Carmelo Polito, also known as “Carmine Polito,” a longtime member and former acting captain in the Genovese organized crime family, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison. This comes after he was found guilty of racketeering charges, which included running illegal gambling operations and attempting violent extortion. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn.
Prosecuting Organized Crime Is Challenging
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The recent development signifies a major achievement in New York’s continuous endeavors to dismantle the illicit activities carried out by the Genovese and Bonanno crime families. These notorious organizations have been operating within the state for a considerable period of time, primarily engaging in illegal gambling operations. Moreover, they have expanded their operations to include offshore black market online casinos, further augmenting their illegal ventures. The members of these crime families adhere to the code of conduct known as omertà, which stresses the importance of secrecy and loyalty, consequently making investigations considerably challenging.
Polito was involved in a vast network of illegal gambling operations throughout Long Island and New York. As early as 2012, both the Genovese and Bonanno crime families collaborated to run highly lucrative illegal gambling establishments disguised as legitimate businesses. It is possible that these establishments were also being used for money laundering purposes.
Several establishments were part of these operations, including Gran Caffé in Lynbrook, Long Island. This particular venue served as a hub for an illegal gambling ring. Additionally, Sal’s Shoe Repair and the Centro Calcio Italiano Club were used by the Genovese family to collect their illicit profits. The decentralization of these activities is crucial for evading law enforcement, as targeting one location poses less risk to the overall organization.
The Accused Threatened Debtors with Violence
Polito effectively managed these establishments, ensuring that the profits were transferred to the higher-ranking individuals. Surveillance footage captured Polito personally delivering the proceeds to influential members of the Genovese hierarchy. Apart from operating physical gambling parlors, Polito was involved in an illicit online sports betting scheme through a platform named “PGWLines,” which has been closed down. Unfortunately, this website turned into a means of extortion when debts remained unpaid.
In a shocking revelation from a 2019 recording, it was exposed that Polito resorted to threats of physical harm to intimidate debtors. Even when payments were still not made, he did not hesitate to escalate his threats. FBI Assistant Director, James E. Dennehy, emphasized that this sentence serves as a stern reminder of the severe repercussions of engaging in organized crime. He also assured that the relentless pursuit to eradicate organized crime will persist.
May today’s sentencing reaffirm the FBI’s commitment to doubling down on all organized crime activity plaguing our communities.
James E. Dennehy, FBI Assistant Director in Charge
Polito becomes the inaugural defendant to receive a sentence as part of a larger federal crackdown aimed at the Genovese and Bonanno families. The law enforcement’s ongoing efforts to eradicate organized crime in New York, particularly in the highly profitable illegal gaming sector, are evident as numerous co-defendants involved in gambling operations and other related offenses still await their own sentencing.