by Charlie » Sun Dec 13, 2020 11:24 am
Below is an excerpt from a Star Ledger article at the time of his arrest
The man described as acting boss of one of New Jersey's most powerful organized crime factions was arrested by the FBI early yesterday on sweeping racketeering charges. The arrest, federal authorities said, should decimate the already hard-hit operations of the Genovese crime family in the state. Thomas ''Pee Wee'' DePhillips, 68, who authorities say took the reins of Genovese operations once controlled by legendary godfather Ruggiero ''Richie the Boot'' Boiardo, was taken into custody at his Belleville home.
In a series of related raids, FBI agents arrested five alleged associates, including two identified as made members of the Genovese family. One of the five was identified as a former Newark police officer. The six were charged with taking part in a violent multimillion-dollar gambling and loansharking operation with tentacles in both New Jersey and New York. U.S. Attorney Faith Hochberg said DePhillips stepped in to take over the operation for one-time Boiardo associate Andrew Gerardo, who has been portrayed as heir to the Boiardo crime empire. Gerardo is in failing health and has been living in semi-retirement in Florida. DePhillips, authorities charged, took over day-to-day operations in 1992, following his release from prison on state charges. Although assuming the mantle of leader, he remained answerable to Gerardo, they said
I stand corrected. Seems the feds still carried Gerardo as the official head of the crew, with DePhilips as his acting capo.
Below is an excerpt from a Star Ledger article at the time of his arrest
[i]The man described as acting boss of one of New Jersey's most powerful organized crime factions was arrested by the FBI early yesterday on sweeping racketeering charges. The arrest, federal authorities said, should decimate the already hard-hit operations of the Genovese crime family in the state. Thomas ''Pee Wee'' DePhillips, 68, who authorities say took the reins of Genovese operations once controlled by legendary godfather Ruggiero ''Richie the Boot'' Boiardo, was taken into custody at his Belleville home.
In a series of related raids, FBI agents arrested five alleged associates, including two identified as made members of the Genovese family. One of the five was identified as a former Newark police officer. The six were charged with taking part in a violent multimillion-dollar gambling and loansharking operation with tentacles in both New Jersey and New York. [b]U.S. Attorney Faith Hochberg said DePhillips stepped in to take over the operation for one-time Boiardo associate Andrew Gerardo[/b], who has been portrayed as heir to the Boiardo crime empire. Gerardo is in failing health and has been living in semi-retirement in Florida. DePhillips, authorities charged, took over day-to-day operations in 1992, following his release from prison on state charges. [b]Although assuming the mantle of leader, he remained answerable to Gerardo[/b], they said[/i]
I stand corrected. Seems the feds still carried Gerardo as the official head of the crew, with DePhilips as his acting capo.