The feds arrested 32 people around the metro area in connection with a long-running investigation into continued Mafia control of the private garbage-hauling industry.
They were arraigned Wednesday in Manhattan Federal Court.
The arrests began around 5 a.m. as part of a joint effort between the FBI and police in New York City and the suburbs.
Twelve of the defendants are members or associates of three different organized crime families- the Genovese, Gambino and Luchese, according to the FBI.
They allegedly worked together to control various waste disposal businesses in NYC and several counties in New Jersey.
The defendants are accused of extortion, loansharking, mail and wire fraud, and stolen property offenses.
George Venizelos, FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge, said the agency is determined to diminish the influence of La Cosa Nostra.
"The indictments show the ongoing threat posed by mob families and their criminal associates. In addition to the violence that often accompanies their schemes, the economic impact amounts to a mob tax on goods and services."
Those rounded up by the feds on Wednesday are:
Carmine Franco 77 Ramsey, New Jersey Anthony Pucciarello 77 Bloomfield, New Jersey Howard Ross 53 Brooklyn, New York Anthony Cardinalle 60 Saddle River, New Jersey Peter Leconte 42 Lodi, New Jersey Frank Oliver 46 North Haledon, New Jersey Charles Giustra 51 Staten Island, New York Dominick Pietranico 82 Mahopac, New York Joseph Sarcinella 78 Scarsdale, New York William Cali 59 Queens, New York Scott Fappiano 51 Staten Island, New York Anthony Bazzini 53 Glen Head, New York Pasquale Carbone, Sr. 70 White Plains, New York Gail Iorio 49 Succasunna, New Jersey Dominick Rao 76 Suffern, New York Stephen Moscatello 52 Piermont, New York Robert Franco 50 Hartsdale, New York William Rivera 47 Queens Village, New York Mario Velez 44 Peekskill, New York Pasquale P. Cartalemi, Jr. 50 Cortlandt Manor, New York Pasquale L. Cartalemi 27 Cortlandt Manor, New York Andrew McGuire 29 Hawthorne, New York Joseph Bertolino 46 Wantage, New Jersey Brian Petroll 47 Columbia, New Jersey Robert Zarzuela 38 North Bergen, New Jersey Jonathan Greene 47 Teaneck, New Jersey Thomas Giordano 42 North Arlington, New Jersey Michael Russo 50 Staten Island, New York Louis Dontis 58 Staten Island, New York Vincent Dimino 50 Brooklyn, New York Joseph Antico 65 Staten Island, New York Kenneth Lopez 39 Bronx, New York
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:52:16 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:23 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:23:21 GMT
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race.
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race. A poll released Wednesday placed Weiner in second place behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a Democratic primary.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:10 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:10:21 GMT
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:42:24 GMT
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:09 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:09:33 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
