Seventeen individuals have been arrested after raids towards suspected members and associates of the Gambino mafia household.
US and Italian authorities mentioned a two-year investigation had uncovered “the solidity of the existing relationship” between New York and Sicilian mobsters.
The Gambinos are one of many conventional 5 mafia households of New York, together with the Bonannos, Colombos, Genoveses and the Luccheses.
Notorious crime boss John Gotti, who died in 2002, was the previous ‘godfather’ of the Gambinos.
Coordinated raids came about in each nations and the ten US-based defendants face costs together with racketeering, extortion, witness retaliation and union-related crimes.
Among these held, in line with the US Justice Department, are ‘Mommino’ – an alleged Gambino captain, Joseph Lanni – often called ‘Joe Brooklyn’, and Diego “Danny” Tantillo.
Alleged Gambino troopers Angelo ‘Fifi’ Gradilone and James LaForte additionally face costs.
The suspects are accused of committing the crimes in a bid to regulate New York‘s profitable garbage assortment and demolition industries.
Some of these arrested are accused of threatening an extortion sufferer with a baseball bat and setting fireplace to the steps of his home whereas his household was inside, prosecutors mentioned.
“For years, the defendants committed violent extortions, assaults, arson, witness retaliation and other crimes in an attempt to dominate the New York carting and demolition industries,” mentioned US Attorney Breon Peace.
The 16-count indictment was unsealed at a federal courtroom in Brooklyn and the defendants have been as a consequence of be arraigned on Wednesday afternoon.
Investigators mentioned seven individuals have been additionally detained in small cities round Palermo in Sicily.
They allege the Sicilians have been instructing their US counterparts their extortion methodology – demanding smaller sums and utilizing much less violent means “to build the loyalty of the extorted”.
Coded textual content for ‘made’ man
Tantillo and one other man have been allegedly “made” (formally changing into mafia members) on 17 October 2019.
Prosecutors mentioned an affiliate who was barred from the ceremony – as he wasn’t a “made” man himself – despatched Tantillo a coded congratulations message.
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The textual content is claimed to have learn: “Good morning Dani have a great day so happy for your new job and when you sign the contract even if I’m not there is like I am very proud good luck !!”
Tantillo allegedly responded: “Ty Vito I really wish you were there since you were one of the people help me get this contract.
“I hope we proceed getting extra work and all the things will get higher than earlier than. Ty as all the time.”
Read extra:
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More than 150 arrested after investigation into ‘Ndrangheta
New York’s mafia households used to have a vice-like grip on organised crime within the metropolis.
However, after the convictions or deaths of many high leaders – in addition to competitors from different teams – their affect is believed to have waned in current a long time.
Source: information.sky.com”