Gambino Family Influence in Connecticut

Seems like mafia influenced business is still alive on the streets of Connecticut. Raul “Sonny” Suner has pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy for running an illegal bookmaking operation. Last January a co-defendant of Suner Phillip J. Bauco had also pleaded guilty to similar charges. Both men were indicted last June. The two ran illegal bookmaking operations in New Haven and Bridgeport as reported in the indictment.

Suner and Bauco used threats of violence to intimidate other illegal bookmakers in the area to work with them and hand over a portion of the profits. Reportedly the men were being backed by the Gambino Crime Family out of New York and were given permission to operate in there gambling operations in Connecticut while paying tribute to New York.

Using his mafia backing Suner used threats and even violence to get other bookmakers in line. It’s been reported that Suner used a baseball bat to beat a local bookmaker when he could not satisfy his debt , and on a seperate occasion Suner even used a knife to threaten the man. Suner now faces up to 20 years in jail on the current charges and is set to be sentenced on May 21st.

This is just another example of the Gambino and other New York mafia families still showing that they have influence and continue to operate in ways in other parts of the country. From Florida to Connecticut the New York mafia families have been connected to mob run business on the streets either directly or by offering support.