The accused belonged to the Genovese criminal family and faced accusations of racketeering and extortion, showing how illicit gambling organizations frequently participate in more severe crimes.
Carmelo Polito, also known as “Carmine Polito,” a longstanding member and former acting captain of the Genovese organized crime family, was sentenced to 30 months in jail on racketeering charges stemming from illicit gambling and violent extortion attempts.
The punishment was handed out by United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano at the federal courtroom in Brooklyn.
Prosecuting Organized Crime is challenging
The sentence represents a significant step forward in New York’s ongoing attempts to destroy unlawful activities by the Genovese and Bonanno crime families, who have been operating in the state for years.
These businesses operate illicit gambling operations, expanding their offers by establishing offshore black market web casinos. Members adhere to the omertà rule of conduct, which emphasizes secrecy and allegiance, making inquiries difficult.
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Polito’s conviction derives from his involvement in a vast network of illicit gambling operations spanning Long Island and New York.
Since 2012, the Genovese and Bonanno organized crime organizations have run immensely successful illicit gambling parlors disguised as respectable enterprises.
These enterprises may possibly have used as fronts for money laundering.
Some of the venues engaged in these enterprises were Gran Caffé in Lynbrook, Long Island, which housed an illegal gambling network, and Sal’s Shoe Repair and the Centro Calcio Italiano Club, where the Genovese family received their ill-gotten gains.
Such decentralization is crucial for eluding authorities since targeting one location is less likely to harm the entire organization.
The accused threatened the debtors with violence.
Polito oversaw these enterprises and ensured that the profits were transmitted up the ladder to the higher-ups. Surveillance caught Polito personally handing profits to high-ranking Genovese officials.
In addition to physical gambling establishments, Polito ran an unlawful internet sports betting business using a now-defunct platform known as “PGWLines.” However, when debts were not paid, the site was used for extortion.
A 2019 tape showed Polito threatening debtors with physical violence. When the payments were still not paid, he increased his threats.
FBI Assistant Director James E. Dennehy stated that the sentence represents the penalties of engaging in organized crime and pledged to continue the continuing efforts to eradicate organized crime.
May today’s sentencing confirm the FBI’s determination to crack down on all organized criminal activities in our communities.
James E. Dennehy, FBI’s Assistant Director in Charge
Polito is the first prisoner sentenced in a bigger government crackdown on the Genovese and Bonanno families.
Several co-defendants involved in the gambling enterprises and associated offenses are also awaiting punishment, demonstrating law enforcement’s ongoing efforts to rid New York of organized crime, particularly illicit gaming, which has traditionally been a lucrative industry for mafia families.
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