In a significant crackdown on organized crime, ten individuals allegedly associated with the Gambino crime family have been indicted in Brooklyn federal court on charges including racketeering conspiracy, extortion, witness retaliation, and union-related offenses. The charges stem from an elaborate scheme to infiltrate and control New York City’s lucrative carting and demolition industries, revealing the persistent grip of mafia influence on key sectors. The coordinated operation also extended internationally, with Italian law enforcement arresting six additional individuals linked to the same criminal network, showcasing a united front against transnational organized crime.
Major Indictment Exposes Deep-Rooted Criminality
The 16-count indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of New York details a pattern of criminal activity designed to enrich the Gambino crime family and its associates through illicit control of the waste disposal and demolition sectors. Those arrested in the United States include Joseph Lanni, known as “Joe Brooklyn” and allegedly a captain within the Gambino family, and reputed soldiers Diego “Danny” Tantillo, Angelo Gradilone, and James LaForte. Vito Rappa and Francesco Vicari, alleged to have ties to the Sicilian Mafia and Gambino associates, along with Salvatore DiLorenzo, Robert Brooke, Kyle Johnson, and Vincent Minsquero, also face serious charges.
These arrests followed the execution of search warrants, one of which led to the seizure of firearms from a Gambino family associate, underscoring the violent nature of these alleged criminal operations. The coordinated effort involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, the New York City Police Department, and the New York City Business Integrity Commission, highlighting a multi-pronged approach to dismantling organized crime.
Alleged Crimes: Extortion, Violence, and Fraud
According to court filings, the Gambino group’s strategy involved a range of illegal activities to dominate their chosen industries. Extortion was a primary tool, with victims in the carting business facing threats, arson, and violent assaults to ensure compliance and payment of illegal dues. In one particularly egregious instance, Diego Tantillo and Kyle Johnson allegedly orchestrated a brutal hammer attack on a dispatcher from Demolition Company 1 amidst a financial dispute, leaving the victim severely injured and sending a chilling message throughout the industry.
The indictment outlines specific extortion schemes, including one targeting a carting business operator, John Doe 1. This victim was reportedly subjected to threats with a bat, arson at his residence, and attacks on his trucks and associates. Wiretaps captured Tantillo and Vicari discussing these threats, with Vicari boasting about threatening to cut the victim’s father-in-law “in half” to force extortion payments. After a $4,000 payment was made, Vicari and Rappa allegedly celebrated with a champagne toast, demonstrating their brazen attitude towards their criminal acts.
Beyond extortion, the defendants are accused of engaging in fraudulent schemes and union-related crimes. These included providing “no-show” jobs to associates like Vito Rappa and Angelo Gradilone at demolition and construction companies, allowing them to receive paychecks and union health benefits fraudulently. Tantillo is further accused of embezzling from employee benefit plans by using non-union labor for union jobs, avoiding required contributions. Bid rigging for demolition contracts was also allegedly employed to secure lucrative projects, further cementing their illegal control over the industry.
Wider Criminal Activities and International Reach
The indictment extends beyond the carting and demolition industries, detailing other alleged crimes committed by the defendants across New York and New Jersey from 2017 to 2023. These include additional extortions, witness retaliation, and money laundering. Notably, Joseph Lanni and Vincent Minsquero are accused of coordinating a violent assault at a New Jersey restaurant in September 2023, involving a physical attack on a woman at knifepoint. James LaForte is also charged with illegal firearm possession as a convicted felon.
The international aspect of the operation, with arrests in Italy, underscores the global nature of organized crime and the necessity for international cooperation to combat it effectively. The involvement of Italian law enforcement highlights the interconnectedness of mafia groups and the shared commitment of law enforcement agencies worldwide to dismantling these criminal networks.
Law Enforcement Vows to Combat Organized Crime
United States Attorney Breon Peace emphasized the commitment to public safety, stating, “Today’s arrests reflect the commitment of this Office and our law enforcement partners, both here and abroad, to keep our communities safe by the complete dismantling of organized crime.” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge James Smith echoed this sentiment, warning criminals that the FBI is united with local and international partners to eradicate organized crime.
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban and BIC Commissioner Elizabeth Crotty also affirmed their agencies’ dedication to ensuring public safety and business integrity, emphasizing that organized crime’s influence will be relentlessly challenged. The charges and arrests represent a significant step in disrupting the Gambino crime family’s operations and sending a clear message that law enforcement remains vigilant in its fight against organized crime and its corrosive effects on legitimate industries.
The Defendants:
JOSEPH LANNI (also known as “Joe Brooklyn” and “Mommino”)
Age: 52
Staten Island, New York
DIEGO TANTILLO (also known as “Danny” and “Daniel”)
Age: 48
Freehold, New Jersey
ROBERT BROOKE
Age: 55
New York, New York
SALVATORE DILORENZO
Age: 66
Oceanside, New York
ANGELO GRADILONE (also known as “Fifi”)
Age: 57
Staten Island, New York
KYLE JOHNSON (also known as “Twin”)
Age: 46
Bronx, New York
JAMES LAFORTE (also known as “Jimmy”)
Age: 46
New York, New York
VINCENT MINSQUERO (also known as “Vinny Slick”)
Age: 36
Staten Island, New York
VITO RAPPA (also known as “Vi”)
Age: 46
East Brunswick, New Jersey
FRANCESCO VICARI (also known as “Frank” and “Uncle Ciccio”)
Age: 46
Elmont, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-443
