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2
in connection with the construction activities of contractors
associated with the Luchese Family; and (6) ensuring that the illegal
proceeds obtained from contractors in connection with the abovereferenced activities were properly distributed to the Luchese
hierarchy. It is further alleged that PEZZULLO was removed from the
Construction Panel in
mid-1998,
Among the criminal acts charged in the Indictment is a bid-rigging
scheme in connection with sheetrock work performed by S&S Contracting
Company in
1998
at the Park Central Hotel in Manhattan. Specifically,
DATELLO, and RUCERETO, a representative of S&S Contracting Company,
are charged with wire fraud relating to that company being awarded
the sheetrock work for renovations at the Park Central Hotel at a
fraudulently inflated bid of approximately $5 million in exchange for
a cash kickback to a representative of the construction management
company supervising the renovation project. The indictment further charges PEZZULLO, DESIMONE, DATELLO, ZAMBARDI and REYNOLDS with conspiracy to commit extortion of union officials and construction companies on behalf of a masonry company called Commercial Brick. PEZZULLO and ZAMBARDI also are charged with, conspiracy to extort union officials on behalf of the operators of DIBA Construction and Grand Train Construction. Finally, DATELLO is charged with making and collecting an extortionate extension of credit from 1997 through 1999. 3
If convicted of these charges, the defendants face maximum jail
sentences on the various counts ranging from 5 years to 20 years in
prison. A complete summary of the charges and maximum penalties is
attached below. PEZZULLO, 52, lives in Elmsford, New York. DESIMONE, 53, lives in port Lee, New Jersey. DATELLO, 49, lives in Staten Island, New York. ZAMBARDI, 52, lives in the Bronx, New York. REYNOLDS,51,lives in Staten Island, New York. RUCERETO, (age not available), lives in Blairstown, New Jersey.
Ms. WHITE stated: "Organized crime has had an extortionate grip over
legitimate business in the construction industry for many years. This
Indictment, charging four members of the Luchese crime Family
including the entire Luchese Construction Panel in connection with
criminal activity in the construction industry, represents an
important step in law enforcement's efforts to end organized crime's
extortionate influence and control over this industry."
Mr. MAWN stated: "The court papers unsealed today describe an all-toofamiliar laundry list of criminal activities in which organized crime
engages in its constant effort to infiltrate and control legitimate
businesses and industries. Hid-rigging, intimidation, extortion and
bribes to corrupt union officials are the mob's tools of the trade.
This investigation
4
confirms once again that the mob is far from dead and that the
entire law enforcement community must maintain its perseverance
in its efforts to reduce the influence of organized crime."
Ms. WHITE praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI in
connection with this investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys JOSEPH F. BIANCO and
KEVIN S. REED are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations,
and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven
guilty.
00-139 5
SUMMARY OF CHARGES AND MAXIMUM, SENTENCES
Charge No. of counts Maximum Penalty per count ANTHONY PEZZULLO Extortion 2 Conspiracy
Conspiracy
Conspiracy
Wire Fraud 1 5 years
Wire Fraud 1 5 years
Conspiracy
Making an 1 20 years
Extortionate
Extension of
Credit
Collecting an 1 20 years
Extortionate
2 40 years
Conspiracy
Conspiracy
Conspiracy
6
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