Friends of Ours

Asset Seizure Hits Santapaola Clan

Italian authorities have seized assets worth 1.5 million euros ($1.9 million) from Alfio and Salvatore Tancona who allegedly are high-ranking members of the Santapaola clan from Cosa Nostra or the Sicilian Mafia which operates in the island's east coast city of Catania as reported by ANSA.  Earlier this year anti-Mafia police targeted the clan in a raid with 22 arrests.

Four Gangbangers Charged In Mob Hit

Montreal police have arrested four men for their alleged roles in the January hit against Gaétan Gosselin as reported by The Gazette:  "police commander Ian Lafrenière said Wednesday that the murder suspects are high-ranking street gang members believed to be contracted by the Italian mob."

Gosselin was the former brother-in-law of Raynald Desjardins who is awaiting trial for his alleged role in the November 2011 slaying of ex-Bonanno boss Salvatore "Sal the Ironworker" Montagna.

Police allege that Desjardins ordered Montagna hit after their failed bid to wrest control of the Montreal Mafia from reputed boss Vito Rizzuto as he served time in a U.S. prison on a racketeering conviction involving the 1981 murders of three Bonanno capos in New York City. 

Rizzutto was released last October.

Italian Judge Charged With Money Laundering

A judge, two cops and several lawyers and accountants are among the thirty-four defendants arrested for their alleged roles in a mob-tied money laundering operation across Italy as reported by ANSA.

Mob Boss Cries Uncle

After three years on the lam Giuseppe Pesce, the acting boss of the Rosarno clan from the 'Ndrangheta or Calabrian Mafia, has surrendered to authorities as reported by ANSA:

"Enough, I'm tired of running. Better to end it here," Pesce reportedly told his defense lawyers, Gregorio Cacciola and Benito Infantino, when he asked them to take him to police.

Turns out the life is not so sweet.

From Good Life To House Arrest; Italian Authorities Seize Reputed Mobster's Accumulated Wealth

Italian police seized assets worth 16 million euros ($20.6 million) including real estate and luxury goods in connection with a money laundering investigation into reputed Sicilian mobser Salvatore Milano who is under house arrest as reported by ANSA.