Earlier today, on August 16, 2022, two indictments were unsealed from a federal court in Brooklyn that charged nine defendants –all of whom were associates, soldiers, or captains of the Genovese and Bonanno organized crime families– with money laundering conspiracy, illegal gambling, obstruction of justice, racketeering, and related offenses.
Story by Jamal
The Bonanno family members charged with racketeering are Anthony Pipitone, Vito Pipitone, Agostino Gabriele. The Genovese family members similarly charged include Carmelo Polito, Joseph Macario, Salvatore Rubino and Joseph Rutigliano.
Seven of these eight arrested defendants are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho. Jose. Genovese associate Joseph Rutigliano is still actively being pursued.
While the United States Attorney Mr. Peace expresses the triumph for justice this arrest represents, he also concedes that the Mafia’s persistence on advancing their illicit activities remains undeterred. Mr. Peace revealed in his press conference that the crime families orchestrated their criminal schemes through ostensibly innocuous establishments such as coffee bars, soccer clubs, and shoe repair shops. Additionally, Mr. Peace somberly expressed his criticism of Detective Hector Rosario from the Nassau County Police for his collusion with the criminals through the misdirection of police resources to competing soccer clubs.
The illicit financial enterprises of the organized crime families were described as being a “lucrative gambling operation” that earned its profits through racketeering; ultimately endowing the officials of the crime family with sizable personal funds.
The government’s case is being developed by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section while Assistant United States Attorneys Tanya Hajjar, Drew Rolle, Anna Karamigios, and Special assistant United States Attorney Abigail Marguiles are handling the prosecution.
