Associates of Genovese, Bonanno crime families charged with racketeering

Lynbrook, Merrick and Valley Stream businesses connected

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Nine members and associates of the Genovese and Bonanno organized crime families were charged with racketeering, illegal gambling, money laundering conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and other related offenses yesterday at a federal court in Brooklyn. 

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, as detailed in the indictments and court filings, members of both families operated several illegal gambling operations throughout the greater Long Island and New York City area.

Prosecutors accuse the families of jointly operating a lucractive gambling operation in Lynbrook beginning in 2012 called the Gran Caffe. The profits earned through this and other gambling locations generated substantial revenue, they allege, which was then laundered through cash transfers to the families, and through "kicking up" to the crime families' leaders. 

Those charged with racketeering are:

• Anthony Pipitone, said to be a captain and soldier in the Bonanno organized crime family La Cosa Nostra.

• Vito Pipitone, an alleged Bonanno "soldier."

• Agostino Gabriele, an alleged Bonanno associate.

• Carmelo Polito, said to be an acting captain in the Genovese organized crime family La Cosa Notra.

• Joseph Macario, an accused Genovese "soldier."

• Salvatore Rubino, alleged Genovese associate.

• Joseph Rutigliano, alleged Genovese associate.

They were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Cho. Vito Pipitone was arrested in Wellington, Florida, and made his initial appearance in a federal court in Miami.

Rutigliano remains at large. 

In addition to the Gran Caffe, the Genovese crime family is accused of operating illegal gambling parlors at establishments called Sal's Shoe Repair in Merrick and Centro Calcio Italiano Club in West Babylon. The Bonanno crime family, prosectors said, operated illegal parlors at establishments called the Soccer Club in Valley Stream, as well as La Nazionale Soccer Club and Glendale Sports Club, both in Glendale, Queens. 

Polito is also charged with operating an illegal online gambling scheme, in which bets were placed on sporting events through a website called "PGWLines." 

Prosecutors also allege Hector Rosario, a detective in the Nassau County Police Department, accepted money from the Bonanno crime family in exchange for offering to arrange police raids of competing gambling locations. He is charged with obstructing a grand jury investigation, and lying to the FBI.