Among those arrested was Carmine Franco who owned and controlled several waste disposal businesses over the past 30 years.
“Franco extorted the proceeds of those businesses from the Controlled Owners , directed and participated in the theft and interstate transportation of property associated with those businesses” and met with other members of the criminal enterprise,” authorities reported.
Police also believe that the mobsters came together for communal “sit-downs” to discuss who took possession and interest in a particular business.
One of the mobsters even served in a government capacity.
Forty-four-year-old Mario Velez served as a New York State Trooper and a high school resource counselor all while allegedly committing extortion.
The defendants face charges of racketeering, extortion, mail and wire fraud as well as conspiracy to transport stolen property.
Reblogged this on Habari Gani, America! and commented:
“The indictments show the ongoing threat posed by mob families and their criminal associates. In addition to the violence that often accompanies their schemes, the economic impact amounts to a mob tax on goods and services. The arrests – the culmination of a long and thorough investigation – also show the ongoing determination of the FBI to diminishing the influence of La Cosa Nostra,” said George C. Venizelos, the FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge.”