In a series of legal proceedings in Brooklyn, five individuals associated with the Luchese organized crime family have pleaded guilty to various charges, including racketeering, money laundering, and illegal gambling. The cases were overseen by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto.
Anthony Villani, identified as a soldier in the Luchese crime family, admitted guilt to multiple charges and agreed to forfeit $4 million. His co-defendants will collectively pay an additional $1 million. The group was involved in operating an illegal online gambling business known as "Rhino Sports," which has been active since the early 2000s across New York City.
United States Attorney John J. Durham stated that these guilty pleas are "a victory for the rule of law over the pernicious activities of organized crime." He emphasized that such illegal operations pose threats of violence and require enforcement from mob rivals.
James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI's New York Field Office, noted that while traditional mafia activities may not make headlines as they once did, this case shows how deeply entrenched these criminal organizations remain.
The indictment reveals that Villani has been involved in significant gambling operations for over 25 years. These operations were primarily based in the Bronx and Westchester and linked to various organized crime families. Villani managed the Gambling Business using servers located in Costa Rica and employed local bookmakers to handle transactions.
When sentenced, Villani could face up to 20 years in prison. Co-defendants Louis Tucci Jr., Dennis Filizzola, James Coumoutsos, and Michael Praino have also pleaded guilty to related charges and face varying prison terms. A sixth defendant is still at large.
The prosecution is being handled by the Organized Crime and Gangs Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office with Assistant United States Attorney Antoinette N. Rangel leading the case.