Scott Fappiano a reputed Colombo crime family mobster has been sentenced to a year behind bars for his part in a New York mafia effort to control the carting industry in New York and New Jersey. One of 31 alleged mobsters busted back in January of 2013 for shaking down garbage companies on behalf of the mob. He plead guilty on extortion charges as part of a plea deal and was facing between 15 to 21 months so caught a bit of a break.

“Scott Fappiano”

Fappiano has a long criminal history including being convicted for a rape he was later cleared on after spending almost two decades in prison. After he was cleared and released he still found his way back into trouble busted in 2011 in the biggest mob racketeering crackdown against the mafia in the US. He was let off easily then because his previous false conviction was strongly taken into consideration.

The Colombo family mobster also has families ties to the Gambino crime family. He has three uncles which were all made members of the Gambino family including two who turned rat Michael “Mikey Scars” DiLeonardo and Frank “Frankie Fap” Fappiano. The third uncle was Frank DeCicco the first under boss under mob boss John Gotti.

Hector Pagan also known as “Junior” a former Bonanno crime family associate turned rat has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for mob crimes including murder. The former ex-husband of “Mob Wives” star Renee Graziano got a reduced sentence in exchange for his cooperation again his former Bonanno family pals. Even though it was Pagan who actually shot the victim his mob associate buddies Richard Riccardi and Luigi Grasso took the brunt of the punishment both getting 30 plus year sentences.

“Hector Pagan”

Pagan also supplied the feds with information about his former father-n-law and Bonanno family captain Anthony Graziano among others mobsters as part of his deal. Family of the victim check cashing cahier James Donovan said that Pagan made a deal purely out of self interest to keep himself out of jail and he hasn’t changed his spots and were repulsed by the governments decision to offer such a deal to a killer.

Michael Persico son of imprisoned Colombo crime family boss Carmine (The Snake) Persico has filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea on loansharking charges. Persico has swung what many thought was a sweet plea deal granting him immunity from prosecution on more serious crimes including murder facing only 37 to 46 months behind bars. But now the mafia prince claims the government used back door means to breach the agreement in a 38 page filing made by his lawyer this week. He was caught making an usurious loan of $100,000 to a cohort back in 2009 and plead guilty as to terms of the plea agreement back in 2012.

“Michael Persico”

Court filings claim that prosecutors sent a message to probation officials suggesting that the judge in the case upwardly depart from the recommended 37 to 46 month sentence which his lawyer said would have his client facing the statutory maximum for his crime of five years. Prosecutors also allegedly told probation officials that they had a preponderance of evidence against Perisco that could prove he took part in mafia murders along with a couple of other murder conspiracies. Marc Fernich attorney for Persico said this was exact language that is used to describe a standard of proof judges use to weight evidence in sentencing procedures.

Fernich said that probation officials had heard the message loud and clear because every sentence made by them after the representation of preponderance that the government claims merit upward consideration. But Fernich did leave a way out for his client and the prosecutors short of the plea deal falling apart and that was to have a different judge who had not been tainted by the governments efforts to advocate a greater sentence on Persico be used.

Prosecutors now have until October 13 to make the next move and agree to the withdrawal and ask for a trial date to be set or to oppose the motion completely. Persico could face life in prison at trial where he would be open to murder charges along with other typical mob crimes.

George (Big George) DeCicco a long time Gambino crime family mobster has passed away at the age of 85. He was a long time lieutenant for former Gambino boss John Gotti and a leading members of the Gambino’s inner circle for years. He was the leaders of the family’s infamous Bensonhurst Crew for years and one of Gotti’s most trusted captains.

“George DeCicco (second from left) with Family”

He was also the uncle of former Gambino under boss Frank DeCicco who was killed in a 1986 car bombing as retaliation for the unsanctioned murder of Gambino boss Paul Castellano. According to sources including law enforcement Big George was a fearsome Bath Ave presence for decades. His last arrest was back in 2007 for extortion charges.

Joseph Benfante a former defense attorney said his client was a gentleman and even detectives and FBI Agents used to say George always greeted them with respect and was very cordial. But prosecutors at his last trial in 2007 painted a darker portrait of a hard core mobster.

Jerome Asaro a capo in the Bonanno crime family has pleaded guilty to a variety of mafia crimes including the exhumation of a mob hit Paul Katz back in the 1980′s. The hit was allegedly done by his father Vincent Asaro also a capo in the Bonanno family back in 1969 as a favor to fellow mobster Jimmy Burke of the Lucchese family because he suspected Katz was an informant.

“Jerome Asaro”

Vincent Asaro has been charged with his role in the infamous Lufthansa heist which Burke is believed to have masterminded. He is slated to stand trial on a slew of serious mob crimes including his part in the heist. His son Jerome now faces up to 8 years in prison after his guilty plea. Attorney’s for both father and son have asked the court to allow them to mingle while behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Genovese crime family round up today in New Jersey nets 11 members and associates of the New York mafia family according to Attorney General. According to the indictment warrants were issued for first tier racketeering charges including loansharking, gambling, money laundering, drugs and illegal check cashing which generated millions of dollars in illegal profits. Dubbed “Operation Fistful” it was a joint venture between multiple law enforcement agencies from New York and New Jersey.

Members are allegedly part of a New Jersey based crew of the Genovese family being run by Genovese capo Charles “Chuckie” Tuzzo and Vito Alberti a soldier who answered to the Genovese hierarchy back in New York.

Also charged were various mob associates including Vincent P. Coppola son of imprisoned mob capo Michael Coppola, Robert “Bobby Spags” Spagnola, Abel J. Rodriguez, Flor Miranda, John W. Trainor, Manuel Rodriguez, Jennifer Mann, and Jerry J. Alabanese.

Gennaro Bruno a associate and wanna be made guy in the Gambino crime family has been charged with racketeering including a 2002 mob hit, drug trafficking, and extortion. Bruno over the years became a proven mob associate and was allegedly part of the Gambino family crew once led by mobster Joseph “JoJo” Corrozo a powerful member and one time consigliere of the Gambino family.

The 41 year old Bruno began his criminal career as part of New York gangs and then rose in ranks to become a member of the Gambino’s. He is charged with the killing of rival Martin Bosshart in a battle over drug turf. He allegedly lured Bosshart to a location in Queens and shot him behind the head killing him instantly.

He also is alleged to have used his position in the mafia to extort protection payments from the owner of a Queens based waste carting company. If convicted he is facing a long stint in prison and definitely puts a dent in his once bright future in the New York mafia.

Frank Coppa a one time captain in the Bonanno crime family and its first member to publicly break his vow of silence known as “Omerta” gets rewarded for his betrayal. He flipped back in 2002 after being indicted for third time on racketeering charges in a short two year span. His decision to turn rat is considered by the feds as a seminal moment in the take down of the Bonanno family over the last decade. Once Coppa flipped it induced other mobsters inside the family to follow his lead helping to take down then powerful boss Joseph Massino and dozens of other wiseguys.

“Joseph Massino and Frank Coppa”

Coppa gave the feds detailed information of the inner workings of one of the then strongest New York mafia families as the first made member of the Bonanno’s agreeing to testify for the feds. Among much of the information he supplied prosecutors with was his induction into the family and the commission of various murders carried out by the Bonanno family. Included in those murders was the 1981 hit carried out by Massino and families Sicilian family faction on three rival capo’s and along with murder of capo Dominick “Sonny Black” Napolitano for allowing FBI agent alias Donnie Brasco to infiltrate the family.

He only testified at one trial back the 2004 Massino racketeering and murder trial. Afterwards he was released on bail and has been awaiting sentencing ever since. He admitted to his role in the murder of Sonny Black Napolitano and gave information on 14 mob slayings in total. His rap sheet also includes stock fraud, loan sharking, tax evasion, and drug dealing and technically was facing a sentence of life in prison.

Prosecutors sought a very lenient sentence for what they call his historic decision to become first Bonanno mobster to flip leading to the dismantling of the family. Coppa has been rewarded well for his services getting sentenced to only two years of time served today.

Michael Persico the son of imprisoned official Colombo crime family boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico has been ordered to stick to his agreed upon plea deal with prosecutors on loan sharking charges. The mob scion wanted to back out of his plea deal after learning prosecutors claimed in a Pre-sentencing report they could prove he was involved in addition significant crimes. They wanted to use this to convince the Probation Department to consider sentencing Persico to the upper end of the range for his single count he plead guilty to.

“Michael Persico”

Through a preponderance of evidence the government claimed it could prove Persico was involved in other crimes including an involvement in murders of Michael Devine and John Scopo. The Colombo family prince got his panties in a bunch and argued that prosecutors had promised in his plea deal they would not push for a heavy sentence and he wanted permission to back out of his agreement. But Brooklyn federal judge Sandra L. Towned did not agree with the assessment of the deal and ruled against him.

The judge said the agreement did prohibit advocacy by the government and prosecutors before the court but it could not reasonably be interpreted as prohibiting it before the Probation Department prior to the Pre-Sentencing report. So prosecutors were on legal ground when presenting their case to the Probation Department who established the sentencing range in the first instance.

Many were shocked that Persico went to such measures as he agreed to what is seen by many as a sweet plea deal facing only 36 to 47 months behind bars. He is not set to face sentencing early next year in front of judge Townes.

Thomas “Tommy Shots” Gioeli the one time acting boss of the Colombo crime family is suing the Butner Low Correctional Facility for a slip and fall. Serving a 18 year sentence he often complains about the conditions at the prison over twitter and his personal blog. Now he claims leaky piping is the cause of a nasty slip and fall which left him injured although the extent of his injuries are still unclear. According to the suit “Plaintiff Thomas Gioeli has been rendered sick, sore, lame, maimed and disabled and so remains due to the negligence of defendant,”

“Thomas Gioeli”

Gioeli was convicted back in 2012 on a range of mob crimes including murder conspiracy including mob rivals in an attempt to gain power with in the New York Mafia family. He was sentenced back in March and suffers from heart problems and diabetes and now a fall on a wet floor could make him an earner once again even though he isn’t on the streets.

His lawyer Martin Schiowitz refused to comment on the pending lawsuit when his office was contacted. The slip and fall happened back in August at the North Carolina penitentiary according to details of the newly filed suit.

Francesco Palmieri a high ranking member of the Gambino crime family of the New York Mafia was one of eight suspected mobsters rounded up in a transatlantic mob sweep. Authorities in Italy and America on Thursday targeted members of organized crime for suspicions of multiple mafia crimes. Along with Palmieri in New York also arrested of note was Italian mobster Giovanni “Johnny” Grillo picked up at a Milan airport.

Palmieri was allegedly traveling to Italy under a fake name for months demanding payment of a 30 year old credit from an Italian businessman. The debt dating back to the 1980’s is believed to be part of an International drug trafficking network connected to former Bonanno family mobster Cesare Bonventre. Both Palmieri and Bonventre are from same small Sicilian town although Bonventre was killed back in 1984 during a internal power struggle with in the Bonanno family.

Earlier this year authorities busted up a drug ring involving dozens of mobsters on both sides of the Atlantic including members of the Italian mob clan the Ndrangheta and the Gambino family.

Genovese crime family captain Conrad Ianniello now 71 is headed back to prison for three years after being sentenced on extortion charges. Conrad is the nephew of former Genovese family underboss Matthew “Matty the Horse” Ianniello who passed away back in 2012. He pleaded guilty to shaking down workers at a Long Island Chocolate factory to allow a mob controlled union to move in instead of another legit union.

“Conrad Ianniello”

He was caught saying on a secret wiretap “We are going to do it diplomatically and if that doesn’t work I am going to f— him up.” Ianniello mumbled an apology to his family in court at sentencing prompting Federal Judge Nicolas Garaufis to go into a rant. The Judge told Conrad his behavior disgusted him and he was tired of mobsters coming into his courtroom and apologizing to their families when they need to apologize to this country.

Outside of the court house Ianniello was asked by reporters if he cared to apologize to anyone else and his lawyer responded they had no comment. Although Ianniello in pure wiseguy fashion told a photographer “I am gonna drop you on your head.”

The last remaining case from the large New York mafia take down nearly four years ago is set to end with multiple plea deals. Genovese crime family soldier Stephen Depiro along with two former International Longshoremen’s executives have agreed to plea deals for racketeering and extortion conspiracy charges. They were involved in a scheme run by Genovese family to collect “Christmas tribute” payments from hard working longshoremen in excessive of $3 Million dollars dating all way back to early 1980’s. It has been a long running tradition for union controlled thugs to collect these mob Christmas tribute extortion payments from workers bonus checks known as “container royalty fund” checks.

“Stephen Depiro”

Depiro took over the waterfront shakedown scheme back in 2005 after former Genovese soldier Lawrence Ricci was whacked. Ricci was targeted for death by one time powerful Genovese capo Tino Fiumara who died of cancer back in 2010 who then appointed Depiro in his place. The feds began the current case into the Christmas tribute scheme after mob capo Michael “Mikey Cigars” Coppola was caught on a secret recording with a union member about the scheme and its history.

“Tino Fiumara”

Prosecutors also had taped conversations recorded back in 1998 between Fiumara and Depiro linking Depiro to the extortion payoffs. Court filings also show that prosecutors had lined up more then 25 longshoremen who had agreed to testify about the payments being made which often were made unwillingly under a threat of violence. The payments which were often up to $2000 per longshoremen were collected by mobbed up union officials and then passed along to Depiro and other Genovese family mobsters.

Santa’s bag of gifts is sure to be a little smaller this year for the Genovese family.

Over the year the mafia has found itself under more and more pressure from law enforcement and watched its power diminish as more and more made guys got convicted and rackets effected. But the downfall of the mafia today can’t only be blamed on the Justice Department it also has a lot to do with turncoats from with in the mob families themselves. Many of the cases being made against the mob these days are typically strengthened and made because someone has flipped and turned on their fellow mobsters.

There have now been quite a few infamous rats in mob history which even includes such high ranking members as bosses, underbosses, and more. We have seen mobsters turn from every major mafia family across the country including the New York Mafia and the trend seems to be growing. Here are some of the mob rats who have turned on their wiseguys pals and done some real damage helping the feds attempt to dismantle La Cosa Nostra.

Here we have outlined a few mob turncoats from the last several years from various mafia families around the country. Most mob rats have done their share of damage to the mob but some have definitely done a lot more then others and lead to many more convictions and turned over a lot more damaging information. Which of these mafia rats do you think has caused the American Mafia the most by turning and joining team America ?

Joseph Massino – Massino was known to many as one of the last old school bosses on the streets responsible for bringing the Bonanno family to power in the 1990’s after the death of then boss Carmine Galante. When he flipped in 2004 after being convicted of racketeering and murder he became the first sitting boss of a New York Mafia family to turn rat. He would go on to testify twice for the feds against fellow mobsters including acting boss Vincent Basciano. He also supplied the feds with tons of information on the inner working of not only the Bonanno family but the Mafia in general.

“Joseph Massino”

Gregory Scarpa – A powerful capo in the Colombo crime family Scarpa was known to many as “The Grim Reaper” as one of the chief enforcers for Carmine Persico the Colombo family boss. He would become a FBI informer in 1962 after being arrested for armed robbery and the relationship between the two would span approx 30 years. During the bloody Colombo wars of the 1980’s he supplied the feds with information about is organized crime enemies with in his own family. His relationship with the feds was one of the longest in mob history and also one of the most questionable as to the ethics and handling by federal authorities but there is no doubt he helped in the dismantling of the Colombo’s.

“Greg Scarpa”

Philip Leonetti – The then underboss of the Philadelphia mafia under his uncle and then boss Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo when he decided to turn on him and his mob family. At the time he was the highest ranking member of any mob family to turn rat after being convicted for multiple murders and other mob crimes. He supplied the feds with information that lead to convictions of multiple mobsters including members of Philly mob along with high ranking members from the New York mob. He ended the Scarfo era which many believe was when it all started to go down hill for the Philly mob family and they have yet to recover.

“Phil Leonetti”

Sammy Gravano – Perhaps one of the most infamous rats in the history of the American mafia Gravano was the underboss of the poweful Gambino crime family when he flipped. At the time he became the highest ranking member of any New York mafia family to become an informant. He turned back in 1991 and testified in one of the highest profile mob cases in history against mob boss John Gotti leading to his conviction and life sentence. He supplied the feds with information on the working of the Gambino family and all of the other New York mob families and would testify on other occasions on behalf of the feds.

“Sammy Gravano”

Alphonse D’Arco – The then acting boss of the Lucchese crime family became the first acting or other wise boss of a New York mafia family to turn government witness. He would go on to testify multiple times for the feds leading to indictments of multple mobsters including then acting Colombo family boss Victor “Little Vic” Orena, Genovese family boss Vincent Gigante, Bonanno family consigliere Anothony Spero, and many others. He also supplied information on and testified against Stephen Caracappa and Louis Eppolito the duo known as the “Mafia Cops”. He is credited with almost single handedly destroying the Lucchese crime family which has struggled to rebuild ever since that time.

“Al D’Arco”

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The mafia is once again the focus of a new AMC docudrama called ‘Making of the Mob: New York‘ being made by Stephen David’s production company which produced the hit History channel show The Men Who Built America. The new eight part series will detail the history of the original five families of New York which led up to the modern day American Mafia. Blending dramatic scenes with in archival footage and in depth interviews the new docudrama will take viewers back to the beginning in 1905 all the way up until present day.

Making of the Mob: New York will trace the roots of many notorious mobsters including Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and Charles “Lucky” Luciano. The show will span over 50 years of the New York mafia and is scheduled to showcase hour long episodes beginning in the second quarter of this year. The personal stories of what these men really did building the mob in America has never been put together quite like this says Stephen David.

The docudrama will include original footage of interviews with law enforcement, authors, historians, and family members of former mobsters including actors Drea de Matteo and Joe Mantegna, former mob attorney Oscar Goodman, and even the grandson of legendary mobster Meyer Lansky among many others. It will include many larger then life characters and drama that proves to be better then fiction in every way according to Joel Stillerman AMC’s executive vp programming.

The new mafia series will be bolstered by AMC who plans to employ it as a lead in for showings of some of the best mafia movies from the network’s mob flick library. The new 2015 mafia series may prove to be one of the best to date.

Joseph Sclafani a soldier in the Gambino crime family caught a break getting his 15 year sentence on drug charges reduced by a year due to changes in sentencing guidelines. Also known as Joe Boy the New York mafia soldier was will now be set for release in 2023 after being sentenced on drug charges. Lawyers for Sclafani asked for his clients sentence to be reduced down to 12.5 years which prosecutors objected prompting Brooklyn Federal Judge John Gleeson decision that one year was sufficient even though Joe Boy may not see it as that big a break.

“Joseph (Joe Boy) Sclafani“

The feds ruined the Gambino family wiseguys plans to marry Mob Wives star Ramona Rizzo with his arrest on drug charges. The 49 year old mobster also requested a furlough so he could say goodbye to his father who was terminally ill but prosecutors objected on questions of the legitimacy of the illness. His father went on to pass away a couple months later and his lawyer also noted that as another reason his client was due a break.

“Ramona Rizzo“

Rizzo said its about time her former fiance catches some kind of break who she says she is still fond of although wedding plans have been called off. She also claims she is still upset over jewelry the feds confiscated when Joseph was arrested that belongs to her and they refuse to return claiming it was purchased from illegal drug profits.

Genovese crime family is one of the largest and most powerful of the five families of the New York mafia and one of the most secretive. The family has been dubbed the “Ivy League of organized crime” because of its ability to find new ways to make money and maintain its size and power over the years. The mafia family has also benefited greatly from its members maintaining the code of Omerta which has led to only six members in its history turning rat unique in today’s mafia. Named after long time boss Vito Genovese the mob family has long been one of the most interesting to many perhaps because so little information on their current operations and structure if known.

Vincent “The Chin” Gigante one of the most well known mafia bosses ran the family for for years using his “oddfather” act before passing away back in 2005. Since his death there has been very little information about who is the real power with in the Genovese family and who is officially sitting at the head of the table. They have been known in the past to use front bosses and ruling panels to run the family for the absence of the official boss or to insulate him. It has been a topic of discussion over recent years as to who the current boss of the family is along with the rest of its possible structured hierarchy.

It is believed that after the passing of Gigante is 2005 Genovese family capo Daniel Leo was running day to day operations as the families acting boss. He was convicted in 2008 and sent to prison but according to a 2009 report had maintained his status as acting boss although it is unclear if he still holds that current rank today. There have been many theories of late as to who is running the family and if the family even has an official boss anymore or has moved to a long term ruling panel type of leadership phase in an attempt to make it harder on law enforcement. Here are some of the names we see mentioned most often by those in mob circles and even law enforcement as to who may be the 2015 Genovese family boss.

“Liborio Bellomo” 

Daniel Leo – Promoted to captain under the Gigante regime and the last reported boss/acting boss of the family. He was considered by many to have held that rank during his last prison stretch which ended in 2013 although many others do not agree. With many of its top captains out on the streets while Leo was away there were plenty of candidates for the family to promote in its leadership ranks. Others maintain Leo was most likely a front boss for a more powerful faction with in the family during his time at the top.

Liborio Bellomo – Considered to be a rising star in the mob for years and the likely successor to Chin Gigante before being sent to prison back in 1996. A powerful capo in the family and was believed to have held rank of acting boss in 1990 after Gigante was convicted until his own conviction in 96. He ended up serving 12 years behind bars getting released in 2008 and is currently one of families more powerful players. The 58 year old wiseguy is considered by most to be the most likely choice to be the current boss of the family.

Ernest Muscarella – Another of the Genovese families powerful capos and one time acting street boss back in 2001-2002 before himself being convicted for racketeering. Capo of the families 116th street crew for years many believe he is another likely choice to hold a top leadership position including being the top spot in the family. His name has also been mentioned as part of possible previous and current ruling panels.

Dominick Cirillo – A long time trusted aide to Gigante and a long time captain in the family. Part of the families Manhattan faction and respected across the board he is believed to have held rank of acting boss from 97-98 before stepping down due to health problems. Then in 2003 was believed to have been appointed again to the role of acting boss stepping down in 2006 after a loansharking conviction sent him to prison. He was released in 2008 and some believe he could be the current head of the family as he is still one of their most respected members although at age 86 its unclear as to how active he remains.

Venero Mangano – The last known official under boss of the Genovese family. He is one of the families senior leaders outside of prison after his release back in 2006 after doing a 15 year stretch. Some believe that he is respected enough to be at the head of the family today although he is reported to be in very poor health and at age of 93 many wonder if he is still capable maintaining such a role.

Ruling Panel – Many people in mafia circles and some in law enforcement believe the family is now run by a ruling panel of its top capo’s and members and no longer maintains an official boss or historic mafia leadership structure. The current panel if in place could contains some of the families top members like Leo, Bellomo, Muscarella, among others.

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Michael Persico son of long time Colombo crime family boss Camine (Junior) Persico has renewed his motion to have his recent guilty plea rescinded. The Colombo family prince just recently lost a motion to have his plea agreement with the feds terminated but now claims more wrong doing by prosecutors and has once again filed a similar motion. The feds stated recently in court papers that they could prove Michael’s involvement in the mafia murder of rival Colombo solider Joseph Scopo during the bloody Colombo family war from 1991-1993. According to Persico and his lawyers this directly violates the plea agreement they entered into with the feds.

“Michael Persico“

The statement from prosecutors about the mob slaying was in response to Judge Sandra Townes request for information being introduced at an upcoming pre-sentencing hearing. Prosecutors are supplying the information as reasons for why the judge should not mete out a sentence below the guidelines now in place of 37-46 months. But Persico’s lawyer says its the governments way of looking for a much stiffer sentence then the agreed upon plea deal led them to believe.

The plea agreement according to the defense lawyer prohibited the prosecution from advocating before the court and they have now broken that agreement. As per the plea the government should of declined the opportunity to supply information about additional crimes Persico allegedly committed as it was all included as part of the agreement. Prosecutors also notified the defense that they planned to call turncoat Colombo mobster Anthony (Big Anthony) Russo along with an FBI agent as witnesses during the hearing to back up their claims. This would also be a direct violation of the plea agreement according to Persico’s lawyer.

The plea seems like a sweet deal for the younger Persico even with the government’s attempts to influence the court for the high end mark of the sentencing guidelines. The defense team has filed for another adjournment if the motion is denied to allow time for them to go over the new information just turned over by the feds and prepare a proper rebuttal they deem necessary before sentencing.

New York mafia families once maintained a stranglehold on local airports and now a resurgence is feared after a change in policy. The Port Authority has decided to stop running criminal background checks on new businesses and their principals applying to operate at local airports. Many now fear this will be an open invitation for the mafia to move right back in at major airports like La Guardia, JFK, and Newark. It was 25 years ago that the background checks were initiated on all new applicants or existing businesses performed by detectives and PA lieutenants to help break the mob grip.

According to reports about 5 percent of applications were being disqualified but sources say the known probe was also a big deterrent factor keeping many mob connected businesses from even applying. The New York mob control over airports in the past was depicted in the movie “Goodfellas” showing how the Lucchese family had a powerful influence at JFK. Airport businesses are allowed can interact with millions of travelers each year and could once again become a huge money maker for La Cosa Nostra.

A memo was issued by Michael A. Fedorko he PAPD Superintendent stating that the background checks were no longer required by applicable law and were eliminated effective immediately. This change was made after businesses constantly complained that the process had become much to burdensome and was taking too long to complete according to sources.

This may yet be another avenue for the mafia in New York to use to continue to rebuild itself as has seemingly been the case over the last couple years with more resources being put into counter terrorism over organized crime. We have seen the FBI squads which were assigned to monitor and investigate each of the five families of New York years ago diminished due to funding issues and now changes in mob fighting tactics such as this. This has allowed the mafia families in New York to begin to re-establish themselves and rebuild their ranks many of which now have new bosses and leadership hierarchy’s now in place. Seems like as far as mafia news goes this is another piece the mob is happy to see come about.

Agostino Accardo an alleged Bonanno crime family associate and his brother Michael Accardo have been indicted by the Manhattan DA as part of the recently busted building inspectors graft scheme. The Accardo brothers were allegedly running an illegal money transmission and check bundling business. The scheme worked by them collecting checks from customers and then cashing them at commercial check cashiers in New Jersey and New York withholding the commercial check cashing fee’s along with an additional fee they imposed before returning the cash to the customers.

“New York Graft Scheme Bust“

This illegal operation was discovered during the investigation into the building inspectors graft scheme where nearly fifty building inspectors and construction contractors some with other mob ties were charged. According to the charges builders were illegally bribing city employees to fast track certain projects over looking code violations. Mark Peters the DOI Commissioner said dozens of violations which were over looked could potentially endanger the safety of citizens.

Agostino Accardo was deported by the feds back to Italy after a conviction on extortionate extension of credit charges back in 2007. He was later allowed back to the United States when an appellate court reversed the DHS action that was previously administered. This sort of mafia news is not a shock when involving these types of scheme’s.