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Mafia Family Genovese Charged With Extortion In New York

If you fancy a life of crime in New York, then don't go stepping on the toes of any of the city's five mafia crime families. Though in truth, there may well be one less family to bother the residents. Six members of the Genovese family were recently charged with racketeering and extortion. After encouraging players to gamble at their illegal underground casinos, they collected any debts with violence and threats to both the debtors and their families. But all good things must come to an end.

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Genovese Mafia Family Members Charged

With a huge recent mafia bust in Salerno in Italy, we cross the pond for yet another case. Last Tuesday 19th of April, six members of the Genovese crime family were facing charges of crimes involving illegal gambling and extortion. These included two of the alleged “capos” of the New York Mafia family. These were known by the names of Nicholas Calisi and Ralph “the Undertaker” Balsamo. Also arrested were Michael Messina and John Campanella who are soldiers in the outfit. Another two men, brothers Michael Poli and Thomas Poli were also under arrest as mafia associates.

Underground Gambling And Loan Sharking

Federal Prosecutors have accused them of “terrorizing New York communities. They did this with violence and illegal businesses.” This was done through underground casino gambling as well as loan shark operations. The Mafia business plan was essentially to saddle victims with a debt they could not repay after they’d lost playing at their jackpot games. We should point out that back in 2007, Balsamo got 8 years in prison for firearms trafficking, extortion, narcotics trafficking, and union-related fraud. Obviously a busy man!

Mafia Family Hierarchy

The Mafia generated their revenues with a campaign of collecting betting credits through extortion. Not only did they threaten to cause economic harm, but also physical harm to the debtors and their families. Prosecutors allege that at the same time, they identified themselves to that victims as “the Mafia” in order to drive fear into the victims

It was said that such was the amount of money coming in within the Mafia organization itself, that there was a violent internal power struggle. As one Mafia member said, this was to protect them from “persons who engaged in activity that jeopardized the power and criminal activities of the enterprise, the power of the leaders of the enterprise, and the status of its members and the flow of criminal proceeds to members and associates of the enterprise.”

The Five Mafia Families Of New York

At this point, you should keep in mind that the Genovese family is just one of five New York Mafia families. The others are the Gambino, Colombo, Bonanno and the Lucchese families. Each one of these families organizes itself into groups known as “crews.” And within each crew, there is its own hierarchy. At the head of every crew is the “caporegime,” or “capo,” And he acts as the boss over the “made members.” Next in line are the “soldiers. And finally, at the bottom of the ladder, are the “associates.” These are individuals who help the crews with their criminal operations. We suggest that you stay well clear of any underground gambling dens. Just fire up your phone and head over to Bodog Casino. They have a massive selection of games, and even better, you have the chance to win the jackpot online, but without any threats of violence!

The Mafia Family Pecking Order

It goes without saying that those at the bottom have aspirations to reach the top. In effect, many associates are actually aspiring soldiers. But to move up the ladder they need to demonstrate the ability to generate income. Or be happy to commit acts of violence for the family itself. Only by proving themselves can they become “made men.” Just like in the movies. It’s the capo’s job to supervise their own crew by providing protection for their soldiers. Also resolving any inter-crew disputes, all in return for a cut of their earnings. The capos are then to report to the under-boss, who himself then reports to the boss of the family.

The Big Boss Of Bosses

When it comes to that Genovese boss, he’s reputed to be Liborio Salvatore Bellomo. Back in the mid-90s, he was charged with murder and extortion. Though he beat the murder charge, he still went to prison for extortion for 7 years. Eventually getting out in 2008. After this present case, all six mafia family suspects face a maximum of 20 years in prison. One of their attorneys, Gerald McMahon, spoke to the New York Post. “The government can’t seem to go three months without rounding up some Italians. Today just happened to be Ralph Balsamo’s turn.”

But the government has a different view on these mafia activities. As US Attorney Damian Williams said, “From extortion to illegal gambling, the Mafia continues to find ways to prey on others to fill its coffers. Our office and our law enforcement partners remain committed to putting organized crime out of business.” And the government has a track record of putting the mafia away. For example, they stamped out its influence in Las Vegas imprisoning many of the big family players.

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