Bonanno crime family captain Nicholas “Nicky Mouth” Santora and three fellow mobsters remain behind bars as prosecutors fail to make them an offer they can’t refuse. Santora was arrested nearly two years ago on state racketeering charges along with Bonanno family soldier Anthony Santoro and acting mob captains Ernest Aiello and Vito Badamo. The mobsters remain behind bars are prosecutors refuse to offer any of them plea deals which don’t include long multi year prison sentences.

“Nicholas Santora“

The massive 158 page indictment against them includes 299 specific crimes and a recent court ruling will allow state prosecutors to introduce even more yet uncharged crimes. A judge ruled that prosecutors will be allowed to introduce new evidence and testimony against Santora and his fellow mobsters on a slew of additional crimes at trial. According to court records prosecutors will also be allowed to introduce charges of extortion conspiracy which Santora plead guilty to a decade ago along with extraneous gambling evidence against all of the defendants.

The introduction of this new evidence and new uncharged crimes can be used to establish a background and relationship between the defendants and their intent to conduct a criminal enterprise as a crew with in the New York Mafia. The 72 year old Santora could be looking at what amounts to a life sentence of convicted and his fellow mobsters who prosecutors claim were his key aids with in the mafia family extended prison sentences.

Defense attorney Timothy Parlatore who represents Santora said that its terribly unfair that state prosecutors have worked so hard to turn a non-violent glorified gambling case into something much bigger while his client sits behind bars. He said the only violence they have associated with the case is all talk with weak wire tap evidence of his client saying on the phone he would like to do something bad to someone else but never once communicated the threat directly to that person or attempt to carry it out.

Prosecutors have disclosed new details of the infamous 1978 Lufthansa Robbery some of which will be used as evidence against Vincent Asaro. The former Bonanno crime family captain is facing an impressive lineup of mafia rats including former Bonanno boss and underboss Joseph Massino and Salvatore Vitale along with former Gambino family associate Anthony Ruggiano Jr and his own cousin Gaspare Valenti.

According to recently released court documents Asaro kicked up an attache case filled with jewelry and gold to Massino who was his mob captain at the time of the heist as tribute. Massino will take the stand against Asaro to confirm the tribute payment with Sal Vitale testifying that he saw Massino in possession of the gold and jewels and that he was given a gold chain from the heist.

Ruggiano Jr will testify that his father Gambino family mobster Anthony “Fat Andy” Ruggiano helped Jimmy Burke and Asaro fence some of the stolen jewels from the robbery. Valenti claims his share was glommed by Asaro leading him to wear a wire and secretly record his cousin ranting about his participation in the heist. During a taped conversation Asaro said “We never got our right money, what we were supposed to get, we got f—ed all around, that f—ing Jimmy (Burke) kept everything.”

According to prosecutors Asaro blew his nearly $1 million dollar payoff from the robbery gambling at the racetrack. Each member of the crew was supposed to receive approx $750,000 for their part although most either were killed before they could collect or were just never paid according to the new court documents.

A roster of deceased participants in the 1978 Lufthansa heist have been released which include Jimmy Burke, Angelo Sepe, Burke’s son Frank, Tommy Desimone, Joseph “Joe Buddah” Manri, Danny Rizo, Louis “Fat Louie” Carfora, and Anthony Rodriguez. Asaro is likely facing life in prison if he is convicted on all charges in his upcoming trial. The Lufthansa robbery has long been a part of New York mafia history and lore.

Edward “Cousin Eddie” Garafola still remains a threat to the community according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons even after a suffering a stroke which left him partially paralyzed. The Gambino crime family soldier is serving a 30 year sentence for conspiring to murder former Gambino underboss Salvatore “Sammy Bull” Gravano and his own cousin. The 77 year old mobster has a rash of health problems and according to reports can no longer speak and is an amputee.

“Edward Garafola“

Garafola has been a made member in the Gambino family since the 1970’s and plead guilty back in 2007 to his part in the gangland murder of his cousin and suspected rat Edward “The Chink” Garofalo in 1990. He also plead guilty to conspiring with former Gambino family boss Peter Gotti to whack Gravano in 1999 for ratting on the family and former boss John Gotti.

“Edward Garofalo“

Although his health problems are vast law enforcement sources say he has not been “put on the shelf” or retired by the Gambino family and could theoretically still give orders to mafia associates if released. The law enforcement sources said about Cousin Eddie “He was a real bastard back in the day,” Garafola is not scheduled to be released until 2028 and even though the Prison Bureau often grants sentence reduction for elderly inmates with chronic illness it doesn’t seem like he will be able to benefit from it.

Making of The Mob: New York one of the more anticipated mafia TV series is set to make its premiere on Monday June 15th on AMC at 10/9c. The eight part mini series is a docu-drama which chronicles the history of the New York Mafia and its original five families. It will cover 50 years of the American Mafia going all the way back to 1905 with in depth looks into the rise of the mob and many of its legendary made men. Featuring dramatic scenes, archival footage, and groundbreaking VFX the new mob series is sure to be a hit.

The show will cover legendary events and mobsters such as Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, Vito Genovese and many more. It will also feature interviews and information from various law enforcement sources along with family members of many of these historical mobsters. Narrated by Ray Liotta the series should supply us with a fresh new look into the mafia in New York and its historical rise to power.

Its sure to be one of the more interesting 2015 mafia shows as AMC usually does a very good job with docu-drama series such as this. Each new episode of the show will be accompanied by a lead in of various mafia movies from the AMC movie vault like The Godfather, Goodfellas, and Donnie Brasco among others.

James “Jimmy Boy” Dellaratta a former acting capo in the Gambino crime family was sentenced to probation for hijacking a load of counterfeit cigarettes back in 2010 worth approx $1 million dollars. A prison term of 18 months was recommended for the crime but the 73 year old mobster got a nice break from the feds because of his poor health. Jimmy Boy got an even bigger break when Gambino leaders decided not to exact punishment for the defection of Nicholas “Nicky Skins” Stefanelli a member of his old crew.

“James Dellaratta and Blaise Corozzo back in 2005“

In 2012 the New York mafia learned that Stefanelli had agreed to wear a wire for the feds after being nabbed in a drug dealing case. He was a member of the crew supervised by acting capo Dellaratta at the time and secretly recorded conversations with fellow mobsters including Jimmy Boy among others in various mob families in five states for almost 2 years. Nicky Skins ended up committing suicide after being told his undercover work was ending and he was to be prepped to testify against wiseguys in Philadelphia.

Dellaratta’s close ties to powerful Gambino family captains Leonard DiMaria and Nicholas “Little Nick” Corozzo along with the fact that Stefanelli killed himself before testifying helped him avoid any major recrimination for the defection. In the end the Nicky Skins tapes have only led to one relatively minor case against Dellaratta and some mafia associates.

Lucchese crime family mobsters have plead guilty to running a multi billion dollar illegal gambling enterprise. Six members of the Lucchese family were indicted back in 2010 after an investigation led to the dismantling of the illegal betting ring. The operation took in an estimated $2.2 billion dollars of illegal wagers using a wire room based in Costs Rica and password protected websites.

“Ralph Perna“

Among those who plead guilty were Ralph V. Perna, Martin Taccetta, John Mangrella, and Matthew Madonna. According to authorities Perna ran the Lucchese family operations in New Jersey along with his two sons who were also indicted and plead guilty. Taccetta is a former leader of the Lucchese family’s New Jersey crew who is currently serving a life sentence for a separate conviction. Mangrella is considered to be a senior member of the New York mafia family and Madonna once served on the families three man ruling panel.

“Martin Taccetta“

Under terms of the plea agreement prosecutors will recommend a prison term of 8 years for the elder Perna and terms of 10 years for each of his sons Joseph Perna and John Perna. Prosecutors will also recommend prison terms of 8 years each for Mangrella, Madonna, and Taccetta.

“Matthew Madonna“

Charges are still pending against Joseph DiNapoli another high ranking Lucchese family member and a third Perna son Ralph M. Perna according to court records.

Lucchese crime family mobster Christopher Londonio and mob associate Terrence Caldwell have been indicted on murder charges in the mob hit on Michael Meldish former leader of the infamous NY Purple Gang. Meldish was shot to death back in November 15, 2013 while sitting in his car in front of his home. According to the Bronx District Attorney’s office both men have been linked to the crime by phone records, license plate readers, and DNA evidence.

The Purple Gang led by Michael and his brother Joseph were a feared crew in the 1970’s and 80’s controlling the Harlem and Bronx heroin trade. The group was affiliated with the New York Mafia through the Lucchese, Bonanno, and Genovese families working in part as muscle and freelance killers. They took the name “Purple Gang” from a feared crew who once ruled in Detroit in the prohibition era and had become a powerful force on streets back in the 1970’s.

At one point authorities believed the group had become powerful enough to ignite a mob war by attempting to become the area’s sixth organized crime group. Then in the mid to late 1980’s the crews power began to dwindle as many of its members were convicted in various drug busts. Authorities say Meldish is believed to have carried out at least 10 hits during the 1970’s and 80’s with his brother Joseph believed to have been part of as many as 70 contract killings. Joe Meldish is currently serving a 12 year sentence for his role in a 1999 mafia hit.

Londonio was out on bail for a Bronx weapons charges indictment before being hit with federal gun charges putting him behind bars while the state presented evidence of his alleged involvement in the Meldish hit. Both defendants have plead not guilty to the charges although Londorio’s attorney Robert Blossner withdrew from the case because an indiclosed conflict of interest. Blossner also represents Lucchese family capo Matthew Madonna who sources say is part of a continuing investigation into the Meldish murder.

Anthony “Big Tony” Moscatiello has been convicted by a Miami jury for the 2001 murder of Miami Subs founder and businessman Konstantinos “Gus” Boulis. Prosecutors proved to the jury that Moscatiello ordered the mob hit on Boulis over a dispute for control of the SunCruz Casinos boat fleet. This brings the case to an end after co-defendant Anthony “Little Tony” Ferrari was convicted back in 2013 and co-defendant James “Pudgy” Fiorillo was allowed to plead guilty to just a conspiracy charge after becoming a government witness.

“Anthony Moscatiello“

According to prosecutors Moscatiello was a member of the Gambino crime family and had ties to former Gambino boss John Gotti. Authorities believed the hit was carried out by a mob associate named John Gurino who was killed back in 2003. Key evidence included calls made from Ferrari to Moscatiello who was at the time in New York along with testimony from other organized crime figures that Big Tony had approached them about getting rid of Boulis before hit man John Gurino.
 
Ferrari has already been sentenced to life in prison and the 77 year old Moscatiello now faces a similar outcome.

Vincent Asaro a former capo in the Bonanno crime family believes the playing field is not level as he heads into his upcoming trial. Asaro is charged with taking part in the infamous Lufthansa heist along with murder and 14 other specified predicate acts of RICO spanning over 45 years. The 80 year old mobster claims prosecutors are acting unfairly by displaying courthouse exhibits of convictions of mobsters like John Gotti and mafia movies like Goodfellas in the lobby. He is also opposed to prosecutors being able to use his previous heroin addiction which he kicked more then 50 years ago.

“Vincent Asaro“

Prosecutors plan to prove his previous addiction to heroin in an attempt to prove that he kicked his habit so he could join the ranks of the New York Mafia. They also hoped to prove that he traded his heroin addiction for a gambling addiction which eventually cost him the majority of the money he pocketed for his role in the Lufthansa robbery and is the reason for his current lack of personal wealth. But Asaro’s defense attorney wants testimony tied to his personal gambling problem prohibited as its not relevant to the charges of illegal gambling. The defense plans to use the claim that if Asaro had made millions from the robbery how could he have so little personal wealth today.

In a bit of irony the Headlines exhibit found in the court house lobby’s Charles P. Sifton Gallery which Asaro wants removed contain accounts and photos of the convictions of former Bonanno family mobsters Joseph Massino and Salvatore Vitale. Both wiseguys would eventually turn rat and are now in line to testify against Asaro in his upcoming racketeering trial. Judge Alynne Ross has agreed to have the displays removed next month before the start of the trial. Definitely seems like the Asaro defense team is pulling at even the smallest string as the evidence the aging mobster will be hard to overcome.

Daniel “Danny” Pagano an alleged captain in the Genovese crime family has been sentenced to two years behind bars after pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges. The year long racketeering conspiracy investigation in Rockland County included loan sharking, illegal gambling, and extortion according to documents. Danny is the son of Joseph Pagano a former mafia hit man for the Genovese family.

“Daniel Pagano“

A prison sentence of between 27 and 33 months was requested of Manhattan Federal Court Judge Ronnie Abrams by prosecutors because he was a repeat offender. The judge said considering Pagano’s long criminal history of eight prior convictions prison was necessary but still sentenced him to the lower end of the sentencing range. The 62 year old wiseguy will also serve three years of supervised release once he is released from prison.

Pagano did time on racketeering charges back in the early 1990’s and according to sources tried to recruit Al Sharpton into a 1980’s mafia plot to deal drugs. Sharpton has always denied that he was part of any wrongdoing and claims he thought Pagano was a music exec and not a mobster.

A probe into organized crime in Cleveland, Ohio has led to the arrest of Gambino crime family mobster Carmine Agnello and members of his crew. Cleveland cops and NYPD combined on the long term probe into organized crime activity including auto theft, extortion, and other crimes. Agnello is the former son-in-law of now deceased Gambino family boss John Gotti marrying his daughter Victoria back in 1984 and later divorcing in 2002.

Agnello was indicted back in 2000 in New York on racketeering charges which included running a racketeering enterprise that controlled the Queens scrap metal industry using arson and extortion. He was sentenced to 9 years in prison in that case and was released from prison back in 2008. He married the daughter of an alleged terrorists who as his cell mate while serving his time in an Ohio federal prison and settled down in a Cleveland suburb.

“Carmine Agnello Arrest“

Authorities have not found any connection so far in the ongoing investigation to the current hierarchy of the Gambino family in New York. It seems that Agnello may have been operating independently and was not kicking up money from the operation to the New York mafia. The Cleveland mafia was dismantled by the feds through out the 80’s and early 90’s and the local Cosa Nostra family has been considered inactive for years. In a press conference local police said this case was built to insure that the mafia doesn’t gain a new foothold in Ohio.

Vincent Asaro a former captain in the Bonanno crime family is scheduled to begin his upcoming trial in October on various charges including having a part in the infamous Lufthansa Height. A new book written by author Daniel Simone with help from former mobster Henry Hill called The Lufthansa Heist: Behind the Six-Million-Dollar Cash Haul That Shook the World claims that Asaro had no part in the crime. Simone claims to have provided “shocking information” in the book which proves that Asaro had no part in things along with claims that John Gotti had a hand in the scheme.

“Vincent Asaro“

Simone said he was shocked at the reports of Asaro’s arrest and charges linked to the 1978 heist because more then one source told him that Asaro had nothing to do with it. He claims he has spoken to several FBI agents and no one has ever mentioned Asaro as being a part of things and claimed the allegations of prosecution of Asaro collecting a $1.5 million share of the loot was inaccurate. According to the author he has been in contact with the defense attorney for Asaro and provided information that they never knew before which could be used as part of the mobsters defense, although these claims have not been confirmed.

Law enforcement sources back up their case and seem confident that claims made by Simone that Gotti had a hand in the heist and Asaro did not will be disproved at the upcoming trial. The book also claims that Gotti personally fired the shots that killed former Lucchese family associate Thomas DeSimone who was played by Joe Pesci in the mob film Goodfellas. Could Asaro really be cleared of the charges linking him to the infamous heist by this new book , well that seems doubtful at this point and many are skeptical of the claims being made in the new mafia book and by its author.

Luca DiMatteo an alleged acting capo in the Colombo crime family and two mob associates have been indicted for racketeering conspiracy. The 10 count indictment includes various charges including illegal sports betting, loansharking, and extortion. The indictment is tied to the mafia activity by the crew from 2009 to 2015 in Brooklyn and other area’s according to court documents. One of the two associates charged in the case was DiMatteo’s nephew Lukey DiMatteo.

“Luca DiMatteo“

DiMatteo is described in court documents as a long time member of the Colombo family of Cosa Nostra serving for several years as an acting captain in charge of a crew of members and associates. According to the feds Luca and Lukey participated in a extortion scheme of a local business which lasted for more then ten years picking up payments every two weeks. They are also each charged with loansharking counts with Lukey separately charged with an additional extortion charge tied to an illegal gambling business being operated out of a Brooklyn gambling club.

The defendants were arraigned in the Brooklyn federal court house before US Magistrate Judge Cheryl Pollak. Acting United States Attorney Cunie said along with the partners in the FBI they are committed to defeating organized crime and will not tolerate the extortion of local business people using violence or the threat of violence and will shut down illegal gambling operations in neighborhoods.

Former Gambino crime family underboss turned rat Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano is seeking a reduction on his 20 year prison sentence which is set to be completed in 2017. Gravano was sentenced to the current 20 year sentence for running a massive ecstasy operation based in Arizona. Sammy the bull made headlines when he turned rat and testified against his fellow mobster and one time Gambino family boss John Gotti. He was rewarded for his cooperation getting a ridiculous deal having to only serve five years on charges which included 19 mafia hits.

“Sammy Gravano“

Federal prosecutors this time around are not backing the mob snitch according to court documents. Brooklyn Federal Judge Allyne Ross was reminded that prosecutors have said all along Gravano deserved more then the 20 year senetence he originally recieved and he benefited then from a cap on his sentencing guidelines. Assistant U.S. Attorney said in court documents that Sammy the bull squandered a chance to live a law abiding life and instead only months after his release launched an illegal drug enterprise.

The now 70 year old Gravano is eligible for a sentence reduction under an amendment to the federal sentencing guidelines which was approved last year. Most would agree it would be shocking if he was able to wiggle in a sentence reduction after all he has done previously.

Anthony “The Genius” Megale the one time underboss of the Gambino crime family passed away from an apparent heart attack. Megale was released from prison back in December after being sentenced to 11 years in prison back in 2006. He was indicted for 38 counts of extortion linked to a tri-state racketeering enterprise that was centered in New York state.

“Anthony Megale“

The Connecticut mobster made his way through the ranks of the Gambino family becoming a capo in 2001 and eventually the families underboss in 2002 after the arrest of Peter Gotti. The veteran New York mafia figure had a fairly long criminal past as a member of the mob before passing away at age of 62.

Richard “Richie From The Bronx” Martino is back on the streets after nine years behind bars for running an illegal internet porn and telephone cramming operation. The consumer fraud scheme was a major money maker for the Gambino crime family running approximately 18 years making an estimated $650 million dollars. Along with his prison sentence Martino was forced to forfeir over $14 million dollars before going to prison back in 2006. According to mob sources the 55 year old mobster is back to mafia business as part of a Gambino family crew now being run by acting capo Andrew “Sonny” Campos.

“Richard Martino“

Martino was a rising star in the Gambino family before his prison stint and was once praised by the former Gambino family boss John Gotti. Back in 1990 Gotti was captured on wire tap telling then consigliere Frank Locasio who proposed Richie from the Bronx for membership that “I want guys that done more than killing, I like the Richies,” he said. “They’re young, twenty something, thirty something … beautiful guys …Ten years from now, these young guys we straightened out, they’re gonna be really proud of them.”

Backed early on by then capo Salvatore “Tore” Locascio who along with long time New York mafia associate Zef Mustafa were also a key part of the profitable consumer scam operation. Both are also still part of the mob crew being run now by Campos according to sources. Whether or not the mobster once known as the mob’s king of phone sex will be able to reach the lofty heights he did in the past again is yet to be seen.

Nicodemo Scarfo Jr the son of former Philadelphia mafia boss Little Nicky Scarfo has been sentenced to 30 years on racketeering and conspiracy charges. He was charged last summer with committing bank fraud and other related offenses in relation to the First Plus Financial scam. Along with the lengthy prison sentence Scarfo has also been ordered to pay over $14 million dollar in restitution for money stolen from First Plus Financial. The 50 year old mobster received a stiff sentence because U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler believed it was warranted because this would be Scarfo’s fifth conviction and his second time in the federal prison system.

“Nicky Scarfo Jr“

Nicky Scarfo Jr is an alleged member of the Lucchese crime family of the New York mafia. In the late 1980’s a battle was under way for control of the Philly mafia which led to as assassination attempt on the Nicky Jr. The hit is believed by many mob sources to have been carried out by mobster Joseph Merlino as a message to the elder Scarfo that he no longer had control of the mafia in Philly. After the attempted hit and fearing for his son’s life the elder Scarfo struck a deal to have his son become a member of the Lucchese family.

In an indictment back in 2010 for gambling and racketeering charges Scarfo was identified as a capo in the Lucchese family and was in control of the families New Jersey based operations. He along with 33 reputed mobsters in the Lucchese family were charged with running what authorities labeled as a $2 billion dollar international sports betting operation. His father and former Lucchese family boss Victor Amuso were named as unindicted coconspirators as part of the First Plus Financial case.

Anthony “Skinny” Santoro a reputed soldier in the Bonanno crime family is making a rather curious bid for a better plea deal offer from the feds. In a letter to Judge Melissa Jackson Santoro describes his propensity to talk crazy and even stupidly at times is actually a therapeutic technique he learned and that prosecutors are inaccurately trying to portray him as being violent. He claims this technique actually keeps him from acting out in a negative way and he is simply misunderstood.

“Anthony Santoro“

He is locked up on charges of enterprise corruption, illegal gambling, and extortion and is looking at a plea deal of 9 to 18 years behind bars which he deemed as outrageously high. In his letter he implores for the judge to step in and settle things fairly since he doesn’t believe he is guilty of enterprise corruption and is ready to plea to one of the underlying charges. Wiretap evidence tells a different story of these “therapy” sessions that the New York mafia soldier claims to have according to prosecutors.

The 52 year old mobster was recorded on wiretap talking to a mob associate saying “I’m gonna split his ­f–king head with a hatchet,” he fumed to an associate about one foe, according to court papers.“I’ll put two holes in his ­f–king forehead. I’ll double-tap his forehead right now!” Although defense laywer Tim Parlatore that his client simply describes himself as being tough but is all bark and no bite and is really nothing more then a big cream puff.

Santoro was busted along with fellow mobsters including Bonanno family captain Nicky “Cigars” Santora back in 2013. Santora inspired the character played by now deceased Bruno Kirby in the hit mafia movie “Donnie Brasco” back in 1997.

Genovese crime family has long been known to control mafia activity in Springfield, Massachusetts and the syndicates crew there now has a new boss. According to sources mobster Albert Calvanese is now the leaders of the Springfield mafia crew for the Genovese family. The 52 year old mobster is known on streets as a fearsome enforcer and was a top earner under former Springfield boss Anthony “Bingy” Arillota. An internal war between the young up and coming Arillota and his mentor Adolfo “Big Al” Bruno threatened to destroy the Genovese family grip on the mob stronghold in the mid 2000’s.

“Albert Calvanese“

Arillotta took control of the mafia crew after he green lighted a hit man which gunned down Bruno in front of his social club in 2003. He was a freshly made guy in the New York Mafia and with in months had been made a captain in the Genovese family after the death of Bruno. His reign wouldn’t last long as he went on to turn rat after being indicted in 2010.

Calvanese plead guilty in 2007 to racketeering and loan sharking charges and quietly did his time finally getting out in 2011. With the Arillotta saga playing out just as he finished up his prison sentence an opening had developed for a new crew leader in Springfield. So now Calvanese takes control and hopes his reign will be longer then that of his predecessor. Investigative reporter Stephanie Barry is credited with the intel on the new appointment via Scott Burnstein and his gangsterreport site.

Donald Trump has long been known as a savvy and successful businessman making billions of dollars through the years from various ventures. The owner of Atlantic City Casino’s and fabulous skyscrapers across New York the often out spoken entrepreneur is now campaigning for the 2016 Presidential election. But with his candidacy comes questions as to how he made his billion dollar fortune and any help he may have had along the way. For decades now there have been allegations that Trump’s empire has had a darker side.

For the past decade there have been allegations of links between Donald Trump and the mafia including both New York and Philadelphia crime families. These possible mob links have been the focus of past news paper reports along with government records. According to some including NY investigative journalist Wayne Barrett the connections between Trump and the mafia are rather extensive. In his book “Trump: The Deals and the Downfall by Barrett, Wayne 1st edition (1992) Hardcover,” he claims that Trump went out his way not to avoid but increase ties with organized crime influence in the New York and New Jersey construction industry in the 80’s and 90’s.

According to records Trump Plaza the Atlantic City Casino built by Trump sits on land purchased from former Philadelphia mobster Salvatore Testa. Barrett notes in his book that the property was purchased by Testa in 1977 for a scant $195,000 and was then sold to Trump in 1982 for a whopping $1.1 million. The purchase of the property at a rate of $220 per square foot was second most expensive purchases Donald made on the block even though it was one of the first purchased writes Barrett. A 1986 New Jersey organized crime report also notes that the casino was built with help of two construction companies controlled by Philadelphia mobsters Nicademo “Little Nicky” Scarfo and Phillip “Crazy Phil” Leonetti.

Trump Plaza condos in Manhattan were built with use of a concrete company S&A which federal court records show was controlled by New York mafia bosses Paul Castellano and Anthony Salerno. Barrett notes in his book that the Trump Towers was built out of concrete instead of steel during a time when the New York mob had control of the majority of the cities concrete industry. During the time when the Trump Tower was built it was nearly impossible for any developer to avoid doing business with the mafia controlled concrete cartel but according to Barrett Trump may have taken the relationship further then he had to.

Trump was part of a 1979 bribery investigation and then a 1981 racketeering probe neither of which led to any kind of charges according to records. None of the possible links between Donald Trump and the mob have ever been substantiated past their basic business ties by law enforcement or anyone else to date. There is no doubt that much of the time Trump did business in the construction industry in both New York and New Jersey that contact with mob controlled companies was almost unavoidable. But it is certain that as Trump’s run to become President of the United States in the 2016 election becomes more extensive so will the scrutiny of these allegations.