Lucchese family hit with sweeping indictments 34 arrested

Authorities in New Jersey have hit the Lucchese crime family with sweeping indictments. Thirty Four reputed members and associates of the Lucchese family have been charged with racketeering and multiple other crimes as part of an ongoing operation they called “Operation Heat”. The operation stretches all the way back to 2007 mainly targeting a 2.2 billion dollar illegal gambling operation run by the Lucchese family.

Named in the indictments are the former and current leaders of the Lucchese crime family operations in New Jersey Ralph Perna and Nicodemo Scarfo Jr. Two of the Lucchese family leaders from New York were also indicted Joseph DiNapoli and Matthew Madonna. The Scarfo name is recognized by many as Nick Jr is the son of Nicodemo Scarfo who at one time was the boss of the Philadelphia mafia and is now serving a life sentence for racketeering.

Along with targeting the illegal gambling operation the investigation also turned up a link between the Lucchese family and the “Nine Trey Gangsters Set” of the Bloods street gang. The Bloods worked with the members of the Lucchese family and a crooked corrections officer to smuggle drugs and cell phones into the East Jersey State Prison. A high ranking member of the Bloods gang Edwin B. Spears formed an alliance with Michael Cetta and Joseph Perna high ranking Luchhese family members.

The illegal gambling indictments reached back to 2007 when operation heat was first launched and some Luccchese members were indicted then however the investigation continued and yielded more indictments . Scarfo was indicted with two other Lucchese family members Frank Cetta and Gary Medure. The indictments claim that DiNapoli and Madonna ran the Lucchese family gambling operations and more from New York and both Perna and Scarfo would oversee the Lucchese gambling operations and other criminal activities in New Jersey. Michael A. Cetta and Martin Tacetta were also indicted for their parts in the illegal gambling operations being run out of New Jersey , Tacetta at one time served as underboss for the Lucchese family in New Jersey and he is already serving a life sentence.

Leadership void in Montreal Mafia a problem

Over the last several years of indictments and the imprisonment of top leaders including boss Vito Rizzuto and last years assassination of his son Nick Rizzuto Jr the Montreal Mafia could be in for an internal power vacuum. Many mafia experts seems to think that there is a power void atop the Montreal Mafia at the moment even if just for a temporary amount of time.

There are rumors that Agostino Cuntrera a long time mafia member in Montreal may have stepped up into a leadership role for the organization. Contrera is a low key old school gangster only having one major conviction on his record from 1978 for taking part in the killing of then mafia boss Paolo Violi. It was the murder of Violi which opened the door for Vito Rizzuto to begin to take over the Montreal Mafia. Some reports have claimed that Contrera may be acting in the role of “street boss” for the Rizzuto’s to control and organize what is left of the Rizzuto family in Montreal. But others say that this is not in Contrera’s nature and it is unlikely that he would take on this sort of role.

Contrera is described by many with knowledge of the mafia in Montreal as a very reluctant leader and a low key guy who stays away from any attention. Antonio Nicaso a Canadian author of several organized crime themed books says that no one seems to want to take charge of the Montreal Mafia because of the shattered state that it is in with most of the major players in jail , dead, or in critical positions. But Nicaso says that this will not last forever as many with in the mafia in Montreal are trying to regroup and position themselves to take advantage of this weakness and seize control. So the Montreal mafia may be in for a time of change as the Rizzuto’s will have to fight to keep its control of it’s once mighty empire.

Italian police hit Sicilian and Naples Mafia joint venture

Italian police made another strike against the mafia this time they hit both the Sicilian Mafia and the Naples Mafia who were operating in a dual venture. Authorities say that the usually rival mafia clans put aside their differences to work together and take control of the huge vegetable markets in southern and central Italy. They controlled prices and decided which companies transported produce.

Sixty Mafia suspects were arrested in the raids from both the Sicilian and Naples based mafia organizations. Around 20 of the suspects arrested are believed to belong to the Naples mafia’s Casalesi Clan and about a dozen of the others arrested belonged to the Mallardo and Licciardi Clans. There were also six arrested from the Santapaola mafia clan.

The mafia bosses running the vegetable markets behind the scene’s were forcing growers to use a mafia owned haulage firm for the transportation on all their crops. This mafia run company was transporting produce locally and all the way to Sicily where one of Europe’s largest markets is located in the town of Fondi surrounding Rome. The powerful Mafia clans were able to control the raising of prices which in end got passed on to the consumers.

This is just one example of how families and clans of the Mafia organizations are now starting to work together and putting aside the traditional rivalry. This new found willingness to work together could make the Mafia an even stronger force as its enormous profits rise and its power base expands to even further reaches then it is now. Italian police’s crack down on the Mafia continues and they say they are making it increasingly harder for the Mafia to continue to operate.

Reputed Genovese boss Arillotta Turncoat status solidified

Some people in mafia circles still considered it simply a rumor that reputed Genovese crime family boss Anthony J. Arillotta had flipped and was now working for the Fed’s and were in wait and see mode. Well that looks to have ended now when Arillotta was a no show for a pre-trial conference in his case this week. This pretty much locks up the fact that Arillotta is now co-operating with authorities.

Arillotta was arrested in February along with six other defendants in a racketeering indictment which included the killing of mobster Adolfo “Big Al” Bruno. But right after he was arraigned in March Arillotta disappeared from the prison system prompting many to believe he was likely cutting a deal to co-operate and turn rat. Neither Arillotta’s lawyer nor the prosecutors would comment on the status or location of Arillotta.

But not long after Arillotta’s disappearing act the Fed’s began searching a wooded area for what looked like remains of a possible body. Bones recovered at the dig site in Agawam are believed to be that of Gary D. Westerman who had ties to Arillotta but the Fed’s have yet to confirm that information or bring any charges for the Westerman murder.

Arillotta is also charged with putting a hit out of rival mobster Big Al Bruno with permission from Arthur “Artie” Nigro of New York’s Genovese family. Arillotta wanted Bruno hit because he thought he was an informant for the Fed’s so he had his then muscle man Fotios Geas set up the hit. Geas paid Frankie A. Roche ten thousand dollars to shoot Bruno as he left his weekly card game. Roche has already turned rat and pleaded guilty to killing Bruno and entered witness protection. If convicted Nigro and Geas could get the death penalty and with Roche already lined up to testify and now Arillotta likely doing the same it is not looking good for the pair of mobsters.

Judge P. Kevin Castel entered the court room for the pre-trial hearing where all the defendants in the case had gathered except for Arillotta. After looking over the court room the Judge asked ” Is Mr. Arillotta here , or is there anyone representing him ? ” and U.S. Attorney Mark Lanpher stood up and stated ” I think the court can excuse his presence Judge”. This ended any further discussion about Arillotta and has erased any doubt that he is now playing for the other side.

Genovese mobster Gaccione faces murder charge for Mafia Hit

A murder case from 1992 nets another Genovese family mobster. Paul “Doc” Gaccione was indicted for the 1992 murder of a rival gangster where prosecutors say he was the getaway driver. He was arrested last month and arraigned on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty to the count of second degree murder.

The hit was on then Genovese family member Angelo Sangiuolo as the family thought he was responsible for various robberies of Bronx gambling operations run by the crime family. Genovese capo Angelo Prisco ordered the hit and was indicted and sentenced to life in prison last year. Also the trigger man John “Johnny Balls” Leto was also charged in the murder and has pleaded guilty.

The 62 year old Gaccione now faces up to twenty five years in prison if convicted. Gaccione’s lawyer would not commit on the status of the case or on his clients plea of not guilty in association with the murder. The body of Sangiuolo was found filled with bullets back in 1992 in a van parked in a McDonald’s parking lot and has been haunting the Genovese family since. Indictments on the hit just keep on coming and maybe the conviction of Gaccione may finally put things to rest.

Colombo Family Underboss Sonny Franzese under indictment again

Long time Colombo crime family member and reputed Colombo family underboss Sonny Franzese is once again under indictment. Franzese has been a member of the mafia and Colombo family for years and is still active at the age of 93. Franzese has been around since the days of Frank Sinatra and his legendary concerts at the Copa but is showing no signs of a possible retirement.

The new indictment against Franzese is for shaking down Hustler and Penthouse strip joints. Franzese offered the strip clubs protection from other criminal elements for a price. Franzese even personally along with members of his crew visited the establishments to see the girls and have the little people pay homage. During a visit to the Penthouse Executive Club a manager refused to comp Franzese’s bar tab he had one of his soldiers threaten to throw him down a flight of stairs asking if by the time he hit the ground he could come up with a way to get rid of the bill. He also threatened a manager at the Hustler Club after being told he could not drink for free and after wards the club manager apologized to Franzese and kissed his hand prosecutors claim.

Franzese has already served an 11 year sentence for bank robbery and from that conviction is still on parole until he is 102 years old. Since then he has been jailed on five separate occasions mostly for associating with known mobsters which is a parole violation. He has one son already in the witness protection program and another son who left the mafia and has now become a born again christian. The new extortion charges are going to be tacked on to a racketeering case already in the works in which there will be testimony from informants that Franzese boasted about “killing a lot of guys”.

Prosecutors say they have wiretap evidence of Franzese talking about the art of murder and tips on how to avoid leaving behind forensic evidence and advice on how to dispose of a body. Franzese on a recording explains how to dismember a body in a kiddie pool and dry the body parts out using a microwave before stuffing the parts into a commercial garbage disposal unit. Franzese was caught on tape saying “You cant have a body no more , its better to take the time to get rid of a body instead of just leaving it in the streets”. The federal judge in the case has yet to decide if the jury will be allowed to hear these graphic tapes. Franzese’s lawyer says he will lobby to have the strip club charges thrown out because they were leveled just a month before his trial for loansharking and extortion of a pizzeria.

Gambino Soldier Anthony Anastasio commits suicide

Anthony “Todo” Anastasio (right)

Long time Gambino crime family soldier Anthony “Todo” Anastasio killed himself on Friday just before he was set to start his prison term. Anastasio’s wife found him dead in the kitchen at their home in Dyker Heights on Friday. Also found was a .22 caliber handgun the shell casing from the two shots fired and a suicide note from Todo. Police belief that Anastasio killed himself rather then going to jail which would of been a tough stretch at the age of 81.

Anastasio was convicted for racketeering , arson, and extortion and was sentenced to 2.5 years. He was set to surrender himself to authorities on May 10 to begin the prison term. He was caught on tape by the Fed’s during an investigation in which he was bragging about the Gambino families grip on the New York City waterfront. He was scheduled to be sent to a prison that was only a few hours drive from his home so friends and family could easily visit and his sentence which could of been up to 20 years was significantly less.

Todo Anastasio’s uncle was Albert Anastasia the boss of the infamous mafia group known as Murder Inc. Todo had been a loyal Gambino family member and was from all reports considered a stand up guy in mafia circles. Investigator’s say that Anastasio was in good health and had no known serious illness’s that may have prompted the suicide. Anastasio’s lawyer in a statement said it was a sudden death and a real shock to the family and they are in mourning.

Patriarca Mafia family capo St Laurent looking for Plea Deal

The New England mafia may soon find itself with one more rat on board the ship. According to recent court documents it seems that Anthony “The Saint” St Laurent is going into talks with prosecutors trying to get a plea deal. St. Laurent asked the court for more time before his trial to enter into talks with prosecutors in hopes of working out a plea deal. The mobsters son and wife who were also arrested for their parts in an extortion racket are already in talks hoping to get a plea deal done.

St Laurent is going on trial for various charges including a murder for hire plot against a rival mobster and family capo in the Patriarca family. He was charged in January of 2009 for plotting to have mobster Robert “Bobby” DeLuca killed at his workplace Providence restaurant Sidebar and Grille. But Fed’s had an informant wearing a wire and was able to record the solicitations St Laurent made to hit men on three separate occasions to perform the hit. DeLuca was detained by police for his own safety and the hit was never carried out.

St Laurent is currently being held in Fort Devens a federal prison in Umass where he is almost at the end of a five year stretch for a previous conviction of extortion. The judge granted extra time for St. Laurent to enter into talks for a plea deal with prosecutors for the extortion case but has yet to rule on a time extension in the upcoming murder for hire trial. It is not yet known if St. Laurent will get a plea deal done where he supplies the Fed’s with sensitive information into the New England mafia or not but im sure there are a lot of mobsters in Providence and the Patriarca crime family watching curiously at how it plays out.

Italian Police continue to hit ‘Ndrangheta Mafia

Thirty more members of the powerful ‘Ndrangheta mafia syndicate were arrested on charges of drug trafficking. Most of the arrest were made in the Calabrian city of Rosarno a long time ‘Ndrangheta strong hold with other arrest happening in the towns of Bergamo and Milan. Along with the arrest the police seized property worth over 10 million euro’s ($98.5 Million) which included a radio station called “Radio Olimpia” police say the mafia family owned and used to transmit coded messages to member in prison.

Police called this latest operation against the Calabrain mafia “all inside” and served 30 of the 40 warrants associated with it. Most of the arrested ‘Ndrangheta members were thought to be part of the Pesce Clan who’s strong hold is the southern Calarian region. The Pesce clan operations included drug trafficking , money laundering , extortion, and murder. Seven women were among the arrested and police say they specialized in money laundering operations for the ‘Ndrangheta using dirty money to purchase real estate through shell companies.

Francesco Pesce the son of the Pesce clan boss Antonino Pesce who is already detained from a previous arrest is still at large as he was able to escape the raids. He is thought to possibly be in control of the mafia clan on the streets while his father remains in prison. The ‘Ndrangheta or Calabrian mafia has been hit hard of late by Italian police pressure with multiple clans and bosses being imprisoned.

Top Ndrangheta Mafia boss arrested in Italy

After being on the run for over 17 years Italian police have finally arrested one of the ‘Ndrangheta top mafia bosses. Giovanni Tegano is one of the countries 30 most dangerous fugitives and a powerful mob boss for the Calabria Mafia. Tegano has long been wanted for various mafia related charges including murder and mafia association.

Tegano is the boss of the ‘Ndrina clan of the ‘Ndrangheta or Calabrian Mafia. The ‘Ndrina clan is one of the most powerful clans within the mafia family. Robert Maroni the Interior Minister said the arrest was the hardest blow that could of been dealt to the ‘Ndrangheta today as Tegano was the number one wanted mafia figure from Calabria.

The ‘Ndrangheta is considered to be the most powerful of the four major organized crime syndicates operating today in Italy. They run various operations including major drug trafficking , extortion , prostitution , and arms trafficking. It is estimated that the ‘Ndrangheta mafia family in 2007 made approx 44 billion euro’s or $80 billion dollars from its various operations which was estimated to be the equivalent of 2.9% of the gross domestic product of Italy.

Of late there has been a crack down on the ‘Ndrangheta by the Italian police as some of there top bosses who had been on the run for years have finally been arrested. But it is yet to be seen if these arrest will make any significant impact on the day to day operations and power base of the now powerful Calabrian mafia.