The former president of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) was sentenced to 22 months in prison for conspiring to extort ILA Local 1235 longshoremen on the New Jersey piers for Christmastime tribute payments, New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman and Eastern District of New York U.S. Attorney Loretta E. Lynch announced.
Thomas Leonardis, 57, of Glen Gardner, New Jersey, the president of the union from 2008 through 2011, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to Count Three of a second superseding indictment charging him with conspiring to extort Christmastime tributes from ILA Local 1235 members. Judge Cecchi imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
During their guilty plea proceedings, Leonardis—along with Vincent Aulisi, 82, of West Orange, New Jersey, the president of ILA Local 1235 from approximately 2006 through 2007; and Robert Ruiz, 56, of Watchung, New Jersey, the delegate of the union from approximately 2007 through 2010 and former ILA representative—admitted that they conspired with each other and others to compel tribute payments from ILA union members, who made the payments based on actual and threatened force, violence and fear. The timing of the extortions typically coincided with the receipt by certain ILA members of “Container Royalty Fund” checks, a form of year-end compensation. Leonardis and Ruiz were suspended from their positions following their arrest in January 2011. Aulisi had already retired from his employment on the New Jersey piers at the time of his arrest.
Charges are still pending against three defendants in the superseding indictment, including a racketeering conspiracy charge against Stephen Depiro, 59, of Kenilworth, New Jersey—a soldier in the Genovese organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra. Since at least 2005, Depiro has managed the Genovese family’s control over the New Jersey waterfront—including the nearly three-decades-long extortion of port workers in ILA Local 1, ILA Local 1235, and ILA Local 1478. Members of the Genovese family, including Depiro, are charged with conspiring to collect tribute payments from New Jersey port workers at Christmastime each year through their corrupt influence over union officials, including the last three presidents of Local 1235.
In addition to the prison term Judge Cecchi sentenced Leonardis to serve three years of supervised release.
Aulisi and Ruiz previously pleaded guilty before Judge Cecchi to conspiring to extort Christmastime tributes from ILA Local 1235 members. In October 2014, Aulisi and Ruiz were sentenced to 18 months and 20 months in prison, respectively.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Indictment Returned on Courthouse Bomb Threats
United States Attorney Walt Green announced the filing of an indictment returned by a federal grand jury that charges BRIAN CAVALIER, age 33, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with two (2) counts of making threats by mail, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(e). If convicted, the defendant could face significant incarceration, fines, restitution, and supervised release following imprisonment.
The indictment alleges that on or about November 1, 2013, CAVALIER mailed a threatening letter to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana in which he falsely and maliciously conveyed that a bomb had been planted in the federal courthouse and that the bomb was set to detonate within twenty-four (24) hours. According to the indictment, approximately one month later, on or about December 2, 2013, CAVALIER mailed a second threatening letter, this time to the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge, which also falsely and maliciously conveyed that a bomb had been planted in the state courthouse and that the bomb would soon detonate.
U.S. Attorney Green stated: “My office takes threats to the safety and security of our community’s judicial and governmental offices very seriously. Specific and credible threats not only disrupt the functioning of our government and affect the daily lives of many individuals who live and work in our community, but they also divert law enforcement resources from more critical missions.”
The indictment alleges that on or about November 1, 2013, CAVALIER mailed a threatening letter to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana in which he falsely and maliciously conveyed that a bomb had been planted in the federal courthouse and that the bomb was set to detonate within twenty-four (24) hours. According to the indictment, approximately one month later, on or about December 2, 2013, CAVALIER mailed a second threatening letter, this time to the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge, which also falsely and maliciously conveyed that a bomb had been planted in the state courthouse and that the bomb would soon detonate.
U.S. Attorney Green stated: “My office takes threats to the safety and security of our community’s judicial and governmental offices very seriously. Specific and credible threats not only disrupt the functioning of our government and affect the daily lives of many individuals who live and work in our community, but they also divert law enforcement resources from more critical missions.”
Monday, December 08, 2014
"Inside the Shelton Gang: One Daughter's Discovery" By Ruthie Shelton and Jon Musgrave
Inside the Shelton Gang: One Daughter's Discovery
tells the true story of what happens when a father’s wall of secrets begin to crumble and a family’s lost heritage of violence erupts from the front pages of history.
For daughter Ruthie it’s a discovery that will forever change her life as she learns what it meant to be a Shelton in the days of Prohibition and the decades following, to be a member of a crime family that rivaled Al Capone’s for control of Illinois.
Friday, December 05, 2014
Sheriff of the Year Award Winner: Keep your politics away from our guns
No other instrument or object in American society is more vilified and maligned -- or evokes more emotion and passionate debate -- than the firearm. Any category of death by unnatural causes should get attention. However, when that death occurs as the result of a gun being illegally used, reason and logic are marginalized, myths become facts and emotion drives the conversation.
The problem with the gun in America is that the left has politicized it. An entire advocacy has been developed and is part of their political platform. Their call for gun control is deceptively wrapped around a theme of reducing street violence and mass killings. The flaw in their argument is that none of the remedies they offer to reduce these senseless acts has anything to do with why this violence occurs. For the anti-gun cabal, this is more about defeating a political adversary, the influential National Rifle Association, than it is about reducing gun violence.
Universal background checks and limiting magazine capacity are offered as reasonable approaches to reducing violence. Neither of these suggestions is directly associated with gun violence. Instead, these technical fixes frustrate the overwhelming number of law-abiding American gun owners.
Our system of jurisprudence is predicated on punishing those individuals directly involved in committing crime, not those who are not. Gun control has never worked to eradicate violence. The cities of Chicago and Washington have had some of the strictest gun laws in America, yet they continue to experience high levels of gun-related, violent crime.
A little-talked-about truth is that gun control in America has its roots in racism.
Its original intent was to keep firearms out of the hands of black people, more specifically, newly-freed slaves. As Charles C.W. Cooke noted in his article "The Great Equalizer," civil rights champion Ida B. Wells said this about the value of bearing arms, "...the only case where the proposed lynching (of a Black man) did not occur was where the men armed themselves."
She went on to say that the "lesson that teaches, and which every Afro-American should ponder well, is that a Winchester rifle should have a place of honor in every black home and it should be used for that protection which the law refuses to give."
In a recent New York Times article, Charles W. Cooke quoted civil rights champion Ida B. Wells on the value of bearing arms: "'...the only times an Afro-American who was assaulted got away has been when he had a gun and used it in self-defense.'" And, quoting her further: "'... a Winchester rifle should have a place of honor in every black home, and it should be used for that protection which the law refuses to give.'"
Abolitionist Frederick Douglass also supported the right of blacks to arm themselves to guard against mob violence. As noted in Stephen P. Halbrook's book, "That Every Man Be Armed: The Evolution of a Constitutional Right," Douglass believed that "slaves without arms" could never attain freedom. Even the U.S. Congress at the time recognized the key role that arming blacks played in the ending of slavery.
In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court granted Otis McDonald, a Chicago resident, that same protection by validating his right to keep and bear arms when they struck down the city's unreasonable gun control ordinance. McDonald sued Chicago, claiming that the restriction prevented him from protecting himself and his home from gang violence.
Preventing private citizens the right to arm themselves for their own defense is a de facto death sentence.
Here are more effective ways to reduce gun violence:
First, let's rid ourselves of the fantasy that strict gun control is even achievable. In his blog for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Marquette University law professor Rick Esenberg said that "such a conversation about gun violence should be tempered by constitutional, political and practical realities. We are not about to ban the private ownership of guns in the United States."
Second, end social engineering experiments in the criminal justice system that see criminal perpetrators in a warped view as victims of society to be treated leniently. Punishment, when applied early in a criminal's career, is an effective deterrent to crime.
Finally, stop conditioning society that guns are evil. They save many more lives than they take. Instead, start providing gun safety education that teaches people to respect firearms, not fear them.
Thanks to Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr..
Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke, Jr. is a lifelong resident of Milwaukee. He received the 2013 Sheriff of the Year Award from the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association for "staying true to his oath, true to his badge, and true to the people he has promised to serve and protect."
The problem with the gun in America is that the left has politicized it. An entire advocacy has been developed and is part of their political platform. Their call for gun control is deceptively wrapped around a theme of reducing street violence and mass killings. The flaw in their argument is that none of the remedies they offer to reduce these senseless acts has anything to do with why this violence occurs. For the anti-gun cabal, this is more about defeating a political adversary, the influential National Rifle Association, than it is about reducing gun violence.
Universal background checks and limiting magazine capacity are offered as reasonable approaches to reducing violence. Neither of these suggestions is directly associated with gun violence. Instead, these technical fixes frustrate the overwhelming number of law-abiding American gun owners.
Our system of jurisprudence is predicated on punishing those individuals directly involved in committing crime, not those who are not. Gun control has never worked to eradicate violence. The cities of Chicago and Washington have had some of the strictest gun laws in America, yet they continue to experience high levels of gun-related, violent crime.
A little-talked-about truth is that gun control in America has its roots in racism.
Its original intent was to keep firearms out of the hands of black people, more specifically, newly-freed slaves. As Charles C.W. Cooke noted in his article "The Great Equalizer," civil rights champion Ida B. Wells said this about the value of bearing arms, "...the only case where the proposed lynching (of a Black man) did not occur was where the men armed themselves."
She went on to say that the "lesson that teaches, and which every Afro-American should ponder well, is that a Winchester rifle should have a place of honor in every black home and it should be used for that protection which the law refuses to give."
In a recent New York Times article, Charles W. Cooke quoted civil rights champion Ida B. Wells on the value of bearing arms: "'...the only times an Afro-American who was assaulted got away has been when he had a gun and used it in self-defense.'" And, quoting her further: "'... a Winchester rifle should have a place of honor in every black home, and it should be used for that protection which the law refuses to give.'"
Abolitionist Frederick Douglass also supported the right of blacks to arm themselves to guard against mob violence. As noted in Stephen P. Halbrook's book, "That Every Man Be Armed: The Evolution of a Constitutional Right," Douglass believed that "slaves without arms" could never attain freedom. Even the U.S. Congress at the time recognized the key role that arming blacks played in the ending of slavery.
In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court granted Otis McDonald, a Chicago resident, that same protection by validating his right to keep and bear arms when they struck down the city's unreasonable gun control ordinance. McDonald sued Chicago, claiming that the restriction prevented him from protecting himself and his home from gang violence.
Preventing private citizens the right to arm themselves for their own defense is a de facto death sentence.
Here are more effective ways to reduce gun violence:
First, let's rid ourselves of the fantasy that strict gun control is even achievable. In his blog for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Marquette University law professor Rick Esenberg said that "such a conversation about gun violence should be tempered by constitutional, political and practical realities. We are not about to ban the private ownership of guns in the United States."
Second, end social engineering experiments in the criminal justice system that see criminal perpetrators in a warped view as victims of society to be treated leniently. Punishment, when applied early in a criminal's career, is an effective deterrent to crime.
Finally, stop conditioning society that guns are evil. They save many more lives than they take. Instead, start providing gun safety education that teaches people to respect firearms, not fear them.
Thanks to Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr..
Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke, Jr. is a lifelong resident of Milwaukee. He received the 2013 Sheriff of the Year Award from the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association for "staying true to his oath, true to his badge, and true to the people he has promised to serve and protect."
Wednesday, December 03, 2014
14 Charged in Large Scale Sports Betting Operation
Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced the arrests of 14 individuals on charges of unlawfully operating a sports betting enterprise that stretched from Rockland County to New York City and from Bergen County, New Jersey to Palm Beach, Florida. It is estimated that the ring took in millions of dollars a month over a 16-month period by accepting wagers on a wide variety of sporting events – ranging from professional football, basketball, hockey and baseball to college basketball, among others.
District Attorney Zugibe said, “The defendants are accused of operating an incredibly lucrative gambling operation – taking in millions of dollars a month. Such unlawfully earned profits are commonly diverted to more insidious criminal enterprises. In fact, the investigation uncovered evidence that the enterprise had links to organized crime.”
The defendants - who range in age from 27 to 74, are charged with Promoting Gambling, Possession of Gambling Records, Money Laundering and other offenses. Based on information obtained during the probe, there were approximately 60 court authorized search warrants in New York, New Jersey and Florida. To date more than $3 million dollars in cash and other properties have been seized.
The defendants arraigned before Clarkstown Town Justice
"Illegal gambling is not a victimless crime. Those who participate in these criminal enterprises often use threats, intimidation and even physical force to collect debts and regularly charge usurious interest rates on outstanding debts. In addition to our local and state partners, I want to thank our federal law enforcement colleagues and out-of-state police authorities for their cooperation and
efforts in this sweeping probe,” said Zugibe.
All of the defendants were arraigned before Clarkstown Town Justice Rolf Thorsen. All defendants were released on their own recognizance.
This is an ongoing investigation and it is anticipated that there will be further arrests.
District Attorney Zugibe said, “The defendants are accused of operating an incredibly lucrative gambling operation – taking in millions of dollars a month. Such unlawfully earned profits are commonly diverted to more insidious criminal enterprises. In fact, the investigation uncovered evidence that the enterprise had links to organized crime.”
The defendants - who range in age from 27 to 74, are charged with Promoting Gambling, Possession of Gambling Records, Money Laundering and other offenses. Based on information obtained during the probe, there were approximately 60 court authorized search warrants in New York, New Jersey and Florida. To date more than $3 million dollars in cash and other properties have been seized.
The defendants arraigned before Clarkstown Town Justice
- Patsy Capolongo, 8210 Spyglass Dr, West Palm Beach, Florida charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree.
- Carmine Potenza, 93 N. Pilgrim, Pearl River, NY charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree.
- Harry Floershiem, 6 Mountain View Dr, Tompkins Cove, NY charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree.
- Thomas Feeney, 6 College Rd, Nanuet, NY charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the firs tdegree.
- Brian E. Kelly, 23 Carlton Rd, Pearl River, NY charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the second degree
- Richard Simko, 5 Herbet Ct, Tomkins Cove, NY charged with Promoting Gambling in the second degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the 4th degree
- Richard Lacava, 622 Pelhamdale Ave, Pelham Manor, NY charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree
- Eric Wachter, 2430 Stuart St, Brooklyn, NY charged with Money Laundering in the Fourth degree
- John Tognino, 3191 Ampere Ave, Bronx, NY charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree.
- Robert Wisiak, 7356 196th St, Queens, NY charged with Promoting Gambling in the First degree and possession of gambling records in the first degree.
"Illegal gambling is not a victimless crime. Those who participate in these criminal enterprises often use threats, intimidation and even physical force to collect debts and regularly charge usurious interest rates on outstanding debts. In addition to our local and state partners, I want to thank our federal law enforcement colleagues and out-of-state police authorities for their cooperation and
efforts in this sweeping probe,” said Zugibe.
All of the defendants were arraigned before Clarkstown Town Justice Rolf Thorsen. All defendants were released on their own recognizance.
This is an ongoing investigation and it is anticipated that there will be further arrests.
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