Gangland 11/17/2022
Moderator: Capos
Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
I was recently reading about that stabbing and a NYT article claimed Nicholas Gambino was John Gambino's nephew and was represented by Corozzo. As far as I know Rosario Gambino only had 2 sons, Tommaso & Anthony, so I figured it'd have to be Joe's kid but I have no idea.
Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
Thanks for posting Dr.
Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
He probably got those names from LE or from regular people who were there. It's only a small amount of the guys who attended. I bet guys from all five families were there.
Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
Wasn't Federici one of the guys caught on the phone talking to another Genovese guy about Chin and other stuff? The conversations used to be online and I remember them being pretty funny. Anyone know if they're posted somewhere?
Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
Some Federici info
There’s so little on Tony Federici. He’s been mentioned in govt filings on some cases. AmaZing he insulated himself so well. Sharing as mentions Tony:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Appellee,
v.
George LOMBARDOZZI, Defendant-Appellant.
Brief for the United States of America
David N. Kelley, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Attorney for the United States, of America.
Preliminary Statement
George Lombardozzi (“Lombardozzi”) appeals from a judgment of conviction entered on January 14,2004 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, following a nine-day trial before the Honorable Peter K. Leisure, United States District Judge, and a jury.
Superseding Indictment S1 02 Cr. 273 (the “Indictment”) was unsealed on April 24,2004 in nineteen counts. Count Seven charged Lombardozzi and Frank Isoldi (“Isoldi”) with, from 1998 through 1999, conspiring to make an extortionate extension of credit in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 892. Count Eight charged Lombardozzi and *2 Isoldi with, from 1998 through 1999, making an extortion-ate extension of credit in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 892. Count Nine charged Lombardozzi and Isoldi with, from 1998 through 2001, conspiring to use extortionate means to collect an extension of credit in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 894. Count Ten charged Lombardozzi and Isoldi with, from 1998 through 2001, using extortionate means to collect an extension of credit in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 894.
Trial commenced on April 15, 2003 with jury selection, and ended on April 30,2003, when Lombardozzi was convicted of Counts Seven, Eight and Nine and acquitted of Count Ten.
On January 12, 2004, Judge Leisure sentenced Lombardozzi to a term of forty-one months’ incarceration, to be followed by two years’ supervised release, and imposed a fine of $7,500 and a $300 special assessment.*
Lombardozzi is currently serving his sentence.
Statement Of Facts
A. The Government’s Case
The evidence introduced at trial demonstrated that Lombardozzi, a soldier in the Gambino La Cosa Nostra Crime Family (the “Gambino LCN Family”), participated in making and collecting extortionate extensions of credit *3 to an individual named Henry Leung (“Leung”), the manager of a restaurant in Manhattan. The evidence further demonstrated that Lombardozzi, who financed the unlawful loan and supervised the unlawful collection of interest payments, attempted to evade prosecution for these crimes by delegating to his associates Isoldi and William Scotto (“Scotto”) the tasks of communicating directly with Leung, and physically collecting the exorbitant weekly interest payments.
The evidence presented during trial included testimony from Leung regarding his interactions with Lombardozzi, Isoldi and Scotto in connection with the illegal loans; numerous audiotapes of telephone conversations intercepted during a Court-authorized wiretap of Isoldi’s cellular telephone, which included some of Isoldi’s efforts to collect money from Leung and demonstrated beyond doubt that Isoldi worked for Lombardozzi; the testimony of three Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (the “FBI”) regarding the wiretap and their surveillance of Lombardozzi, Isoldi and Scotto; the testimony of two cooperating witness, Peter Perrotta (“Perrotta”) and Ronald Massie (“Massie”), both of whom engaged in loansharking activities with Isoldi, and both of whom were told by Isoldi that Lombardozzi provided the money borrowed by Leung; and the expert testimony of Investigator Kenneth McCabe (“McCabe”) regarding La Cosa Nostra and loansharking.
1. The Introduction Of Leung To Lombardozzi And The First Loan
In 1994, Leung, who worked at various restaurants in Manhattan, was planning to open a new restaurant called *4 “Evergreen.” (Tr. 235).* Leung approached a frequent customer of another one of Leung’s restaurants, “Chiam,” named Daniel Marino (“Marino”) whom Leung knew to be a “wiseguy” “involved with the mob” and who engaged in “racketeering, loaning money.” (Tr. 236). Leung asked Marino if Leung could borrow $50,000. (Tr. 235-37). Marino, upon hearing this request, introduced Leung to Marino’s cousin, Lombardozzi, whom Leung also recognized as a Chiam customer. Marino stated, “George, this is Henry. Henry needs some money to open a restaurant. Help him out.” Lombardozzi agreed to provide the money to Leung, stating “It’s your money. You want to help him out, we help him out.” (Tr. 237-3 8). Marino also explained to Leung that Lombardozzi “takes care of the money.” (Tr. 247). Shortly thereafter, Leung received $50,000 in cash from Isoldi, another member of “Danny Marino’s group,” in a brown bag (the “First Loan”). (Tr. 238-39). Leung repaid the First Loan by making thirty-six monthly payments of $2,400 to Scotto, whom Leung described as the “muscle” for the group. (Tr. 189, 239). While the First Loan was outstanding, Marino informed Leung that he was going to jail, and instructed Leung to “take care [of what he was] supposed to.” (Tr. 241).
2. The Second Loan
In 1998, while Marino was still incarcerated and after Leung had completed making his payments on the First Loan, Leung approached Lombardozzi and Isoldi, who were dining together at Leung’s restaurant, and asked to borrow an additional $20,000. (Tr. 243). In response, Lombardozzi looked at Isoldi, and Isoldi told Leung “to step aside.” They did, and Leung told Isoldi what he needed. (Tr. 244). Isoldi told Leung that he needed to check with someone else, and later that same evening, after Isoldi returned to Lombardozzi’s table, Isoldi told Leung that Leung would receive the loan. (Tr. 244). Isoldi also told Leung that he was required to pay $1,500 each month for two years, and provided Leung with $20,000, again in cash and once again in a paper bag (the “Second Loan”). (Tr. 244-45). Shortly thereafter, Scotto told Leung that Leung was instead required to pay $2,500 each month for two years. (Tr. 245). Scotto informed Leung that these were the terms of the Second Loan required by the “old man,” who Leung understood to be Lombardozzi. (Tr. 245-46). The basis for Leung’s belief was that Lombardozzi had previously asked Leung to make a $1,000 monthly contribution to his “organization,” but at that time Leung informed Lombardozzi that he could not afford to do so. (Tr. 246). Scotto regularly collected the monthly $2,500 payments on the Second Loan. (Tr. 247, 255).
3. The Third Loan
Shortly after receiving the Second Loan, Leung again borrowed money again from Lombardozzi and Isoldi, this time in part on behalf of Leung’s friend and landlord, Michael Wong (“Wong”). (Tr. 248-49). Leung approached *6 Lombardozzi and Isoldi when the two men were dining together and explained that a friend needed to borrow money. (Tr. 248-49). Isoldi again pulled Leung aside to learn the details of Leung’s request, which was for an additional $25,000, $20,000 of which was for Wong and $5,000 of which was for Leung himself. (Tr. 248-49). Leung personally received all of the money from Isoldi, and was responsible for the entire amount, since he introduced Wong to Isoldi and “vouched” for Wong (the “Third Loan”). (Tr. 250). Over time, the principal amount of the Third Loan was increased to approximately $100,000, as Wong continually needed more money. (Tr. 251). When Leung asked Isoldi, who collected the payment for The Third Loan, for more money in increments of $10,000 to $20,000 (Tr. 251-52), Isoldi told Leung that he would “get back” to Leung. (Tr. 252, 255). Leung understood that Lombardozzi had to approve each incremental increase in principal of the Third Loan. (Tr. 253). Leung and Wong were required to pay “2 points,” or 2% interest, each week, the equivalent of 104% interest each year. (Tr. 254). In other words, after the principal reached $100,000, Leung was required to pay $2000 per week in interest only, but still owed $100,00 in principal.
4. The Collection Of The Loans
Although Wong initially provided Leung with money for the interest payments, Wong became unable to do so in early 2000. (Tr. 256). Because Leung was responsible to Lombardozzi and Isoldi, he went to extraordinary efforts to make the exorbitant interest payments on the $100,000 loan, including borrowing money from other loansharks. Leung and Wong together borrowed $50,000 from a *7 loanshark named Kent at an annual interest rate of approximately 250%. (Tr. 257). The two men also borrowed $13,000 from a loanshark named Prince, and borrowed $42,000 from a loanshark named Paul Rizzo, all at an annual interest rate in excess of 250%. (Tr. 258). Leung used the all of the money that he received from these other loansharks to make the weekly payments to Isoldi and Lombardozzi, even though he was forced to agree to pay these other individuals an even higher rate of interest. (Tr. 259).
By July 2000, Wong informed Leung that he could no longer provide any money for the weekly interest payment, and Wong disappeared in September 2000. (Tr. 260). Leung, who was still responsible for the interest payments as well as the principal, was forced to sell many his personal possessions in order to continue to make payments on the Third Loan. He also had to move residences from a high-rise apartment building to a walk-up. (Tr. 338-39). In addition, Leung borrowed money from all of his friends in an effort to continue to make the weekly interest payments. (Tr. 337-38). Leung kept a log of the payments that he made to the four loansharks, including Isoldi, in the hopes that Wong would one day reimburse him for these expenses. (Tr. 329-37; DX 3505-D).
Leung finally got up the “nerve to speak” to Kent, Prince, and Paul Rizzo, and informed them all that Wong had disappeared, and that although Leung was willing to repay the principal on the loans, he simply could not make any additional interest payments. (Tr. 260-61). All three eventually accepted these terms. Leung never made such an arrangement with Lombardozzi and Isoldi. (Tr. 261).
Isoldi, as well as other loansharks, called Leung every day. (Tr. 343). Leung had “to figure a way how to find the money;” at that time, his “job [was] just [to] keep [himself] alive, keep the restaurant going.” (Tr. 343). Each morning, Leung asked, “my God [,] [w]hy don’t I just alive, keep the restaurant going.” (Tr. 343). Each die?” (Tr. 343).
When he was initially approached by the FBI in January 2001, Leung was scared and denied knowing Isoldi and Lombardozzi. (Tr. 279-80). Around that time, Scotto and Isoldi went to Evergreen, asked to meet in Leung’s office, and made Leung remove his shirt to see if he was wearing a “radio.” (Tr. 278). Leung informed Scotto that he was visited by the FBI, and Scotto provided Leung with the name of a lawyer to call. (Tr. 280). Leung was shocked when approximately two weeks later, Scotto came to collect another interest payment. The collections continued until May 2002, approximately the time that Lombardozzi was arrested. (Tr. 164, 281-82).
Defense counsel attempted to question Leung at his restaurant prior to trial, and asked numerous employees at Chiam questions about Leung. After speaking with Lombardozzi’s counsel, one of Leung’s friends called Leung and asked, “What are you crazy? You going to testify against these guys? They’re going to kill you.” (Tr. 283).
Although Lombardozzi did not personally collect cash from Leung, Lombardozzi referred to the loans on every occasion that he saw Leung. Lombardozzi instructed Leung on each such instance to “keep up what [he was] doing,” to keep making the interest payments. (Tr. 254). On one occasion, moreover, when Leung was having *9 trouble making payments, Lombardozzi told Leung that he had “better take care of it.” (Tr. 327).
5. The Intercepted Communications
During the period of October through December 2000, the FBI received Court authorization to intercept communications over Isoldi’s cellular telephone. During this time, Leung had tremendous difficulty making the weekly interest payments on the Third Loan. (Tr. 261-62). Isoldi was intercepted on many occasions speaking with Leung regarding his efforts to collect the weekly interest payment which at some point were reduced to $1,000 as a result of Leung’s inability to pay any more. (See GX 3, GX 4, GX 5, GX 6, GX 9, GX 10, GX 16, GX 18, GX 22, GX 26, Tr. 264-77).
The intercepted calls also demonstrated that Isoldi collected the weekly interest payments on the Third Loan from Leung on behalf of Lombardozzi, while Scotto collected payments arising from the Second Loan. In one such call, on November 21,2000, Leung discussed the fact that he still owed one $2,500 payment to Scotto for the Second Loan. (GX 22, Tr. 272). Leung informed Isoldi that Scotto had recently complained to Leung that Leung was making interest payments to Isoldi, but had failed to make the final $2,500 payment to Scotto for the Second Loan. Leung complained to Isoldi, obviously assuming that Isoldi had informed Scotto that Leung was making payments on schedule, when he was not. Isoldi responded that he had never told Scotto that Leung was making timely payments, but explained who must have made such a statement: “Maybe Georgie said it to him .... ‘Cause, uh, Georgie knows I... Because I cover you every time. *10 .. Maybe Georgie said, ‘How come you’re not getting the ... that, that Frankie’s getting it on time,’ maybe he said something.” Isoldi was therefore recorded explaining that he provided the money that he collected from Leung to Lombardozzi, and covered for Leung on certain instances when Leung was unable to make the scheduled payments. Isoldi assumed that Lombardozzi must have told Scotto that Isoldi was doing a better job collecting money from Leung than Scotto was.
During the same call, Isoldi agreed to tell Lombardozzi that Leung needed “another week or so.” (GX 22, Tr. 274). Leung expressed his gratitude to Isoldi, because “I want him to hold off George, I just don’t want them to do anything, you know - you know, I’m a little scared, so that’s why I’m just telling him to hold off, hold off George, I would be deeply appreciated.” (Id.).
Isoldi informed Leung during another intercepted call that Leung’s late payments were fine with Isoldi but not with “the other people,” and that Isoldi was going to “make an appointment for [Leung] to see him in person.” (GX 4). Isoldi told Leung on another occasion that he needed information regarding Leung’s payment plans because “I gotta tell him something.” (GX 6). Isoldi also told Leung that Isoldi “made a very, very good deal” for Leung with the person responsible for approving any changes to terms of the loan. (GX 9).
When Leung was unable to keep up even with the revised payment plan of $1,000 in interest per week, Isoldi insisted on arranging a meeting between Leung and “him” regarding the delinquent interest payments. (GX 26). The meeting was scheduled for December 12,2000, and Isoldi *11 confirmed that he was bringing “George” to the meeting. (Id.). After learning that Lombardozzi was the individual with whom he had to meet, Leung made various attempts to avoid the meeting, including by offering to make two delinquent payments immediately. (Tr. 276-77). Satisfied with this offer, Isoldi agreed to cancel the meeting between Leung and Lombardozzi that was scheduled for the following day. Leung preferred not to see Lombardozzi; he recalled that “sometime he might raise a voice in a dining room,” and he wanted to avoid meeting with Lombardozzi. (Tr. 276).
After agreeing to postpone the meeting between Lombardozzi and Leung because Leung agreed to make an interest payment, Isoldi was intercepted on December 12, 2000 informing Lombardozzi that the meeting had been cancelled, stating “maybe we should postpone that thing or ... maybe I’ll just go there myself and I’ll see him.... I spoke to him, I’ll tell you why when I see you in person.” (GX 27).
6. Isoldi’s Discussions Of Lombardozzi’s Role In The Loans
Isoldi also discussed the illegal loans that he and Lombardozzi made to Leung in the presence of others. For example, Isoldi once placed a telephone call to Leung in the presence of Perrotta, who later became a cooperating witness. During this conversation, Isoldi became very animated when he learned that “Henry wasn’t ready to see him.” Isoldi “basically said that Georgie wasn’t going to be happy, and that he doesn’t want to have to send Billy.” (Tr. 456). Isoldi had also told Perrotta that Isoldi received some of the funds that he used in his loansharking business *12 from Lombardozzi, that he conducted loansharking with Lombardozzi, that he picked up the money for Lombardozzi, and that Lombardozzi provided the money that Isoldi loaned to Leung (Tr. 435, 455, 456, 502-03). Perrotta was further aware that Isoldi routinely met with Lombardozzi on Tuesday nights, which Isoldi referred to as “settle up nights.” (Tr. 452).
In addition, Isoldi once brought Massie, another loanshark and eventual cooperating witness, to have dinner at Chiam. Isoldi introduced Massie to Leung at the restaurant. Isoldi informed Massie on that occasion that he had loaned Leung more than $100,000, and that Isoldi got the money that he lent Leung “from George.” (Tr. 573-74). This was a reference to Lombardozzi, whom Isoldi had previously introduced to Massie as the source of the money with which Isoldi engaged in loansharking. (Tr. 569-70).
7. Lombardozzi’s Other Loansharking Activities With Isoldi
The Government also introduced evidence of other instances in which Lombardozzi and Isoldi together engaged in loansharking activities. Perrotta was a loansharking customer of Isoldi’s, as well as of other loansharks, and Perrotta was making weekly payments to all of his creditors. Lombardozzi and Isoldi attempted to “consolidate” all of Perrotta’s outstanding loansharking debts, by proposing to “buy out” the other loansharks so that Perrotta would make interest payments only to them. To that end, Isoldi brought Perrotta to a meeting at a restaurant in Manhattan, although Perrotta was not initially aware of the purpose of the meeting. (Tr. 441-50). When *13 Perrotta arrived at the restaurant, he saw Lombardozzi seated at a table with Larry Galizia (“Galizia”), another loanshark from whom Perrotta had borrowed money. Accompanying Galizia, and representing his interests regarding any loan consolidation at this meeting, was Anthony Federici (“Federici”), a high-ranking member of the Genovese La Cosa Nostra Family. Vincent Cestaro (“Cestaro’), an associate of the Genovese La Cosa Nostra Family to whom Perrotta also owed money, arrived shortly after Perrotta. Cestaro plainly was unaware that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the consolidation of Perrotta’s loans, and upon his arrival and observance of the other attendees, Cestaro immediately requested the opportunity to speak with his uncle, a member of the Genovese LCN Family. Lombardozzi was angered that the necessary parties for the negotiation were not already present at the meeting, and Perrotta was shocked by the manner in which Lombardozzi spoke to Federici, a man usually treated with fear and respect. (Tr. 448). After the meeting, Isoldi specifically told Perrotta that Lombardozzi would “finance” the loan consolidation by buying out the other loansharks (Tr. 448), although the proposed loan consolidation never took place because Perrotta was unable to provide any collateral.
In addition, Massie and Isoldi engaged in loansharking together, without authorization from Lombardozzi or Frank Lino (“Lino”), the Bonnano La Cosa Nostra Family member to whom Massie reported. (Tr. 574-80). Isoldi told Massie not to mention these loans in Lombardozzi’s presence, which were done without Lombardozzi’s knowledge and therefore violated the rules of La Cosa Nostra, which required that an associate, like Isoldi, *14 inform the soldier to whom he reported, Lombardozzi, of any illegal activity that the associate engaged in. (Tr. 576). Isoldi’s advice to Massie was proven prudent, because Lombardozzi and Lino eventually learned of the existence of the loans made by Isoldi and Massie. At the time, the two soldiers, Lombardozzi and Lino, “took” the loans from Massie. (Tr. 580-84). Thereafter, Massie did not receive any further payments on the loans, even though he had provided the principal.
8. Lombardozzi’s Role Within La Cosa Nostra
Special Investigator Kenneth McCabe also testified at trial as an expert regarding some of the manners in which the New York City La Cosa Nostra (“LCN”) families typically conduct their loansharking business. (Tr. 36364 For example, Investigator McCabe testified that “associates” of the LCN family, who are not “soldiers” or “members” of the family, typically engage in the lower-level, time consuming tasks such as picking up interest payments and communicating with debtors. (Tr. 363). In contrast, the soldiers, or made members of an LCN family, typically provide the money to the debtors, and supervise the activities of the business, including the collection efforts, from a safer distance. (Tr. 363). Investigator McCabe also testified regarding his opinion, based upon his years of investigating the New York LCN families, that Lombardozzi is a soldier in the Gambino LCN Family. (Tr. 367-68).
9. The Surveillance Of Isoldi And Lombardozzi And Isoldi’s Allocution
The Government additionally introduced evidence from law enforcement agents demonstrating that Lombardozzi frequently met with Isoldi on Tuesday nights, the “settle up nights” about which Isoldi told Perrotta. (See, e.g., Tr. 132-33; 134-35; 137-38; 629-30). The evidence also showed that Isoldi frequently attempted to pick up money from Leung on Tuesdays. (GX 5, GX 11, GX 12, GX 22).
Lastly, the Government read to the jury portions of the plea allocution by which Isoldi pled guilty to Count Nine of the Indictment. (GX 500; Tr. 639-41).
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Appellee,
v.
George LOMBARDOZZI, Defendant-Appellant.
Brief for the United States of America
David N. Kelley, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Attorney for the United States, of America.
Preliminary Statement
George Lombardozzi (“Lombardozzi”) appeals from a judgment of conviction entered on January 14,2004 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, following a nine-day trial before the Honorable Peter K. Leisure, United States District Judge, and a jury.
Superseding Indictment S1 02 Cr. 273 (the “Indictment”) was unsealed on April 24,2004 in nineteen counts. Count Seven charged Lombardozzi and Frank Isoldi (“Isoldi”) with, from 1998 through 1999, conspiring to make an extortionate extension of credit in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 892. Count Eight charged Lombardozzi and *2 Isoldi with, from 1998 through 1999, making an extortion-ate extension of credit in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 892. Count Nine charged Lombardozzi and Isoldi with, from 1998 through 2001, conspiring to use extortionate means to collect an extension of credit in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 894. Count Ten charged Lombardozzi and Isoldi with, from 1998 through 2001, using extortionate means to collect an extension of credit in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 894.
Trial commenced on April 15, 2003 with jury selection, and ended on April 30,2003, when Lombardozzi was convicted of Counts Seven, Eight and Nine and acquitted of Count Ten.
On January 12, 2004, Judge Leisure sentenced Lombardozzi to a term of forty-one months’ incarceration, to be followed by two years’ supervised release, and imposed a fine of $7,500 and a $300 special assessment.*
Lombardozzi is currently serving his sentence.
Statement Of Facts
A. The Government’s Case
The evidence introduced at trial demonstrated that Lombardozzi, a soldier in the Gambino La Cosa Nostra Crime Family (the “Gambino LCN Family”), participated in making and collecting extortionate extensions of credit *3 to an individual named Henry Leung (“Leung”), the manager of a restaurant in Manhattan. The evidence further demonstrated that Lombardozzi, who financed the unlawful loan and supervised the unlawful collection of interest payments, attempted to evade prosecution for these crimes by delegating to his associates Isoldi and William Scotto (“Scotto”) the tasks of communicating directly with Leung, and physically collecting the exorbitant weekly interest payments.
The evidence presented during trial included testimony from Leung regarding his interactions with Lombardozzi, Isoldi and Scotto in connection with the illegal loans; numerous audiotapes of telephone conversations intercepted during a Court-authorized wiretap of Isoldi’s cellular telephone, which included some of Isoldi’s efforts to collect money from Leung and demonstrated beyond doubt that Isoldi worked for Lombardozzi; the testimony of three Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (the “FBI”) regarding the wiretap and their surveillance of Lombardozzi, Isoldi and Scotto; the testimony of two cooperating witness, Peter Perrotta (“Perrotta”) and Ronald Massie (“Massie”), both of whom engaged in loansharking activities with Isoldi, and both of whom were told by Isoldi that Lombardozzi provided the money borrowed by Leung; and the expert testimony of Investigator Kenneth McCabe (“McCabe”) regarding La Cosa Nostra and loansharking.
1. The Introduction Of Leung To Lombardozzi And The First Loan
In 1994, Leung, who worked at various restaurants in Manhattan, was planning to open a new restaurant called *4 “Evergreen.” (Tr. 235).* Leung approached a frequent customer of another one of Leung’s restaurants, “Chiam,” named Daniel Marino (“Marino”) whom Leung knew to be a “wiseguy” “involved with the mob” and who engaged in “racketeering, loaning money.” (Tr. 236). Leung asked Marino if Leung could borrow $50,000. (Tr. 235-37). Marino, upon hearing this request, introduced Leung to Marino’s cousin, Lombardozzi, whom Leung also recognized as a Chiam customer. Marino stated, “George, this is Henry. Henry needs some money to open a restaurant. Help him out.” Lombardozzi agreed to provide the money to Leung, stating “It’s your money. You want to help him out, we help him out.” (Tr. 237-3 8). Marino also explained to Leung that Lombardozzi “takes care of the money.” (Tr. 247). Shortly thereafter, Leung received $50,000 in cash from Isoldi, another member of “Danny Marino’s group,” in a brown bag (the “First Loan”). (Tr. 238-39). Leung repaid the First Loan by making thirty-six monthly payments of $2,400 to Scotto, whom Leung described as the “muscle” for the group. (Tr. 189, 239). While the First Loan was outstanding, Marino informed Leung that he was going to jail, and instructed Leung to “take care [of what he was] supposed to.” (Tr. 241).
2. The Second Loan
In 1998, while Marino was still incarcerated and after Leung had completed making his payments on the First Loan, Leung approached Lombardozzi and Isoldi, who were dining together at Leung’s restaurant, and asked to borrow an additional $20,000. (Tr. 243). In response, Lombardozzi looked at Isoldi, and Isoldi told Leung “to step aside.” They did, and Leung told Isoldi what he needed. (Tr. 244). Isoldi told Leung that he needed to check with someone else, and later that same evening, after Isoldi returned to Lombardozzi’s table, Isoldi told Leung that Leung would receive the loan. (Tr. 244). Isoldi also told Leung that he was required to pay $1,500 each month for two years, and provided Leung with $20,000, again in cash and once again in a paper bag (the “Second Loan”). (Tr. 244-45). Shortly thereafter, Scotto told Leung that Leung was instead required to pay $2,500 each month for two years. (Tr. 245). Scotto informed Leung that these were the terms of the Second Loan required by the “old man,” who Leung understood to be Lombardozzi. (Tr. 245-46). The basis for Leung’s belief was that Lombardozzi had previously asked Leung to make a $1,000 monthly contribution to his “organization,” but at that time Leung informed Lombardozzi that he could not afford to do so. (Tr. 246). Scotto regularly collected the monthly $2,500 payments on the Second Loan. (Tr. 247, 255).
3. The Third Loan
Shortly after receiving the Second Loan, Leung again borrowed money again from Lombardozzi and Isoldi, this time in part on behalf of Leung’s friend and landlord, Michael Wong (“Wong”). (Tr. 248-49). Leung approached *6 Lombardozzi and Isoldi when the two men were dining together and explained that a friend needed to borrow money. (Tr. 248-49). Isoldi again pulled Leung aside to learn the details of Leung’s request, which was for an additional $25,000, $20,000 of which was for Wong and $5,000 of which was for Leung himself. (Tr. 248-49). Leung personally received all of the money from Isoldi, and was responsible for the entire amount, since he introduced Wong to Isoldi and “vouched” for Wong (the “Third Loan”). (Tr. 250). Over time, the principal amount of the Third Loan was increased to approximately $100,000, as Wong continually needed more money. (Tr. 251). When Leung asked Isoldi, who collected the payment for The Third Loan, for more money in increments of $10,000 to $20,000 (Tr. 251-52), Isoldi told Leung that he would “get back” to Leung. (Tr. 252, 255). Leung understood that Lombardozzi had to approve each incremental increase in principal of the Third Loan. (Tr. 253). Leung and Wong were required to pay “2 points,” or 2% interest, each week, the equivalent of 104% interest each year. (Tr. 254). In other words, after the principal reached $100,000, Leung was required to pay $2000 per week in interest only, but still owed $100,00 in principal.
4. The Collection Of The Loans
Although Wong initially provided Leung with money for the interest payments, Wong became unable to do so in early 2000. (Tr. 256). Because Leung was responsible to Lombardozzi and Isoldi, he went to extraordinary efforts to make the exorbitant interest payments on the $100,000 loan, including borrowing money from other loansharks. Leung and Wong together borrowed $50,000 from a *7 loanshark named Kent at an annual interest rate of approximately 250%. (Tr. 257). The two men also borrowed $13,000 from a loanshark named Prince, and borrowed $42,000 from a loanshark named Paul Rizzo, all at an annual interest rate in excess of 250%. (Tr. 258). Leung used the all of the money that he received from these other loansharks to make the weekly payments to Isoldi and Lombardozzi, even though he was forced to agree to pay these other individuals an even higher rate of interest. (Tr. 259).
By July 2000, Wong informed Leung that he could no longer provide any money for the weekly interest payment, and Wong disappeared in September 2000. (Tr. 260). Leung, who was still responsible for the interest payments as well as the principal, was forced to sell many his personal possessions in order to continue to make payments on the Third Loan. He also had to move residences from a high-rise apartment building to a walk-up. (Tr. 338-39). In addition, Leung borrowed money from all of his friends in an effort to continue to make the weekly interest payments. (Tr. 337-38). Leung kept a log of the payments that he made to the four loansharks, including Isoldi, in the hopes that Wong would one day reimburse him for these expenses. (Tr. 329-37; DX 3505-D).
Leung finally got up the “nerve to speak” to Kent, Prince, and Paul Rizzo, and informed them all that Wong had disappeared, and that although Leung was willing to repay the principal on the loans, he simply could not make any additional interest payments. (Tr. 260-61). All three eventually accepted these terms. Leung never made such an arrangement with Lombardozzi and Isoldi. (Tr. 261).
Isoldi, as well as other loansharks, called Leung every day. (Tr. 343). Leung had “to figure a way how to find the money;” at that time, his “job [was] just [to] keep [himself] alive, keep the restaurant going.” (Tr. 343). Each morning, Leung asked, “my God [,] [w]hy don’t I just alive, keep the restaurant going.” (Tr. 343). Each die?” (Tr. 343).
When he was initially approached by the FBI in January 2001, Leung was scared and denied knowing Isoldi and Lombardozzi. (Tr. 279-80). Around that time, Scotto and Isoldi went to Evergreen, asked to meet in Leung’s office, and made Leung remove his shirt to see if he was wearing a “radio.” (Tr. 278). Leung informed Scotto that he was visited by the FBI, and Scotto provided Leung with the name of a lawyer to call. (Tr. 280). Leung was shocked when approximately two weeks later, Scotto came to collect another interest payment. The collections continued until May 2002, approximately the time that Lombardozzi was arrested. (Tr. 164, 281-82).
Defense counsel attempted to question Leung at his restaurant prior to trial, and asked numerous employees at Chiam questions about Leung. After speaking with Lombardozzi’s counsel, one of Leung’s friends called Leung and asked, “What are you crazy? You going to testify against these guys? They’re going to kill you.” (Tr. 283).
Although Lombardozzi did not personally collect cash from Leung, Lombardozzi referred to the loans on every occasion that he saw Leung. Lombardozzi instructed Leung on each such instance to “keep up what [he was] doing,” to keep making the interest payments. (Tr. 254). On one occasion, moreover, when Leung was having *9 trouble making payments, Lombardozzi told Leung that he had “better take care of it.” (Tr. 327).
5. The Intercepted Communications
During the period of October through December 2000, the FBI received Court authorization to intercept communications over Isoldi’s cellular telephone. During this time, Leung had tremendous difficulty making the weekly interest payments on the Third Loan. (Tr. 261-62). Isoldi was intercepted on many occasions speaking with Leung regarding his efforts to collect the weekly interest payment which at some point were reduced to $1,000 as a result of Leung’s inability to pay any more. (See GX 3, GX 4, GX 5, GX 6, GX 9, GX 10, GX 16, GX 18, GX 22, GX 26, Tr. 264-77).
The intercepted calls also demonstrated that Isoldi collected the weekly interest payments on the Third Loan from Leung on behalf of Lombardozzi, while Scotto collected payments arising from the Second Loan. In one such call, on November 21,2000, Leung discussed the fact that he still owed one $2,500 payment to Scotto for the Second Loan. (GX 22, Tr. 272). Leung informed Isoldi that Scotto had recently complained to Leung that Leung was making interest payments to Isoldi, but had failed to make the final $2,500 payment to Scotto for the Second Loan. Leung complained to Isoldi, obviously assuming that Isoldi had informed Scotto that Leung was making payments on schedule, when he was not. Isoldi responded that he had never told Scotto that Leung was making timely payments, but explained who must have made such a statement: “Maybe Georgie said it to him .... ‘Cause, uh, Georgie knows I... Because I cover you every time. *10 .. Maybe Georgie said, ‘How come you’re not getting the ... that, that Frankie’s getting it on time,’ maybe he said something.” Isoldi was therefore recorded explaining that he provided the money that he collected from Leung to Lombardozzi, and covered for Leung on certain instances when Leung was unable to make the scheduled payments. Isoldi assumed that Lombardozzi must have told Scotto that Isoldi was doing a better job collecting money from Leung than Scotto was.
During the same call, Isoldi agreed to tell Lombardozzi that Leung needed “another week or so.” (GX 22, Tr. 274). Leung expressed his gratitude to Isoldi, because “I want him to hold off George, I just don’t want them to do anything, you know - you know, I’m a little scared, so that’s why I’m just telling him to hold off, hold off George, I would be deeply appreciated.” (Id.).
Isoldi informed Leung during another intercepted call that Leung’s late payments were fine with Isoldi but not with “the other people,” and that Isoldi was going to “make an appointment for [Leung] to see him in person.” (GX 4). Isoldi told Leung on another occasion that he needed information regarding Leung’s payment plans because “I gotta tell him something.” (GX 6). Isoldi also told Leung that Isoldi “made a very, very good deal” for Leung with the person responsible for approving any changes to terms of the loan. (GX 9).
When Leung was unable to keep up even with the revised payment plan of $1,000 in interest per week, Isoldi insisted on arranging a meeting between Leung and “him” regarding the delinquent interest payments. (GX 26). The meeting was scheduled for December 12,2000, and Isoldi *11 confirmed that he was bringing “George” to the meeting. (Id.). After learning that Lombardozzi was the individual with whom he had to meet, Leung made various attempts to avoid the meeting, including by offering to make two delinquent payments immediately. (Tr. 276-77). Satisfied with this offer, Isoldi agreed to cancel the meeting between Leung and Lombardozzi that was scheduled for the following day. Leung preferred not to see Lombardozzi; he recalled that “sometime he might raise a voice in a dining room,” and he wanted to avoid meeting with Lombardozzi. (Tr. 276).
After agreeing to postpone the meeting between Lombardozzi and Leung because Leung agreed to make an interest payment, Isoldi was intercepted on December 12, 2000 informing Lombardozzi that the meeting had been cancelled, stating “maybe we should postpone that thing or ... maybe I’ll just go there myself and I’ll see him.... I spoke to him, I’ll tell you why when I see you in person.” (GX 27).
6. Isoldi’s Discussions Of Lombardozzi’s Role In The Loans
Isoldi also discussed the illegal loans that he and Lombardozzi made to Leung in the presence of others. For example, Isoldi once placed a telephone call to Leung in the presence of Perrotta, who later became a cooperating witness. During this conversation, Isoldi became very animated when he learned that “Henry wasn’t ready to see him.” Isoldi “basically said that Georgie wasn’t going to be happy, and that he doesn’t want to have to send Billy.” (Tr. 456). Isoldi had also told Perrotta that Isoldi received some of the funds that he used in his loansharking business *12 from Lombardozzi, that he conducted loansharking with Lombardozzi, that he picked up the money for Lombardozzi, and that Lombardozzi provided the money that Isoldi loaned to Leung (Tr. 435, 455, 456, 502-03). Perrotta was further aware that Isoldi routinely met with Lombardozzi on Tuesday nights, which Isoldi referred to as “settle up nights.” (Tr. 452).
In addition, Isoldi once brought Massie, another loanshark and eventual cooperating witness, to have dinner at Chiam. Isoldi introduced Massie to Leung at the restaurant. Isoldi informed Massie on that occasion that he had loaned Leung more than $100,000, and that Isoldi got the money that he lent Leung “from George.” (Tr. 573-74). This was a reference to Lombardozzi, whom Isoldi had previously introduced to Massie as the source of the money with which Isoldi engaged in loansharking. (Tr. 569-70).
7. Lombardozzi’s Other Loansharking Activities With Isoldi
The Government also introduced evidence of other instances in which Lombardozzi and Isoldi together engaged in loansharking activities. Perrotta was a loansharking customer of Isoldi’s, as well as of other loansharks, and Perrotta was making weekly payments to all of his creditors. Lombardozzi and Isoldi attempted to “consolidate” all of Perrotta’s outstanding loansharking debts, by proposing to “buy out” the other loansharks so that Perrotta would make interest payments only to them. To that end, Isoldi brought Perrotta to a meeting at a restaurant in Manhattan, although Perrotta was not initially aware of the purpose of the meeting. (Tr. 441-50). When *13 Perrotta arrived at the restaurant, he saw Lombardozzi seated at a table with Larry Galizia (“Galizia”), another loanshark from whom Perrotta had borrowed money. Accompanying Galizia, and representing his interests regarding any loan consolidation at this meeting, was Anthony Federici (“Federici”), a high-ranking member of the Genovese La Cosa Nostra Family. Vincent Cestaro (“Cestaro’), an associate of the Genovese La Cosa Nostra Family to whom Perrotta also owed money, arrived shortly after Perrotta. Cestaro plainly was unaware that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the consolidation of Perrotta’s loans, and upon his arrival and observance of the other attendees, Cestaro immediately requested the opportunity to speak with his uncle, a member of the Genovese LCN Family. Lombardozzi was angered that the necessary parties for the negotiation were not already present at the meeting, and Perrotta was shocked by the manner in which Lombardozzi spoke to Federici, a man usually treated with fear and respect. (Tr. 448). After the meeting, Isoldi specifically told Perrotta that Lombardozzi would “finance” the loan consolidation by buying out the other loansharks (Tr. 448), although the proposed loan consolidation never took place because Perrotta was unable to provide any collateral.
In addition, Massie and Isoldi engaged in loansharking together, without authorization from Lombardozzi or Frank Lino (“Lino”), the Bonnano La Cosa Nostra Family member to whom Massie reported. (Tr. 574-80). Isoldi told Massie not to mention these loans in Lombardozzi’s presence, which were done without Lombardozzi’s knowledge and therefore violated the rules of La Cosa Nostra, which required that an associate, like Isoldi, *14 inform the soldier to whom he reported, Lombardozzi, of any illegal activity that the associate engaged in. (Tr. 576). Isoldi’s advice to Massie was proven prudent, because Lombardozzi and Lino eventually learned of the existence of the loans made by Isoldi and Massie. At the time, the two soldiers, Lombardozzi and Lino, “took” the loans from Massie. (Tr. 580-84). Thereafter, Massie did not receive any further payments on the loans, even though he had provided the principal.
8. Lombardozzi’s Role Within La Cosa Nostra
Special Investigator Kenneth McCabe also testified at trial as an expert regarding some of the manners in which the New York City La Cosa Nostra (“LCN”) families typically conduct their loansharking business. (Tr. 36364 For example, Investigator McCabe testified that “associates” of the LCN family, who are not “soldiers” or “members” of the family, typically engage in the lower-level, time consuming tasks such as picking up interest payments and communicating with debtors. (Tr. 363). In contrast, the soldiers, or made members of an LCN family, typically provide the money to the debtors, and supervise the activities of the business, including the collection efforts, from a safer distance. (Tr. 363). Investigator McCabe also testified regarding his opinion, based upon his years of investigating the New York LCN families, that Lombardozzi is a soldier in the Gambino LCN Family. (Tr. 367-68).
9. The Surveillance Of Isoldi And Lombardozzi And Isoldi’s Allocution
The Government additionally introduced evidence from law enforcement agents demonstrating that Lombardozzi frequently met with Isoldi on Tuesday nights, the “settle up nights” about which Isoldi told Perrotta. (See, e.g., Tr. 132-33; 134-35; 137-38; 629-30). The evidence also showed that Isoldi frequently attempted to pick up money from Leung on Tuesdays. (GX 5, GX 11, GX 12, GX 22).
Lastly, the Government read to the jury portions of the plea allocution by which Isoldi pled guilty to Count Nine of the Indictment. (GX 500; Tr. 639-41).
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DonPeppino386
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Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
queensnyer wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 8:15 am rip tony..guy was a gentleman through and through. how a gangster is supposed to be.
A fish with its mouth closed never gets caught.
"I did 40 years in the street, with the worst f**king people, on a handshake we always kept our word. The f**king government on a handshake? Forget about it." - Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso
"I did 40 years in the street, with the worst f**king people, on a handshake we always kept our word. The f**king government on a handshake? Forget about it." - Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso
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DonPeppino386
- Straightened out
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Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
Thanks for posting!
A fish with its mouth closed never gets caught.
"I did 40 years in the street, with the worst f**king people, on a handshake we always kept our word. The f**king government on a handshake? Forget about it." - Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso
"I did 40 years in the street, with the worst f**king people, on a handshake we always kept our word. The f**king government on a handshake? Forget about it." - Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso
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Ivan
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Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
That was Fritzy Giovanelli and Frankie California Condo. The Smoking Gun hosted that. Google "Frank and Fritzy show".
My problem is I hate everybody.
Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
What if Daniel Marino didn't pass this sh*t off to Lombardozzi? Would any of this ever happened?
Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
No, that was Thomas Cafaro in a recorded conversation with D'Urso. Federici does briefly come up in the conversation. See below -
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USC ... 0929-1.pdf
All roads lead to New York.
Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
Those were great. They talked about Chin being strange and extremely eccentric, although different from his "crazy act". There's a part about him wearing the same pants until the ass wears out.
Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
Also remember them saying Chin was the biggest cheater at cards.B. wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 2:44 pmThose were great. They talked about Chin being strange and extremely eccentric, although different from his "crazy act". There's a part about him wearing the same pants until the ass wears out.
All roads lead to New York.
Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
Thanks for posting.
Re: Gangland 11/17/2022
ate at Parkside twice. Once before a mets game and once before the us open. I used to stay in a hotel in corona. the train was always loud. I would call those hooker numbers in back page back in the day, they'd come right to the room.
both times place was packed and I ate the bar. was good. the veal. real tender.
both times place was packed and I ate the bar. was good. the veal. real tender.
Sorry. Wrong Frank