwlFuM/s1600-h/schiavone-francesco-naplescamorra.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214664247492226882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SF41gS60L0I/AAAAAAAAAv4/uyD9UAwlFuM/s200/schiavone-francesco-naplescamorra.gif" border="0" /></a>The 16 leaders, including alleged boss <strong>Francesco "Sandokan" Schiavone</strong> (left) were sentenced to life late in 2005 after the "Spartacus trial" held in Santa Maria Capua Vetere north of Naples. <strong>Michele Zagaria</strong> and <strong>Antonio Iovine</strong>, alleged to be leaders of the criminal organization, were among those sentenced to life terms though they remain at large. Ten other defendants were convicted in the trial and sentenced to lesser terms.<br /><br />The Casalesi clan was primarily involved in toxic waste disposal, extortion and monopolization of the cement market between Naples and Salerno, according to Judge Raffaello Magi. "They control the distribution of essential products. They control elections, and they offer protection and market opportunities to businesses," he said.<br /><br />Investigators believe the Casalesi clan, based in the town of Casal di Principe, held assets amounting to billions of dollars. The group is believed responsible for numerous murders. During the trial, five people involved in the case were killed. The lives of a judge and two journalists were threatened. </div><div><br />Five hundred witnesses were called in that trial. Twenty former clan members provided evidence against their old underworld colleagues.<br /><br />Schiavone was apprehended in 1999, as he attempted to escape from police by climbing over a garden wall at his personal villa.</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214674579941627266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="map of Naples region" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SF4-5uSuFYI/AAAAAAAAAwI/LGngl4tApOo/s320/naplesmap.gif" border="0" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-51638505031273018222008-06-19T15:11:00.004-05:002008-06-19T15:23:28.709-05:00Three face federal murder charges<strong>Thomas Dono</strong>, 34, <strong>Letterio "Lenny" DeCarlo</strong>, 47, and <strong>Edmund "Eddie" Boyle</strong>, 43, were charged Wednesday with the 1998 killing of a suspected informant, according to reports in the <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/06/18/2008-06-18_wiseguys_charged_in_staten_island_hit.html"><em>New York Daily News</em> </a>and <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--mafiaarrests0618jun18,0,5755973.story"><em>Newsday</em></a>.<br /><br />According to prosecutors, the three men killed <strong>Frank Hydell</strong> outside a Staten Island, NY, strip club because they feared he would reveal what he knew of the 1997 slaying of construction foreman Frank Parasole at a Brooklyn social club. The prosecutors say Dono, DeCarlo and Boyle are associates of the <strong>Gambino Crime Family</strong>.<br /><br />Hydell was shot in the head and chest at midnight April 27, 1998, outside of Scarlet's club.<br /><br />Dono was arrested early Tuesday. DeCarlo and Boyle are in federal prison on unrelated charges.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-12902912978494485652008-06-19T14:52:00.005-05:002008-06-19T15:11:10.447-05:00JoJo Corozzo reaches plea dealFederal prosecutors on June 6 dropped drug-trafficking charges against the reputed consigliere of the <strong>Gambino Crime Family</strong> and permitted him to plead guilty instead to an extortion charge, according to <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/06/07/2008-06-07_wiseguy_takes_shakedown_plea-1.html">a story by John Marzulli of the <em>New York Daily News</em></a>.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SFq9FygWivI/AAAAAAAAAvY/OHGNclE-sSg/s1600-h/corozzo-joseph.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213687425789233906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SFq9FygWivI/AAAAAAAAAvY/OHGNclE-sSg/s200/corozzo-joseph.gif" border="0" /></a>Joseph "JoJo" Corozzo</strong> (right), 66, reached the plea deal in New York shortly after his brother, <strong>Nicholas Corozzo</strong>, turned himself in to authorities at the end of May. Authorities believe Nicholas is a leader of the Gambino clan. He is charged with extorting money from construction companies, running illegal gambling and ordering a 1996 mob hit in which an innocent bystander was killed. Prosecutors labeled Nicholas a fugitive from justice after February raids against suspected Gambino members and associates.<br /><br />Joseph Corozzo admitted extorting money from a Staten Island cement company. He could be sentenced to as little as 37 months in prison for the offense. The dismissed drug-trafficking charges carried the possibility of life in prison.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-75490291295336666312008-06-19T14:29:00.004-05:002008-06-19T14:51:06.417-05:00Spain breaks up Tambov Mafiya ring<div>Spanish authorities say they have broken up the <strong>Tambov "family</strong>" of the <strong>Russian Mafiya</strong>, according to reports from the <a href="http://www.sptimesrussia.com/index.php?story_id=26290&action_id=2">St. Petersburg (Russia) Times</a>, <a href="http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/06/14/20_suspects_arrested_in_Russian_mafia_bust/UPI-65931213462104/">UPI </a>and <a href="http://en.rian.ru/world/20080617/110805607.html">RIA Novosti</a>.<br /><br />Twenty people were arrested across the country June 14 on money laundering, tax fraud and criminal association charges. Four hundred law enforcement officers participated in raids conducted in Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Valencia and the Balearic Islands. In addition to the 20 suspects, the raids netted 23 luxury cars, a yacht, weapons and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cash. Police also froze an estimated $18 million in bank accounts believed linked to the Tambov organization.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SFq3O9asLxI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/1v25PieAd38/s1600-h/petrov-gennady-tambovmafiya.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213680986267332370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SFq3O9asLxI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/1v25PieAd38/s200/petrov-gennady-tambovmafiya.gif" border="0" /></a>Over the weekend, five suspects were freed after promising not to leave the country. Two were released on bail. The other 13 suspects remain in custody. <strong>Gennady Petrov</strong> (left), a reputed leader of the gang, is among those still held by Spanish authorities. Petrov and his wife were arrested at their home in the Sol de Mallorca region of the island of Mallorca. Police also nabbed alleged Petrov deputy <strong>Yuri Salikov</strong>.</div><div> </div><div><strong>Alexander Malyshev</strong>, another reputed leader of the criminal organization, was also arrested, along with his wife and a friend. They were arrested at a luxury estate in Frigiliana, province of Malaga.<br /><br />The Tambov organization - based in St. Petersburg, Russia, but named for a southwestern Russian city - is believed to have hundreds of members. Russian, U.S., German and Swiss authorities assisted in the Spanish law enforcement action.</div><div> </div><div>Last August, Tambov boss <strong>Vladimir Basukov </strong>was arrested at his home outside of St. Petersburg. He remains in custody in Moscow. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-44809607872018174352008-06-19T14:03:00.003-05:002008-06-19T14:26:29.419-05:00Court ignores Schweihs' antagonism<div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/Rnb-tH2tQyI/AAAAAAAAAKI/b3Ol1e7KjqY/s320/schweihs-frank-chi.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 136px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/Rnb-tH2tQyI/AAAAAAAAAKI/b3Ol1e7KjqY/s320/schweihs-frank-chi.jpg" border="0" /></a>U.S. District Judge James Zagel and federal prosecutors said nothing in response to antagonistic remarks by reputed Chicago mobster <strong>Frank "German" Schweihs</strong> (right) last week, according to reports by <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/mob/997660,thegerman061008.article">Steve Warmbir of the <em>Chicago Sun Times</em></a>, and the staffs of the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-mob-hitmanjun11,0,2450454.story"><em>Chicago Tribune</em> </a>and the <a href="http://chicagoist.com/2008/06/10/angry_criminal_old_man_homophobic_x.php">Chicagoist</a>.<br /><br />The Chicagoist, which reported how Schweihs' vulgar remarks were handled in the press accounts of the <em>Sun-Times, Tribune</em> and Associated Press, announced in its headline that Schweihs "has a potty mouth."<br /><br />During a court appearance on June 10, Schweihs, 78, asked one male assistant U.S. attorney, "Are you makin' eyes at me?" After noting that another prosecutor wore a turban, he asked his attorneys if they were in a foreign country. Later, he called another prosecutor a vulgar name.<br /><br />The court went ahead with its business, setting an Oct. 28 date for Schweihs' racketeering trial. Schweihs initially was charged in the <strong>Family Secrets</strong> case, but he was separated from the other five defendants because he was afflicted with cancer.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-65471230307370920312008-06-07T04:57:00.006-05:002008-06-07T05:26:49.148-05:00Geas charged with Massachusetts mob murder<strong><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SEphcb--QqI/AAAAAAAAAuo/Ocf6J3bRpnM/s1600-h/geas-ma.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209083060183515810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Freddy Geas" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SEphcb--QqI/AAAAAAAAAuo/Ocf6J3bRpnM/s200/geas-ma.gif" border="0" /></a>Fotios A. "Freddy" Geas</strong>, 41, of West Springfield, MA (right), was indicted June 5 on one count of murder in aid of racketeering, according to <a href="http://boston.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/racketeering060508.htm">a press release from the Boston office of the FBI</a>.<br /><br />Geas is accused of paying $10,000 to <strong>Frankie A. Roche</strong> for the Nov. 23, 2003, murder of Springfield Mafia bigshot <strong>Adolfo Bruno</strong>. U.S. attorneys say the payment was made on behalf of Bruno's underlings in the Springfield, MA, crew of the Genovese Crime Family.<br /><br /><a href="http://mob-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/roche-pleads-guilty-to-adolfo-bruno.html">Roche pleaded guilty in April </a>to killing 57-year-old Bruno (below right) with a .45-caliber pistol as Bruno exited a Springfield social club. Defense attorneys for Geas say Roche is cooperating with the continuing federal investigation of the Bruno murder.<br /><br />Geas faces a possible death penalty if convicted on the charge.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SEphqdrWOCI/AAAAAAAAAuw/jCndH8WplvY/s1600-h/arillotta-ma.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209083301156239394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Anthony Arillotta" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SEphqdrWOCI/AAAAAAAAAuw/jCndH8WplvY/s200/arillotta-ma.gif" border="0" /></a>After Roche's guilty plea, attention turned toward Geas and <strong>Brandon D. Croteau</strong>. Geas and Croteau were initially named as codefendants in a state-level case stemming from the Bruno murder. The state case was never brought to trial. Croteau was not mentioned in the FBI press release.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SAj2XKu-E5I/AAAAAAAAAq4/xnFbtop-ejk/s200/bruno-adolfo93.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 85px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Adolfo Bruno" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SAj2XKu-E5I/AAAAAAAAAq4/xnFbtop-ejk/s200/bruno-adolfo93.gif" border="0" /></a>The FBI reportedly also has information <a href="http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/adolfo_big_al_brunos_killer_fr_1.html?category=Crime+category=Springfield">linking Bruno's successor <strong>Anthony J. Arilotta </strong>(above left) to the crime</a>. According to the Bureau, Arilotta obtained approvals from higher-ups in the Genovese family - <strong>Pasquale "Scop" Deluca</strong> and <strong>Arthur "Artie" Nigro</strong> - to murder Bruno. Arilotta has been serving a three-year sentence in a Massachusetts State Prison for gambling and loansharking.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-17045745795256166632008-06-05T17:49:00.004-05:002008-06-05T18:04:59.642-05:0017-count indictment against accused mobstersThe U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York yesterday unsealed a <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nye/pr/2008/2008jun04.html">17-count indictment </a>against the acting boss and the underboss of the <strong>Colombo Crime Family</strong>, as well as 10 additional Colombo Family members and associates. The indictment charges racketeering conspiracy, including four acts of murder, robbery, extortion, narcotics trafficking and loansharking.<br /><br />Prosecutors said the indictment was the result of a three-year investigation into Colombo Family activities.<br /><br />Those charged in the indictment were:<br /><br /><ul><li>Reputed boss <strong>Thomas "Tommy Shots" Gioeli</strong>, 55;</li><li>Reputed underboss <strong>John "Sonny" Franzese</strong>, 89;</li><li>Reputed "captain" <strong>Dino Calabro</strong>, 41;</li><li><strong>Michael Catapano</strong>, 42;</li><li><strong>Frank Campione</strong>, 65;</li><li><strong>Joseph "Joey Caves" Competiello</strong>, 36;</li><li><strong>Joseph DiGorga</strong>, 67;</li><li><strong>Orlando Spado</strong>, 63;</li><li><strong>Angelo Giangrande</strong>, 55;</li><li><strong>John Capolino</strong>, 39;</li><li><strong>Nicholas Bova</strong>, 31; </li><li><strong>Christopher Curanovic</strong>, 26.</li></ul><p>The indictment refers to four specific murders. It charges Calabro with the Jan. 9, 1992, armed robbery and felony murder of armored truck guard <strong>Carlos Pagan</strong>. It charges Gioeli and Calabro jointly with the March 25, 1992, double-murder of Colombo family soldier <strong>John Minerva </strong>and Minerva's friend <strong>Michael Imbergamo</strong>. It also charged Gioeli, Calabro and Colombo soldier Competiello with the June 12, 1991, retaliation murder of <strong>Frank Marasa</strong>.</p><p>If convicted of the charges against them, Gioeli, Calabro, Competiello, Spado and Curanovic face possible life imprisonment. Catapano faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. Franzese, Campione, DiGorga, Giangrande and Capolino face possible 20-year sentences.</p><p> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-53201626740412533642008-06-05T17:36:00.003-05:002008-06-05T17:49:24.634-05:00Nine nabbed in Colombo clan crackdown<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SEhtYkRkavI/AAAAAAAAAug/Kko4huJ94i8/s1600-h/gioeli.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208533237875632882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SEhtYkRkavI/AAAAAAAAAug/Kko4huJ94i8/s200/gioeli.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Nine alleged members of the <strong>Colombo Crime Family</strong>, including reputed acting boss <strong>Thomas "Tommy Shots" Gioeli</strong>, were arrested yesterday on federal racketeering charges, according to published reports by the <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/06/04/2008-06-04_tommy_shots_reputed_colombo_boss_arreste.html"><em>New York Daily News</em></a>, the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/nyregion/05mob.html?ex=1370404800&en=a843c258794348a9&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink"><em>New York Times</em> </a>and the <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hYF-9BTRtVA53qRnoDqwDXI1xFlAD913FUR00">Associated Press</a>.<br /><br />A federal indictment unsealed in Brooklyn federal court accused the nine with Mafia-related crimes across the United States. Among the offenses charged to the group are fur thefts and murders in New York and impersonation of police officers in Los Angeles.<br /><br />Gioeli, 55 (left), charged with robbery, three murders and extortion, pleaded not guilty. He is being held without bail. Two of the murders were related to the 1990s civil war within the Colombo clan. <strong>John Franzese</strong>, 89, reputed family underboss, was also charged, as were three men already held in prison.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-57624320006239950852008-06-04T12:23:00.005-05:002008-06-04T12:51:02.586-05:00Two more Gambino guilty pleas<strong>Frank Cali</strong>, 43, and <strong>Leonard DiMaria</strong>, 67, pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court yesterday to extortion-related charges, according to<a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nygamb045712975jun04,0,6326073.story"> a story by Anthony M. DeStefano of <em>Newsday</em></a>. The two men were arrested in February along with dozens of others suspected of involvement in the <strong>Gambino Crime Family</strong>. Roughly half of the 60-plus defendants have reached plea deals.<br /><br />Cali admitted to conspiring to extort money from a trucker working at a Staten Island NASCAR construction site. Prosecutors believe he is an acting "captain" in the Gambino criminal organization and also close to members of the Mafia in Sicily. He could get up to 24 months in prison when sentenced in September.<br /><br />DiMaria admitted to conspiring to extort money from contractor/trucker <strong>Joseph Vollaro</strong>. Vollaro, a former mob associate, cooperated with investigators in the case. DiMaria, now ailing but once considered a powerhouse in the Gambino clan, faces up to five years in prison.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/08102007/news/regionalnews/mafias_mister_clean_regionalnews_murray_weiss___criminal_justice_editor.htm">In a story by Murray Weiss </a>last August, the <em>New York Post</em> called Cali a Gambino "ambassador to Sicilian mobsters" and linked him to the <strong>Inzerillo</strong> Mafia clan. That information was apparently obtained through Sicilian wiretaps. Authorities at the time still hadn't precisely identified Cali. In February, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/02/28/2008-02-28_sicilian_mobsters_may_become_new_yorks_l.html">the <em>New York Daily News</em> </a>reported that the Frank Cali arrested in the Gambino raids was linked with Sicily's Inzerillo Crime Family. <a href="http://www.repubblica.it/2008/01/sezioni/cronaca/operazione-palermo-ny/franky-boy-english/franky-boy-english.html">The Italian Repubblica reported </a>that Cali was born in New York on March 26, 1965, as Francesco Paolo Augusto Cali. His father, who has no criminal record, was an immigrant to New York who maintained a residence in Palermo. Cali married into the Inzerillo family. The Inzerillos had fled to New Jersey during the 1980s Mafia wars in Sicily. In 2003, much of the family returned to Sicily and became influential in the underworld there.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-6444557505597006842008-06-04T12:07:00.003-05:002008-06-04T12:21:55.520-05:00Imprisoned Schweihs signs DNR order<div>Alleged mobster <strong>Frank "the German" Schweihs</strong> may have to be moved to a prison medical facility due to his recent signing of a do-not-resusciate (DNR) order, according to stories by <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-mob-schweihsjun03,0,2859626.story">the Chicago Tribune </a>and <a href="http://cbs2chicago.com/local/Frank.German.Schweihs.2.738442.html">CBS-2 Chicago</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/Rnb-tH2tQyI/AAAAAAAAAKI/b3Ol1e7KjqY/s320/schweihs-frank-chi.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/Rnb-tH2tQyI/AAAAAAAAAKI/b3Ol1e7KjqY/s320/schweihs-frank-chi.jpg" border="0" /></a>Schweihs had been named as a defendant in the <strong>Family Secrets</strong> case, which resulted in September 1997 guilty verdicts against five men linked to the Chicago Outfit. Schweihs missed the trial because he was battling cancer. A separate trial is scheduled for late October.<br /><br />Schweihs, 78, is charged with a mob-related murder and with extorting payments from businesses. When he first learned he was indicted, Schweihs fled. He was apprehended by FBI agents in Kentucky. He has been behind bars for the past 17 months.<br /><br />U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel said the recent do-not-resuscitate order could require Schweihs to be placed in a medical facility of the Bureau of Prisons. According to Zagel, other federal institutions would not be able to honor such an order.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-56509064034269808942008-05-29T12:58:00.003-05:002008-05-29T13:04:24.542-05:00Nick Corozzo turns himself in<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SD7wGiHRw6I/AAAAAAAAAt8/6ZJlnOia8MQ/s1600-h/corozzo-nick.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205862214314083234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SD7wGiHRw6I/AAAAAAAAAt8/6ZJlnOia8MQ/s200/corozzo-nick.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>Nicholas Corozzo</strong>, brother of reputed <strong>Gambino Crime Family</strong> consigliere <strong>"JoJo" Corozzo</strong> and fugitive since a federal indictment of suspected crime family members and associates in February, has turned himself in to police, according to <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gxHF0Pk1ck2az9SQYURoSG7U5rJwD90VC5A80">a story by Tom Hays of the Associated Press</a>.</div><br /><div></div><div>Corozzo has been charged with extorting money from construction companies, running illegal gambling and ordering a 1996 mob hit in which an innocent bystander was killed.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-12765695388211459772008-05-29T12:15:00.007-05:002008-05-29T12:57:25.261-05:00Alleged Gambino leaders make a deal<p><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R-DkUZw16MI/AAAAAAAAAp4/-VoKHMwWyUI/s200/damico-jackie-ny.gif"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R-DkUZw16MI/AAAAAAAAAp4/-VoKHMwWyUI/s200/damico-jackie-ny.gif" border="0" /></a><br /></p><strong>John "Jackie Nose" D'Amico </strong>and <strong>Domenico "Italian Dom" Cefalu</strong>, reputed leaders of the <strong>Gambino Crime Family</strong>, have agreed to plead guilty to a single count of extortion, according to <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/05/29/2008-05-29_supposed_mob_ko_falls_apart.html">a story by John Marzulli of the <em>New York Daily News</em></a>. Through their plea deal, each could spend less than two years in prison.<br /><p></p><p></p>Prosecutors say D'Amico (left), 71, is the acting boss and Cefalu, 61, the acting underboss of the Gambino clan. Those two men and reputed Gambino consigliere <strong>Joseph "JoJo" Corozzo</strong>, 66, appeared to be the main targets of early February's FBI arrests of dozens of suspected Mafia members and associates. Corozzo also appears close to reaching a plea deal with prosecutors.<br /><p></p>The D'Amico deal was made possible, according to defense attorney Elizabeth Macedonio, when prosecutors agreed to allow D'Amico to plead guilty to extortion rather than racketeering, which carries a tougher penalty. D'Amico and Cefalu admitted to extorting $100,000 from Staten Island cement company owner Joseph Vollaro. Vollaro later assisted the government's case.<br /><p></p><p></p>Sixty-two people were indicted on federal charges <a href="http://mob-news.blogspot.com/2008/02/scores-arrested-in-mafia-raids-in-us.html">in February</a>. More than two dozen others were charged in related New York State matters.<br /><p></p><p></p>D'Amico was recently in the New York newspapers as he hoped to win his release on $2 million bail in order to return to his $71,000 a year job as a sales representative for the Big Geyser beverage distribution company in Queens. D'Amico has worked for the company since 1991, according to <a href="http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0822,a-slice-of-mafia-with-your-sparkling-water,451832,4.html">a story by Tom Robbins of the <em>Village Voice</em></a>. The company also reportedly employs <strong>Matthew Madonna</strong>, 72, a reputed big shot in the <strong>Lucchese Crime Family</strong>, according to stories in <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/05/23/2008-05-23_two_crime_bosses_on_queens_firm_payroll.html">the <em>Daily News</em></a> and the<a href="http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0822,a-slice-of-mafia-with-your-sparkling-water,451832,4.html"> <em>Village Voice</em></a>.<br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-74487557498081816312008-05-21T05:41:00.002-05:002008-05-21T05:48:36.909-05:00Police bust Philadelphia betting ringPhiladelphia police have "a strong feeling" that a $2.5 million illegal sports betting ring raided last week was linked to the Mafia, according to <a href="http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080516_High-tech_sports-gambling_ring_busted.html">a story by Kitty Caparella of the <em>Philadelphia Daily News</em>.</a><br /><br />Nine men aged 23 to 48 were arrested last Wednesday. Police expect to arrest two or three more. The suspects were arraigned on conspiracy and bookmaking charges. Police also seized 19 networked computers from two locations in West Philadelphia.<br /><br />Police are looking into whether the operation paid a street tax to a Mafia organization or used crime family connections to lay off some bets.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-46834965890281071662008-05-21T05:27:00.002-05:002008-05-21T05:37:31.503-05:00Boston's Ferrara pleads not guilty to gambling<strong>Vincent Ferrara</strong>, 59, of Boston, pleaded not guilty in Norfolk Superior Court yesterday to gambling-related charges, according to <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/21/ex_mafia_captain_calls_new_charges_a_joke/">a story by Franci R. Ellement of the Boston Globe</a>.<br /><br />Ferrara, a former lieutenant in the <strong>New England Mafia</strong> who was jailed for 16 years on a racketeering conviction, said he had nothing at all to do with a gambling ring recently broken up through police telephone wiretaps. Prosecutors contend that Ferrara was sharing gambling operation profits with ringleader <strong>Dominic Santoro</strong> of Quincy, MA.<br /><br />Santoro faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the charges against him. The charge against Ferrara is a misdemeanor, punishable by a year in prison and a $2,000 fine. However, Ferrara is still on probation from federal prison and could be returned there if found to be violating the terms of his release.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-24460775780175707292008-05-21T05:12:00.003-05:002008-05-21T05:25:44.871-05:00Pellicano convicted of racketeering<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SDP4kvYfqzI/AAAAAAAAAtk/rCE1UhpyQRw/s1600-h/pellicano-anthony.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202775304621239090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SDP4kvYfqzI/AAAAAAAAAtk/rCE1UhpyQRw/s200/pellicano-anthony.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hollywood private investigator <strong>Anthony Pellicano</strong> was convicted last week of racketeering, wiretapping and other charges, according to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/16/business/16pellicano.html?ex=1368676800&en=17fd8bb5a784ebdb&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink">a story by David Halbfinger of the <em>New York Times</em></a>. </div><div><br />After deliberations of nine days, a federal jury convicted the 64-year-old on 76 of the 77 counts against him on May 15. Just one count of racketeering could result in a 20-year prison sentence. Pellicano's sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 24.<br /><br />Most of the charges against Pellicano stem from his extensive use of wiretapping to accumulate damaging information against business rivals and former spouses of powerful Hollywood executives. A number of Pellicano's wealthy clients admitted paying for and listening to illegal wiretaps. However, they were not charged with wrongdoing.<br /><br />Investigators turned up evidence that Pellicano surveillance was directed for a time against Sylvester Stallone and Keith Carradine and that an illegal criminal background check was done against Garry Shandling.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-38264487976026924582008-05-21T04:48:00.004-05:002008-05-21T05:09:24.830-05:00DiNunzio released on $20K cash bailA federal magistrate has ordered the release today of reputed <strong>New England Mafia</strong> underboss <strong>Carmen "Cheese Man" DiNunzio</strong> on cash bail of $20,000, according to <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/21/reputed_mob_underboss_to_go_free_on_bail/">a story by Shelley Murphy of the Boston Globe</a>. DiNunzio is awaiting federal trial on bribery charges.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SCH6VHc6PYI/AAAAAAAAArI/bNhs-vfpAYc/s200/dinunzio-carmen-nebos.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SCH6VHc6PYI/AAAAAAAAArI/bNhs-vfpAYc/s200/dinunzio-carmen-nebos.gif" border="0" /></a>Judge Judith G. Dein ruled that evidence against DiNunzio (right) is strong but did not relate to violence or threats of violence. That was enough to defeat the prosecution's argument for holding DiNunzio. Federal prosecutors said DiNunzio is dangerous.<br /><br />The prosecutors played a surveillance audio tape of DiNunzio saying he wanted to throw an underworld associate off a roof if the associate backed out of a loan deal. Dein said the comment was an expression of annoyance rather than an actual threat.<br /><br />Defense attorney Anthony Cardinale said his client suffers from obesity, diabetes, coronary artery disease and sleep apnea and is not a danger to anyone.<br /><br />Conditions for his release will include confinement to his East Boston home except for trips to the doctor, the court or his attorney. DiNunzio will have to wear a tracking bracelet and avoid contact with witnesses and codefendants in the case. He will not be permitted to work in his cheese shop on Endicott Street in Boston's North End. The FBI has documented visits of Mafiosi at the shop.<br /><br />DiNunzio was arrested May 2 on charges related to a 2006 FBI sting operation. He was charged with offering bribes to win contracts for Boston's "Big Dig" highway construction project. A $10,000 down payment allegedly was given to an undercover FBI agent posing as an inspector for the Massachusetts Highway Department. Law enforcement agents say DiNunzio became second in command of the New England Mafia in 2004.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-77065521930654441552008-05-09T15:57:00.004-05:002008-05-09T16:13:03.496-05:00FBI busts alleged racketeers in New JerseyFederal law enforcement agents today took the wraps off <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nj/press/press/files/pdffiles/Merola%20et%20al%20Indictment.pdf">an indictment </a>charging nearly two dozen New Jersey men with racketeering, according to <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nj/press/press/files/pdffiles/mero0508%20rel.pdf">a press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey</a>.<br /><br />Ten of those charged with being made members or associates of the <strong>Gambino and Lucchese Crime Families</strong> were arrested this morning. Among those arrested, according to the press release, was <strong>Andrew Merola</strong>, 41, of East Hanover. Merola was identified as the lead defendant in the case. He is alleged to be the supervisor of the Gambino Crime Family's crew in New Jersey.<br /><br />Also arrested was <strong>Ralph Cicalese</strong>, 55, of Roseland, alleged to be Merola's "right-hand man" with responsibility for gambling rackets. The indictment also named <strong>Martin Tacetta</strong>, 56, of East Hanover, as a racket partner of Merola. Tacetta is alleged to be a member of the Lucchese Family.<br /><br />A total of 23 people were charged in<a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nj/press/press/files/pdffiles/Merola%20et%20al%20Indictment.pdf"> the indictment</a>, which was dated last Friday but kept sealed until this morning's arrests. The defendants are: Merola, Cicalese, Tacetta, Charles Muccigrosso, Kyle Ragusa, John Tizio, Gennaro Forte, Justin Cerrato, Charles Russo, Vincent Derogatis, Eric Maione, Christopher Doscher, Anthony Marra, Edward Deak, Michael Urgola, Joseph Manzella, John Cataldo, Jonathan Lanza, Paul Lanza, Joseph Schepisi, India Fugate and Vincent Fichera. An indictment is a formal accusation, but it is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-88681273908437438402008-05-07T13:35:00.009-05:002008-05-07T14:01:29.827-05:00'Cheese Man' faces Big Dig bribery charges<strong>Carmen "Cheese Man" DiNunzio</strong>, 50, was arrested last week in connection with a corruption probe into Boston's Big Dig highway construction project, according to stories by <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/05/carmen_the_chee.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed6">Shelley Murphy of the <em>Boston Globe</em></a>, <a href="http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-mob0503.artmay03,0,3595238.story">Edmund H. Mahoney of the <em>Hartford CT Courant</em></a> and <a href="http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1091402&srvc=home&position=4">Jessica Heslam of the <em>Boston Herald</em></a>.<br /><br />DiNunzio, <strong>Anthony J. D'Amore</strong>, 55, of Revere, and <strong>Andrew Marino</strong>, 42, of Chelmsford, appeared in U.S. District Court in Boston after being charged with conspiracy to commit bribery in a federally funded program. DiNunzio pleaded not guilty. Arraignment of D'Amore and Marino was postponed until May 21. DiNunzio is being held at Devens federal prison hospital because he reportedly suffers from a large number of health problems, including diabetes, sleep apnea and a heart condition.<br /><br />An FBI statement indicates that DiNunzio met Oct. 9, 2006, with someone he believed to be a corrupt Massachusetts Highway Department employee but who was actually an undercover FBI agent. DiNunzio allegedly gave the agent $10,000 down payment toward a more sizeable bribe in order to secure a $6 million contract to provide fill for the Big Dig project.<br /><br />During a taped discussion with DiNunzio, who owns the Fresh Cheese Shop on the North End's Endicott Street, the agent reportedly feigned concern that Marino would back out of the arrangements.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SCH6VHc6PYI/AAAAAAAAArI/bNhs-vfpAYc/s1600-h/dinunzio-carmen-nebos.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197710685646765442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SCH6VHc6PYI/AAAAAAAAArI/bNhs-vfpAYc/s200/dinunzio-carmen-nebos.gif" border="0" /></a><em>DiNunzio</em>: "Listen to me. Right here you got the guarantee from here."<br /><em>Agent</em>: "I don't know you."<br /><em>DiNunzio</em>: "Look it, I don't even come out, I come out cause of this guy. I'm the Cheeseman."<br /><em>Agent</em>: "You're the Cheeseman?"<br /><em>DiNunzio</em>: "You ask anybody about me. We straighten out a lot of beefs, a lot of things."<br /><br />DiNunzio already faces extortion and gambling charges in connection with a 2006 indictment. Authorities believe he has held a leadership position - possibly as high as underboss - in the Boston portion of the New England Crime Family. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on those charges. He has maintained his innocence.<br /><br />Related stories from 2006:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/blog/TomHunt?id=395">DiNunzio released on $20K cash bail 12-05-2006</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bloglines.com/blog/TomHunt?id=394" target="_blank">Mass. police arrest DiNunzio 12-02-2006</a> </li></ul><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-34505195835950984242008-05-07T13:12:00.007-05:002008-05-21T05:31:52.913-05:00Former Mafia lieutenant charged with gambling<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SCH1Lnc6PXI/AAAAAAAAArA/JghU8Ow9TNI/s1600-h/ferrara-vincent-ne.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197705024879869298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SCH1Lnc6PXI/AAAAAAAAArA/JghU8Ow9TNI/s200/ferrara-vincent-ne.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>Vincent M. Ferrara</strong>, former lieutenant in the <strong>New England Mafia Family</strong>, has been charged with participating in a Boston area gambling ring, according to <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/04/30/wiretap_trips_former_mafia_figure/">a story by Shelley Murphy of the <em>Boston Globe</em></a>.<br /><br />Ferrara, 59, served almost 16 years in prison after a federal racketeering conviction. He was released from prison in May 2005. The gambling offense - a misdemeanor - generally carries a potential penalty of up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. However, the penalty for Ferrara could be much higher, as he remains on federal probation. If a federal judge decides that he violated conditions of his release, Ferrara could be sent back to federal prison for three years.<br /><br /><div></div>Ferrara was one of 13 people indicted April 29 by a Norfolk County grand jury. The grand jury charged <strong>Dominic Santoro</strong>, 62, of Quincy, of serving as leader of the gambling ring, according <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/04/grand_jury_indi.html">to the Boston Globe</a>.<br /><br />Ferrara' s federal prison sentence was shortened after U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf ruled that prosecutors were guilty of misconduct in his case. U.S. attorneys did not reveal to defense attorneys that a key witness had backed away from a statement linking Ferrara with the 1985 murder of <strong>Vincent "Jimmy" Limoli</strong>. Ferrara said he was uninvolved in the Limoli killing, but he pleaded guilty to racketeering and murder charges in a plea deal.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-65229794490614608502008-04-28T12:13:00.002-05:002008-04-28T12:28:28.212-05:00Canada denies full parole to CaruanaCanada's National Parole Board has refused the full-parole request of <strong>Gerlando Caruana</strong>, 64, according to <a href="http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=ef7d2f2f-53d5-49df-826e-696e6cfa6b11&k=59391">a story by Paul Cherry of the Montreal Gazette</a>.<br /><br />Caruana, reputedly an inducted member of the Mafia in Sicily, is on a limited parole in a halfway house. Since 1998, he has been serving a nearly 32-year sentence for drug smuggling. He pleaded guilty that year to participating in a massive cocaine smuggling operation between Mexico and Canada while he was on parole from an earlier heroin smuggling conviction. As a result, the remainder of his first sentence was added to his second sentence.<br /><br />Caruana claims he has disconnected himself from the Mafia society. "I've made a decision to get out," he said. "It's a decision I made when I was arrested a second time."<br /><br />Given his past history, the parole board was skeptical.<br /><br />Gerlando Caruana and his brother <strong>Alfonso</strong> were both arrested as part of Canada's Project Omerta in 1998. Alfonso was sentenced to 18 years after pleading guilty to drug trafficking. He has since been extradited to Italy, where he was tried and sentenced in absentia to a 22-year prison term for a similar offense.<br /><br />Italian officials say the brothers are part of the <strong>Cuntrera-Caruana</strong> Mafia organization based in Siculiana, Sicily.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-56732026032368584042008-04-18T14:05:00.004-05:002008-04-18T14:38:39.412-05:00Roche pleads guilty to Adolfo Bruno murder<strong>Frankie A. Roche</strong>, 35, of Westfield MA, pleaded guilty yesterday to the 2003 murder of Springfield MA underworld figure <strong>Adolfo Bruno</strong>, according to published reports by <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/04/18/mob_associate_admits_to_springfield_murder/">Martin Finucane of the <em>Boston Globe</em></a> and <a href="http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/adolfo_big_al_brunos_killer_fr.html">Stephanie Barry of the <em>Springfield Republican</em></a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SAj2I6u-E4I/AAAAAAAAAqw/KxzWEmbwi0Q/s1600-h/roche-frankie-ma2008.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190669203610145666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SAj2I6u-E4I/AAAAAAAAAqw/KxzWEmbwi0Q/s200/roche-frankie-ma2008.gif" border="0" /></a>According to a statement by federal prosecutors, the "hit" was an effort by the <strong>Genovese Crime Family</strong> to bring to heel the Springfield branch of their organization:<br /><br />"Members of the Genovese LCN family hierarchy in New York became upset with Adolfo Bruno because he was not sending sufficient tribute payments to New York. Thereafter, a member of the Springfield Crew sought authority from the hierarchy of the Genovese LCN family in New York, pursuant to the rules of La Cosa Nostra, to murder Adolfo Bruno."<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SAj2XKu-E5I/AAAAAAAAAq4/xnFbtop-ejk/s1600-h/bruno-adolfo93.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190669448423281554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/SAj2XKu-E5I/AAAAAAAAAq4/xnFbtop-ejk/s200/bruno-adolfo93.gif" border="0" /></a>On Nov. 23, 2003, Roche (left) greeted Bruno (right), 57, in the parking lot of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society in the South End of Springfield and then shot him six times with a .45-caliber handgun. Bruno was the ranking member of the Springfield Crew at that time. <a href="http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/adolfo_big_al_brunos_killer_fr_1.html?category=Crime+category=Springfield">A document from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston</a> named Bruno's alleged successor, <strong>Anthony J. Arillotta</strong>, as the crew member who requested approval from Genovese higher-ups <strong>Pasquale "Scop" Deluca </strong>and <strong>Arthur "Artie" Nigro</strong> for the Bruno murder. The Genovese Crime Family was functioning without a formal boss, as Vincent "the Chin" Gigante was in federal prison. Arillotta is currently serving a three-year sentence in a Massachusetts prison for illegal gaming and loansharking. He could be released as early as next week.<br /><br />Roche, an associate of the crime family, was reportedly paid $10,000 to assassinate Bruno. He could have received the death penalty, but prosecutors will recommend life in prison as part of a plea deal. His sentence could be further reduced if he aids law enforcement in resolving other cases.<br /><br />In 2005, <a href="http://blog.masslive.com/breakingnews/2008/04/Frankie-Roche-charges.pdf">authorities charged Roche </a>with murder in aid of racketeering and aiding and abetting. At the state level, he was charged along with two co-defendants, <strong>Fotios "Freddy" Geas</strong>, 40, and <strong>Brandon D. Croteau</strong>, 29, who have not been brought to trial. The original state case was indefinitely postponed. U.S. Attorneys would not comment on what is in store for Geas and Croteau.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Original content Copyright © 2008, Thomas Hunt, New Milford, CT ( http://mob-news.blogspot.com/ )</div>Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.com |
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