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The FBI arrested 19 individuals including those who helped inspire the gangster film “Goodfellas”.
Each of the men had close ties to the Lucchese Crime Family.
Charges ranged from racketeering, wire fraud, possession of a weapon, gambling, narcotics and murder.
Four of the individuals were already in custody while the other fifteen were rounded up on Wednesday.
Those arrested include the likes of Paul Cassano, aka “Paulie Roast Beef”and Joseph Datello, aka “Joey Glasses.”
Also charged, street boss Matthew Madonna and underboss Steven Crea Sr.
“As today’s charges demonstrate, La Cosa Nostra remains alive and active in New York City, but so does our commitment to eradicate the mob’s parasitic presence,” acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said, according to NBC 4 New York. “The defendants allegedly used violence and threats of violence, as the mob always has, to make illegal money to enforce discipline in the ranks and to silence witnesses.”
The Lucchese family is suspected to be involved in the infamous armed robbery, where $6 million was stolen from truck transporting currency via Lufthansa and later inspired the film “Goodfellas”.
“Organized crime families believe their way of life is acceptable and continue to show through their criminal behavior that they don’t plan to stop,” said FBI Assistant Director William Sweeney, according to NBC 4. “Their crimes aren’t victimless, and this case proves they’re willing to use murder and many other violent tactics to enforce their dominance.”
