Village nabbed in gambling ring sweep

A 57-year old Rockville Centre resident, identified as “Baby” John Alevis, was among 19 men arrested on Oct. 1 on federal felony charges in connection with what authorities described as a gambling, sports betting and loan sharking ring with ties to organized crime, that operated in New York City and Westchester.

Authorities said twelve of the men, including Alevis, were charged as members, associates or co-conspirators who were planning to conduct and participate in the racketeering activities of the Luchese organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra. The racketeering charge carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.

Several of the men are also accused of bribing an undercover New York City sergeant and detective who were posing as corrupt police officers to provide protection for the betting parlors. Seven were charged with crimes relating to the illegal gambling, loan sharking and bribery activities. And four are facing charges on conspiring to loanshark and extort victims to collect loans.

The federal indictment was unsealed in U.S. District Court on Oct. 1 after the arrests took place. In addition to Alevis, the defendants include Andrew DiSimone, 46, of Tuckahoe; Dominick “Nicky Pepsi” Capelli, 52, of the Bronx; Tomislav Dobrilovic, 31, of West Nyack; Peter Veltri, 47, of New Rochelle; Seth Trustman, 28, of New York, NY; Steven Mayer, 48, of New York, NY; Clemente Castracucco, 48, of Tuckahoe; Edgar Concepcion, 31, of Queens; Paul Cuzzo, 54, of Thornwood; Anthony Cuzzo, 40, of Yonkers; Ernest Cuzzo, 68, of Yonkers; Vincent LaFace, 31, of Pittston, Pa.; Thomas Mantey, 61, of City Island; Paul Aust, 37, of Queens; Philip Mercurio, 48, of New Rochelle; Michael Silverman, 31, of New York, NY; Anthony Garcia, 39, of Queens and Osama Ghoubrial, 46, of Queens.

The arrests capped a two-year investigation, dubbed “Operation Crooked House,” that was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the New York Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force, the New York City Police Department and the Westchester District Attorney’s Office.

“These defendants not only allegedly operated a highly organized criminal enterprise, but actually attempted to infiltrate and corrupt the NYPD to protect themselves and their profits,” said Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. “This multi-agency investigation revealed a complex web of illegal gambling, sports betting and loan sharking, whose mob-connected principals are charged with bribing and cheating their way into business.”

“The defendants charged today allegedly committed crimes to finance the Luchese Organized Crime Family and attempted to conceal their criminal activity by corrupting officers of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. “Today’s arrests mark another important step in our continued efforts to shut down La Cosa Nostra in New York City once and for all.”

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