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Luchese Soldier, Others Indicted For Operating Longtime Illegal Gambling Business

By Ed Scarpo
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On September 14, in Federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging six defendants for their roles overseeing and operating a large-scale illegal, online gambling business under the protection of the Luchese organized crime family. In operation for more than 15 years, the gambling business known as “Rhino Sports,” utilized an offshore website and dozens of bookmakers in the New York area to take millions in illegal sports bets.  Anthony Villani, middle, from 2020, as he meets with other alleged Luchese wiseguys. Four of the defendants, Luchese crime family soldier Anthony Villani and associates Louis Tucci, Jr., Dennis Filizzola and James Coumoutsos, were arrested at their residences in the New York area.  A fifth defendant, bookmaker Michael Praino, was arrested in West Palm Beach, Florida. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office
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Anthony Ruggiano Junior's Reformed Gangsters Podcast Spotlights Rita Gigante

By Ed Scarpo
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By Nick Christophers Anthony Ruggiano Jr.'s Reformed Gangsters podcast recently featured Rita Gigante, the daughter of the late Genovese boss Vincent  (Chin) Gigante. (See podcast below.) Anthony Junior, all dressed up, left; Rita Gigante. The podcast is hosted by owner Pasquale Cosenzo, who heads up Anthony Jr’s management team. Anthony lived “the life” for many years (his father was near-legendary Gambino wiseguy Fat Andy, aka Anthony Ruggiano Sr,) but has since turned over a new leaf and lives a lawful life.   “I led a violent life and fell into drug addiction. As we say when you hit rock bottom is when you realize you need to make a difference. I ended getting clean going to school and becoming a counselor and felt I needed to help others to get back a normal life. Reformed Gangsters is a platform for just that purpose,” said Anthony. Anthony was baptized into “the life” by his father Fat Andy. His father took him along to clubs where he met the likes of John Gotti Sr and Antho
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Four Years Later, Feds Finally Indict Three Suspects In Whitey Bulger Murder

By Ed Scarpo
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Three men were indicted today in the grizzly murder of James (Whitey) Bulger, the 89-year-old Boston-based gangster snitch who was beaten to death in 2018 in a West Virginia Federal prison where he was serving two life terms for his role in 11 murders committed during his decades-long reign atop Boston’s underworld. Bulger bit the dust about 11 hours after his arrival at Hazelton prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia charged former Springfield, Mass.-based Genovese family associate Fotios (Freddy) Geas, 55; Paul J. (Pauly) DeCologero, 48, a member of a violent Patriarca family crew in Boston; and Sean McKinnon, 36, with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The three men—who were identified as suspects in the murder from the get-go— were incarcerated with Bulger in Hazelton . Geas and DeCologero were also charged with aiding and abetting first-degree murder and assault that resulted in serious bodily injury. Geas faces an additional charge
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Nine Members, Associates of Genovese, Bonanno Crime Families Nabbed For Racketeering, Illegal Gambling Offenses

By Ed Scarpo
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Yesterday, in Brooklyn Federal court, two indictments were unsealed charging nine defendants with racketeering, illegal gambling, money laundering conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and related offenses. Charged with racketeering are: Anthony Pipitone, a captain and soldier in the Bonanno crime family; Vito Pipitone, Bonanno soldier; Agostino Gabriele, Bonanno associate; Carmelo Polito, acting captain in the Genovese crime family; Joseph Macario, Genovese soldier; and Genovese associates Salvatore Rubino and Joseph Rutigliano.  Anthony Pipitone, alleged Bonanno capo, was among those arrested. ( Photo source .) Eight defendants were arrested Tuesday morning. Seven were scheduled to be arraigned yesterday afternon before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho.  Vito Pipitone was arrested in Wellington, Florida and will make his initial appearance this afternoon in federal court in Miami.   Joseph Rutigliano remains at large. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern Distr
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