New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrests and indictments of 17 individuals involved in loansharking and illegal gambling operations on Staten Island, controlled by members of the Gambino organized crime family. The individuals face an 84-count indictment for their roles in a sports gambling operation that handled over $22.7 million in illegal bets and a loansharking operation involving weekly payments on approximately $500,000 in usurious loans. Additionally, four individuals were charged with an illegal mortgage fraud scheme to purchase a $600,000 home in New Jersey.
Among those arrested are alleged Gambino soldiers John J. LaForte, Anthony J. Cinque, Jr., and John Matera; alleged Gambino associates Edward A. LaForte, Frederick P. Falcone, Sr., Giulio Pomponio, Daniel F. Bogan; and alleged Colombo associate Charles Fusco.
“Illegal gambling and loan sharking schemes are some of the oldest rackets in the mob’s playbook,” said Attorney General James. “While organized crime may still be active in New York, today we are putting several Gambino family members out of business.”
The investigation was conducted with the NYPD, the New York Waterfront Commission, and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. It utilized wiretaps, covert video surveillance cameras, search warrants on an offshore illegal gambling website, and searches of defendants' residences.
Meetings at Eltingville Shopping Center and Greenridge Shopping Center on Staten Island facilitated much of the enterprise’s activities.
Frederick P. Falcone Sr., a former NYPD member, along with Edward A. LaForte acted as loan sharks maintaining detailed ledgers with victims' names and loan amounts. Authorization from John J. LaForte and Anthony J. Cinque Jr., both identified as Gambino soldiers overseeing operations, was sometimes required for making these loans.
Edward LaForte also managed an illegal sports gambling operation using an offshore website from September 2022 to March 2023 involving over 70 bettors wagering approximately $22 million.
Additionally charged were Amy McLaughlin for assisting in organizing the gambling ring and collecting proceeds; sheetholders including Charles Fusco who managed bets; Robert W. Carter; Giulio Pomponio; Arthur Geller; Daniel M. Scarabaggio; Daniel H. Shah; Vincent J. Ricciardi; Frederick Falcone Sr.; Frederick Falcone Jr.; Louis A Palombo; Daniel F Bogan; John Matera who exploited gamblers’ debts by providing usurious loans.
A separate mortgage fraud investigation revealed that John LaForte recruited his nephew Joseph W LaForte Jr to fraudulently apply for a mortgage to purchase a home where John LaForte resides with Tracy Alfano.
An 84-count indictment related to loansharking and gambling operations unsealed before Richmond County Supreme Court Judge Lisa Grey charges 17 individuals with multiple crimes including Enterprise Corruption carrying up to 25 years imprisonment if convicted.
Another four-count indictment charges four individuals including John LaForte with Residential Mortgage Fraud facing up to 15 years imprisonment if convicted.
“This case is a stark reminder that organized crime continues to thrive in the New York metropolitan area,” said Commissioner Paul Weinstein of the New York Waterfront Commission.
New York State Gaming Commission Chairman Brian O’Dwyer highlighted regulated gaming's safeguards while condemning illegal operations profiting gangsters: “With numerous legal gambling opportunities available... there is no legitimate reason to wager with offshore operations.”
NYPD Commissioner Edward A Caban emphasized law enforcement's commitment: “These arrests reflect our dedication…to dismantling organized crime.”
Richmond County District Attorney Michael E McMahon stressed illegal gambling’s harm: “Illegal gambling is by no means victimless…these defendants stand accused…of engaging in brazen loansharking."
The investigation was led by NYPD Sergeant Jack Dagnese under supervision within various units alongside detectives from OAG Special Operations Unit coordinated through multiple law enforcement agencies ensuring comprehensive investigative efforts culminating into today's arrests reflecting inter-agency cooperation against organized crime activities impacting communities adversely.
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