House arrest follows mob Christmas party

Philadelphia racketeer Steven Mazzone, 46, was sentenced Feb. 18 to six months of electronically monitored house arrest after being found in violation of his probation, according to a story by George Anastasia of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Mazzone, released from prison last year after serving most of a nine-year racketeering sentence, violated the terms of his probation by attending a South Philadelphia "Cosa Nostra" Christmas party on Dec. 17.

According to authorities, the annual party draws area Mafiosi, who each bring cash gifts for the regional crime boss. Philadelphia organized crime investigators followed reputed mob boss Joseph Ligambi and a reputed top lieutenant Anthony Staino to the event at a South Seventh Street restaurant. They noted the presence of Mazzone, Martin Angelina, Michael Lancelotti, Anthony Nicodemo, Gaetan Lucibello, Joseph Massimino and Joseph Licata.

Federal prosecutors asked that Mazzone be returned to prison for four months. Mazzone admitted to making a mistake and requested some form of house arrest.

Montreal Mafioso fined $209K

The 85-year-old reputed head of the Montreal Mafia was fined $209,200 in early February for not paying Canadian taxes on more than $5 million hidden in three Swiss bank accounts, according to a story by Stephane Tremblay in the Toronto Sun. Nicolo Rizzuto pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges. Rizzuto was arrested in a massive raid against alleged organized criminals in 2006. He was sentenced to four years in prison for possessing the proceeds of crime. He was released on parole in 2008. Rizzuto's 42-year-old grandson was murdered in Montreal in December 2009.

Read more about the Rizzuto Mafia:
The Sixth Family: The Collapse of the New York Mafia and the Rise of Vito Rizzuto

Gioeli suffers stroke in prison

Reputed Colombo Family bigshot Tommy "Shots" Gioeli, in custody awaiting trial on racketeering and murder charges, suffered a stroke in early February, according to a story by John Marzulli of the New York Daily News. He was rushed from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to an unidentified hospital. Authorities noted that Gioeli, reportedly a diabetic, had made a number of junk food purchases from the detention center commissary.

Informants to testify on Dols murder

Federal prosecutors intend to use two new informants to bolster their racketeering murder cases against reputed Colombo Family leader Thomas "Tommy Shots" Gioeli and reputed consigliere Joel "Joe Waverly" Cacace, according to an article by Jerry Capeci in the Huffington Post. The informants are "Big Dino" Calabro and Frankie "Blue Eyes" Sparaco.

Gioeli and Cacace are charged with six murders including the 1997 killing of New York City Police Officer Ralph Dols. Calabro reportedly served as triggerman in the Dols murder. Sparaco, old friend of imprisoned acting boss Alphonse Persico, was arrested in 1993 and charged with killings linked to a civil war within the Colombo Family.

DeLeo case based on cellphone tap

A federal racketeering case against Ralph DeLeo, 66, of Somerville, MA, is based in large part upon a tap of DeLeo's cellphone from January through November of 2009, according to a report by Shelley Murphy of the Boston Globe. In December, DeLeo was indicted for racketeering conspiracy. The indictment names him the "street boss" of New York City's Colombo Crime Family as well as leader of an underworld crew operating in Greater Boston. DeLeo is being held in Arkansas, where he also faces cocaine trafficking charges.

In addition to DeLeo, the indictment also names Franklin M. Goldman, 66, of Randolph, MA; Edmond Kulesza, 56, of Somerville; and George Wiley Thompson, 54, of Cabot, Arkansas, as participants in a plot to distribute marijuana and cocaine, to extort money from victims and to collect loansharking debts.

Prosecutors say DeLeo ran Colombo rackets for most of 2009, reporting to boss Carmine "the Snake" Persico and his son Alphonse "Allie Boy" Persico, both imprisoned.

Feds won't try Gotti a fifth time

Federal prosecutors announced that they will not pursue a fifth racketeering trial for John A. "Junior" Gotti, according to a story by Alison Gendar, Stephen Barcelo and Bill Hutchinson of the New York Daily News. Gotti, 45-year-old son of the late Gambino Crime Family boss John J. Gotti, was tried four times. Each trial ended with a hung jury. The decision was reached six weeks after the latest mistrial.

Merola pleads guilty to racketeering

Andrew Merola, reputed high-ranking member of the Gambino Crime Family in New Jersey, pleaded guilty in early January to one count of racketeering conspiracy, according to an Associated Press report.

Merola, a resident of East Hanover, NJ, was one of 23 reputed Mafiosi arrested in May 2008. He admitted to participation in a crime ring that extorted money from lunch truck vendors and used fake barcodes to buy goods from chain stores at reduced prices.

Younger Rizzuto shot to death in Montreal

Nicolo "Nick" Rizzuto, son of reputed Montreal Mafia boss Vito Rizzuto, was shot to death in Old Montreal on Dec. 28.

Vito Rizzuto is serving time in a U.S. prison for his involvement in several New York murders.

Authorities believe the murder of Nick Rizzuto represents a power struggle among Canadian underworld factions and could lead to violent reprisals.

Two plead guilty to Hydell murder

Two Gambino Crime Family associates, Letterio DeCarlo, 47, and Thomas Dono, 34, pleaded guilty Dec. 21 to conspiring in the April 28, 1998, murder of suspected Gambino turncoat Frank Hydell. The men also admitted participating in an illegal gambling business in the late 1990s.

Massachusetts man charged as NY leader

A 66-year-old Somerville Massachusetts man, Ralph F. DeLeo, was indicted Dec. 17 as the "street boss" of the New York-based Colombo Crime Family.

DeLeo has been charged with commanding an interstate crew engaged in narcotics trafficking, extortion and loan sharking.

A fourth mistrial for Gotti

For the fourth time in five years, a federal racketeering case against John A. "Junior" Gotti ended Dec. 1 with a hung jury.

Gotti argued that he long ago ended his association with the Gambino Crime Family once commanded by his father, John J. Gotti. The defense timeline puts any organized crime offenses committed by Gotti outside of the federal statute of limitations.

DePalma dies in prison at 77

Gambino Crime Family capodecina Gregory DePalma of Scarsdale NY died Nov. 18 at age 77 at the Butner Federal Medical Prison in North Carolina.

New England leadership moves to Boston

New England media are reporting a shift in the leadership of the regional Mafia. The Boston area faction is increasing in importance as Bostonian Peter Limone has reportedly replaced Providence-based Luigi Manocchio as boss.

Anastasia nephew convicted of racketeering

Anthony "Todo" Anastasio, 80, was convicted Oct. 27 in Brooklyn Federal Court of racketeering and extortion charges.

Anastasio is the nephew of legendary Gambino Crime Family boss Albert Anastasia.

FBI rounds up Bonannos

Fifteen alleged leaders, members and associates of the Bonanno Crime Family were rounded up by the FBI on Oct. 7.

Federal prosecutors say one of those arrested, Joseph "Sammy" Sammartino, 55, of North Arlington NJ, has been a member of the Bonanno ruling panel.