MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: A reputed Gambino captain was among 24 persons arrested in a massive, multi-million dollar construction kickback scheme that involved several important high-rise construction projects in Manhattan.
Frank Camuso, 59, was nabbed alongside mastermind Robert Basilice, who as the vice president of a construction management firm illegally guided property developers to subcontractors he was colluding with, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office claimed Wednesday, January 18. The projects affected by the eight-year scam include the FiDi Hotel, the citizenM New York Bowery Hotel, and the Fifth Avenue Hotel, according to a report by the New York Post.
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As part of the scheme, Basilice instructed subcontractors to boost their bids to a level that would enable him to receive a kickback while also providing inside information about rivals' offers to his other conspirators. District Attorney Alvin Bragg said that companies owned by Camuso "and his family" received a piece of the payoff.
The arrests were made following an investigation by the District Attorney's Rackets Bureau, the Department of Investigation, and the New York Police Department. "Bribery and kickbacks should not be costs of doing business in this city," stated Department of Information Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber, adding, “This Indictment shows that construction firms in this City must operate with honesty and integrity or face the consequences.”
Bragg further said, “When the bidding process is rigged, we all lose. The market suffers from a lack of quality competition, developers are prevented from hiring the best companies at fair prices, and – importantly – honest, law-abiding companies are pushed out by those that broke the law.”
Who are the Gambinos?
One of the "Five Families" that control organized crime in New York City, the Gambino mob family was established in the early 1900s, as reported by The US Sun. According to a source close to Camuso, he is a well-respected Gambino who has been active in the construction business for many years. “He has remained under the radar,” the source said, adding, “He is not flashy." The insider also said that he had previously worked for Joe "Joe the Blond" Giordano, a longtime Gambino capo and close friend of John Gotti who died in jail in 2013.
Who are the members of the Gambino mob family?
The family was founded in the 1900s by Salvatore D'Aquila, but after his death in 1928, authority was handed over to a number of persons. The Gambino mob family includes the following people.
Albert Anastasia
Umberto "Albert" Anastasia, an Italian-American gangster, notoriously took over the Gambino family in 1951. He was also recognized as the co-founder of Murder, Inc, a mob-related assassination outfit. According to the Crime Museum, Albert was regarded as exceedingly dangerous, and some even went so far as to label him insane. After members of his staff plotted against him, he was assassinated in 1957.
Carlo Gambino
Carlo Gambino is regarded as one of the most successful criminals of all time. After taking over management after Albert's death, he was noted for strengthening the family and raising their profit levels while remaining out of the public eye. Carlo avoided being associated with any illegal action from 1957 to 1976 and never spent a day in jail. He died on October 15, 1976, as a result of a heart attack.
Aniello Dellacroce
Aniello John "Neil" Dellacroce, an American mobster, was regarded as the Gambino family's underboss. Carlo appointed him to the role, and he succeeded Joseph Biondo. Aniello was renowned as John Gotti's tutor, but he was imprisoned in 1973 after being found guilty of tax evasion. He received a five-year prison sentence and a $15,000 fine. He died on December 2, 1985.
Paul Castellano
Following Carlo Gambino's death in 1976, Paul Castellano took over the family company. Despite the fact that he was Carlo's brother-in-law, many people were unhappy with the way he governed the family. He was eventually killed on December 16, 1985, after John Gotti ordered a hit on him.
John Gotti
Following the murder of Paul Castellano in 1985, John Gotti famously gained control of the Gambino family, with Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano as his second-in-command. John was able to evade criminal charges and was declared not guilty in three different trials over the years, earning him the moniker "The Teflon Don". Despite his success, his Underbook later turned on him, leading to his life term in prison in 1992. John died on June 10, 2002.
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