Springfield Mob Figure “Little Joe” Manzi Arrested Again as Rhode Island Casino Fraud Case Expands
Alleged Springfield organized crime figure Giuseppe “Little Joe” Manzi has been arrested for the second time in less than three months, adding another chapter to a criminal history that stretches back more than two decades and includes alleged ties to the Springfield faction of the Genovese crime family.
The 51-year-old Manzi was taken into custody during a large-scale law enforcement operation involving more than 100 local and state officers. Authorities arrested five men wanted on a Rhode Island warrant alleging casino-related fraud offenses, including cheating at casinos and obtaining property under false pretenses. The underlying court records remain sealed because investigators are still seeking at least one additional defendant.
Five Men Arrested in Rhode Island Casino Investigation
Along with Manzi, authorities arrested:
- Anthony Capua, 47, of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts
- Claudio Cardaropoli, 47, of East Longmeadow
- Alfonso B. Lalli, 51, of Springfield
- Salvatore Fusco, 23, of Longmeadow
The defendants are currently facing fugitive-from-justice proceedings while Rhode Island prosecutors pursue extradition. The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office indicated that the case is being prosecuted by Rhode Island authorities, although many details remain under seal.
A Familiar Name in Springfield Organized Crime
For longtime observers of organized crime in Western Massachusetts, Giuseppe Manzi is far from an unfamiliar figure.
Manzi served federal prison time after pleading guilty in a racketeering and extortion case involving members and associates of the Springfield-based Genovese crime family. He was sentenced in 2003 and released from federal custody in 2006.
His father, Carmine "The Barber" Manzi, was also indicted in the same federal organized crime investigation alongside several alleged Genovese family members and associates operating in the Springfield area.
The elder Manzi has long been identified by law enforcement as a prominent figure within Springfield's organized crime network, which historically operated under the umbrella of New York's Genovese crime family while maintaining relationships with New England organized crime groups.
The Fusco Family's Long Mafia History
The latest arrests also bring renewed attention to another well-known Springfield organized crime family.
Salvatore Fusco is the son of imprisoned mob figure Emilio Fusco, a longtime alleged Genovese soldier who became one of the most recognizable names in Western Massachusetts organized crime.
Federal prosecutors previously accused Emilio Fusco of participating in two separate Mafia murder conspiracies, including the plot that resulted in the 2003 assassination of Springfield mob boss Adolfo "Big Al" Bruno outside his social club.
Although Fusco was acquitted of murder charges, he was later convicted on federal racketeering charges and sentenced to 25 years in prison. According to federal prison records, his projected release date is in 2031.
Salvatore's older brothers, Antonio Fusco and Franco Fusco, have also faced criminal charges in Hampden County involving firearms and narcotics.
Second Major Criminal Case for Manzi in 2026
The Rhode Island casino case comes only weeks after Manzi was named in a sweeping federal gambling indictment unsealed in Northwest Indiana.
Federal prosecutors charged 22 defendants in Operation Porterhouse Parlay, alleging they operated a multi-million-dollar illegal sports betting enterprise between 2021 and 2026. Prosecutors claim the organization accepted wagers through gambling websites, text messages, encrypted communications, and traditional bookmakers while extending illegal lines of credit to bettors and using extortionate methods to collect gambling debts.
According to the federal indictment, Manzi allegedly operated under the nickname "Joe Polozzo." He has pleaded not guilty.
The alleged gambling organization was led by Chicago-area restaurateurs:
- James "Jimmy the Greek" Gerodemos
- Dean "Dean Gem" Gialamas
Federal investigators say the operation centered around Gino's Steakhouse in Merrillville, Indiana, and Paragon Restaurant in Hobart, Indiana, while accepting sports wagers from bettors across multiple states.
Alleged Role in the Indiana Gambling Enterprise
Court documents do not portray Manzi as one of the alleged leaders of the Indiana organization.
Instead, prosecutors allege he helped recruit bettors into the illegal sports betting operation while maintaining relationships with other bookmakers connected to the network. Investigators also allege the enterprise relied on modern technology—including betting websites, encrypted messaging, text communications, and electronic payment applications—while continuing old-school bookmaking practices such as distributing NFL betting cards inside restaurant menus.
Court Proceedings
Several defendants have already appeared in Massachusetts courts while Rhode Island seeks extradition.
Anthony Capua and Claudio Cardaropoli waived extradition and were ordered held without bail pending transfer.
Salvatore Fusco declined to waive extradition. His attorney argued that sealed court records prevented the defense from reviewing the allegations before making that decision.
Defense attorneys representing Alfonso Lalli likewise criticized prosecutors for withholding the supporting affidavit while asking the court to detain defendants without bail.
Manzi is expected to face extradition proceedings separately after an apparent scheduling error initially sent him to the wrong Massachusetts court.
Other Defendants' Criminal Histories
The latest arrests involve several individuals previously linked to criminal investigations.
Claudio Cardaropoli was previously charged in a nationwide marijuana trafficking conspiracy in 2020. During those proceedings, his attorney argued that Cardaropoli played only a minor role in the alleged operation.
Anthony Capua has also been publicly associated with organized crime figures over the years, although many of those alleged associations have never resulted in criminal convictions.
Investigation Continues
Because the Rhode Island charging documents remain under seal while authorities pursue another unidentified suspect, many details of the alleged casino cheating scheme have not yet been released publicly.
Investigators have not disclosed which casinos were allegedly targeted, how the fraud was carried out, or the amount of money involved.
As both the Rhode Island casino case and the Indiana federal gambling prosecution move forward, Giuseppe "Little Joe" Manzi once again finds himself at the center of two of the most significant organized crime investigations involving alleged Mafia figures in New England during 2026.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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