Genovese mobsters nabbed for gambling, loan-sharking, cigarette smuggling

[Wiseguy]

Been CAUGHT On Wiretaps Making Illegal Bets, Source Claims
Tony Danza, Regis Philbin, Charlie Sheen & more.
By Radar Staff
Feb 13, 2017


The take down of a mafia run gambling ring in New York City threatens to trap a gaggle of high-profile celebrities who a source claims may have been caught on wiretaps making illegal bets, RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned.

Thirteen members and associates of the Genovese Organized Crime Family were nabbed in the Dec. 15 bust, which included Vincent “Vinny” Taliercio, a long-time Brooklyn bookie who collected wagers from a Who’s Who of Hollywood elite, a well-placed source told Radar.

The list of New York City born celebs may include: The Godfather star James Caan; Taxi actor Tony Danza and Paul Sorvino, who played a mafia boss in the wise guy drama Goodfellas, the source told Radar.

“James Caan is a big gambler — he bets on anything. He’ll even bet on which elevator doors open first,” the insider claimed.

Some of the other high profile gamblers may include: Bronx born TV talker Regis Philbin; Two and Half Men star Charlie Sheen; the late Law & Order star Jerry Orbach; Seinfeld co-creator Larry David; the late Wise Guy actor Ray Sharkey and famed producer James L. Brooks, an Oscar winning director, and Ed Weinberger, who both created Taxi and numerous other television classics.

“They probably caught some of these celebrities on the wiretaps,” the source said, adding the gamblers would usually place their bets with Vinny by telephone if they weren’t in New York.

“Vinnie is not just a bookie — everybody who is anybody in the gambling world would call him up because he’s the best handicapper in the world,” the source told Radar. “He has dealt with all the big celebrities.”

“Everybody went to Vinny for advice even the members of all five crime families. Anything you needed to know about sports that guy Vinny knew about it — he was like a walking encyclopedia — an almanac!”

Vinny was arrested during the gambling and loansharking investigation dubbed “Operation Shark Bait” by the New York Attorney General’s Office’s Organized Crime Task Force and the NYPD’s Criminal Enterprise Investigations Section, who used wiretaps to secure the indictments.

The ringleader Salvatore “Sallie” DeMeo, 76, and the others are accused of running the gambling site 4Spades.orgbased in Costa Rica along with a lucrative loansharking and illegal cigarette smuggling business that raked in millions, according to a 56-page indictment obtained by Radar.

Vinny, who operated his family owned grocery store, the Smith Union Market in Brooklyn, “served as the money collector/distributor of illegal gambling proceeds,” according to the indictment.

In one chat tape recorded on Feb. 14, 2015, Vinny is heard giving the spread to college games: “Michigan State’s two-and-a-half, 37-and-a-half, Clemson is nine, no total. Xavier is eight and 48.”

The celebs relied on Vinny for gambling advice and enjoyed betting on college basketball and football games because they “enjoyed the spread,” the inside source told Radar.

According to the source, they also gambled on professional sports, boxing and horse races — a favorite of the Brooklyn born Sorvino, who also starred on the television series Law & Order.

Some sports superstars who placed bets with Vinny include: Yankee great Mickey Mantle, disgraced hitting champ Pete Rose and famed L.A. Dodgers’ manager Tommy Lasorda.

Vinny plead not guilty in Brooklyn Criminal Court and was released on a $20,000. He scheduled back in court on February 15th.

https://www.google.com/amp/radaronline. ... id-verizon

[Wiseguy]

Enforcer hit with tax evasion charges on BK real estate deals
Sal Demeo allegedly hid more than $2M in capital gains from the IRS: prosecutors
By Rich Bockmann
October 12, 2017


A reputed soldier in the Genovese crime family is facing tax evasion charges for allegedly hiding more than $2 million in capital gains he made on a pair of Brooklyn real estate deals from the IRS, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

Salvatore Demeo, 77, could serve 33 to 41 months in prison if found guilty on the four counts of tax evasion and failing to file tax returns, documents unsealed in Brooklyn federal court show.

A representative for Demeo couldn’t be reached.
According to the criminal complaint filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Muller’s office, Demeo inherited shares in 10 Brooklyn properties in 1991 when his father died without having prepared a will.

In early 2013, Demeo and others sold their shares in three of the properties – 330 Atlantic Avenue as well as 325 and 319 Pacific Avenue – for around $4.75 million, prosecutors claim.

The next year, Demeo and others sold shares in the other properties – 61-63 Bond Street as well as 252-254, 258-262, 264, 266-268 and 256 Schermerhorn Street – for $13.47 million, court records claim.

Property record show the buyer to be Allen Gross’ GFI Capital, which as of 2014 was planning to build an Ace Hotel on the site. GFI Capital is not named as a defendant in the complaint, and is accused of no wrongdoing. A representative for the company did not immediately provide a comment.

But instead of reporting the income, Demeo allegedly concealed his earnings by endorsing checks to an unrelated business and an unlicensed check-casher. Authorities claim he avoided paying federal income taxes in excess of $365,000.

“Organized crime members are on notice that this office and its law enforcement partners will hold them accountable for such economic crimes no less than for their traditional schemes and offenses,” Muller said in a statement.

https://therealdeal.com/2017/10/12/alle ... ate-deals/


Press release and indictment -

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/al ... ax-evasion

[Teddy Persico]

Those are some nice real estate numbers. Are there any other reports of mob guys making a killing NYC property? It seems gentrification is benifiting a lot of mob guys instead of hurting them.

[gohnjotti]

Those are some nice real estate numbers. Are there any other reports of mob guys making a killing NYC property? It seems gentrification is benifiting a lot of mob guys instead of hurting them.

Genovese boss Liborio Bellomo is BIG in real estate.

[TwoPiece]

Those are some nice real estate numbers. Are there any other reports of mob guys making a killing NYC property? It seems gentrification is benifiting a lot of mob guys instead of hurting them.

A ton of older guys have made a killing through real estate, especially in the last decade. I can't remember who exactly but an older guy, with the Gambinos I think, just unloaded a place he bought around the 70's for 20+ mil. Just a single tenement building in lower Manhattan is worth millions.

[SonnyBlackstein]

Good article. Thanks WG.

[Wiseguy]

Those are some nice real estate numbers. Are there any other reports of mob guys making a killing NYC property? It seems gentrification is benifiting a lot of mob guys instead of hurting them.

A ton of older guys have made a killing through real estate, especially in the last decade. I can't remember who exactly but an older guy, with the Gambinos I think, just unloaded a place he bought around the 70's for 20+ mil. Just a single tenement building in lower Manhattan is worth millions.

That was Gambino soldier Joseph Francolino.

[TommyNoto]

The West Side is known for having significant real estate operations as back in the day it was easier to buy real estate in cash and the rental income gave them cover from IRS indictments . Not to mention their access to contractors to fix up the poor condition property they have been known to scoop up . Some of these guys have multiple million dollar real estate portfolios free and clear and probably should just retire like Tough Tony did with his real estate and restaurant business as just owning a few Atlantic Ave properties lie Demeo is a $10m + portfolio , its crazy how well some of these savy wise guys made out.

Not surprised they sold to a hotel operator as west side has does some big time legit GC work for Hotels in NY.

I've read Barney owns apartment complexes in the Bronx and if that's the case he might have a $50m+ real estate portfolio . For some reason I think he might be untouchable for the Feds given his discipline and how he operates . He might go down as one of the smartest bosses ever .

[Wiseguy]

Not surprised they sold to a hotel operator as west side has does some big time legit GC work for Hotels in NY.

I think I've noticed you, and others, mention this before. Something about a recently built hotel the Genovese have a connection to. Which one are you talking about?

I've read Barney owns apartment complexes in the Bronx and if that's the case he might have a $50m+ real estate portfolio . For some reason I think he might be untouchable for the Feds given his discipline and how he operates . He might go down as one of the smartest bosses ever .

Capeci also mentioned Bellomo having a company that does refurbishing on these places too. Optimus Installations I believe it's called. Until recently, at least, I think one or two of his sons worked there or had an interest on the real estate side.

In the past, I've seen some on the forums mention he also owns a big warehouse off the West Side highway, a strip mall in Florida, as well a heavy equipment rental company, a waste hauling company, and a plumbing company. Maybe some of these were in the past though. I don't know.

That Capeci article was the most up to date info we have on Bellomo. I don't know if he still lives there but, before his wife passed, I saw a photo of his house in Pelham Manor. Nice place.

[SonnyBlackstein]

Whenever I think how the game is so stacked to the Feds. And that NO boss dies in his own bed. And I think of Persico, Gigante, Massino, Gotti, Amuso, Castellano, Corallo, Salerno, Daidano and every acting before, in between and after, I think Barney/Cali have NO chance of living their last days outside a prison hospital.

Then then I remember Chicago.
And DiFronzo.
And a boss who has money, and has lived the life at the top of the helm for the last 20+ years.
And a guy who WILL die in his own bed.
A boss. At the top. Who WILL die in his own bed. Free.

So, just when you think you KNOW...

[Garbageman]

Those are some nice real estate numbers. Are there any other reports of mob guys making a killing NYC property? It seems gentrification is benifiting a lot of mob guys instead of hurting them.

A ton of older guys have made a killing through real estate, especially in the last decade. I can't remember who exactly but an older guy, with the Gambinos I think, just unloaded a place he bought around the 70's for 20+ mil. Just a single tenement building in lower Manhattan is worth millions.

That was Gambino soldier Joseph Francolino.

Wiseguy - after his bust and the book, there's almost zero online regarding Joe cigars, Angelo, Phil, Frank A and Mikey D. Kids all living high on the hog in jersey. Those guys did their time, kept their money and essentially vanished from OC radar.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[Wiseguy]

Those are some nice real estate numbers. Are there any other reports of mob guys making a killing NYC property? It seems gentrification is benifiting a lot of mob guys instead of hurting them.

A ton of older guys have made a killing through real estate, especially in the last decade. I can't remember who exactly but an older guy, with the Gambinos I think, just unloaded a place he bought around the 70's for 20+ mil. Just a single tenement building in lower Manhattan is worth millions.

That was Gambino soldier Joseph Francolino.

Wiseguy - after his bust and the book, there's almost zero online regarding Joe cigars, Angelo, Phil, Frank A and Mikey D. Kids all living high on the hog in jersey. Those guys did their time, kept their money and essentially vanished from OC radar.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Which was obviously the smart thing to do. I don't recall reading anything about Francolino from the time of the big garbage bust in the 1990s until he sold that Manhattan property in July.

[Ivan]

Whenever I think how the game is so stacked to the Feds. And that NO boss dies in his own bed. And I think of Persico, Gigante, Massino, Gotti, Amuso, Castellano, Corallo, Salerno, Daidano and every acting before, in between and after, I think Barney/Cali have NO chance of living their last days outside a prison hospital.

Then then I remember Chicago.
And DiFronzo.
And a boss who has money, and has lived the life at the top of the helm for the last 20+ years.
And a guy who WILL die in his own bed.
A boss. At the top. Who WILL die in his own bed. Free.

So, just when you think you KNOW...

I remember Scoot Burnstein quoted a law enforcement source as saying "The feds have given up on getting Johnny (DiFronzo). He's just too well-insulated."

[Wiseguy]

Whenever I think how the game is so stacked to the Feds. And that NO boss dies in his own bed. And I think of Persico, Gigante, Massino, Gotti, Amuso, Castellano, Corallo, Salerno, Daidano and every acting before, in between and after, I think Barney/Cali have NO chance of living their last days outside a prison hospital.

Then then I remember Chicago.
And DiFronzo.
And a boss who has money, and has lived the life at the top of the helm for the last 20+ years.
And a guy who WILL die in his own bed.
A boss. At the top. Who WILL die in his own bed. Free.

So, just when you think you KNOW...

I remember Scoot Burnstein quoted a law enforcement source as saying "The feds have given up on getting Johnny (DiFronzo). He's just too well-insulated."

That or he's one of the two high-echelon members who the press said has been an informant for years.

[SonnyBlackstein]

Whenever I think how the game is so stacked to the Feds. And that NO boss dies in his own bed. And I think of Persico, Gigante, Massino, Gotti, Amuso, Castellano, Corallo, Salerno, Daidano and every acting before, in between and after, I think Barney/Cali have NO chance of living their last days outside a prison hospital.

Then then I remember Chicago.
And DiFronzo.
And a boss who has money, and has lived the life at the top of the helm for the last 20+ years.
And a guy who WILL die in his own bed.
A boss. At the top. Who WILL die in his own bed. Free.

So, just when you think you KNOW...

I remember Scoot Burnstein quoted a law enforcement source as saying "The feds have given up on getting Johnny (DiFronzo). He's just too well-insulated."

That or he's one of the two high-echelon members who the press said has been an informant for years.

Is there substance to that, or is it just rumour?