Alleged Gambino Crime Family Members Targeted New York Carting and Demolition Industries
A sweeping 16-count indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, revealing charges against ten defendants involved in a racketeering conspiracy linked to violent extortions, assaults, arson, witness retaliation, and union-related crimes. The defendants, including alleged Gambino crime family members, are accused of attempting to assert dominance over the New York carting and demolition industries. The coordinated operation, which included the execution of search warrants, resulted in the arrest of all ten individuals, with firearms seized from an associate of the Gambino crime family.
Charges and Arrests:
The charged individuals include Joseph Lanni, Diego Tantillo, Angelo Gradilone, James LaForte, Vito Rappa, Francesco Vicari, Salvatore DiLorenzo, Robert Brooke, Kyle Johnson, and Vincent Minsquero, all of whom are alleged to have affiliations with the Gambino crime family.
International Connection:
In a parallel operation, Italian law enforcement arrested six organized crime members and associates on charges that include mafia association and connected criminal offenses. This international collaboration underscores the widespread reach of the criminal conspiracy.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing:
All ten defendants are in custody and are scheduled to be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Ramon E. Reyes, Jr. The charges encompass racketeering conspiracy, extortion, witness retaliation, and union-related crimes. If convicted, the defendants face maximum sentences ranging from 20 to 180 years' imprisonment.
Law Enforcement Cooperation:
Breon Peace, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, emphasized the commitment of law enforcement partners in dismantling organized crime networks. The collaboration involved various agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and the New York City Business Integrity Commission (BIC). International cooperation was also highlighted, with assistance from Italian law enforcement, the Prosecutor of Palermo, the Polizia di Stato, the Servizio Centrale Operativo, and the Squadra Mobile of Palermo.
Details of the Alleged Crimes:
The indictment outlines a series of criminal activities orchestrated by members and associates of the Gambino crime family. Violent extortions, fraud, theft, embezzlement schemes, and bid rigging were employed to infiltrate the carting and demolition industries, with the aim of enriching both the individuals and the organized crime family.
Extortion Schemes and Violence:
The charges detail how the defendants engaged in violent extortion conspiracies, including threatening carting business operators with bats, setting fire to residences, attempting to damage carting trucks, and physically assaulting associates. Wiretap evidence captured discussions of threats made to victims, with descriptions of one individual acting as the "Last of the Samurai" during an extortion attempt.
Frauds and Union-Related Crimes:
The defendants are accused of a range of schemes, including providing "no-show" jobs to associates for financial gain, embezzling from unions and employee benefit plans, and rigging bids for demolition contracts. The indictment alleges that these actions were undertaken to launder criminal proceeds and exert control over the targeted industries.
The unsealing of this indictment represents a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and protect the integrity of industries susceptible to criminal influence. The charges underscore the dedication of law enforcement to dismantle criminal enterprises and ensure the safety of communities affected by such activities. As legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight against organized crime and its far-reaching impact on various sectors.
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