New York Mafia News: Colombo Crime Family Member Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy

A high-ranking member of the Colombo crime family has pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation into the labor union shakedown scheme that began over two decades ago. 'new york mafia news'

In July, Salvatore Castellazzo, 74, pleaded guilty to charges related to his role in the conspiracy, which involved using violence and intimidation to extort money from construction workers in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The scheme, which dated back to 2001, was led by Andrew 'Mush' Russo, who died in April 2022 at the age of 87.

Castellazzo's plea comes after 14 defendants were busted in the case, with only he and Colombo boss Andrew 'Mush' Russo refusing to take a plea. The remaining defendant, Castellazzo, was arrested in September 2021 during a takedown of the entire leadership of the Colombo crime family.

According to court filings, Castellazzo claimed that he is broke and faces the possibility of losing his federally subsidized senior housing in Manahawkin, New Jersey if he loses his plea deal. His defense lawyer, Michael Marinaccio, argued that his client's health problems have been a significant factor in his decision-making process.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Reich countered that Castellazzo was a 'critical senior member' of the shakedown scheme and had no interest in living a law-abiding life. Reich noted that it is not uncommon for individuals involved in organized crime to be older, but emphasized that this did not excuse Castellazzo's actions.

The case against Castellazzo is a significant victory for law enforcement, which has been working to dismantle the Colombo crime family's operations in the region. The conviction serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by authorities to combat organized crime and protect workers from exploitation. 'new york mafia news'

New york mafia news