Friends of Ours

Federal Prosecutors Charge Genovese Capo

Daniel Pagano, a reputed Genovese capo and one-time pal of Rev. Al Sharpton, was arrested yesterday at his home in Ramapo, NY "on racketeering charges involving loan sharking, extortion and illegal gambling" as reported by Rich Calder for the New York Post.

This "is not Pagano's first brush with the law" as reported by Steve Lieberman for The Journal News:

He was sentenced to nearly nine years in federal prison after being convicted in 1998 of leading a tax scam related to bootleg gasoline sales involving Russian mob figures.  He also served three years in New York state prison from 1990 to 1993 for gambling and loan sharking.

The poor thing is just a bad seed who came from bad stock; after all, Pagano's dad was Genovese boss Joseph Pagano.  It's a shame the state isn't allowed to sterilize mobsters to prevent them from procreating.

Further reading that may be of interest:

Was Al Sharpton An Uncle Tom?

Two Alleged Genovese Mobsters Sentenced In Online Sports Betting Operation

Pat "Uncle Pat" Pirozzi and John "Johnny Fugazi" Breheney were sentenced to 22 months and 38 months, respectively, for their roles in operating a sports betting website allegedly tied to reputed Genovese capo Joseph Lascala in North Jersey as reported by Ted Sherman for The Star-Ledger:  "law enforcement officials said the mob has increasingly looked to expand its reach with the internet."  Pirozzi and Bregeney were among 13 arrested in May 2012 for their alleged roles in the online operation, and eight defendants have pleaded guilty although 80-year-old Lascala is holding out for a trial.

Earlier coverage:

Feds:  Genovese Crew Busted In North Jersey

Joseph Isgro Charged For Alleged Role In Gambino-Operated Gambling Ring

Joseph Isgro, a Hollywood power broker and reputed Gambino soldier, has been charged by the Manhattan district attorney for his alleged role in a sports book ring as reported by James C. McKinley Jr. for The New York Times:

An indictment unsealed last week characterized Mr. Isgro as a Gambino soldier who conspired with Joseph Giordano, a Gambino capo and bookmaker, to set up an operation that used offshore wire rooms in Costa Rica, under the names Elite and Cristal, and took bets from people in the United States. Mr. Giordano died of cancer in prison in October.  Another alleged Gambino associate, Leonard Rapisardi, was also charged in the conspiracy, along with two men accused of managing the wire room in Costa Rica and three people in Arizona who the authorities said developed bookmaking software for the ring.

A record-promoting payola case was dismissed against Isgro in 1990, and he later produced the Oscar-nominated film Hoffa.

Two More Guilty Pleas In Racketeering Case Targeting North Jersey Genovese Crew

Joseph Graziano and Dominick Barone have pleaded guilty to racketeering charges for their roles in operating a sports betting website allegedly tied to reputed Genovese mobster Joseph Lascala in North Jersey as reported by Katie Lannon for NJ.com:  "members of LaScala's crew used the website to track wagers placed by their bettors, though they would collect or pay out money in person, according to court documents."

Earlier coverage:

Feds:  Genovese Crew Busted In North Jersey

Nicky Mouth Rejects Plea Deal

Suspected Bonanno crew leader Nicholas "Nicky Mouth" Santora has rejected a plea deal from the Manhattan DA pursuant to which he would plead guilty to enterprise corruption in exchange for a 7-to-21 year prison term as reported by the New York Post:

"There's absolutely no way he's taking that disposition.  He's not involved in enterprise corruption," his defense lawyer Michael Alber said.  "The prosecution is seeking to link people some who don't even recognize each other except when they come to court."

Santora and seven others were charged last year with enterprise corruption -- New York's version of federal racketeering -- for their various alleged roles with operating an online sports betting operation in Costa Rica, corrupting Teamsters Local 917 on Long Island and trafficking in narcotics and other drugs over the internet.

Earlier coverage:

Manhattan DA Steps Into The Breach After FBI's Dereliction Of Duty; Sweeping Charges Against Bonanno Crew

Helly Nahmad Reports To Federal Prison

Earlier this year international playboy and art dealer Hillel Nahmad was sentenced to a year of hard time for his role in a high-stakes gambling ring with suspected ties to reputed Russian gangsters, and now the sad sack has reported to a federal prison in Otisville, NY as reported by the New York Post.

Sentencing judge Jesse Furman had rejected Nahmad's plea for community service -- the rich boy wanted to teach art history to homeless kids --  instead of prison time as reported by Bloomberg:

Furman said he was "stunned" by the request by Nahmad's defense team, saying, "to sentence him to something he professes to love and allow his family's wealth to bail him out would not be punishment. It would not promote respect for the law, it would breed contempt for the law."

Nahmad was represented by criminal defense lawyer Benjamin Brafman who  previously insisted on his client's innocence as previously reported by Vivian Yee for The New York Times:

"We do not believe that Mr. Nahmad has knowingly violated the law." He also said, "We anticipate that he will be fully exonerated."

Apparently Mr. Brafman was wrong about that.

Earlier coverage:

Helly Nahmad Pleads Guilty To Gambling Charge

Enterprise Corruption Indictment Stands Against Suspected Bonanno Crew

A New York judge has refused to dismiss the criminal indictment brought by the Manhattan District Attorney against a suspected Bonnano crew allegedly headed by Nicholas "Nicky Mouth" Santora as reported by CBS News.  No surprise there.  The eight defendants are charged with enterprise corruption -- New York's version of federal racketeering -- for their various alleged roles with operating an online sports betting operation in Costa Rica, corrupting Teamsters Local 917 on Long Island and trafficking in narcotics and other drugs over the internet.

Earlier coverage:

Manhattan DA Steps Into The Breach After FBI's Dereliction Of Duty; Sweeping Charges Against Bonanno Crew

Eric Esposito Gets 27 Months

Reputed Philly mob soldier Eric Esposito has been sentenced to 27 months in the federal pen after his conviction earlier this year "for running an illegal gambling business" as reported by Dylan Segelbaum for the Daily News.

Mob Rat Committed Crimes In Witness Protection

These guys just can't help themselves.

Former Bonanno mobster Francesco "Frank" Fiordilino was supposed to keep his nose clean in the witness protection program but he's "admitted to illegal gambling and collecting debts for people he owned money while he was testifying for the federal government last year in the murder trial of Gambino capo Bartolomeo Vernance" as reported by John Marzulli for the Daily News:  "his new crimes have enraged prosecutors because it could toss Vernance's conviction into jeopardy."

Earlier coverage:

Federal Jury Convicts Gambino Mobster Bartolomeo Vernance For Racketeering Conspiracy

Miami Cops: Bar Maid Ran Watering Hole As A Racketeering Enterprise

Talk about leveraging your investment.

Tracey Leanne Gelb has been charged with running a drug operation and gambling racket out of Our Place Lounge as reported by Charles Rabin for the Miami Herald.

What?!  No money laundering charges arising from the alleged activities at her cash business?