| tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89036143590262715882008-11-18T19:36:30.754-05:00Mob-NewsWho went into the can? Who flipped and ratted? Who got whacked?<BR>News items and observations about the American Mafia<BR>and other elements of organized crime.Tom Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09562045051995673935noreply@blogger.comBlogger381125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-11946320035075347182008-11-18T19:11:00.004-05:002008-11-18T19:36:30.762-05:002008-11-18T19:36:30.762-05:00'Operation Mobbed Up' nets 17 in RI<div>Rhode Island state police arrested 17 people yesterday morning as part of Operation Mobbed Up, according to <a href="http://www.projo.com/news/content/MOB_ARRESTS_11-18-08_AECAIVG_v28.3e34db9.html">a story by Mike Stanton and W. Zachary Malinowsky of the <em>Providence Journal</em></a>. An 18th suspect was already in custody on unrelated charges.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SSNfV4gslOI/AAAAAAAABGI/p1oVsfJq2ZE/s1600-h/tillinghast-gerald-ri-1976.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270160818505028834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SSNfV4gslOI/AAAAAAAABGI/p1oVsfJq2ZE/s320/tillinghast-gerald-ri-1976.gif" border="0" /></a>Among those arrested were <strong>Nicholas S. "Nicky" Pari</strong>, 71, and <strong>Gerald M. "Gerry" Tillinghast</strong>, 62 (image at left shows police information from a 1976 Tillinghast arrest). Pari is charged with racketeering, firearms and drug violations. Tillinghast is charged with drug and gambling offenses. Authorities consider those two men longtime members of Rhode Island's underworld and former underlings of the late <strong>Raymond L.S. Patriarca</strong>. Pari faces charges of overseeing "a large-scale criminal operation" at the Valley Street Flea Market in Providence. Also arrested was <strong>Lloyd Morse</strong>, 50, owner of the flea market.<br /><br />Investigators say two criminal rings were based at the flea market. Those rings are believed to have engaged in fencing stolen goods, dealing in guns and drugs, gambling, counterfeiting, theft and insurance fraud.<br /><br />Pari was previously imprisoned for the 1978 mob killing of <strong>Joseph "Joe Onions" Scanlon</strong>, though Scanlon's body was never found. Pari was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years.<br /><br />As he was taken into custody yesterday, Pari reportedly provided state police with the location of the remains. A police dig began almost immediately at a lot in East Providence, according to <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ikkk5-NzCpjrlNLY6UiNSlY7pc3wD94H31880">a story by Hilary Russ of the Associated Press</a>. The police would not confirm that they were searching for Scanlon's remains.</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-57948258973274385882008-11-07T07:36:00.008-05:002008-11-07T07:56:15.573-05:002008-11-07T07:56:15.573-05:00Ex-agent Connolly guilty of 2d-degree murder<p><strong><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SNElkh3aDII/AAAAAAAAA1w/MQx3u1-mO48/s200/connolly-john-bos.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SNElkh3aDII/AAAAAAAAA1w/MQx3u1-mO48/s200/connolly-john-bos.gif" border="0" /></a>John Connolly</strong> (right), a former FBI agent who became involved with the Boston underworld, was convicted in a Miami courtroom yesterday of second degree murder, according to <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h6Tgcnvkd8oG1cL7mAFCZ1E0xcDgD949M4480">a story by Curt Anderson of the AP</a>.</p><p>Jurors deliberated for two-plus days after the two-month trial before deciding that Connolly leaked information to Boston organized crime figures that led to the 1982 shooting death of former world Jai-Alai president <strong>John Callahan</strong>. Connolly warned the gangsters that Callahan could provide evidence linking them to a 1981 killing.</p><p>Connolly was the FBI's handler for two top-level informants in the Boston underworld, <strong>James "Whitey" Bulger</strong> and <strong>Stephen "the Rifleman" Flemmi</strong>. The former FBI agent was convicted in 2002 of racketeering and is serving a 10-year prison sentence. Connolly reportedly received $235,000 from Bulger and his gang in return for protection. Connolly has been accused of leaking information to Bulger, including news of a pending indictment against Bulger. The Boston gang boss managed to avoid arrest in 1995 and remains at large.</p><p>This latest Connolly conviction carries the possibility of a life sentence in prison.</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-30405840602298891792008-11-06T04:35:00.005-05:002008-11-06T05:11:52.212-05:002008-11-06T05:11:52.212-05:00Coppola charged with racketeering, murderA federal indictment unsealed Monday charges <strong>Michael Coppola</strong>, 62, alleged lieutenant in the <strong>Genovese Crime Family</strong>, with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy offenses including a 1977 murder, extortion and wire fraud, according to <a href="http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nye/pr/2008/2008nov03b.html">a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SRK-qQ1hiII/AAAAAAAABFw/8UCfreqGv8s/s1600-h/coppola-michael-njgenovese.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265480547632777346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SRK-qQ1hiII/AAAAAAAABFw/8UCfreqGv8s/s200/coppola-michael-njgenovese.gif" border="0" /></a>Federal prosecutors say Coppola (left) approached 68-year-old <strong>Giovanni "Johnny Cokes" Larducci</strong> (also known as John Lardiere) outside the Red Bull Inn motel on Route 22 in Bridgewater, NJ, on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1977. Coppola allegedly attempted to shoot Larducci with a firearm, but the weapon jammed. Believing he had escaped an assassination attempt, Larducci asked Coppola, "What are you going to do now, tough guy?"<br /><br />Coppola allegedly drew a revolver from an ankle holster and shot Larducci to death. Larducci was reportedly a Genovese lieutenant serving under boss Gerardo Catena. Larducci is believed to have been involved in loansharking and was suspected of involvement in the 1971 disappearance of Teamsters Local 945 President Michael A. Ardis, according to <a href="http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20081103/STATE/811030399">a story published on Mycentraljersey.com</a>.<br /><br />As Coppola, also known as Michael Rizzo and Mikey Cigars, became a leading suspect in the Larducci killing in 1996, he fled, the press release said. His story was featured on the<a href="http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=25576"> <em>America's Most Wanted</em> </a>television program. Coppola was captured by the FBI on March 9, 2007. Authorities had learned he was staying with an alleged Genovese Crime Family associate on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.<br /><br />New Jersey state prosecutors passed on the murder case against Coppola when DNA evidence came back with an inconclusive result, according to <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/11/03/2008-11-03_reputed_genovese_family_michael_mikey_ci.html">a story by John Marzulli of the<em> New York Daily News</em></a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SRLA37aDNPI/AAAAAAAABF4/u9unSMqx-UY/s1600-h/ricci-lawrence.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265482981421823218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SRLA37aDNPI/AAAAAAAABF4/u9unSMqx-UY/s200/ricci-lawrence.gif" border="0" /></a>The indictment accuses Coppola of involvement in a conspiracy to extort payments from <strong>International Longshoremen's Association Local 1235</strong>. That extortion allegedly went on for a period of three decades. The Daily News reports that Coppola is also a suspect in the 2005 killing of Genovese Crime Family lieutenant <strong>Lawrence Ricci</strong> (right).<br /><br /><br />Prosecutors plan to introduce evidence obtained through a 1980 wiretap of the home of the late <strong>Paul Castellano</strong>, boss of the <strong>Gambino Crime Family</strong>.<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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-53327791263250677292008-10-29T12:32:00.002-05:002008-10-29T12:41:24.006-05:002008-10-29T12:41:24.006-05:00Bonanno associate convicted of 2005 killing<strong>Joseph "Joe Black" Young</strong>, 30, a <strong>Bonanno Crime Family</strong> associate, was convicted Monday of the March 29, 2005, mob murder of <strong>Robert McKelvey</strong>, according to <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/10/28/2008-10-28_court_convicts_bonanno_wiseguy.html">a story by John Marzulli of the New York Daily News</a>. Young's attorney plans to appeal the verdict.<br /><br />At trial, Young admitted to dismembering McKelvey's remains and disposing of them in a furnace at the Kreischer Mansion on Staten Island. He denied causing McKelvey's death. Young was an associate of a Bonanno crew led by Mafia soldier <strong>Gino Galestro</strong>. In August, Galestro pleaded guilty to ordering McKelvey's death.<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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-34573548927982923602008-10-22T07:29:00.005-05:002008-10-22T07:46:49.814-05:002008-10-22T07:46:49.814-05:00Admits disposing of body but not killing<strong>Joseph "Joe Black" Young</strong>, associate of the <strong>Bonanno Crime Family</strong>, on Monday acknowledged dismembering and incinerating the remains of <strong>Robert McKelvey</strong> but denied causing McKelvey's death, according to <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/10/20/2008-10-20_mob_suspect_joseph_young_admits_to_chopp-2.html">a story by John Marzulli of the <em>New York Daily News</em></a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SP8gedjg3RI/AAAAAAAABFo/3ccSvDDALIA/s1600-h/kreischermansion.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259958597493775634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SP8gedjg3RI/AAAAAAAABFo/3ccSvDDALIA/s200/kreischermansion.gif" border="0" /></a>McKelvey, 39, was stabbed and drowned to death in March 2005 at the Kreischer Mansion (left) on Staten Island. His remains were disposed of in the mansion's furnace. Young was a caretaker at the site, while he was also working as an associate in the crew of Bonanno soldier <strong>Gino Galestro</strong>.<br /><br />Young, who was testifying in federal court in his own defense, blamed mob soldier <strong>Michael "Sonny" Maggio</strong> for the McKelvey killing. Young admitted to most other crimes included in his federal racketeering indictment.<br /><br />Galestro is believed to have ordered the killing of McKelvey following a financial dispute.<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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-80299127763273743602008-10-22T06:39:00.005-05:002008-10-22T07:25:42.893-05:002008-10-22T07:25:42.893-05:00Feds call for $3.9 million from convicted mobsters<div>Five convicted Chicago mobsters owe $3.9 million in restitution to the families of their murder victims, federal prosecutors insist. The prosecutors say <strong>Frank Calabrese Sr</strong>., <strong>James Marcello</strong>, <strong>Joseph Lombardo</strong>, <strong>Paul Schiro</strong> and <strong>Anthony Doyle</strong> should be held jointly and severally liable for the restitution amount, according to <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/iteam&id=6460051">a report by Chuck Goudie and Ann Pistone of ABC-7 in Chicago</a>. The amount took into consideration an <a href="http://dig.abclocal.go.com/wls/documents/Howvictimswerevalued.pdf">accountant's estimate </a>of the lost earning capacity of 14 victims.<br /><br />The five men were convicted in the <strong>Family Secrets </strong>case last year. They are waiting to be sentenced. After the initial racketeering verdict, Calabrese, Marcello and Lombardo also were <a href="http://mob-news.blogspot.com/2007/09/secrets-three-defendants-guilty-of-10.html">found guilty of participating in 10 racketeering murders</a>. A jury deadlocked on Schiro's involvement. Doyle was not charged with racketeering murder.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SP8bosWw4fI/AAAAAAAABFg/bog4tnF0TWY/s1600-h/lombardo-joe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259953275707384306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SP8bosWw4fI/AAAAAAAABFg/bog4tnF0TWY/s200/lombardo-joe.jpg" border="0" /></a>Lombardo (right) <a href="http://dig.abclocal.go.com/wls/documents/JoeyLombardomotion.pdf">has challenged the restitution </a>and called for a forfeiture hearing in front of a jury. The Family Secrets defendants had waived the right to a hearing. But Lombardo argued that his bad ears kept him from learning that his defense attorney had waived the right. Defense attorney Rick Halprin has acknowledged that he never discussed the matter with Lombardo before or during the trial.<br /><br />Prosecutors <a href="http://dig.abclocal.go.com/wls/documents/GovtresponsetoLombardo.pdf">answered the challenge </a>by pointing out that recent Supreme Court opinion has viewed forfeiture as an element of sentence, beyond the scope of the jury's responsibility.</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-65160856253243399152008-10-16T18:44:00.005-05:002008-10-16T19:00:14.223-05:002008-10-16T19:00:14.223-05:00Nicolo Rizzuto, 84, gets suspended sentence<div><strong>Nicolo Rizzuto</strong>, 84-year-old father of reputed Montreal Mafia boss<strong> Vito Rizzuto,</strong> was released from a Canadian prison today, according to reports by <a href="http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5ihyOiRfgFLHIlJ65KH61d5vfs53w">the Canadian Press</a>, <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081016.wmontreal_mafia1016/BNStory/National/home">the Globe and Mail</a> and <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=885216">the National Post</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SPfVeorHDaI/AAAAAAAABFY/t-YfiHIOA2E/s1600-h/rizzuto-nicolo-montreal.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257905812269370786" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SPfVeorHDaI/AAAAAAAABFY/t-YfiHIOA2E/s200/rizzuto-nicolo-montreal.gif" border="0" /></a>Last month, Nicolo Rizzuto (right) pleaded guilty to possessing goods obtained through criminal gains and to possession of proceeds of crime for the benefit of a criminal organization. He was sentenced today to time served and three years of probation.<br /><br />Rizzuto was arrested as part of the massive Canadian "<strong>Project Colisee</strong>" back in November 2006.<br /><br />Four other reputed leaders in the Montreal Mafia were sentenced to between six and 15 years in prison. Authorities say Project Colisee targeted participants in a ring that smuggled cocaine through Montreal's airport. Police initially arrested 90 people.<br /><br />Vito Rizzuto is serving a 10-year racketeering sentence in a medium-security prison in Colorado. He was convicted of participating in three 1981 Mafia murders in Brooklyn.</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-20980952912328992962008-10-15T06:42:00.007-05:002008-10-15T07:18:36.816-05:002008-10-15T07:18:36.816-05:00'Lefty' Rosenthal dies in Florida at 79<div><strong>Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal</strong>, who once supervised mob gambling rackets in Las Vegas, died of a heart attack Monday night at his Florida home, according to <a href="http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/oct/14/frank-lefty-rosenthal-dies-age-79/">a story by Mary Manning of the <em>Las Vegas Sun</em></a><em> </em>and <a href="http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/17717958/detail.html">a report by Fox5 Las Vegas</a>. He was 79 years old.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SPXeHBCC86I/AAAAAAAABFQ/RlhYgenmvFY/s1600-h/rosenthal-frank-lefty-vegas.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257352352142390178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SPXeHBCC86I/AAAAAAAABFQ/RlhYgenmvFY/s200/rosenthal-frank-lefty-vegas.gif" border="0" /></a>Authorities believe Rosenthal (left), a Chicago native (born June 12, 1929), secretly supervised the Stardust, Fremont and Hacienda casinos for an underworld consortium that included the <strong>Chicago Outfit</strong>. He worked closely with the Outfit's enforcer in Las Vegas, <strong>Anthony "the Ant" Spilotro</strong>. The activities of the two men were depicted in the fictionalized movie Casino, with Robert DeNiro playing the role of Sam Rothstein (Rosenthal) and Joe Pesci playing Nicky Santoro (Spilotro). Spilotro, like his movie representation, was murdered by underworld associates. Rosenthal barely escaped a similar end.<br /><br />In 1982, Rosenthal survived an apparent mob hit in a parking lot outside a restaurant at 600 E. Sahara Avenue. His 1981 Cadillac Eldorado exploded around him. Rosenthal suffered no serious injuries, but was burned on his legs, his left arm and the left side of his face. He refused to sign a police incident report or to cooperate in an investigation.</div><div> </div><div>Rosenthal's forte was sports handicapping, and he is credited with pioneering lucrative sports gambling in Vegas. Between 1976 and 1988, Rosenthal battled with Nevada gaming authorities to obtain a state gaming license. The Nevada Gaming Commission banned him from casinos in the state in 1988, when it put him into the "Black Book" officially known as the List of Excluded Persons. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>A planned "Mob" museum in Las Vegas is expected to feature items from Rosenthal's career. Current Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, once a Rosenthal attorney, said he would speak about his former client today (Wednesday, Oct. 15).<br /><br />Rosenthal's <a href="http://gaming.nv.gov/loep_rosenthal.htm">writeup in the Black Book </a>states: "<em>Rosenthal was suspected of overseeing a Las Vegas casino on behalf of organized crime interests and directing the skimming of funds from the casino. In 1982, Rosenthal survived a car bombing in a failed attempt on his life. In 1991, the Nevada Supreme Court upheld Rosenthal's listing in the Black Book. Rosenthal now resides in Florida, the book and movie "Casino" chronicles his life."</em></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257351454925628706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SPXdSyo5pSI/AAAAAAAABFI/fxT20meT498/s400/rosenthal-excl.gif" border="0" /><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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-37642070725834879102008-10-09T06:51:00.004-05:002008-10-09T07:24:19.045-05:002008-10-09T07:24:19.045-05:00Jury in Florida finds four guilty of racketeering<div>Four men, including a the alleged leader of a <strong>Gambino Crime Family</strong> crew in South Florida, were convicted of racketeering and other charges on Oct. 3, according to <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/712543.html">a story published by the <em>Miami Herald</em></a>.<br /><br />A federal jury found <strong>Vincent Artuso</strong>, portrayed by prosecutors as a made member of the Gambino clan, guilty of rackeering and fraud. His son <strong>John Vincent Artuso</strong>, <strong>Gregory Orr</strong> and <strong>Philip Edward Forgione</strong> were also convicted on similar charges. Prosecutors depicted the younger Artuso, Orr and Forgione as crime family associates.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R-oaKQnuKFI/AAAAAAAAAqY/F-yJWv-IyFs/s200/kasman-lewis-nygambino2002.gif"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Kasman" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R-oaKQnuKFI/AAAAAAAAAqY/F-yJWv-IyFs/s200/kasman-lewis-nygambino2002.gif" border="0" /></a>The prosecution's case was aided by the testimony of <strong>Lewis Kasman</strong> (left), a informant once regarded as the late Gambino boss <strong>John Gotti's</strong> "adopted son."<br /><br />Addressing the jury, defense attorney Mike Pasano contested the prosecution's portrayal of the defendants. He said the idea that the Gambino clan had a branch operating in South Florida was "ludicrous."<br /><br />Another defendant in the case <strong>William Larry Horton</strong> pleaded guilty earlier and will be sentenced on Oct. 23. The trial judge dismissed charges against defendant <strong>Robert Gannon</strong>.<br /><br />The case was related to the operation of a phony subscription telemarketing company, according to a <a href="http://miami.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/mm20080124.htm">Jan. 24, 2008, press release of the Miami FBI office</a>. The company's operation defrauded numerous individual victims as well as ADT Security Services, Inc., the press release said. ADT lost an estimated $7 million through the fraudulent rigging of a property sale-lease back scheme over five years.</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-61762777000781442972008-10-09T05:39:00.005-05:002008-10-09T06:47:24.174-05:002008-10-09T06:47:24.174-05:00Grasso killer's sentence is trimmed by 7 years<div>U.S. District Judge Alan Nevas agreed yesterday to reduce by seven years the prison term of <strong>Gaetano J. Milano</strong>, convicted killer of Connecticut Mafia big shot <strong>William "Wild Guy" Grasso</strong>, according to <a href="http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-08155411.apds.m0170.bc-ct--mobkoct08,0,4074564.story">a report by Edmund H. Mahony of the <em>Hartford Courant</em></a>.<br /><br />Milano, now 56, was sentenced in 1991 to 33 years in prison. With the reduction in sentence, he has about four more years to serve. Judge Nevas considered reports that Milano has been a model prisoner.<br /><br />In 1989, Grasso was the top man in the underworld of New Haven, CT. He was considered second in command of the Boston and Providence-based <strong>New England Mafia</strong>, and he might have been contemplating a move up. The 62-year-old was shot to death within a van on Interstate 91 in June 1989. His body was dumped along the banks of the Connecticut River in Wethersfield.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SO3vHg4fNNI/AAAAAAAABE4/VBAoxHr-bU4/s1600-h/patriarcajr-mercurio.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255119252576220370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Patriarca Jr. and Mercurio" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SO3vHg4fNNI/AAAAAAAABE4/VBAoxHr-bU4/s200/patriarcajr-mercurio.jpg" border="0" /></a>Evidence was produced to show that Milano believed Grasso was preparing to kill him. <strong>Angelo "Sonny" Mercurio</strong> (FBI surveillance photo shows Mercurio, right, walking beside New England boss Raymond Patriarca Jr.) reportedly planted that idea in Milano's mind in order to manipulate him into killing Grasso. Government investigators knew of Mercurio's role but did not reveal it at Milano's trial because they were protecting informant Mercurio. When the coverup was revealed it provided defense attorneys with grounds to appeal Milano's sentence. Family members had hoped that Milano's sentence would be reduced to time already served. Mercurio died in 2006 while in the witness protection program.<br /><br />Others charged with complicity in the Grasso murder included <strong>Frank and Louis Pugliano</strong> and <strong>Frank Colantoni Jr</strong>., according to <a href="http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/10/by_stephanie_barry_sbarryrepub_2.html?category=Crime+category=East%20Longmeadow">a story by Stephanie Barry of the <em>Springfield MA Republican</em></a>. Mercurio</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-26996694990983611862008-10-09T05:32:00.003-05:002008-10-09T05:38:43.679-05:002008-10-09T05:38:43.679-05:00Parolee charged with extorting hot dog vendor<strong>Robert "Bobby Fingers" Francella</strong>, on lifetime parole after serving time for killing his girlfriend, was arrested in New York this week and charged with extorting protection payments from a hot dog vendor on Boston Road in the Bronx, according to <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/10/08/2008-10-08_gangster_makes_bail_in_vendor_shakedown-2.html">a story by Oren Yaniv and Alison Gendar of the <em>New York Daily News</em></a>.<br /><br />The police alerted parole officials of the charge, but that notification did not occur until the 49-year-old Francella had made bail yesterday.<br /><br />Francella, a reputed associate of the <strong>Gambino Crime Family</strong>, was also accused of jury tampering in connection with a trial of <strong>Peter Gotti</strong>, the <em>Daily News </em>reported.<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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-71713950730876585932008-10-08T02:36:00.002-05:002008-10-08T02:48:42.596-05:002008-10-08T02:48:42.596-05:00FBI identifies Cutolo's remainsA body pulled from the ground in a wooded area of Farmingdale, Long Island, has been identified as that of <strong>William Cutolo Sr.</strong>, according to<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/nyregion/08mob.html?ref=nyregion"> a story published by the <em>New York Times</em></a>.<br /><br />FBI agents matched distinctive features of the remains with those of Cutolo, a <strong>Colombo Crime Family</strong> underboss who has been missing and presumed dead since 1999. The agents used dental records and noted that the body was missing the tip of its right middle finger, a match for Cutolo.<br /><br />Last year, reputed Colombo big shots <strong>Alphonse Persico</strong> and <strong>John DeRoss</strong> were convicted of involvement in Cutolo's murder. Their legal defense included an argument that Cutolo might still be alive.<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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-74235863420120319252008-10-07T15:24:00.004-05:002008-10-07T15:41:25.225-05:002008-10-07T15:41:25.225-05:00FBI diggers find apparent human corpse<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SOvJVyRbtlI/AAAAAAAABEw/GF3vNgj_iDE/s1600-h/cutolo-wm.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254514766367143506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SOvJVyRbtlI/AAAAAAAABEw/GF3vNgj_iDE/s200/cutolo-wm.gif" border="0" /></a>FBI agents digging at a site in Farmingdale, Long Island, have found what appears to be a human corpse wrapped in a tarp, according to stories by <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/10/06/2008-10-06_corpse_found_at_long_island_mob_dig_may_.html">John Marzulli and Leo Standora of the <em>New York Daily News</em> </a>and <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/nyregion/07mob.html?ref=nyregion">by the <em>New York Times</em></a>.<br /><br />The discovery was made Monday afternoon, when agents expanded a dig area they had searched last week. The site was a wooded area near a Frank Avenue industrial complex. The remains were taken to the New York City medical examiner's office.<br /><br />Authorities believe the body may be that of <strong>William Cutolo</strong> (right), a high-ranking member of the <strong>Colombo Crime Family</strong> who disappeared on his way to 1999 meeting with acting boss <strong>Alphonse Persico</strong>. Persico was convicted last year of ordering Cutolo's murder.<br /><br />The FBI indicated that informant <strong>Joseph "Joey Caves" Competiello</strong> told them of a mob burial ground in East Farmingdale. The Bureau believes two other missing men - <strong>Carmine Gargano </strong>and <strong>Richard Greaves</strong> - may also be buried there.</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-41792486942740209392008-10-02T02:01:00.004-05:002008-10-02T02:10:12.000-05:002008-10-02T02:10:12.000-05:00Vegas approaches mob museum with humor<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SORzkGAx73I/AAAAAAAAA2w/CgAKTQPtSmQ/s1600-h/mobmuseum.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252450129347211122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="mob museum logo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SORzkGAx73I/AAAAAAAAA2w/CgAKTQPtSmQ/s200/mobmuseum.gif" border="0" /></a>Las Vegas is having a bit of fun with the organized crime museum it plans to open in 2010. The name of the museum includes redacted words, as one might find in a mob report from the FBI. The official name, according to recent reports, is "The <em>(redacted)</em> Museum: Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement."<br /><br />The opening screen of <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://themobmuseum.org&usg=AFQjCNGwzLgsCTulsriZ7hh2UeW33dxnJw">themobmuseum.org </a>website looks to be a government document full of redactions. A machine sound is hear in the background, and the document quickly appears to be shredded.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jMTUp5Yt99t1iqLom9G9dNeRFIEgD93I35GG0">An AP story by Oskar Garcia </a>noted that city officials have displayed t-shirts bearing the words: "There is no such thing as a mob museum nor have I ever been 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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-57863809110117490512008-10-02T01:41:00.004-05:002008-10-02T01:49:34.574-05:002008-10-02T01:49:34.574-05:00Bonanno big shot Spero, 79, dies in prison<div><strong>Anthony Spero</strong>, 79, once part of a leadership group in the <strong>Bonanno Crime Family</strong>, died Monday while serving a life sentence in federal prison, according to <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nysper1002,0,7403380.story">a story by Anthony M. DeStefano and Rocco Parascandola of <em>Newsday</em></a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.onewal.com/mugs/spero-anthony-ny.gif"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Spero" src="http://www.onewal.com/mugs/spero-anthony-ny.gif" border="0" /></a>Authorities say Spero (left) and <strong>Sal Vitale</strong> supervised Bonanno operations during the late 1980s, when boss <strong>Joseph Massino</strong> was in prison. Vitale and Massino later aided racketeering investigations. Spero was convicted of racketeering, including murders, in 2001.<br /><br />In prison, Spero suffered from the early stages of renal cancer and developed breathing problems.</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-30330808607502785892008-10-02T01:34:00.004-05:002008-10-02T01:57:50.009-05:002008-10-02T01:57:50.009-05:00Mob burial ground on Long Island?<div>The FBI will not discuss details but acknowledges that it is digging in two areas of Farmingdale, Long Island NY, in an effort to find the remains of mob victims, according to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/nyregion/02mob.html?ref=nyregion">a story published in the <em>New York Times</em></a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R0N0H5rgCiI/AAAAAAAAAj8/uPAbKEUaC20/s200/cutolo-william.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Cutolo" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R0N0H5rgCiI/AAAAAAAAAj8/uPAbKEUaC20/s200/cutolo-william.gif" border="0" /></a>A law enforcement source said one of the bodies sought was that of <strong>William Cutolo Sr.</strong> (right), missing since 1999. <strong>Alphonse Persico</strong> and <strong>John DeRoss</strong>, reputed leaders in the <strong>Colombo Crime Family</strong>, were convicted last year of causing Cutolo's death.<br /></div><div><a href="http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=6416631">A report by WABC-TV</a> in New York indicated that local homicide detectives and members of the New York medical examiner's office were on hand at the dig locations. Excavation is taking place at a Farmingdale industrial complex, which was built nine years ago, and at a section of woods nearby. The areas have been roped off and designated as crime scenes.</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-81010388346695265712008-10-01T14:18:00.004-05:002008-10-01T14:32:07.759-05:002008-10-01T14:32:07.759-05:00Italy arrests 29 in Camorra crackdown<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SOPPyyEPt-I/AAAAAAAAA2o/h4FCzUGKdNI/s1600-h/spagnuolo.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252270061784119266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Spagnuolo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SOPPyyEPt-I/AAAAAAAAA2o/h4FCzUGKdNI/s200/spagnuolo.gif" border="0" /></a>Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni yesterday announced 29 arrests of <strong>Camorra</strong>-linked suspects in the Naples area, according to <a href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hPa_0yi_e0odHKa_UNBz9Z7LmgVw">a story by the AFP news agency</a>. Raids were conducted in the wake of the Sept. 18 killings of an Italian businessman and six African immigrants.<br /><br />Among the suspects were <strong>Alessandro Cirillo</strong>, <strong>Oreste Spagnuolo</strong> (right) and <strong>Giovanni Letizia</strong>, reputed members of the Camorra's <strong>Casalesi</strong> clan, according to <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/09/30/italy.mafia.killings.arrest/">a report by CNN International</a>. Also arrested was <strong>Giuseppina Nappa</strong>, 48-year-old wife of jailed clan leader <strong>Francesco "Sandokan" Schiavone</strong>.<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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-10725942254041174362008-10-01T14:03:00.004-05:002008-10-01T14:16:04.287-05:002008-10-01T14:16:04.287-05:00Son of reputed mobster gets life for knife murder<strong>Vincent Arena</strong>, 23, was sentenced Monday to life in prison for the September 2005 stabbing murder of 27-year-old Anthony Braccia, according to <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/09/29/2008-09-29_killer_sentenced_to_life_victims_mom_cal.html">a story by Scott Shifrel of the <em>New York Daily News</em></a>. In May, he was convicted of second degree murder by a Brooklyn Supreme Court jury.<br /><br />Arena's father, <strong>Steven Arena</strong>, was identified <a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/05022008/news/regionalnews/nervous_jury_nails_mob_kin_in_bklyn_slay_109082.htm">by the<em> New York Post</em> </a>as an associate of the <strong>Genovese Crime Family</strong>. The <em>Daily News </em>reported that Arena's $2 million bail - revoked after his conviction - was arranged through the aid of a <strong>Gambino Crime Family</strong> lieutenant.<br /><br />Braccia was robbed of jewelry and then stabbed 31 times within a van. Arena later set the van on fire and reported it stolen. Two other suspects in the crime, <strong>Matthew Munch</strong> and <strong>John Fontana,</strong> testified against Arena and are expected to receive light sentences. The jury found Arena not guilty of first degree murder but convicted him of second degree murder and filing a false report.<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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-83635072954018020922008-09-26T04:59:00.004-05:002008-09-26T05:26:03.716-05:002008-09-26T05:26:03.716-05:00Rochester's Frank Valenti dies at 97A longtime boss of the Mafia in Rochester, NY, <strong>Frank J. Valenti</strong> died Sept. 20 at a Houston, TX, nursing home, according to a<a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20080925/NEWS01/809250365/1002/NEWS"> story by Gary Craig of the <em>Rochester Democrat and Chronicle</em></a>. He was 97.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SNy15v4eiEI/AAAAAAAAA2g/kYW-p961i5E/s1600-h/valenti-frank-rochester.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250271269317675074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SNy15v4eiEI/AAAAAAAAA2g/kYW-p961i5E/s200/valenti-frank-rochester.gif" border="0" /></a>Valenti (right) and his brother <strong>Constenze "Stanley" Valenti</strong> were attendees of the 1957 mob convention at Apalachin, NY. In Rochester, he is believed to have supervised gambling, extortion and prostitution rackets. Authorities say he steered clear of involvement in narcotics. While he was regarded as leader of the Rochester underworld, he reportedly took his orders from <strong>Stefano Magaddino</strong>, Buffalo-Niagara Falls-based boss of the western New York Mafia.<br /><br />In 1961, Valenti moved to Pittsburgh after a Rochester conviction for voting fraud. He returned to Rochester in 1964. In the 1970s, younger racketeers attempted to seize control of the Valenti organization. Valenti left Rochester and headed west, living first in Arizona.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6024153.html">The <em>Houston Chronicle</em> reports </a>today that Valenti died at Sugar Land Nursing Homes. The Chronicle says Valenti was connected to the <strong>Bonanno Crime Family</strong> of New York and Arizona.<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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-39328218879337621802008-09-23T06:11:00.003-05:002008-09-23T06:43:10.764-05:002008-09-23T06:43:10.764-05:00New England killer could win early release<div>After serving almost 20 years of his 33-year prison sentence, <strong>Gaetano J. Milano</strong> could win an early release on Oct. 8, according to <a href="http://www.masslive.com/springfield/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-16/122206773674530.xml&coll=1">a story by Stephanie Barry of the Springfield MA <em>Republican</em></a>.</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.onewal.com/maps/ne-ter.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Territory of the New England Mafia" src="http://www.onewal.com/maps/ne-ter.gif" border="0" /></a>Milano, 56, was sent to prison in 1991 for the 1989 Mafia execution of <strong>William "Wild Guy" Grasso</strong>. Milano was a member of the <strong>New England Mafia</strong> organization known as the <strong>Patriarca Family</strong>. Grasso, a 62-year-old New Haven, CT, native, was a big shot in the same organization and is believed to have been striving for leadership of the group when he was shot to death inside a van driving down Interstate 91. Grasso was leader of the family's Connecticut crew and underboss of the regional organization. His body was found June 16, 1989, on the banks of the Connecticut River in Wethersfield, CT.</div><div></div><br /><div>Evidence indicates that the FBI helped to conceal the involvement of mobster <strong>Angelo "Sonny" Mercurio</strong> in the killing because Mercurio was an FBI informant. Mercurio allegedly set up the Grasso murder by telling Milano that Grasso was preparing to kill him. A recent Milano motion for resentencing in light of that federal impropriety was approved. </div><div></div><br /><div>In December 2006, a Milano accomplice was granted an early release on similar grounds. <strong>Louis Pugliano</strong> drove the van and aided in the disposal of Grasso's body. He had served 16 years of his life sentence when he was released.</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-64261720773245764502008-09-23T05:54:00.004-05:002008-09-23T06:48:31.485-05:002008-09-23T06:48:31.485-05:00Nicolo Rizzuto could go free next month<div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R5UwTSF8KyI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4DrFp-nA7z8/s200/rizzuto-nicolo-canada.gif"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_9_Llng7h978/R5UwTSF8KyI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4DrFp-nA7z8/s200/rizzuto-nicolo-canada.gif" border="0" /></a>Sources tell <a href="http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=1344f472-a2d9-4858-8138-a20f7bf49462">the <em>Montreal Gazette</em> </a>that Montreal Mafia big shot <strong>Nicolo Rizzuto</strong> (left) may be released on the same October day he is sentenced. Rizzuto, 84, recently pleaded guilty to two charges linking him with the Canadian underworld. He faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. However, the <em>Gazette</em> expects an Oct. 16 sentence of time served plus probation. Rizzuto is the father of <strong>Vito Rizzuto</strong>, 62, reputed boss of the Montreal Mafia. Vito</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-26564867812704827472008-09-18T12:23:00.017-05:002008-09-18T13:13:43.220-05:002008-09-18T13:13:43.220-05:00Nicolo Rizzuto, 5 others, plead guilty in CanadaSix alleged leaders of the <strong>Montreal Mafia</strong> pleaded guilty today to racketeering-related offenses, according to stories by <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080918.wguiltyplea0918/BNStory/National/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080918.wguiltyplea0918">the <em>Globe and Mail</em> </a>and <a href="http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=d82d5710-d7e8-4720-9a70-e327fab39934">the <em>Montreal Gazette</em></a>. One of the six defendants was <strong>Nicolo Rizzuto</strong>, 84-year-old father of reputed Montreal Mafia boss <strong>Vito Rizzuto</strong>.<br /><br />The other defendants pleading guilty were <strong>Rocco Sollecito, Paolo Renda</strong> (a Rizzuto in-law), <strong>Francesco Arcadi, Francesco DelBalso</strong> and <strong>Lorenzo Giordano</strong>. Prosecutors say the six men supervised the activities of the Montreal Mafia since 2004, when Vito Rizzuto was imprisoned. The six will be sentenced next month.<br /><br />Nicolo Rizzuto and Paolo Renda, 69, pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of crime and to possession of the proceeds of crime for the benefit of, the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization. Arcadi, 54, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, overseeing drug smuggling and trafficking, bookmaking and illegal gambling. DelBalso, 38, and Giordano, 45, pleaded to the same charge as Arcadi, plus extortion.<br /><br />The men were arrested as part of <strong>Project Colisée</strong>, a four-year drug trafficking investigation which resulted in more than 70 arrests in November 2006.<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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-1596536854915744602008-09-18T12:23:00.010-05:002008-09-18T12:54:42.499-05:002008-09-18T12:54:42.499-05:00NYers charged as part of Mexico cocaine ringBrothers <strong>Vincenzo Schirripa</strong>, 41, and <strong>Giulio Schirripa</strong>, 37, have been arrested in connection with a cocaine smuggling operation in New York City, according to <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/09/17/2008-09-17_wiseguys_smoked_in_global_drug_bust-2.html">a story by Thomas Zambito and Tracy Connor of the <em>New York Daily News</em></a>. Authorities say the two men served as middle men between a Mexican drug cartel and the <strong>'Ndrangheta</strong> criminal society of southern Italy.<br /><br />A crackdown on the "<strong>Gulf Cartel</strong>" this week has resulted in the arrests of 175 people on both sides of the Mexican border, according to <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/091808dnmetcartel.1903fea.html">a story by Jason Trahan of the <em>Dallas Morning News</em></a>.<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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-27576821570919153492008-09-18T12:23:00.006-05:002008-09-18T12:43:07.191-05:002008-09-18T12:43:07.191-05:00Mafia Cops convictions reinstated<div>A federal appeals court yesterday reinstated the murder convictions of the so-called "Mafia Cops," former New York Police Department detectives <strong>Stephen Caracappa</strong> and <strong>Louis Eppolito,</strong> according to stories in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/nyregion/18cops.html?em">the<em> New York Times</em> </a>and <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/09/17/2008-09-17_appeals_court_reinstates_murder_convicti.html">the <em>New York Daily News</em></a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SNKS5ATXRtI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/0SG6kz9Gn5s/s1600-h/mafiacops.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247418023871465170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Eppolito and Caracappa" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SNKS5ATXRtI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/0SG6kz9Gn5s/s200/mafiacops.jpg" border="0" /></a>A jury two years ago found Caracappa (to the right of the photo) and Eppolito (to the left of the photo) guilty of racketeering conspiracy, involving mob-related murders and the leaking of information to underworld connections in the <strong>Lucchese Crime Family</strong>. Judge Jack B. Weinstein acknowledged overwhelming evidence against the two defendants and said he was prepared to sentence them to life in prison. However, the judge decided that the major racketeering-related offenses of the two men occurred outside of the five-year statute of limitations . Judge Weinstein overturned the convictions.<br /><br />Prosecutors appealed the judge's decision. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled yesterday that Judge Weinstein took a too-narrow view of the racketeering conspiracy and reinstated the convictions. The panel included Judges Amalya L. Kearse, Robert D. Sack and Peter W. Hall.<br /><br />Caracappa, 66, and Eppolito, 60, still jailed as they awaited a decision on the appeal, are likely to spend the rest of their lives behind bars. Eppolito's attorney Joseph Bondy already has promised to appeal the latest decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.<br /><br />In the 1980s, the two former detectives teamed up with Lucchese Crime Family lieutenant <strong>Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso</strong>. They supplied Casso with information about ongoing investigations and aided him in eliminating a number of his rivals.</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.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8903614359026271588.post-48445199491295363582008-09-17T10:14:00.004-05:002008-09-17T10:44:01.444-05:002008-09-17T10:44:01.444-05:00Ex-FBI agent portrayed as 'just another' gangster<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SNElkh3aDII/AAAAAAAAA1w/MQx3u1-mO48/s1600-h/connolly-john-bos.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247016350359620738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9_Llng7h978/SNElkh3aDII/AAAAAAAAA1w/MQx3u1-mO48/s200/connolly-john-bos.gif" border="0" /></a>Prosecutor Fred Wyshak told a Florida jury Monday that ex-FBI agent <strong>John J. Connolly</strong> (right) functioned as "just another member" of the Boston area <strong>Winter Hill Gang</strong> in the 1980s, according to <a href="http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/hc-mobtrial0916.artsep16,0,2020457.story">a story by Edmund H. Mahoney of the <em>Hartford Courant</em></a>. Connolly, 68, convicted in 2002 of racketeering and serving a 10-year prison sentence, is now on trial for murder and conspiracy.<br /><br />Wyshak, U.S. attorney working with Florida state prosecutor Michael Von Zamft on the case, delivered the trial's opening statement. Wyshak said Connolly spent time with gang leaders, vacationed with them, shared information with them and profited from their illegal activities.<br /><br />Connolly is charged with helping to set up the 1982 assassination of former World Jai Alai president John B. Callahan. According to prosecutors, Connolly informed Winter Hill Gang chiefs <strong>James "Whitey" Bulger</strong> and <strong>Stephen "the Rifleman" Flemmi</strong> that Callahan was preparing to cooperate in an investigation of an earlier gang murder. Gang hitman <strong>John V. Martorano</strong> then killed Callahan to prevent him from talking to authorities. Flemmi and Martorano have pleaded guilty to participating in Callahan's murder. They are expected to testify against Connolly. Bulger remains at large.<br /><br />Defense attorneys argued that the gang needed no help to decide that Callahan was about to aid investigators. Attorney Manuel Casabielle defended Connolly's relationship with Bulger and Flemmi, saying the former FBI agent recruited them as informants and used the information they provided to dismantle the New England Mafia.<br /><br />Casabielle charged that prosecutors have accused his client of various wrongdoings spanning a quarter century in the hope of winning convictions. "It's not fair to take a bunch of mud and throw it at an individual and hope some of it sticks," he said.</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.com0 |
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