Anthony Bazzini a reputed mobster in the Gambino crime family was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for making threats of bodily harm against a rival business owner. He was busted along with thirty one other reputed mobsters last year as part of an alleged scheme between the Gambino , Lucchese, and Genovese families to control the New York and New Jersey waste carting industry. Among those busted was reputed Genovese family associate Carmine “Papa Smurf” Franco and retired state trooper Mario Velez who also coped to fairly light plea deals. Franco was sentenced to a year and a day in prison after coping his own plea and Velez avoided jail all together.

“Anthony Bazzini”

The 2013 mob carting case really ended in a whimper with the sentencing of Bazzini to just over a year. Prosecutors wanted a stiffer sentence for Bazzini who plead guilty as part of a plea agreement because of his history of making similar violent threats. Back in 2003 he was convicted of extortion for threatening to cut a stockbrokers mothers hands off and killing the brokers whole family over some lost investments.

The case did prove that the mafia is still making an effort to clean up in the garbage business in both New York and New Jersey with the use of strong arm tactics. Garbage has long been a very profitable area for the New York mafia and their grip on that industry although weakened still exists.

Nicodemo S. Scarfo also known as Nicky Scarfo Jr reputed Lucchese crime family soldier has been convicted on multiple charges including racketeering conspiracy in the takeover and looting of mortgage company First Plus Financial. He was convicted along with his side kick Salvatore Pelullo who prosecutors claimed played a key role in the operation. Also convicted was the former First Plus CEO John Maxwell and his brother and lawyer William. Three other attorneys Gary McCarthy, Donald Marino, and David Adler also charged in the case were acquitted on all counts. Scarfo and the others convicted were found guilty on more then 20 seperate counts. Scarfo and Pelullo both with prior convictions on their records are facing up to 30 years in prison at sentencing.

“Nicky Scarfo Jr”

Scarfo Jr is the son of jailed Philadelphia mafia boss Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo. After a failed attempt on his life back in 1989 in Philadelphia his father arranged for him to become a made member of the Lucchese family of the New York mafia for his protection according to law enforcement.

He then moved to New Jersey and became an active member of the a Lucchese crew. It is believed by law enforcement that former Philadelphia mob boss Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino was the shooter in the Scarfo Jr hit as he and his crew of young turks were looking to take control of the Philly mafia and Nicky Jr was seen as a possible proxy for his jailed father.

Former Bonanno crime family captain turned informant Dominick Cicale wrote a letter to Judge Richard Sullivan asking for leniency for the son of former Bonanno family boss Vincent “Vinny Gorgeous” Basciano. Oddly enough it was the testimony of Cicale that helped to put Vinny Gorgeous behind bars for life. Dominick was facing two life sentences for the same murders that Basciano was eventually convicted of but decided to turn rat and was awarded for his cooperation getting released in 2013 after serving only eight years in prison. In his letter he asked for leniency for Vincents son Joseph Basciano who was busted along with his two brothers Vincent Jr and Stephen for running a marijuana enterprise.

“Joseph Basciano”

Cicale wrote that everyone in jail will be watching Joseph and grooming him out of respect for his father and his status in the mafia world. He said he feared the good young man could walk out of prison feeling like he was the next John Gotti. Time in jail may only lead the young man and his brothers down the path of becoming lifetie wiseguys the letter said. He recalled Joseph as being a smart college boy back when he knew him and before he decided to help convict papa Basciano.
 

Joseph was already cut a break by Judge Sullivan with only a six month sentence considering he was facing a possible sentence of up to two years under the plea deal he agreed to. So there may not be much room left for leniency even with the urging of the mob turncoat.

Alicia DiMichele the sexy former “Mob Wives” reality TV star and wife of Colombo crime family mobster Edward “Tall Guy” Garofalo Jr has agreed to a new plea deal. DiMichele handled the books for her husbands mafia linked trucking company and helped to embezzle funds from Teamsters Local 282. She has plead guilty previously but withdrew that guilty plea when the union demanded $2.8 million dollars in restitution. The new plea agreement calls for the former Mob Wives star to pay $40,000 in restitution and faces up to six months in prison.

 
DiMichele’s lawyer claims that years of litigation and her husband being in jail on murder conspiracy charges has take a toll on the family financially. Her brother Anthony had to step in a assist her with the first payment of $20,000 of the $40,000 restitution that is to be paid. Alicia resigned from the show Mob Wives earlier this year but was reported to be making $8,000 per episode during her time on the show and she is still the owner of New Jersey based Addiction Boutique.

“Alicia DiMichele”

She is scheduled to appear in Brooklyn Federal Court next month where she will plead guilty as agreed upon in the latest plea deal. Whether or not she will join her mobster husband behind bars is still unknown.

Greg “The Grim Reaper” Scarpa a former capo in the Colombo crime family and FBI informant could be played by Sylvester Stallone in upcoming movie. A screenplay about the life of the infamous mobster by Nick Pileggi who also wrote both Casino and Goodfellas is set to be made into a movie.   It will cover the mafia life of Scarpa and the numerous murders he was involved in along with his career as a top echelon FBI informant. Pileggi called it a fabulous story and according to him Stallone is definitely interested in playing the part of Scarpa. It would be produced by Irwin Winkler of Rocky fame along with Avi Lener, who did The Expendables series.
 

“Greg Scarpa”

He was a proven hard core mobster and rose through the ranks of the New York Mafia as part of the Colombo family becoming one of families more powerful capo’s. He ran a crew which included many members who themselves went on to be high ranking Colombo members. His was known for his violence and brutal ways which earned him the nickname “The Grim Reaper”. As the chief enforcer for former Colombo boss Carmine Persico he was responsible for at least three murders during the bloody Colombo family war in the early 1990′s.
 

Besides his life as a made man in the Colombo family Scarpa also led a very interesting life as an informant having had a hand in the famous “Mississippi Burning” case. J. Edgar Hover then the FBI director called upon Scarpa to help find the bodies of the missing civil rights workers down and bring the killers to justice. The Grim Reaper proved to be a good choice as he orchestrated the kidnapping of a member of the local Ku Klux Klan and tortured him for days. According to reports he pulled the Klan members finger nails out and pistol whipped him repeatedly before finally threatening to blow is brains out if he didn’t supply the information he needed.

Nicholas “Nicky Mouth” Santora reputed captain in the Bonanno crime family rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors. If he agreed to plead guilty to one count of enterprise corruption prosecutors he would of been looking at sentencing guidelines of 7-21 years. The deal could of shaved approx a year of the minimal sentence he is going to face if he goes to trial and is found guilty. Defense lawyer Michael Alber said his client did not like the deal being offered and that prosecutors were attempting to link people who don’t even recognize each other except for their time in court.

“From left: Vito Badamo, Ernest Aiello, Anthony Santoro and Nicholas Santora in court.”

Nicky Mouth Santora now 71 inspired the character played by Bruno Kirby in the 1997 mafia movie “Donnis Brasco”. He along with eight other mob associates were busted on multiple charges of typical mafia related rackets including loan sharking and drug dealing. Each of the defendants is facing a possible sentence of up to 25 years in prison.

Anthony “Skinny” Santoro was also offered a plea deal of 9-18 years in prison if he plead guilty but like his fellow mobster rejected it. It would of been the second longest term behind that offered to Nicky Mouth. Tim Parlatore the defense attorney for Santoro called the offer ridiculous for a non-violent gambling offense. Santora remains behind bars but bond was set at $1 Million dollars.

Joseph Isgro was picked up in Los Angeles and is set to be returned to New York to face gambling charges. Isgro is an Academy Award nominated producer and record promoter but authorities claim he is also a Gambino crime family mobster. Back in 2000 he was identified in an affidavit by the FBI as one of 192 members of the Gambino family and held the rank of soldier. He was also convicted in 2000 for running a loan sharking operation in Beverly Hills and was sentenced to 50 months in prison. Authorities claimed he was lending money to people in financial distress with a 5% a week interest rate and using subordinates to threaten any one falling behind on payments.

“Joseph Isgro”

He produced the 1992 20th Century Fox film “Hoffa” starring Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson about the former mobbed up union leader. Also a vietnam veteran being awarded the Purple Heart Isgro has a very colorful past. He spent much of the 1990′s trying to avoid federal racketeering charges along with payola charges. When he was previously indicted and asked about his mafia association he told the LA Times “I’m a soldier all right, A decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, and a proud member of the Isgro family.”

Vittorio “Vic” Amuso is now in his 23rd year behind bars but many still believe that even though he has been out of circulation and off the streets for so long he still holds the rank as boss of the Lucchese crime family. He took over as boss of the Lucchese family back in 1986 after former boss Antonio “Tony Ducks” Corallo was convicted as part of the mafia commission case. Underworld sources back in 2012 reported that Amuso had stepped down as boss of the family but recent reports claim that those reports may have been a bit premature and that Vic still holds the crown and has now for nearly a quarter century. But one has to wonder after being off the streets for more then 20 years now how much power can Amuso still have over the crime family.

“Vittorio (Vic) Amuso”

Steven “Stevie Wonder” Crea was said to have taken over as boss of the mafia family back in 2012. New law enforcement sources have reported that they believe that Amuso is still in fact the undisputed boss. But Crea definitely seems to be a force on the streets today for the Lucchese’s and perhaps Amuso still holds the title but Crea holds the power. If Amuso is still considered to be the boss by the feds it would seem that he is no more then a figure head for the family and keeps his stripes and rank as boss to keep heat off those running things on the streets.

“Steven Crea”

Crea is the one calling the shots today for the New York mafia family and has the final word. He has always been a solid earner for the family and is said to be well respected by all factions. So even though the feds may still consider the imprisoned Amuso as the Lucchese family boss it can definitely be debated as to his functionality. It seems clear that the power shift with in the Cosa Nostra family has already happened and whether Crea is labled as acting boss, street boss, or simply boss he has been the guiding force behind the crime family for some time now.

The Lucchese’s have seemingly done well so far under the leadership of Crea operting quietly and avoiding any major convictions over the last few years. One has to wonder if these recent reports are not just a shot by the feds to shake the tree and see if they can pick up any new information as to he families real current hierarchy.

Mafia associates Joseph Graziano and Dominick “Harpo” Barone were among 13 people charged back in 2012 of running a mob controlled illegal sports betting operation. Graziano the owner of the Costa Rica based sports book and his employee Barone have both agreed to plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy. The duo operated under the control of the Genovese crime family using a website named Beteagle.com to track wagers from their bettors and then collecting payments from them in person. Court documents claim that the illegal operation was being run from 2008 all way to up until the bust in May of 2012.

“Feds take down of LaScala Crew back in 2012″

The crew was being run by Genovese family capo Joseph LaScala who operated in northern New Jersey according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. An FBI informant told authorities that when he met Lascala he was introduced to him as the “godfather of New Jersey”. The 80 plus year old mobster climbed his way up the ranks of the mafia in New Jersey according to prosecutors before becoming a made man in the Genovese family of the New York Mafia.

Graziano agreed to forfeit $1 million dollars as part of his plea agreement and Barone agreed to a $100,00 forfeiture. They will each face up to 20 years behind bars and a max fine of $250,000 dollars when sentenced which is set for November. Fellow defendants Salvatore Turchio, Patsy “Uncle Patsy” Pirozzi, Johnny “Johnny Fu” Fugazi, and Jose Gotay have also pleaded guilty to conspiracy.

James Bernardone a reputed mafia soldier in the Genovese crime family was sentenced to two years in prison for mob kickbacks relating to the construction industry. Bernardone the former International Union of Journeymen and Allied Trades Local 24 secretary treasurer says he “let his members down”. He was forced to resign from his union position after he was caught taking kickbacks from contruction sites in Queens and Brooklyn for the mafia specifically the Genovese family.

“James Bernardone (right)”

He pleaded guilty to conspiring with Paul Gasparrini an alleged associate of the Genovese family to extort $2 from construction sites for ever load of soil removed. Both mobsters are also agreed to each forfeit $10,000 of their illegal gains as part of their plea. According to court documents contractors were not threatened with any physical violence it was understood that if they did not pay the mob tax requested they would not get the work.

Prosecutors urged the judge to send a strong message to the New York mafia that mob shakedowns are no longer the cost of doing business in the local construction industry.

Daniel Pagano who prosecutors say hold the rank of captain in the Genovese crime family has been arrested on racketeering conspiracy charges. The son of Joseph Pagano the late Hudson Valley mafia boss was arrested at his home in Ramapo b y detectives from the Rockland District Attorney’s Office along with members of the FBI. Prosecutors claim that Pagano ran a crew for the Genovese family and kicked up money made from illegal gambling and other operations to mob family leaders. The indictment claims that he and mob associate Michael Palazzolo participated in a conspiracy involving both illegal gambling and extortion to collect gambling debts.

“Daniel Pagano”

Pagano has had run ins with law enforcement in the past including a 1998 conviction for leading a tax scam related to the illegal gasoline sales in connection with the Russian mafia. He ran the scam on behalf of multiple New York mafia families interests including the Gambino, Lucchese, Colombo, and Genovese families. He served nine years in prison for that conviction and three years from 1990-1993 for loan sharking and illegal gambling charges.

He was also accused back in 1983 of being involved with Al Sharpton on a drug dealing business. He was also accused of using a bank account to launder money that belonged to the National Youth Movement of Al Sharpton. Sharpton has repeadedly even to this day denied all of these allegations.

Murray Richmond attorney for Pagano says his client is pleading not guilty and will request bail and is willing to put up his Christmas Hill Road home up for collateral.

Jack Bonventre a reputed acting captain in the Bonanno crime family has been on house arrest since January wants special treatment. He was busted in a mafia sweep which included Vincent Araro accused of having a part in the Lufthansa heist among others. His attorney has petitioned the court to allow him a day trip to attend a Sullivan County Equestrian Show that his daughter has a part in. Usually these types of request are limited to important life events like funerals , births, or even graduations. His attorney said that his client should be allowed to attend because he is his daughters #1 fan and has been forced to miss off of her summer appearances.

“Jack Bonventre”

Prosecutors actually agreed originally to the request then had a change or heart when officials argued about the extravagant allowance it would take. They then pushed for a denial by Judge Allyne Ross stating that his house arrest conditions should only be altered for more important life events and a horse show did not qualify. Judge Ross eventually agreed with prosecutors and denied the mobsters request.

Alicia DiMichele a former star of the reality TV show “Mob Wives” was able to avoid prison on charges of stealing union funds. She was sentenced to four years of probation with no jail time for her role in the scheme to divert money from a trucking company owned by her mobster husband Edward “Tall Guy” Garofalo Jr. The reputed Colombo crime family soldier is currently serving a seven year prison sentence on murder conspiracy charges. DiMichele was facing up to six months in prison under terms of a plea agreement.

“Alicia DiMichele leaving court”

Under the terms of the agreement she also agreed to pay restitution to Teamsters Local 282 in amount of $40,000. She said in a statement that she knew her husband and business partner were doing something wrong and she helped but it was not who she was and couldn’t describe how embarrassed she was to be in this situation.

Her attorney called her a loving mother and said she was effectively a single mother while her husband is a guest of the government. He also said since these allegations date back approx ten years making the case that jail time would of been excessive. The 41 year old Mob Wives diva quit the show in the spring even though she was reportedly making $8,000 per episode. It was anticipated that she would fare better in court then her mobster husband.

Bonanno crime family members including reputed acting boss Tommy “Tommy D” DiFiore and captain Vincent Asaro are heading to trial and prosecutors are now asking for an anonymous jury. Recent court filings revealed that prosecutors have requested a partially sequestered and anonymous jury for the upcoming trial because of the high ranking nature of the mafia members. They have specifically asked that the names,addresses, and employment info for each juror to not be revealed to the defendants or defense attorneys and that each juror be escorted to and from the court room and during all recesses daily by U.S. Marshalls.

“Tommy DiFiore  (center)”

Along with DiFiore and Asaro on trial are fellow Bonanno family members Jack Bonventre an alleged acting capo, Jerome Asaro an alleged capo, and alleged soldier John Ragano. Prosecutors point to the mafia’s and Bonanno family’s long history of being able to obstruct justice including many cases of jury tampering. They outlined the capacity and willingness of defendants Vincent Asaro and Jerome Asaro to engage in such behavior including committing murder.

The defendants were part of a mafia sweep targeting the New York mafia family back in January of this year and has been touted as having links to the infamous Lufthansa heist from 1978 with Vincent Asaro being charged with crimes related to that heist. The Asaro’s are also racing murder related charges with other defendants including acting boss DiFiore facing other racketeering, extortion, and gambling charges. Both of the Asaro’s are facing possible life sentences if convicted.

John “Big Man” Venizelos has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to running a mafia linked marijuana trafficking ring. Prosecutors say Venizelos is an associate of the Bonanno crime family and was one of the biggest New York customers of Jimmy “Cosmo” Cournoyer an alleged Canadian drug kingpin. The operation was an alliance between the Bonanno family, Montreal mafia namely the Rizzuto family, and the Hells Angels according to prosecutors.

“Jimmy Cournoyer and John Venizelos”

Federal agents busted up the ring back in 2013 seizing more then $150,00 of drug money along with illegal narcotics, guns, and encrypted blackberry devices. Venizelos also got into trouble for attempted witness tampering when he was caught sending encrypted messages from a blackberry to colleagues telling them that Cournoyer was bankrolling a murder fund to whack informants.

Cournoyer also arrested in that 2013 bust is still awaiting sentencing.

Thomas Petrizzo a captain in the Colombo crime family charged with shaking down debris haulers at Ground Zero after the 9/11 terrorists attack is facing sentencing and wants off easy. His attorney claims he is a upstanding and hard working citizen who is deeply remorseful for the small part he played in the scheme. He claims his client was only briefly involved in the mafia run kick back scam back in 2009. The defense has asked Brooklyn Federal Judge Sandra Townes to sentence the defendant to probation although the recommend sentence under his guilty plea is from 10-16 months.

Prosecutors agreed to reduce the mandatory sentence guidelines down to 8 month for the aging mobster but urged the judge to sentence the long time New York Mafia member accordingly. They noted that he has been a long time member of the Colombo family and has been arrested for violent criminal activity since 1964. They also requested that he be fined $5,000 and be forced to pay back a restitution of a little over $34,000 due to his financial stability.

Letters of support were sent to the court in support of Petrizzo also asked the judge to go easy at sentencing. One even called the mob linked New Jersey contractor “the unsung hero if the building of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center back in 1970″. Sentencing has been pushed back a month to allow the Probation Department to complete a final pre-sentence report on the defendant.

Stephen Basciano the son of former Bonanno crime family mob boss Vincent “Vinny Gorgeous” Basciano is sentenced to 42 months behind bars for his role in a long running marijuana ring. Stephen pleaded with the court for mercy and reduced sentence saying he didn’t want to walk down the same path as his mobster father saying he’d learn from his mistakes. Vinny Gorgeous once the head of the Bonanno family of New York Mafia is now serving two life sentences down in a Colorado Supermax prison.

“Stephen Basciano”

Federal judge Richard Sullivan decided against a lighter sentence ignoring the defendants pleas considering the seriousness of the crime. He said the large scale marijuana ring was not just a one time shot and went on for years. He urged Basciano to make good on his words that he would learn from his mistakes and walk the straight and narrow upon his release telling him this was no way to live.

Along with Stephen two of his brothers Joseph and Vincent Jr were also arrested as part of the drug ring. Joseph was less involved in the scheme has already been sentenced to six months in prison. Vincent Jr is set to be sentenced sometime later on this year. It is unknown if any of the sons are officially involved or made members of the mob.

Thomas “Tommy D” DiFiore the alleged acting street boss of the Bonanno crime family caught a break with latest ruling that he will not stand trial along side his fellow mobsters on Lufthansa heist charges. A judge ruled that the charges of extortion that Tommy D and Bonanno soldier John “Bazoo” Ragano are facing are not of the level of the charges the other defendants are charged with in the Lufthansa indictment. The other defendants including Bonanno capos Vincent Asaro and son Jerome Asaro will stand trial separately for an array of racketeering charges including murder.

“Thomas DiFiore”

DiFiore and Ragano are facing extortion charges stemming from a loansharking scheme they allegedly operated last year. Their trial has been scheduled to start in January of next year. The real losers in the latest ruling are the both Asaro’s who will now endure two trials one along side DiFiore and a second trial on their own. Jack Bonventre also a defendant and alleged Bonanno family capo also losses out as he will stand trial along side the rest in at least two separate trials also.

The judge said the charges connected to the Lufthansa robbery and the 1969 murder ordered by Jimmy Burke along with other murder charges could pose a risk of prejudice against defendants not charged in those crimes so decided on separate trial. The latest ruling will definitely have mob boss DiFiore breathing a little easier as trial approaches.

Michael Persico the son of jailed Colombo crime family boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico wants to rip of his guilty plea on loansharking charges. He pleaded guilty to loansharking over two years ago in a deal which gave him immunity from being prosecuted on several possible murder charges. But now Perisco claims the feds are breaching the agreement which has him facing 37 to 46 months in prison at sentencing.

“Michael Persico”

Now the mob scion doesn’t like the idea that he could be facing upwards of five years. Prosecutors are arguing that the deal was already agreed upon and he is now stuck with it. Perhaps he should be gracious for such a sweet deal to begin with considering he could face more then 20 years if he was convicted at trial on murder conspiracy and extortion charges.

Thomas “Tommy D” DiFiore the alleged acting boss of the Bonanno crime family is now looking to avoid trail scheduled to begin in January all together according to letters filed in Brooklyn Federal Court. The mobster had a decision go his way last week allowing him to be tried separately from Bonanno family capo Vincent Asaro who was charged with crimes linked to the infamous Lufthansa robbery. Now he is trying his hand again and hoping for another decision to go his way negotiating for a plea deal on extortion charges from a $75,000 loan.

“Thomas DiFiore”

DiFiore along with Bonanno capo Jack Bonventre and mafia soldier John “Bazoo” Ragano are all engaged in an effort to reach an agreement with prosecutors on a plea. Perhaps the New York Mafia trio can get the feds to make them an offer they can’t refuse and avoid trail. The two Asaro’s have not been reported to be in any kind of plea negotiations and their racketeering trail is scheduled for next June.