A sweeping indictment unsealed in Brooklyn federal court has brought significant attention to the Gambino Crime Family Today, charging ten individuals with a range of offenses including racketeering conspiracy, extortion, witness retaliation, and union-related crimes. These charges highlight the ongoing efforts of the Gambino organization to exert control over New York’s carting and demolition industries. All ten defendants were taken into custody and arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Ramon E. Reyes, Jr. Simultaneous to these arrests, federal authorities executed search warrants, notably seizing multiple firearms from an associate linked to the Gambino crime family.
In a parallel operation demonstrating international cooperation, Italian law enforcement apprehended six individuals in Italy, also identified as members and associates of organized crime. These individuals face charges including mafia association and related criminal offenses. One suspect remains at large in Italy.
The list of defendants includes Joseph Lanni, known as “Joe Brooklyn” and “Mommino,” identified as an alleged captain within the Gambino crime family. Alongside him are Diego “Danny” Tantillo, Angelo Gradilone, known as “Fifi,” and James LaForte, all alleged to be soldiers in the Gambino ranks. Vito Rappa, described as an alleged U.S.-based Sicilian Mafia member and Gambino associate, and Francesco Vicari, known as “Uncle Ciccio,” an alleged U.S.-based Sicilian Mafia associate and Gambino associate, are also among those charged. Completing the list are Salvatore DiLorenzo, Robert Brooke, Kyle Johnson, known as “Twin,” and Vincent Minsquero, known as “Vinny Slick,” all alleged Gambino associates.
The announcement of these charges was made jointly by Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), and Elizabeth Crotty, Commissioner and Chair, New York City Business Integrity Commission (BIC).
According to United States Attorney Breon Peace, the defendants are accused of perpetrating years of violent extortions, assaults, arson, witness retaliation, and other crimes aimed at dominating the New York carting and demolition sectors. He emphasized that these arrests underscore the dedication of law enforcement, both domestically and internationally, to ensuring community safety through the complete dismantling of organized crime.
Mr. Peace also extended gratitude to the New York Waterfront Commission and Italian law enforcement partners, specifically mentioning the Prosecutor of Palermo, the Polizia di Stato, the Servizio Centrale Operativo, and the Squadra Mobile of Palermo, for their crucial collaboration.
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith stated that these arrests serve as a stark warning, highlighting the unified front of the FBI with local and international law enforcement in combating organized crime. He affirmed the FBI’s commitment to leading the fight against organized crime and ensuring that those who engage in such activities are brought to justice.
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban echoed this sentiment, asserting that the arrests should dispel any notion of operating with impunity. He reiterated the NYPD’s resolve, alongside law enforcement partners, to dismantle traditional organized crime wherever it operates.
DOL-OIG Special Agent-in Charge Jonathan Mellone highlighted the importance of investigating fraud allegations involving labor unions and affiliated employee benefit plans, reinforcing their ongoing commitment to these investigations.
BIC Commissioner and Chair Elizabeth Crotty emphasized that these investigations are central to BIC’s mission of safeguarding regulated industries from public safety risks. She stated that the arrests demonstrate that the influence of organized crime will consistently be challenged and thanked the NYPD, FBI, EDNY, and other agency partners for their collaborative efforts in this case.
Extortion and Violence: Methods of Control
Court filings detail how members and associates of the Gambino crime family allegedly employed violent extortion, fraud, theft, and embezzlement to infiltrate the carting and demolition industries. Their objective was to enrich themselves and the Gambino family, including through money laundering of criminal proceeds. One illustrative instance cited is a violent hammer assault coordinated by Tantillo and Johnson on a dispatcher from Demolition Company 1 amidst a financial dispute. This attack resulted in serious injuries to the dispatcher.
Tantillo, Rappa, Vicari, and Johnson are specifically accused of a violent extortion conspiracy targeting John Doe 1, a carting business operator in New York City. The alleged scheme involved threats with a bat, arson at John Doe 1’s residence, attempts to damage his trucks, and a violent assault on an associate. Wiretaps reportedly captured Tantillo and Vicari discussing threats made to John Doe 1 and his father-in-law. In one recorded conversation, Rappa recounted Vicari’s aggressive demeanor, describing him wielding a knife and threatening to cut John Doe 1 in half to coerce extortion payments. Following a $4,000 payment from John Doe 1 to Vicari, Vicari and Rappa allegedly celebrated by sending Tantillo a photo of Vicari toasting with a champagne bottle.
Further allegations detail two separate violent extortion schemes by Tantillo, Brooke, and Johnson against Demolition Company 1 and its owners, purportedly over debts owed to Tantillo and a company he operated with Brooke. Brooke is accused of violently assaulting one of the owners in midtown Manhattan. The hammer assault on the Demolition Company 1 dispatcher, previously mentioned, is another example of their violent tactics. Images of the injured dispatcher were reportedly circulated within the carting and demolition industries.
Fraudulent Schemes and Union Crimes
Beyond extortion, the indictment outlines a series of fraudulent activities and union-related crimes. The defendants allegedly engaged in schemes to steal and embezzle from unions and employee benefit plans, as well as rig bids for demolition and carting contracts. DiLorenzo is accused of providing Rappa with a “no-show” job at his demolition company, enabling Rappa to receive paychecks and union health benefits without actually working. Similarly, Tantillo allegedly arranged a “no-show” job for Gradilone at a construction company, granting him unauthorized paychecks and union benefits. Tantillo and Johnson also conspired to obtain a “no-show” job for Johnson for the same purpose of fraudulently acquiring union health benefits.
Embezzlement from employee benefit plans is also attributed to Tantillo, who allegedly used laborers from a non-union company, Gane Services, Inc., for work at his union companies, while failing to make required contributions to benefit plans under collective bargaining agreements. Bid rigging for lucrative demolition contracts in New York City is another charge, with Tantillo and DiLorenzo allegedly coordinating bid information exchange between their companies to secure a Fifth Avenue project.
Additional Criminal Conduct and Scope
The alleged criminal activities extend beyond the carting and demolition industries, spanning from 2017 through 2023 across New York and New Jersey. These include additional extortions, witness retaliation against a federal witness, and money laundering. In September 2023, Lanni and Minsquero allegedly coordinated an assault on restaurant proprietors in New Jersey, including a violent assault on a woman at knifepoint. Additionally, LaForte is charged with illegal firearm possession in May 2023, having previously been convicted of a felony.
It is important to remember that these charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The potential sentences for the defendants range from 20 to 180 years’ imprisonment, depending on the charges.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section, with Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew R. Galeotti, Anna L. Karamigios, and Andrew M. Roddin leading the case, supported by Paralegal Specialist Emme Moosher.
The Defendants Listed Are:
- JOSEPH LANNI (also known as “Joe Brooklyn” and “Mommino”)
- DIEGO TANTILLO (also known as “Danny” and “Daniel”)
- ROBERT BROOKE
- SALVATORE DILORENZO
- ANGELO GRADILONE (also known as “Fifi”)
- KYLE JOHNSON (also known as “Twin”)
- JAMES LAFORTE (also known as “Jimmy”)
- VINCENT MINSQUERO (also known as “Vinny Slick”)
- VITO RAPPA (also known as “Vi”)
- FRANCESCO VICARI (also known as “Frank” and “Uncle Ciccio”)
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-443
