US Attorney’s Office: 10 members of the Gambino crime family arrested

Officials say the 10 defendants are in the garbage business and are facing 16 counts in federal court in Brooklyn.

News 12 Staff

Nov 8, 2023, 5:53 PM

Updated 191 days ago

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Federal authorities say they have arrested 10 members of the Gambino crime family.
Officials say the 10 defendants are in the garbage business and are facing 16 counts in federal court in Brooklyn. The charges range from racketeering to extortion to conspiracy.
The FBI says that some of these alleged crimes happened in New Jersey. One situation in Toms River involved Joseph “Joe Brooklyn” Lanni – an alleged captain of the Gambino family. The FBI focused on one night in particular in Toms River two months ago. Lanni was allegedly asked to leave Roxy’s Bar and Grille on Kettle Creek Road. The owner of the restaurant said Lanni was getting too rowdy. Lanni then allegedly threatened to burn the place down with the owner inside.
Photos released by the FBI appear to show Lanni across the street from the restaurant inside a convenience store buying a gas can. He then appears to go fill it up. The FBI maintains Lanni was ready to follow through on the threat.
More photos appear to show an associate trying to talk Lanni out of it. They get physical. Authorities say Lanni was trying to prevent the associate from taking the gas container away. Authorities say the owner of the restaurant and his spouse were beaten by two unknown men and threatened with a knife later that night. The tires on their car were slashed.
Another of those arrested was Freehold's Diego Tantillo. He's facing extortion, racketeering and several other charges.
Officials say a 16-count indictment was unsealed Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn charging the defendants with racketeering conspiracy, extortion, witness retaliation and union-related crimes committed "in an attempt to dominate the New York carting and demolition industries." All 10 defendants are in custody and scheduled to be arraigned.
The defendants are: • Joseph Lanni, also known as “Joe Brooklyn” and “Mommino,” an alleged captain in the Gambino organized crime family.
• Diego “Danny” Tantillo, Angelo "Fifi" Gradilone, and James LaForte, alleged Gambino soldiers.
• Vito Rappa, alleged U.S.-based Sicilian Mafia member and Gambino associate.
• Francesco “Uncle Ciccio” Vicari, alleged U.S.-based Sicilian Mafia associate and Gambino associate.
• Salvatore DiLorenzo, Robert Brooke, Kyle "Twin" Johnson and Vincent "Vinny Slick" Minsquero, alleged Gambino associates.


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