(NewsInsights.org) – Federal law enforcement coordinated locally and internationally to make a set of major arrests. The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced the court unsealed a 16-count indictment on Thursday, November 8, against 10 members of the notorious Gambino family and their associates for their attempts to control the demolition and trash-hauling businesses in New York City (NYC).
The Justice Department (DOJ) announced the culmination of a joint effort with the FBI, the US Department of Labor’s Inspector General, the New York City Police Department, the New York Waterfront Commission, and the New York City Business Integrity Commission. The indictment alleges the 10 defendants used racketeering, violent extortion, arson, assault, and witness retaliation, among other crimes, to monopolize the NYC carting and demolition sectors.
The defendants include Angelo “Fifi” Gradilone, 57, Joseph “Joe Brooklyn” Lanni, 52, and Vincent “Vinny Slick” Minsquero, 36, of Staten Island; Robert Brooke, 55, and James LaForte, 46, of New York; Salvatore DiLorenzo, 66, of Oceanside, New York; Vito “Vi” Rappa, 46, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Diego “Danny” Tantillo, 48, of Freehold, New Jersey; Kyle “Twin” Johnson, 46, of the Bronx; and Francesco “Uncle Ciccio” Vicari, 46, of Elmont, New York.
Additionally, the FBI coordinated with law enforcement partners in Italy, including the Polizia di Stato, the Prosecutor of Palermo, the Squadra Mobile of Palermo, and the Servizio Centrale Operativo. Italian law enforcement arrested six Gambino family associates simultaneously with the New York indictments. One individual remained at large.
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge James Smith said defendants in the US and Italy “learned the hard way” how united the FBI can operate with other agencies to eliminate organized crime.
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban vowed his officers would “continue to take down members of traditional organized crime wherever they may operate.”
The DOJ briefing also described key anonymous crime victims who will likely enter witness protection programs after testifying against the Gambino family. Their testimony will likely provide pivotal confirmation of the allegations. While law enforcement officials worked tirelessly to build the case, they also owe a debt of gratitude to the witnesses.
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