FBI declares victory in latest battle against the New York mafia
The FBI declared victory Friday in its latest battle against the Cosa
Nostra mafia after wrapping up a case that nabbed the entire
administration of New York's Colombo organized crime family.
The last of 38 guilty pleas to a variety of mobster activities was entered in Brooklyn federal court by Colombo associate Angelo Spata, nicknamed "Little Angelo."
His plea completed the circle that began with the unsealing of the case in January 2011 and a series of raids that amounted to the biggest single-day US operation against the Italian-American mafia.
With street names like "Big Mike," "the Claw," "Fat Dennis" and "the Beard," the defendants were at the core of one of New York's historic five crime families. Most will now go behind bars.
"Those who have pleaded guilty include the members of the entire administration of the Colombo organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra..., as well as numerous leaders, members, and associates of the Colombo family," the US Attorney's Office said in a statement.
The wiseguys included Andrew Russo, former street boss of the Colombos, Benjamin Castellazzo, the acting underboss, and Richard Fusco, the consigliere.
"When sentenced, the majority of the defendants, including those who pleaded guilty yesterday and today, will face a maximum sentence of twenty years' imprisonment," the statement said.
They have also agreed to surrender $5.6 million in criminal proceeds.
Russo admitted involvement in a racketeering conspiracy and illegal gambling, while Castellazzo admitted racketeering and extortion conspiracies, and Fusco admitted conspiring to extort money from the rival Gambino crime family.
Among the other defendants, two admitted to violent collection of debts.
The FBI said the mass pleas demonstrated the steady dismantling of the Cosa Nostra in New York, long one of its strongholds.
"The dwindling strength of all five La Cosa Nostra families is cause for optimism that their pernicious influence in various industries -- and their violence in pursuit of that influence -- will become a thing of the past," said FBI assistant director-in-charge Mary Galligan.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iOxcGtFdYCiJhoQjRPTwQlEY1SLQ?docId=CNG.f123008f7575a156fb9c945fe5b10c48.701
The last of 38 guilty pleas to a variety of mobster activities was entered in Brooklyn federal court by Colombo associate Angelo Spata, nicknamed "Little Angelo."
His plea completed the circle that began with the unsealing of the case in January 2011 and a series of raids that amounted to the biggest single-day US operation against the Italian-American mafia.
With street names like "Big Mike," "the Claw," "Fat Dennis" and "the Beard," the defendants were at the core of one of New York's historic five crime families. Most will now go behind bars.
"Those who have pleaded guilty include the members of the entire administration of the Colombo organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra..., as well as numerous leaders, members, and associates of the Colombo family," the US Attorney's Office said in a statement.
The wiseguys included Andrew Russo, former street boss of the Colombos, Benjamin Castellazzo, the acting underboss, and Richard Fusco, the consigliere.
"When sentenced, the majority of the defendants, including those who pleaded guilty yesterday and today, will face a maximum sentence of twenty years' imprisonment," the statement said.
They have also agreed to surrender $5.6 million in criminal proceeds.
Russo admitted involvement in a racketeering conspiracy and illegal gambling, while Castellazzo admitted racketeering and extortion conspiracies, and Fusco admitted conspiring to extort money from the rival Gambino crime family.
Among the other defendants, two admitted to violent collection of debts.
The FBI said the mass pleas demonstrated the steady dismantling of the Cosa Nostra in New York, long one of its strongholds.
"The dwindling strength of all five La Cosa Nostra families is cause for optimism that their pernicious influence in various industries -- and their violence in pursuit of that influence -- will become a thing of the past," said FBI assistant director-in-charge Mary Galligan.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iOxcGtFdYCiJhoQjRPTwQlEY1SLQ?docId=CNG.f123008f7575a156fb9c945fe5b10c48.701
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