TOMS RIVER, NJ – A Toms River restaurant owner and his wife were attacked by mafia associates in September outside Roxy’s Bar and Grill, leading concerned residents to wonder about other mafia activity in the town. Are other restaurants being shaken down? Was this an isolated incident?
Local officials are quiet on the matter as the FBI handles the investigation and charges against several Gambino crime family associates.
A federal indictment unsealed in Brooklyn charged ten individuals with involvement in a wide-ranging racketeering conspiracy, extortion, witness retaliation, and other union-related crimes, aimed at controlling the New York carting and demolition industries. The accused include alleged members and associates of the Gambino crime family.
In a synchronized operation, Italian authorities arrested six organized crime members and associates, charging them with mafia association and related offenses. One suspect remains at large.
Among those indicted are Joseph Lanni, aka “Joe Brooklyn” and “Mommino,” an alleged captain of the Gambino family; Diego “Danny” Tantillo, Angelo Gradilone, aka “Fifi,” and James LaForte, purported Gambino soldiers; Vito Rappa, an alleged U.S.-based Sicilian Mafia member and Gambino associate; Francesco Vicari, aka “Uncle Ciccio,” an alleged U.S.-based Sicilian Mafia associate and Gambino associate; and Salvatore DiLorenzo, Robert Brooke, Kyle Johnson, aka “Twin,” and Vincent Minsquero, aka “Vinny Slick,” alleged Gambino associates.
“In September 2023, Lanni and Minsquero coordinated an assault on proprietors of a restaurant in New Jersey, including physically assaulting a woman at knifepoint. In addition, LaForte, having previously been convicted of a felony, illegally possessed a firearm in or about May 2023,” the FBI said in a statement
Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, along with high-ranking officials from the FBI, U.S. Department of Labor, NYPD, and New York City Business Integrity Commission, announced the charges.
United States Attorney Peace accused the defendants of engaging in violent extortions, assaults, arson, and witness retaliation to dominate the carting and demolition industries. Peace praised the collaborative efforts of U.S. and Italian law enforcement in addressing organized crime.
James Smith, FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge, emphasized the FBI’s commitment to combating organized crime, highlighting the international collaboration in this operation.
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban warned against the illusion of impunity for organized crime, reaffirming the NYPD’s resolve to combat such activities.
Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge at the U.S. Department of Labor, emphasized the agency’s dedication to investigating union-related fraud.
Elizabeth Crotty, Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Business Integrity Commission, stressed the importance of their investigative role in ensuring public safety and the integrity of regulated industries.
The indictment details how the accused used violent methods, including assault and arson, for extortion and to infiltrate and control the carting and demolition sectors, engaging in fraud, theft, embezzlement, and bid-rigging. These activities allegedly enriched themselves and the Gambino crime family while laundering criminal proceeds.
One notable incident involved Tantillo and Johnson orchestrating a violent hammer assault on a dispatcher of Demolition Company 1, resulting in serious injuries.
The indictment further outlines a series of frauds and union-related crimes, including providing “no-show” jobs to receive illegal paychecks and health benefits, embezzling from employee benefit plans, and conspiring to rig bids for demolition contracts in New York City.
This case reflects a significant crackdown on organized crime’s influence in key industries, showcasing the determined efforts of U.S. and international law enforcement agencies.