Powerful Genovese Mobster in the Feds' Crosshairs

COSA NOSTRA NEWS EXCLUSIVE

Alleged Genovese crime family acting capo Victor Colletti was indicted in 2005 for running a massive Queens-based gambling operation. He was poised to serve his first stretch behind prison bars at the age of 74. He won on appeal, however, and never served a day.

Victor Colletti
The state had gone after Colletti, filing a 24-count enterprise corruption indictment in the Supreme Court in Queens County. They missed.

Now the Feds are sizing him up for a prison cell.




Cosa Nostra News has learned that federal agents recently seized computers and records from the offices of Lindy's car service. In addition, drivers who worked for the company have been subpoenaed, according to a source familiar with the events and those involved who spoke with Cosa Nostra News on condition of anonymity.

Colletti, a rich and powerful Genovese crime family mobster who hails from Middle Village, Queens, is known for keeping the lowest of profiles. Officially a soldier, he has been serving as an acting capo,  reportedly a promotion he didn't want out of concern it would raise his profile among law enforcement officials.

Lindy's is one of a several car services owned by JT Enterprises, which is secretly owned by Colletti, according to the source. Colletti basically owns the car service industry in New York City and on Long Island for the Genovese crime family.

We called Lindy's car service, located in Amityville, Long Island, for comment regarding news that the FBI had seized computers and office records and were abruptly told by the woman who answered: "The manager will have to call you back."

We provided our name and phone number and asked for the manager's name and were told "they will have to call you back."

Despite Colletti's wide-ranging interests, the Feds are focusing on JT Enterprises, according to our source. Medicaid fraud and extortion are among the chief charges. On its website, Lindy's bills itself as "the largest Medicaid transportation provider for Suffolk County," with a "computerized scheduling system" designed to "efficiently handle the scheduling of these calls."


"If you never heard of him, it’s because he wanted it that way," Jerry Capeci wrote of Colletti on his Gangland News website.


Another car-service outfit linked to Colletti, VJT Enterprises, in Middle Village, Queens, is not known to be under investigation. This company (the V stands for "Victor") notes on its website that it deploys a fleet of "Multi-Purpose Taxi transports" that can accommodate "people that are in wheelchairs or scooters. These specialty taxis allow people that aren't physically well, are reliant on medical equipment, to get around."

Rackets that bilk Medicaid are a profitable niche for Mafiosi and other crime rings. As The Economist reported: "Medicaid doles out $415 billion a year; Medicare (a federal scheme for the elderly), nearly $600 billion. Total health spending in America is a massive $2.7 trillion, or 17% of GDP... Andrew Hackbarth of the RAND Corporation, estimated that fraud (and the extra rules and inspections required to fight it) added as much as $98 billion, or roughly 10%, to annual Medicare and Medicaid spending—and up to $272 billion across the entire health system."

Colletti's story is that of an old-school gangster who successfully avoided the limelight; for this, he has been lavished with praise by his criminal cohorts, as well as lushly rewarded.

"If you looked at [Colletti], you'd never know it," we were told. "He goes to church with his grandchildren every Sunday, lives in a modest house, he sweeps the sidewalk in front of his house--but he's got mega-fucking juice, even for a soldier. He's got more power than most capos."

Colletti is serving as acting capo for Anthony "Tough Tony" Federici, a fellow Queens resident who allegedly is part of a ruling panel overseeing the Genovese clan, considered the richest and most powerful crime family in the nation. Federici is the family's acting underboss. Anthony "Rom" Romanella was Federici's first acting capo.

Our source said he'd even heard Colletti referred to as consiglieri of the Genovese family, which "sounds like a good fit," but cautioned us he couldn't confirm it. "That family, as you know, is the Ivy League of the mob, and very secretive."

Nevertheless, whatever his title, Colletti "for years had special status, reporting directly to the administration. He is very well-liked and very well-aligned with the top members of all five crime families. They all respect him because he has so much power but remains so low key. He doesn't travel with many people and avoids the limelight at all costs."

Capeci noted that "this senior mob citizen had the mob juice to win a lucrative Forest Hills car service from the Bonanno crime family at a sitdown during the 12-year reign of that family’s then-powerful boss Joseph Massino.

Massino gave the decision for a Queens
car service to Colletti.

"Sources say Massino himself told FBI agents about the dispute over the car service between the two families and his decision for the Genovese gangster..."

In addition to his car-service business, Colletti also is said to have major clout in the garment district; in addition he reportedly controls a stagehands union for Broadway theaters and other major venues.

And Colletti still holds a majority share in the Genovese-Bonanno bookmaking operation busted back in 2005. Colletti himself has since relocated it to Costa Rica to avoid further scrutiny by U.S. law enforcement.

Colletti has ties that harken way back in the Mafia. His maternal uncle was Charlies "Chaloots" Gagliodotto, a legendary hit man for the Genovese crime family found strangled to death in August 1969, supposedly payback doled out by members of Frank Tuminaro's family. Chaloots, in the summer of that year, had gone off the deep end, going on a vicious killing spree that included the brutal murders of Frank Tuminaro and Frank Gangi Sr (father of Frank Gangi Jr., with whom we are writing an ebook focused on his association with Thomas "Tommy Karate" Pitera.)

Chaloots had taken Colletti under his wing. "He traveled in the shadows," our source said of Chaloots, adding that "Colletti has  a lot of work under his belt."

Colletti is known to be a smoother operator, a man who gets things done quietly.

"There's always little fanfare; a guy will just disappear. [Colletti's] a sharp businessman. He usually gets the decision before it even goes to a sitdown."

Relatively unknown to the public at large -- "If you never heard of him, it’s because he wanted it that way," Jerry Capeci wrote of Colletti on his Gangland News website -- Colletti was poised to serve up to three years in prison fοr running a huge bookmaking operation that brought in several million dollars a year.

Of the bookmaking operation, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said it involved illegal wages involving horse racing, numbers and college and professional sports contests, including bets on the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship tournament.

The 2005 indictment charged Colletti and 16 other individuals with operating a gambling ring out of at least three Queens bars, including Club House Sports Bar in Maspeth and First German Sports Club and Tee-Dee’s Tavern, both in Ridgewood. Also involved were locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Westchester County.

The case was unique, according to DA Brown because it is the first time that two organized crime families were prosecuted for working in cooperation in an illegal gambling enterprise.

Colletti was the only one out of the 17 indicted in 2008 to refuse to cop a plea. He took the case to a courtroom, where he was found guilty following a cantankerous 10-day jury trial.

Colletti was sentenced tο one to three years Ñ–n prison (he could've been sentenced to up to 25 years, but his age was a consideration in the sentencing guidelines), but in 2010 he won on appeal. The Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court in Brooklyn threw out the conviction because, as Capeci described it: "Queens prosecutors failed to properly identify the name of the bookmaking operation that he was charged with heading in the five year old indictment."
Sarita Kedia won Colletti's appeal in 2010.

Attorney Sarita Kedia, former acolyte to lauded defense attorney Gerald Shargel, made the appeal that resulted in the tossing of Colletti’s conviction.




Comments

  1. Ed, Victor Colletti, together with Paul Colletti also have the JTE Enterprises. Colletti has businesses all over NY with varying names. A few in Middle Village operating under names like: Token Auto Sales, T.D.
    Maintenance Corp, etc.

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  2. A little off topic, but are the 5 families still making new men?

    Great article by the way, really enjoyed reading it.

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  3. Is the pope Catholic? Of course they are

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  4. I'm not going to elaborate how I know, it makes no difference. But what is will say is not an opinion, it's a fact!!! Paul Colletti has never committed a crime in his life and never would. He is without question nothing but a legitimate hardworking family man, Period! His name doesn't belong in this discussion

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  5. From what I heard using various holding companies he bought up the small indy outfits making the proverbial offer they couldn't refuse.

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  6. They maybe making people, but as far as making men, it's more like making any miscreant that will take it. Believe me my friend, it truly became a joke, becoming a wiseguy and they should be embarrassed how far they have lowered the bar in terms of what they consider men. The few and I mean FEW, nice guys that maybe still around are flying under the radar and don't wanna meet anyone they don't know for thirty years.and even that's a gamble these days.

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  7. I didn't say that wise guys don't exist and I think your perception of me is wrong. I'm not some ass kissing wise guy groupie, Nor am I impressed by gangster's ,
    Not even a little bit..I just made a statement that this kid Paulie is a legitimate guy and I stand by it, wanna know why, because it's the truth! Happy?

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  8. My "perception" of you? My "PERCEPTION"? of YOU? Wow, Where are you getting this garbage?


    Ok, level with us...is that really "David" posting under the ID "hearsay214"? LOL

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  9. Are you feeling ok? You asked me a question I answered it..End of story! You obviously have something on your mind or something you'd like to say. Why don't you stop beating around the bush. You're posting to me like the cat that ate the canary. Although you may have it backwards.

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  10. Liars can never keep two stories the same !!

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  11. NUTELLA !!! NUTELLA!!! I WANT MY NUTELLA!!!!

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  12. I can't wait for the tommy pitera story to come out. When will that be Ed ?

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  13. Now let me ask you something? You said, "I'm Italian, I'm connected and I'm from Middle Village" lol..What does that mean? Is it supposed to be impressive? Or possibly they have a statue of you in front of " Our lady of hope" From your posts I see that you are a bit sarcastic and word things like, You know something that nobody else does..lol, I have to tell you, it's really laughable. They say that when you play cards, "if in five minutes, you don't know, who's the sucker at the table" it's usually you!

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  14. I was told Paul was not part of this operation... I understand where you're coming from, but I do want to note what I was told. I do have more information and am working on a follow-up.... depends whether anyone returns my phonecalls...

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  15. Great article, Ed. Nice reporting

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  16. Probably a month or two to go on it. I'm working on a blog story related to it, though. That should be up soon. Thanks!

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  17. Why do you post under the fake name Scarpo when your last name is Lieber? Are you scared? A lot of your information is incorrect. Tough tony is retired and not the underboss and never was.

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  18. Interesting. In all the time I have been writing this blog, suddenly someone is compelled to to try to slip my real last name into a comment for this story. No, I am not afraid of the Mafia. As for your other comment: If you are in a position to know what you say (regarding a tangential fact to this story and you are for real, why didn't you simply return my call?

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  19. I think your article is investigative journalism at it's best, it's first rate and very detail oriented. As far as people telling you that you got it wrong, it's absurd! You obviously did your homework and confident in your fact checking. There is saying "Ignore the ignorant" I think it's a great article and you should be proud of it! As far as being Jewish, even if you were, So what!! Some of my closet friends and confidants are Jewish. and I"m honored to have their friendship!!!

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  20. Wasn't Pizzaboy suspended from the BB for making racist comments? Personally, I find him to be like a Mob groupie who is in love with certain Bronx mobsters. I think he has a man crush on them. He feels that he must respond to every post and attack those who disagree with him. I don't get why the Moderators don't just lock him out. He is a big fanboy and self proclaimed know it all. He must sit in front of that computer all day long ratting on mobsters and answering every post. Don't let that groupie bother you Ed, If he knew it all, then why hasn't he written a book, appeared on Mob Documentaries or even start his own Mob site?

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  21. Ed, why stoop to their level... F... them!!! Move on!!! You are one of the few reporters with integrity that will tell it the way it is.... Keep up the good work...
    Dominick Cicale....

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  22. Ed, I would love to see when you got the time to investigate any insight into Decalvalcante family I love your articles and would like to see hopefully something about them soon ! Something good hahaha great read once again !

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  23. Victor Colletti, is old school, very low profile, and a huge earner. Those three things reward you with great power, among all the NY families. That's the way it was designed, no matter the era.

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  24. Ed your site is fantastic a must-read for me every day keep up the good work man.

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  25. I don't know anything about this guy. I have heard someone using that name bashes me regularly on bulletin boards. He obviously has too much spare time....

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  26. Is this the story you promised us? The multifaceted unknown to the public info?

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  27. Yes, as a matter of fact, it is.

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  28. Why were you aware of these events that happened, prior to reading this story? Also, were you familiar with the person that's the subject of this story? I didn't think so! So what are you still waiting for? It's obvious your remarks were intended to be factious! So, tell me what's your point in posting if you have nothing to contribute besides sarcasm? My advise to you would be, if you don't like the blog, Don't read it!

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  29. HearsayBlogCommentPoliceJan 20, 2015, 8:18:00 PM

    Seems like you got angry at a question not directed towards you. Angry enough to ask then answer your own questions! Do you not have anything better to do? Maybe if this came from Ed I could understand but coming from someone with no connection to the blog leads me to believe your a LOSER. On another note I wasn't sure if this was the article Ed posted about earlier.....I was hoping to read some unknown info regarding the Genovese hierarchy. Not saying this article didn't contain anything new to me but certainly not on the subject of Genovese leaders. For the record hearsay....Vic Colletti isn't some unknown ghost he's been around for a very long time and plenty of people know who and what he is. Not to mention anyone who follows these things and didn't know who he was found out in that 2005 indictment.

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  30. To the BEAN SHOOTER who dressed me down for asking a question. You're obviously a no nonsense typist and your post left me frightened. So, In my own defense, I'm new to these underworld boards and all this mob stuff, I can tell you're very upset and I hope you don't wanna whack me now. You sound pretty scary and I heard that those pea shooters you guys shoot with can be deadly!!! so again, I hope you accept my apology and realize that I meant no disrespect to you!!! So maybe just this once, you'll give me a pass? Please?

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  31. LMAO! You can't be serious, another computer version of a telephone tough guy!!! I wrote a stupid response to a stupid comment, you wanna know why? because it blows my mind how nasty people like you talk to others. I think all this reading about mob stuff makes some people believe their gangsters. Talk nice to people!!!

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  32. Blackguy from SharktankJan 20, 2015, 10:59:00 PM

    I'm the blackguy Daymond from Sharktank and all I have to say is "Awesome Sauce!!"

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  33. Hi ed keep pluging baby its all good. Philly

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  34. I wonder if DC wishes he stayed with the Genovese family....maybe law enforcement would still have never heard of him and he'd still be in "the life". It's obviously easier to say from the outside but it seems THIS is the crew you want to be with if you want to stay out of jail for years or have to "flip".

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  35. hearsay....not sure what comment you were reading but this guy just asked a couple of questions. it's obvious he wasn't sure if this was the forthcoming article Ed had written about in an earlier post. i don't see where he was being nasty at all. look at Eds response. a simply answer to simple questions. you got out of hand not the other guy. well whatever.....my 2 cents.

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  36. Lol this is fantasy bs. Ed Scarpo the things you post are straight fabrication. If you are going to speak on people then at least get the info correct. For the record pizza boy is good peoples whos' opinion I respect wayyyyy more than yours. And your last name isn't scarpo. Stfu. Thanks.

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  37. North shore long islandJan 24, 2015, 1:55:00 AM

    Ok so you aren't going to post my posts now? Listen guy Scarpo aint your last name and you are attempting to slander good people? Lol you ain't from our area partner. You are a liar and bored clown. Go do something important with your life like do journalism in the Middle East or something. Not make up stories about a life you know nothing about.

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  38. Tony Federici is not even close to the underboss and hes semi-retired/retired. Your sources seem way off. I knew people who grew up with his son and he is most definitely not the underboss. Sorry.

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  39. Acting underboss. You say you know people who grew up with his son? Wow!!!! You say he's semi-retired or retired, maybe, presumably according to your friends who knew his son....I'll stick with my sources who, unlike you, know what they're talking about.

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  40. "If you think Tough Tony is retired it's because he wants you to think he's retired."

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  41. Screw it: his son testified against him, you want to know the truth. He's a rat. So, come again????

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  42. Unlike me who dont know what their talking about? Right. Your source could be wrong. Is he a made guy? My info stands just as valid as your sources until proven otherwise, stop spazzing out. Maybe im wrong but I also could be right too so relax. Im just saying wait until things are confirmed either by the feds, a made guy or a rat. A high level associate Maybe as well. If your source is any of those its more likely valid then the knowledge I have.

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  43. I go to his restaurant in Corona about three times a year when I'm in NYC, as a friend of mine is "with" Tony. Tony is surely not retired. If Tony heard that people thought he was retired, he would not be happy about it, he would be insulted! Tony's nick name "Tough Tony" is the perfect name for him. Recommending "the Parkside" Great food, and spotless!

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  44. My source is a made guy, he's never flipped. I know my source's name and I also have a 302 that tells me when he was made and who his capo was; his capo is in jail probably facing a life sentence. I'm not spazzing out, I'm merely pointing out I wouldn't write this story unless I knew my info was rock solid. You are not correct and I'm very relaxed. I have no idea who you are. Furthermore, you say you know people who know his son. I'm saying maybe you do, maybe you don't. Tough Tony is not retired and you can say whatever you like. I deal with facts.

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  45. You have to laugh at the jerkpff Pizza boy. He wants us to think that Mobster check in with him daily as to their status. He claims to know if they are inactive, retired, out of the Life. How come he knows this? Because he says he does. He is the ultimate fanboy, groupie and rat who feels the need to answer every post and has over 20,000 post alone. Can you believe that? What does this guy do? Get a life Pizzaboy and quit sounding so authoritative, you don't know shit. Quit bullying people and trying to pass off like you're in the know. It is inconceivable why anyone would listen to that douche. He's Mr. Wikipedia and trolls the other forums picking up tidbits to make it sound like they are his own. Fedirici told you, a fanboy on a Mob website, posting over 20K post that he's retired? That is laughable rat. Who believes this?

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  46. Still no response? Oh that's right, you're head is in Philly now, not the West Side....

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  47. I work for jet enterprises, and believe me the Feds took every record and every computer

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  48. Also yesterday jte enterprises is no more, the boss sold or reorganized while the da and Feds are close to indicting.

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