Jailed Genovese Godfather Pleads Guilty

Jailed Genovese Godfather Pleads Guilty

  January 27, 2010    Dapper_Don

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Daniel "The Lion" Leo via Wikipedia

Daniel “The Lion” Leo of Rockleigh, the reputed acting boss of the Genovese crime family, pleaded guilty to racketeering charges Wednesday in Manhattan federal court.
Leo, 69, currently in serving a 60-month federal prison sentence for his conviction on extortion charges in October 2007, faces 40 years in prison when he is sentenced April 2.
At the same hearing, Leo’s nephew, Joseph Leo, 48, of the Bronx, a reputed Genovese lieutenant, also pleaded guilty to racketeering charges. Joseph Leo is currently serving a 46-month federal prison sentence, and also faces 40 years.
The guilty pleas were announced in Manhattan by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara of the Southern District of New York.
Both Leos admitted during their pleas that they participated in loan sharking and conspiring to operate an illegal gambling business, authorities said.
Daniel Leo, known for his low profile, reportedly worked his way up the family from soldier, authorities said. He became acting boss of the region’s most powerful Mafia family in 2006 after Dominick “Quiet Dom” Cirillo was sentenced to four years in prison on racketeering charges.
Leo’s crew was involved in loan sharking, extortion, and illegal gambling, authorities said.
The government is seeking the forfeiture of properties belonging to the Leos and other alleged mobsters who were named in a sweeping indictment, identifying Daniel Leo properties in Rockleigh and Boca Raton. It is also seeking Joseph Leo properties in Bardonia, N.Y.
Three brothers charged in the racketeering indictment — Felice Masullo of Brooklyn, Anthony Masullo of Middle Village, N.Y., and Angelo Masullo of Maspeth, N.Y. — pleaded guilty in November 2009. They will be sentenced Feb. 19. Felice Masullo faces 40 years in prison and Anthony and Angelo Masullo face 20-year prison terms.
Also named as part of the racketeering “enterprise” were Rocco Petrozza, 50, of Pompton Lakes, Patsy Aversa of Wood-Ridge, and Joseph Petullo of Fairfield.
The government is seeking the forfeiture of Petrozza’s property in Pompton Lakes, Aversa’s properties in Wood-Ridge, Jersey City and Toms River, and Petullo’s property in Fairfield.
Petrozza, Aversa, and Petullo are scheduled for trials in April, said Yusill Scribner, a spokeswoman for the U.s. Attorney’s office.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/012710_Reputed_crime_boss_pleads_guilty_to_racketeering_charges_.html