Tue, Jul. 22, 2008
17 arrested in major mob-related bust
By Kathleen Brady Shea
Inquirer Staff Writer
After a four-year investigation, 17 people from Philadelphia and Delaware County were taken into custody today in connection with a large-scale bookmaking, gambling and loan-sharking organization with ties to Philadelphia organized crime, according to authorities.
More than $1 million a month was being generated by the activities, according to officials of the state police and the state attorney general's office at a morning news conference.
The probe began taking shape in February 2002, when an man arrested on bookmaking charges in Montgomery County began cooperating with state police and the FBI.
The informant told authorities that he had sizable bets with a bookmaker named Nicholas "Nicky the Hat" Cimino, who paid a monthly "tax" to Louis "Bent Finger Lou" Monacello, a figure associated with organized crime in Philadelphia, according to investigators.
The fee was for the right to operate an illegal casino on McDade Boulevard in Folsom, Delaware County, where poker games and other gambling activity such as illegal betting on horse-racing occurred, officials said.
A grand jury heard testimony and received evidence for about a year, from April 2007 until April 2008.
Cimino, Monacello and the 15 other defendants were to be transported today from the state police barracks in Media to the office of District Judge Walter Strohl for arraignment. All were expected to make bail.
Some of the people allegedly employed by Cimino to accept wages and money were Gregory "King" Triantafillou, Joseph Pizza, Daniel Diedrich, Victor Novelli and Spiro "Bart" Barbalois.
Gayle Hudson, Cimino's girlfriend, allegedy assisted him in maintaining debt and collection records and managing real estate holdings.
Authorities allege the Cimino attempted to hide his illegal income and received assistance from Ralph "Ralphie Head" Aberuzzi and Robert Beck, including using winning Pennsylvania state lottery tickets to appear to have a legitimate income source, according to the grand jury information.
The grand jury also alleged that an attorney named Gregory Quigley conspired to have a potential witness subpoenaed by the grand jury give false testimony concerning his knowledge of Monacello and Cimimo's illegal conduct.
Five others also arrested in the case and charged with a variety of offenses were Vincent Manzo, Frank Pierantozzi, Gary Battagliani, Andre Sims and Carmen DellaPolla Sr.
The list of charges among the 17 individuals also includes participating in a corrupt organization, dealing in proceeds of illegal activities, solicitation to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit perjury, sale of illegal drugs and fencing stolen property.  |