Acting Colombo Boss DeLeo Gets 20 Years

Ralp DeLeo, acting Colombo boss, got 20 years in prison.
Ralph DeLeo, a Massachusetts man who prosecutors say was a street boss in New York’s Colombo crime family has been sentenced to almost 20 years in prison on racketeering conspiracy and weapons charges.

He pleaded guilty in May and was sentenced this past Wednesday to 19 years and seven months in prison. He will receive credit for three years he has already served.

Prosecutors said DeLeo was the street boss of the Colombo family and the head of the “DeLeo Crew,” a criminal enterprise based in Somerville that engaged in extortion and loan-sharking, and sold cocaine and marijuana. The crew operated mainly in Massachusetts, Arkansas, Florida and New York.

DeLeo’s attorney, Tim Watkins, said the 69-year-old DeLeo “stood up to take his punishment” for things he has now put behind him," according to the AP.

On December 17, 2009, the FBI charged members of the Colombo family with allegedly engaging in drug trafficking, extortion and loansharking. The crew was operating in Massachusetts, Arkansas, Rhode Island, New York and Florida. The leader of the crew is the current "Street Boss", Ralph F. DeLeo. He grabbed a piece of territory in Boston for the family. As the new street boss, DeLeo is not a New York City based mobster. He met Alphonse Persico in prison in the early 1990s and when he was released he became a made member in the family. DeLeo became street boss after the Gioeli arrest in 2008.

In June 2008, Colombo acting boss Thomas "Tommy Shots" Gioeli, underboss John "Sonny" Franzese, former consigliere Joel "Joe Waverly" Cacace, captain Dino Calabro, mob soldier Dino Saracino and several members and associates were indicted on multiple racketeering charges.


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