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.

Lucchese raids net 29 arrests

Two sets of raids on the Lucchese Crime Family of New York resulted in 29 arrests on Oct. 1.

Among those arrested on state enterprise corruption, bribery and other charges were two reputed members of the organization's leadership panel, Joseph DiNapoli, 74, of the Bronx, and Matthew Madonna, 73, of Selden.

Six years for DiNunzio

The New England Crime Family's Boston-based underboss, Carmen "Cheese Man" DiNunzio, was sentenced Sept. 24 to serve six years in prison after pleading guilty of bribery charges.

Gotti's fourth trial opens

John A. "Junior" Gotti's fourth racketeering trial in the past five years opened today in New York.

Carneglia gets life in prison

Gambino Crime Family soldier Charles Carneglia was sentenced Sept. 17 to life in prison for a racketeering and murder conviction.