Government alleges dockworker shakedown

Government alleges dockworker shakedown    The mass indictment of alleged members of Mafia members and associates announced Thursday by Attorney General Eric Holder, included allegations of continuing efforts to 'influence and control the unions and businesses that work on the New York-area piers.'
   The sweep announced by Holder involved the arrest of 91 members and associates of seven organized crime families of La Cosa Nostra who were charged in 16 indictments with federal indictments. Another 36 defendants were charged for their roles in alleged associated criminal activity.
   One indictment charges three members of the International Longshoremen's Association with committing perjury during testimony before a federal grand jury investigating organized crime's infiltration of the waterfront and the ILA.
   Another indictment, charges 15 defendants with various racketeering related crimes, including extortion of members of ILA Local Union 1235 and other New Jersey ILA locals
   Certain defendants, including current and former officials in local ILA unions based in New Jersey, are alleged to be affiliated with the Genovese family.
   The Justice Department alleges the Gambino and Genovese families have engaged in a multidecade conspiracy to influence and control the unions and businesses that work in the Port of New York and New Jersey.
   According to court documents, Stephen Depiro managed the Genovese family's illegal activities on the New Jersey piers, including the Genovese family's longstanding conspiracy to extort ILA members each year during the Christmas period, when the longshoremen annually receive a portion of royalty payments paid by shipping companies using the port.
   The indictment said Depiro and others conspired with his cousin, Nunzio LaGrasso, an alleged associate of the Genovese family and the vice president of ILA Local 1478 in Newark, to extort ILA members each year.
   Among the many federal and state organizations involved in the investigation was the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor.
   Copies of the indictments can be found here. ' Chris Dupin