Friday, September 7, 2007

Probe found mob behind NYC school bus union

An independent probe of a 15,000-member school bus drivers union in New York City has uncovered evidence that "organized crime has infiltrated and controlled" it, according to a story by Steven Greenhouse of the New York Times.

A report written by independent counsel Richard W. Mark in January was made public yesterday by some members of Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union. That report indicated that top union officials were engaged in extortion, kickbacks and bribes.

Former president of the local, Salvatore Battaglia, is facing federal trial on extortion charges and bribery. Battaglia has pleaded not guity to the charges. Secretary-Treasurer Julius Bernstein was forced to resign as he pleaded guilty to obstructing justice.

Matthew "Matty the Horse" Ianniello (left), reputed ex-boss of the Genovese Crime Family, acknowledged a year ago that he arranged illegal payoffs for the union leadership. He pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice.

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Writer, editor, researcher, web publisher, specializing in organized crime history. (Available to assist with historical/genealogical research, writing, editing. Email at tphunt@gmail.com.)
Editor/publisher of crime history journal, Informer; publisher of American Mafia history website Mafiahistory.us; moderator of online forums; author of Wrongly Executed?; coauthor of Deep Water: Joseph P. Macheca and the Birth of the American Mafia and DiCarlo: Buffalo's First Family of Crime; contributor of U.S. Mafia history to Australian-published Mafia: The Necessary Reference to Organized Crime; writer/co-writer of crime history articles for several publications.
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