Gangland:7/28/16

[Dellacroce]

July 28, 2016 This Week in Gang Land
By Jerry Capeci

FBI 'Pole Camera' Unmasks Sophisticated Mob-Linked Burglary Crew In $5 Million Bank Heists

The alleged mastermind behind a pair of spectacular New York City bank heists that netted $5 million in cash and jewelry and other family heirlooms is an old-school mob associate who learned his trade with one of Brooklyn's most notorious Mafia crews.

Michael Mazzara, a longtime Colombo associate who robbed banks with violent members of the Bath Avenue crew of gangsters headed by Bonanno family consigliere Anthony Spero in the 1990s, had become quite an expert about one of the mob's oldest tricks of the trade by time he and two confederates were arrested by savvy members of a joint FBI-NYPD task force this week.

Nabbed along with Mazzara, 44, was Anthony Mascuzzio, 36, whose own mob pedigree stems from his late namesake dad, a John Gotti pal who was gunned down in a Manhattan bar in 1988. Mascuzzio is also connected through marriage with the powerful Genovese crime family. Also arrested was a close Mazzara pal, Charles Kerrigan, 40.

According to law enforcement officials, Mazzara, who did time for a string of bank robberies and burglaries in the 1990s, is the leader of a loosely-connected crew of mob associates that has specialized in bank break-ins since Mazzara's release from prison back in 2006.

The burglars' specialty is breaking into secured bank vaults and safety deposit boxes, usually by cutting through the roof or an adjoining wall, according to the arrest complaint that was filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court.

Mazzara's crew was nothing if not creative. To pull off one heist, the burglars constructed a plywood shed on the roof of a bank and painted it black so they could torch their way inside without being seen.

They also worked overtime, laboring through the weekend when the banks were empty.

In one weekend-long burglary that began Friday evening, May 20, and went on until the wee hours of Sunday morning, the crew scored $4.3 million in cash, diamonds, jewelry, coins and baseball cards from safe deposit boxes at the Maspeth Federal Savings Bank at 64-19 Woodhaven Blvd. in Queens. They also looted $296,000 from the bank's vault, according to a complaint by FBI agent Bradford Price.

In another weekend job, Mazzara and Kerrigan are alleged to have stolen $330,000 from the vault of an HSBC Bank branch at 4406 13th Avenue in Borough Park, Brooklyn. That escapade began at 1:45 PM, Friday, April 8 and ended at 5:30 AM on Sunday, April 10.

Unfortunately for Mazzara & Company, law enforcement had been aware of Mazzara's proclivity for bank heists for some time now, and used a combination of good-old-fashioned leg work, as well as some pretty up-to-date law enforcement techniques to nail them on federal bank burglary charges.

The task force used a host of fact-finding tools, including real estate records, credit card receipts, motor vehicle records, cell phone data, and videos from stores and toll bridge crossings. But the key investigative tool that unmasked the three suspects, and turned them into jailed defendants, is a gizmo called a "pole camera."

In November of 2014, the FBI, in an effort to get a leg up on Mazzara's suspected activities and put an end to the crew's bank heists, "placed a pole camera across the street from" his home at 1849 West 10 Street in the Gravesend section where both he and Kerrigan live, wrote agent Price.

The pole camera, which was actually concealed in a tree, according to a Channel 7 TV report, was strategically placed to "capture the street in front of the adjacent property, which is owned by relatives of Mazzara, and the driveway that runs alongside the property" which Mazzara uses to "park his vehicles and store items," wrote Price.

On April 8, 2016, the day the Brooklyn bank heist began, the pole camera captured Mazzara leave his home "wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, grey sweatpants, and a light brown Kangol hat," less than an hour before surveillance video behind the HSBC bank spotted him wearing the same outfit as he "walked down the alleyway in the direction of the HSBC branch," wrote Price.

A month later, on May 19, a day before the Maspeth caper, exactly 28 minutes after he used his credit card to purchase "four sheets of plywood, several 2x4 pieces of wood, a gallon can of black paint, a can of black spray paint, an orange roller paint tray, and a box of #8 1 5/8 inch screws," at Home Depot, he parked in front of the "adjacent property" to his home, wrote Price.

The pole camera saw him "carry the plywood, one sheet at a time, to the backyard of the Adjacent Property and" prop them up "against the garage located next to the Adjacent Property" and also take "the paint can and the roller tray from the passenger side" of a red pickup truck he often used.

But like many do-it-yourself home improvement types, Mazzara forgot to get something he needed. Later that afternoon, he drove back to Home Depot and used his credit card to "purchase a paint roller handle and a tarp," wrote Price.

Less than 20 minutes later, the trusty pole camera captured him as he "used a roller brush to paint the sheets of plywood black," wrote Price.

"Later that night, " continued Price, "Mazzara placed the four plywood sheets, now painted black, into the bed of the Red Pickup, along with three bundles of 2x4 pieces of wood" into the Red Pickup.

The veteran G-man noted that the "materials appeared consistent with the supplies" that the burglars left on the roof of the Maspeth Federal Savings Bank a few days later. They left behind "several #8 1 5/8 inch screws, a tarp, and a four-sided plywood structure — three walls and a roof — that had been painted black," wrote Price.

The pole camera also spied Kerrigan and Mascuzzio during the same time frame that Mazzara was diligently preparing for what Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said were "well-organized, meticulous" bank burglaries "that resembled scenes from the movie, Heat," a 1995 film about a bank robbery crew led by a Robert DeNiro character and pursued by a detective played by Al Pacino.

While they could, the crew lived it up, authorities said.

"They bought new cars, motorcycles, jet skis and boats. They partied in Las Vegas, and took trips to Miami while the residents of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and Rego Park got taken to the cleaners," said New York FBI boss Diego Rodriguez, who will be joining Univision next month as the Spanish language network's Chief of Global Security.

The investigation is ongoing, and sources say that the NYPD-FBI task force is working to build cases against unidentified co-conspirators mentioned in the complaint.

Mazzara had several run-ins with authorities following his release from a six-year prison term stemming from the last time he was caught robbing banks.

Shortly after his release, in April of 2006, he was charged with violating his supervised release by intimidating a Lowe's Department store manager and security officer who had arrested Bonanno associate Luigi (Ronnie Petrino) Grasso on shoplifting charges after they had walked out without paying for $200 worth of locks that were in their cart.

Mazzara denied telling the store manager in an anonymous call two days later, "Remember me from the other day? You're fucking dead." But during an October 2006 hearing, he agreed to four months of home confinement, which was his last problem with the law — until Tuesday.

In a 2009 incident, Mazzara was shot in the face and seriously wounded by a Gravesend associate in a dispute over a Jet Ski. That was the sort of mayhem for which Mazzara's bank burgling buddies in the old Bath Avenue crew were notorious. They were also alleged to have committed murders on behalf of Spero.

Mascuzzio, who is still serving a post-prison supervised release stint following his release from prison last year, agreed to temporary detention at his arraignment. Prosecutors Benet Kearney and David Denton also sought to detain Mazzara, but a magistrate judge set bail at $2 million, to be secured by three co-signers. Kerrigan's bail is $150,000. The trio remains behind bars.

Ironically, Mazzara's arrest came just weeks after one of his former bank robbing pals with whom he was charged and convicted in 2002 for a slew of bank jobs was nabbed in Florida also attempting to ply his old trade. As Gang Land detailed two weeks ago, mob turncoat Gerard (Skeevy) Bellafiore was shot during his arrest in Florida trying to pull his own more modest bank theft, using his signature tool of trade, a fishing gaffe he used to dip inside bank deposit slots.

Bellafiore has recovered from the three bullet wounds he suffered when he was shot during his Jensen Beach, Florida bank heist, and is being detained on $1.5 million bond on bank burglary and possession of burglary tools in a Martin County state facility.

"They were all penetrating shots but he's a tough bird," said Martin County Detective Brian Broughton. "Anybody else would probably be on life support right now."

Broughton told Gang Land that he has provided details of Bellafiore's arrest to federal probation officials in Fort Lauderdale, who plan to charge him with violating his post-prison supervised release restrictions for the bungled bank job.

Queens Father And Son Guilty In 'Ndrangheta-Based Cocaine Smuggling Venture

Mob-linked drug dealer Angelo Gigliotti and his father Gregorio both went down very quickly last week, but at least Angelo got to spend the previous 10 months at home with his wife and young son before being sent back to prison to await a sentence of at least 20 years. Dad Gregorio didn't fare as well. He's been behind bars since March of last year awaiting trial on charges of using his Italian restaurant in Corona, Queens to import 55 kilograms of cocaine into the U.S.

A Brooklyn federal court jury took just three hours to find Angelo, 36, and Gregorio guilty of conspiring to use the Cucina a Modo Mio restaurant and an import company, Fresh Farm Produce Export Corp., to smuggle two loads of coke into the U.S. that were hidden in shipments of cassava from Costa Rica and seized by the feds in 2014.

Gregorio, 60, was also convicted of federal weapons charges based on a small cache of loaded handguns, a 12 gauge shotgun and ammunition that was seized at the now-defunct eatery that he ran with his wife Eleanora, 56. Mrs. Gigliotti was also charged with playing an integral role in the cocaine conspiracy with the Calabrian organized crime group, 'Ndrangheta, but she was declared incompetent to stand trial earlier this year.

Unlike his son, Gregorio has no prior drug raps, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The key evidence against the father-and-son gangsters were a slew of conversations in which Gregorio, his wife, and to a lesser degree, Angelo, were overheard discussing the family drug business in tape recorded talks that were picked up by both Italian and U.S. law enforcement officials on court ordered wiretaps and bugs in 2014 and 2015.

Prosecutors Margaret Gandy and Keith Edelman also introduced evidence that Mrs. Gigliotti delivered $360,000 to the drug suppliers in Costa Rica in 2014 and that a relative currently awaiting trial in Italy, Franco Fazio, brought them an additional $170,000 later that year.

U.S. authorities and their counterparts in Italy have been investigating allegations that the Gigliottis and Fazio have been dealing drugs with 'Ndrangheta members in Reggio Calabria since 2008, according to court papers filed in the case.

Defense lawyers sought to have the tape recorded talks suppressed. But Judge Raymond Dearie, who ripped the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney's office for issuing unlawful subpoenas during its probe, ruled that all the wiretaps and bugs obtained during the investigation — including 11 wiretaps and two car bugs by Italian authorities — were legally obtained.

The defense is expected to appeal an unusual pre-trial decision by Dearie who ruled after reading the transcript of the jury selection process that defense lawyers had discriminated against male jurors, and restored two men whom the defense had bounced. A panel of eight women and four men sat through the two week trial and announced its verdict last Friday.

Angelo Gigliotti's attorney, Alan Futerfas, told Gang Land there were several trial rulings that the defense intends to appeal, but declined to spell them out. "Obviously we're disappointed by the drug convictions, but gratified the jury found he had nothing to do with any guns that were found by the authorities," the lawyer said.

Ailing Colombo Capo Cops Plea Deal In 10-Year-Long Shakedown

Five weeks after an unusual nine-day furlough from a federal lockup, ailing Colombo capo Luca DiMatteo pleaded guilty last week to racketeering and extortion charges stemming from the shakedown of a fearful Brooklyn businessman in which Luca demanded $200 every two weeks over a 10 year span.

The guilty plea calls for a recommended prison term between 57 and 71 months in prison.

But the deal doesn't prohibit DiMatteo's attorneys from citing the gangster's numerous ailments, and the shoddy treatment he has received for them behind bars, to seek a "time served" sentence that would translate to a prison term of about one year for the 71-year-old mobster — and live out the rest of his life at home, instead of behind bars.

As Gang Land reported in June, DiMatteo suffers from numerous illnesses, including bladder cancer, diabetes, thyroid cancer and a host of other medical problems ailments heart disease, hypertension, adrenal cancer, and "is in chronic debilitating pain," according to court filings in his case.

Luca's medical treatment earlier this year at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn was so poor that the U.S. Attorney's office agreed to grant him the rare furlough so he could visit doctors of his choosing rather than risk a hearing on the issue before an exasperated and angry Judge, I. Leo Glasser.

"I understand the MDC is not the Mayo Clinic," said Glasser. "But I also understand that even the MDC, or Bureau of Prisons has an obligation to see to it that a person in need of medical attention is receiving it appropriately and adequately."

The BOP, DiMatteo's lawyers, and the U.S. Attorney's Office would not discuss the results of the medical tests that DiMatteo had during his medical furlough. The parties also declined to say what drove the mobster to cop a plea deal, or why prosecutors, who usually insist on a "global" plea deal involving all defendants charged with the same crime, came to an individual settlement with DiMatteo.

His nephew, Luca (Lukey) DiMatteo, is slated to go to trial on racketeering charges that include the 10-year-long extortion charge September 6, three days before Uncle Luca is scheduled to be sentenced. Lukey's lawyer also declined to respond to a request for comment about the case.

[willychichi]

The investigation is ongoing, and sources say that the NYPD-FBI task force is working to build cases against unidentified co-conspirators mentioned in the complaint.

Mascuzzio is also connected through marriage with the powerful Genovese crime family.

It will be interesting to see who else is involved. Who is the Genovese connection?

[Cheech]

geritano?

[Rocco]

powerful Genovese crime family....? Really? I don't think that any of the remaining LCN families are really that powerful anymore. Yeah they make money and they are still around. But powerful how? They control interstate commerce? Nope they control politicians like they used to ? Nope They control unions like they used to? Nope. Without illegal sports gambling they would be seriously hurting. But hey I guess "powerful" sells papers..

[Wiseguy]

powerful Genovese crime family....? Really? I don't think that any of the remaining LCN families are really that powerful anymore. Yeah they make money and they are still around. But powerful how? They control interstate commerce? Nope they control politicians like they used to ? Nope They control unions like they used to? Nope. Without illegal sports gambling they would be seriously hurting. But hey I guess "powerful" sells papers..

Huh? Did blindman from the old RD board hack into your account, Rocco?

Yes, on one hand, all the NY families - including the Genovese - have declined. But them not having the power they did decades ago doesn't mean they're still not a force. And keep in mind that the head of the FBI’s criminal division in New York said in 2014 that the NY families had "quietly staged a comeback and were more powerful than they had been in years." I think that could be true as far back as the early 2000s but not the 1990s.

As for the Genovese family in particular...


"The Genovese family is now dominant. They remain a very powerful group. The Gambinos have dropped to Number 2. In the Genovese family, you really don't have that many defectors. They're still very entrenched in the unions and construction industry."
- Jack Garcia, former FBI agent (2011)


"They certainly have taken hits with the RICO statute but organized crime in the New York City area is alive and well. The Genovese family is a very, very strong family. They're the most efficient family because they're so secretive. People within the family don't even know who each other are. They are very disciplined in their criminal plots and they keep their hit teams small. Infilatration by law enforcement is very difficult. They continue to use violence to ensure compliance. We haven't had widespread disruption of the Genoveses like we had with the other families. Gigante's secrecy permeated the ranks and it still exists. If someone in the Genovese family slips up, they're dead before you know it."
- Dave Shafer, Head of FBI Organized Crime Program (2009)


"The Genovese family is the most secretive, criminally diverse, and powerful family in the country. Their power stems from control of unions and major industries."
- Michael Campi, FBI Organized Crime Dept. (2006)



You can also look at the indictments over the last decade. In addition to still controlling the largest bookmaking and loansharking operations in New York/New Jersey, the family had been involved in cases involving the ILA and waterfront industry, the garbage and demolition industry, the construction and trucking industries including unions like the Journeymen & Allied Trades and Bricklayers, the Newspaper Union, the Food & Commercial Workers Union, the Public Employees Union, etc.

[AG777]

Sometimes I think Wiseguy was left on the front steps of one the Temples of the LDS as a baby by Maria Concetta Buonoventi di Barafonte. He has more love for the Luciano/Genovese than we Italian-Americans do
Ha ha I'm just busting you Wiseguy but you sure do vouche for them. You have to admit it! It's more than just stating facts.

[Wiseguy]

Sometimes I think Wiseguy was left on the front steps of one the Temples of the LDS as a baby by Maria Concetta Buonoventi di Barafonte. He has more love for the Luciano/Genovese than we Italian-Americans do
Ha ha I'm just busting you Wiseguy but you sure do vouche for them. You have to admit it! It's more than just stating facts.

You know, one or two people have said this before and I've never understood it. This may come as a surprise but I don't get a stipend from the Genovese family for talking about them. What I said was simply stating the facts, no more or less. And even then it's not really me saying anything. It's law enforcement and recent cases saying it.

[Sol]

Sometimes I think Wiseguy was left on the front steps of one the Temples of the LDS as a baby by Maria Concetta Buonoventi di Barafonte. He has more love for the Luciano/Genovese than we Italian-Americans do
Ha ha I'm just busting you Wiseguy but you sure do vouche for them. You have to admit it! It's more than just stating facts.

You know, one or two people have said this before and I've never understood it. This may come as a surprise but I don't get a stipend from the Genovese family for talking about them. What I said was simply stating the facts, no more or less. And even then it's not really me saying anything. It's law enforcement and recent cases saying it.

I'm not trying to argue with you nor am I trying to debate you on this. I can't explain it, but it does come off as you rooting for them, even though I know you aren't.......Soliai

[Wiseguy]

Sometimes I think Wiseguy was left on the front steps of one the Temples of the LDS as a baby by Maria Concetta Buonoventi di Barafonte. He has more love for the Luciano/Genovese than we Italian-Americans do
Ha ha I'm just busting you Wiseguy but you sure do vouche for them. You have to admit it! It's more than just stating facts.

You know, one or two people have said this before and I've never understood it. This may come as a surprise but I don't get a stipend from the Genovese family for talking about them. What I said was simply stating the facts, no more or less. And even then it's not really me saying anything. It's law enforcement and recent cases saying it.

I'm not trying to argue with you nor am I trying to debate you on this. I can't explain it, but it does come off as you rooting for them, even though I know you aren't.......Soliai

Yes. Considering how many arguments I've gotten into with mob fan boys, who actually do root for the mob, test assured I'm not rooting for them.

In this case I was surprised by Rocco's post more than anything. It was similar to something blindman or Dan would say.

[DonnieB]

Anthony Mascuzzio's father in law is Steven Arena( genovese).

[willychichi]

Anthony Mascuzzio's father in law is Steven Arena( genovese).

Thanks Donnie

[NickyEyes1]

Anthony Mascuzzio's father in law is Steven Arena( genovese).

Thanks Donnie

Phones ringing dude.

[Wiseguy]

Anthony Mascuzzio's father in law is Steven Arena( genovese).

Thanks Donnie

Phones ringing dude.

You're killing your father, Larry.

[Rocco]

powerful Genovese crime family....? Really? I don't think that any of the remaining LCN families are really that powerful anymore. Yeah they make money and they are still around. But powerful how? They control interstate commerce? Nope they control politicians like they used to ? Nope They control unions like they used to? Nope. Without illegal sports gambling they would be seriously hurting. But hey I guess "powerful" sells papers..

Huh? Did blindman from the old RD board hack into your account, Rocco?

Yes, on one hand, all the NY families - including the Genovese - have declined. But them not having the power they did decades ago doesn't mean they're still not a force. And keep in mind that the head of the FBI’s criminal division in New York said in 2014 that the NY families had "quietly staged a comeback and were more powerful than they had been in years." I think that could be true as far back as the early 2000s but not the 1990s.

As for the Genovese family in particular...


"The Genovese family is now dominant. They remain a very powerful group. The Gambinos have dropped to Number 2. In the Genovese family, you really don't have that many defectors. They're still very entrenched in the unions and construction industry."
- Jack Garcia, former FBI agent (2011)


"They certainly have taken hits with the RICO statute but organized crime in the New York City area is alive and well. The Genovese family is a very, very strong family. They're the most efficient family because they're so secretive. People within the family don't even know who each other are. They are very disciplined in their criminal plots and they keep their hit teams small. Infilatration by law enforcement is very difficult. They continue to use violence to ensure compliance. We haven't had widespread disruption of the Genoveses like we had with the other families. Gigante's secrecy permeated the ranks and it still exists. If someone in the Genovese family slips up, they're dead before you know it."
- Dave Shafer, Head of FBI Organized Crime Program (2009)


"The Genovese family is the most secretive, criminally diverse, and powerful family in the country. Their power stems from control of unions and major industries."
- Michael Campi, FBI Organized Crime Dept. (2006)



You can also look at the indictments over the last decade. In addition to still controlling the largest bookmaking and loansharking operations in New York/New Jersey, the family had been involved in cases involving the ILA and waterfront industry, the garbage and demolition industry, the construction and trucking industries including unions like the Journeymen & Allied Trades and Bricklayers, the Newspaper Union, the Food & Commercial Workers Union, the Public Employees Union, etc.

I am aware of all that. Compared to what they were they are no longer that powerful. They no longer control nationwide union locals and interstate commerce. They control union locals centralized in the north east tri-state area. I don't need all the quotes and research wiseguy I am well aware. Just merely pointing out that Newspapers like to portray LCN is more then what they really are today. Their control of unions today is a fraction of what it was in the glory days of the 50's 60's an 70's. The papers play off that era to sell papers today. Just like the mob its self lives off their reputation of the past. The mob no longer stuffs bodies into trunks on a weekly or monthly basis like the old days. They merely issue threats and live of the their past reputation. FACT without illegal gambling they would be hurting today as their control of specific union locals in the tristate area would not be enough to sustain them. Out of the 5 dwindling LCN families in NY..Yes the Genovese family is more then likely the most powerful. But as powerful as he newspapers prop them up to be. Far from it

[Wiseguy]

powerful Genovese crime family....? Really? I don't think that any of the remaining LCN families are really that powerful anymore. Yeah they make money and they are still around. But powerful how? They control interstate commerce? Nope they control politicians like they used to ? Nope They control unions like they used to? Nope. Without illegal sports gambling they would be seriously hurting. But hey I guess "powerful" sells papers..

Huh? Did blindman from the old RD board hack into your account, Rocco?

Yes, on one hand, all the NY families - including the Genovese - have declined. But them not having the power they did decades ago doesn't mean they're still not a force. And keep in mind that the head of the FBI’s criminal division in New York said in 2014 that the NY families had "quietly staged a comeback and were more powerful than they had been in years." I think that could be true as far back as the early 2000s but not the 1990s.

As for the Genovese family in particular...


"The Genovese family is now dominant. They remain a very powerful group. The Gambinos have dropped to Number 2. In the Genovese family, you really don't have that many defectors. They're still very entrenched in the unions and construction industry."
- Jack Garcia, former FBI agent (2011)


"They certainly have taken hits with the RICO statute but organized crime in the New York City area is alive and well. The Genovese family is a very, very strong family. They're the most efficient family because they're so secretive. People within the family don't even know who each other are. They are very disciplined in their criminal plots and they keep their hit teams small. Infilatration by law enforcement is very difficult. They continue to use violence to ensure compliance. We haven't had widespread disruption of the Genoveses like we had with the other families. Gigante's secrecy permeated the ranks and it still exists. If someone in the Genovese family slips up, they're dead before you know it."
- Dave Shafer, Head of FBI Organized Crime Program (2009)


"The Genovese family is the most secretive, criminally diverse, and powerful family in the country. Their power stems from control of unions and major industries."
- Michael Campi, FBI Organized Crime Dept. (2006)



You can also look at the indictments over the last decade. In addition to still controlling the largest bookmaking and loansharking operations in New York/New Jersey, the family had been involved in cases involving the ILA and waterfront industry, the garbage and demolition industry, the construction and trucking industries including unions like the Journeymen & Allied Trades and Bricklayers, the Newspaper Union, the Food & Commercial Workers Union, the Public Employees Union, etc.

I am aware of all that. Compared to what they were they are no longer that powerful. They no longer control nationwide union locals and interstate commerce. They control union locals centralized in the north east tri-state area. I don't need all the quotes and research wiseguy I am well aware. Just merely pointing out that Newspapers like to portray LCN is more then what they really are today. Their control of unions today is a fraction of what it was in the glory days of the 50's 60's an 70's. The papers play off that era to sell papers today. Just like the mob its self lives off their reputation of the past. The mob no longer stuffs bodies into trunks on a weekly or monthly basis like the old days. They merely issue threats and live of the their past reputation. FACT without illegal gambling they would be hurting today as their control of specific union locals in the tristate area would not be enough to sustain them. Out of the 5 dwindling LCN families in NY..Yes the Genovese family is more then likely the most powerful. But as powerful as he newspapers prop them up to be. Far from it

From what I've seen for years now, the media tends to go the other way far more often, i.e. saying the mob is dead or nearly so.