STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Attorney General Letitia James revealed this week the names of more than a dozen defendants arrested in the takedown of an alleged $22 million Gambino crime family gambling and loansharking ring based on Staten Island.
The defendants listed in an 84-count indictment include 17 individuals accused in a sports-betting scheme that led to loansharking; one of those defendants was also accused with three additional individuals in a mortgage-fraud scheme.
James alleges that the sports-gambling operation handled more than $22.7 million in illegal bets and the loansharking operation brought in weekly payments on about $500,000 in illegal loans. The alleged mortgage-fraud scheme involving a $600,000 home in New Jersey resulted in a separate indictment.
Charges listed specifically to different groupings of defendants in the gambling/loansharking indictment include enterprise corruption, promoting gambling, criminal usury and conspiracy.
The four-count indictment regarding the alleged mortgage fraud includes charges of residential mortgage fraud in the second and third degree, and falsifying a business record in the first degree.
Here is a look at the defendants charged in the gambling and loansharking scheme and the role authorities allege they held in connection with the Gambino-linked operation:
- John J. LaForte, 56, of Monmouth County, N.J., a soldier;
- Anthony J. Cinque, Jr., 39, of Staten Island, a soldier;
- John Matera, 53, Monmouth County, N.J., a soldier;
- Edward A. LaForte, 58, of Staten Island, an associate;
- Frederick Falcone, Sr., 66, of Staten Island, associate;
- Giulio Pomponio, 61, of Staten Island, an associate;
- Charles Fusco, 49, of Staten Island, a Colombo associate;
- Daniel F. Bogan, 41, of Staten Island, an associate;
- Robert W. Carter, 56, of Staten Island, a participant;
- Louis A. Palombo, 61, of Staten Island, a participant;
- Arthur Geller, 62, Ocean County, N.J., a participant;
- Daniel M. Scarabaggio, 62, Ocean County, N.J., a participant;
- Daniel H. Shah, 38, Hudson County, N.J., a participant;
- Vincent J. Ricciardi, 59, Ocean County, N.J., a participant;
- Amy L. McLaughlin, 44, of Staten Island, a participant;
- James Miranda, 23, of Staten Island, a participant;
- Frederick Falcone, Jr., 41, of Staten Island, role not listed.
Along with John LaForte, three other people charged in the fraudulent mortgage scheme who are not accused of having roles in the Gambino crime family include:
- Tracy Alfano, 38, of Monmouth County, N.J.;
- Joseph W. LaForte, Jr., 34, of Staten Island;
- John Palladino, 54, of Monmouth County, N.J.