Colombo family outside BK/LI?

[SonnyBlackstein]

Looking at the cases going back to 2000, if we're talking about all of New Jersey, including South Jersey (traditionally Philadelphia territory), the Philadelphia family seems to have been quite a bit more active (both in gambling and in general) than the DeCavalcantes.

Looking at the DeCavalcante cases, there were bookmaking charges included in the big indictment that hit the family in the late 1990s/early 2000s. But that was a joint operation with the Gambinos and Colombos. Then in 2003, a few DeCavalcante guys were indicted for bookmaking and other crimes. Then a decade later, in 2013, a DeCavalcante associate was charged with running a "pick 6" lottery operation. That's about it. Meanwhile, over the same time period, the Philadelphia family has had a lot more - and bigger - gambling cases.

The DeCavalcantes are still a viable family but they are at the bottom of the 9 families left.

I'm not comparing the whole of the Philly family to the Decavs. I'm comparing one, maybe two crews to the Decavs.

And gambling is THE staple of the mob.

So barring some truly bizarre reason making the Decavs the only family in the history of Cosa Nostra who have decided to ignore the industry staple, I'll still err on the 'a family vs one (two) crews, the family wins' argument.

But you do make a compelling case with your post.

[Wiseguy]

I agree that, generally speaking, gambling is the staple of the mob. But the DeCavalcantes have always seemed to be squeezed in by the bigger NY families, who eat up a lot of that market. And a lot of other things too. Traditionally at least, the DeCavalcantes were known mostly for their labor racketeering in the construction industry. They seem to have had a rather narrow range of influence.

[SonnyBlackstein]

Juries out on this one.

[B.]

Most of the DeCavalcante's own gambling operations are probably centered in Union and Ocean counties. Even in their heyday under Sam DeCavalcante he's recorded splitting hairs about relatively minor amounts of money related to the gambling business. Their strength has never really been the "bread and butter" rackets, but in labor racketeering. Pino Schifilliti didn't even start loansharking until he was already a captain which is almost unheard of in NY/NJ.

[SonnyBlackstein]

It appears I'm probably wrong on this.
Interesting, B and Wiseguy.

I am genuinely amazed an LCN family doesn't have gambling as a/the staple.
Especially in this day and age.

Cheers

[Wiseguy]

It appears I'm probably wrong on this.
Interesting, B and Wiseguy.

I am genuinely amazed an LCN family doesn't have gambling as a/the staple.
Especially in this day and age.

Cheers

Ever since Local 394 was taken over by the LIUNA in 2006, the family probably takes money wherever it can find it. That was their money/power base.

[SonnyBlackstein]

It appears I'm probably wrong on this.
Interesting, B and Wiseguy.

I am genuinely amazed an LCN family doesn't have gambling as a/the staple.
Especially in this day and age.

Cheers

Ever since Local 394 was taken over by the LIUNA in 2006, the family probably takes money wherever it can find it. That was their money/power base.

What do we think are the main current revenue streams for the DeCavs?

[Wiseguy]

The last case in March 2015 included charges of cocaine trafficking, contraband cigarettes, and conspiracy to run an escort service. That same year, there was a case involving bribes for trucking contracts. In 2013, was that lottery case I mentioned. In 2011, a few associates and their companies were mentioned in the state report on mob involvement in New Jersey waste and recycling industry. That same year, two members were charged with contraband cigarettes, receipt of stolen tax refund checks, and loansharking. In 2010, was that case involving extortion of that pizza shop. In 2006 was the takeover of Local 394 due to ongoing corruption and organized crime influence that had involved providing officer positions, union employment, and preferential job referrals to DeCavalcante members and associates, extortion of contractors through violence and labor problems, forcing union members to kickback a percentage of their wages to work on certain job sites, as well as controlling the benefit funds. In 2005, a few guys were charged with possession of large amounts of marijuana and cocaine with intent to distribute. That same year the NY Business Integrity Commission denied operating licenses to two seafood companies and a garbage company tied to the family. In 2003, a few guys were charged with bookmaking, loansharking, and cashing over $170,000 in stolen checks from a gambler in their debt. In 2002, it was reported that mobbed up companies, including ones tied to the DeCavalcantes, had received contracts in the World Trade Center clean up. In 2000, Riggi's son was charged with paying off Carpenters Local 608 for a sweetheart deal. And, of course, the late 1990s/early 2000s saw the big case against the family that included bookmaking and loansharking (with the Gambinos and Colombos), extortion of businesses including a bus company, labor bribery involving kickbacks from contractors in the construction industry through no-show jobs and sweetheart deals, securities fraud, truck hijacking, selling stolen goods, selling stolen US savings bonds, the $1.6 million robbery from an armored truck at the World Trade Center, attempted robbery of a payroll office, tax fraud, mail fraud, obstruction of justice, and murder.

[SonnyBlackstein]

Good stuff wiseguy.

Appreciated

[Pogo The Clown]

I never really thought about the lack of gambling with the DeCavalcante family but you guys bring up good points. Seems that it was their NY crews and members who were more involved with gambling and the traditional blue collar rackets while the Jersey guy's were content with their unions and construction jobs. Looking at their history it seems that most of the Jersey guy's weren't really involved in street crime to any real extent and just lived off the cushy union jobs and benefits they got from their control of Local 394. I remember one LE source saying once how must of the DeCavalcantes had "legit" jobs. Though I'm sure since the loss of Local 394 they now have to scrape by to make living like members in the other families.


Pogo

[Rocco]

So basically he put together all the common knowledge available on the Jersey Crews and put a "I heard it on the street" slant to it.


Pogo

Possibly. God knows we see that all the time. But the Gatto crew being split up (assuming that's true) and LaScala owning PayPerHead.com was news to me.

Not that I have some real inside info like Rocco but I know a lot bookies, friends around the industry etc. and I have almost never heard of a Gambimo gambling package where as WS, Luch are everywhere, literally.

And today unless your selling drugs , every NJ crew has sports gambling as a core money maker . Those 2 fam are the main players in NJ with the WS involved in all kinds of white collar rackets from the shore thru Bergen county. DeCav seems to have a few things going on and Philly has some gambling

You are 100% dead on . NJ Sports Gambling has been Dominated by the Genovese, Lucchese, Philly and Decavs. And in that order. Lucchese have a huge book for their seize. But WS has many crews. They also have allot of smaller gambling rings that are run by people mostly working off debts while still be allowed to bet. Gambino's never really came back. They lost most gambling in North Jersey to the Westside, Bruno and Luccheses. Lucchese has made a major push out to the burbs of Morris county in the last 25 yrs too.

I think the Gambino's have focused on growing crews in Long Island to be honest. I think they have their biggest Gambling rackets in the burbs of Long Island.

It's true, there's only been a few Gambino-related gambling cases in Jersey going back to 2000.

My question is, while various crews may have a guy or two active in Jersey, or some interests there, how many crews are actually based there now?

The Genovese have several. Five?

The Luccheses have one.

It appears the Colombos don't have any.

The Bonannos maybe one?

The Gambinos maybe one, if at all?

The DeCavalcantes, of course. The North Jersey Philadelphia crew appears to be rather small.

NJ Sports Gambling has been Dominated by the Genovese, Lucchese, Philly and Decavs. And in that order.

I find it hard to believe Philly with one decina in jersey would have a bigger book than the whole DeCav family with its 40+ buttons.

You mean one crew in North Jersey?

Licata's crew has always had a decent book. Chucky would be better to answer about South Jersey. But I have to assume that Philly still has bookies in Vineland, AC, Margate, Cherry Hill, Haddonfield etc And of course South Philly. Remember Decavs still operate in NY. They are still making guys in NY apparently as well. Decavs book survives on a small scale where the Westside is very active. Like Ocean County etc People who have moves to Toms River, Brick etc from Elizabeth tend to bet into Devac's Book.

[Wiseguy]

I never really thought about the lack of gambling with the DeCavalcante family but you guys bring up good points. Seems that it was their NY crews and members who were more involved with gambling and the traditional blue collar rackets while the Jersey guy's were content with their unions and construction jobs. Looking at their history it seems that most of the Jersey guy's weren't really involved in street crime to any real extent and just lived off the cushy union jobs and benefits they got from their control of Local 394. I remember one LE source saying once how must of the DeCavalcantes had "legit" jobs. Though I'm sure since the loss of Local 394 they now have to scrape by to make living like members in the other families.


Pogo

Wasn't there some joke among the NY families that you couldn't meet with a DeCavalcante guy until he was off work? I seem to remember something to that effect.

[Rocco]

I never really thought about the lack of gambling with the DeCavalcante family but you guys bring up good points. Seems that it was their NY crews and members who were more involved with gambling and the traditional blue collar rackets while the Jersey guy's were content with their unions and construction jobs. Looking at their history it seems that most of the Jersey guy's weren't really involved in street crime to any real extent and just lived off the cushy union jobs and benefits they got from their control of Local 394. I remember one LE source saying once how must of the DeCavalcantes had "legit" jobs. Though I'm sure since the loss of Local 394 they now have to scrape by to make living like members in the other families.


Pogo

Wasn't there some joke among the NY families that you couldn't meet with a DeCavalcante guy until he was off work? I seem to remember something to that effect.

That because they were all legit working guys in the labor union. The government was just harassing honest hard working Italian americans. The Decav's are still very much involved in Construction. For every made member that was tossed out of that union you got 12 of his relatives running about a dozen constructions companies that all land commercial union work. Its a joke. While the might not be able to raid the pension system in the union you got their hands in sweet heart contracts with front owns on allot of these construction companies. As stated before most the Gambling these guys have is centered around staten island, union county and ocean county. Seems like the entire Peterstown population moved to Toms River, Brick, Bayville etc. Been that way since the early 80s.

[Pogo The Clown]

the late 1990s/early 2000s saw the big case against the family that included bookmaking and loansharking (with the Gambinos and Colombos), extortion of businesses including a bus company, labor bribery involving kickbacks from contractors in the construction industry through no-show jobs and sweetheart deals, securities fraud, truck hijacking, selling stolen goods, selling stolen US savings bonds, the $1.6 million robbery from an armored truck at the World Trade Center, attempted robbery of a payroll office, tax fraud, mail fraud, obstruction of justice, and murder.

Interesting tidbit, the truck hijacking involved the theft of 29,000 packages of Centrum vitamins. In season 6 the Soprano family was involved in the hijacking of big truckload of Centrum vitamins.


Pogo

[Wiseguy]

the late 1990s/early 2000s saw the big case against the family that included bookmaking and loansharking (with the Gambinos and Colombos), extortion of businesses including a bus company, labor bribery involving kickbacks from contractors in the construction industry through no-show jobs and sweetheart deals, securities fraud, truck hijacking, selling stolen goods, selling stolen US savings bonds, the $1.6 million robbery from an armored truck at the World Trade Center, attempted robbery of a payroll office, tax fraud, mail fraud, obstruction of justice, and murder.

Interesting tidbit, the truck hijacking involved the theft of 29,000 packages of Centrum vitamins. In season 6 the Soprano family was involved in the hijacking of big truckload of Centrum vitamins.


Pogo

That's a score.