Joseph "Joe Brooklyn" Lanni, a reputed Gambino crime family capo, stood in a Brooklyn federal court Friday and admitted his role in a brutal scheme to dominate New York City's garbage and demolition sectors.
According to the New York Post, Lanni, along with six associates, pleaded guilty to racketeering and related charges tied to extortion, witness retaliation, and a ruthless bid to control the city's trash business.
At 54, Lanni, also known as "Mommino," led a sprawling criminal enterprise that resorted to violence and intimidation, showing a blatant disregard for law and order while targeting vulnerable business owners, according to federal prosecutors. Their tactics, straight out of a bad crime flick, reveal a desperate cling to power that’s more outdated than honorable.
Violent Tactics Exposed in Courtroom Drama
The investigation, spearheaded by the Eastern District of New York, culminated in a 16-count indictment in 2023, followed by arrests that spanned even to Italy. Among the crew were mobsters with colorful aliases like "Vinny Slick," "Uncle Ciccio," and "Fifi," painting a picture of a group stuck in a bygone era of thuggery.
Diego "Danny" Tantillo, a 50-year-old made man, admitted to extorting a carting business owner, wielding a metal baseball bat and later orchestrating arson on the owner’s front steps when payments ceased. Court documents detail how his crew also deflated truck tires and threatened to slice the owner in half, a chilling reminder of their willingness to escalate.
Francesco "Uncle Ciccio" Vicari, 64, didn’t shy away from the theatrics either, reportedly picking up a knife and instructing an associate with the words, "Get this axe and you make him – two," as captured on a wiretap. Such brazen cruelty suggests a mindset that views human lives as mere pawns in a twisted game of control.
Millions in Ill-Gotten Gains Uncovered
Tantillo’s schemes alone raked in at least $4 million, which he allegedly funneled up the chain to Lanni, ensuring the boss got his cut, per prosecutors’ claims. This kind of financial haul underscores why these industries remain prime targets for organized crime, exploiting essential services for personal gain.
The violence wasn’t limited to New York City, as court papers also tie Lanni and associate Vincent "Vinny Slick" Minsquero to a chaotic altercation at a Toms River, New Jersey restaurant in September 2023. Their behavior, including threats to burn the place down, shows a reckless arrogance that endangers everyone in their path.
After being asked to leave, Lanni attempted to purchase a gas container while Minsquero damaged property, and Lanni later bombarded the restaurant with 39 threatening calls, one recorded on a police body camera. His repeated demand, "Beg for my forgiveness," reveals a man obsessed with dominance, not remorse.
Threats and Assaults Paint a Grim Picture
The restaurant incident took a darker turn when two men returned around midnight, assaulting the owner with punches and a knife to his neck while threatening his life, according to court documents. The owner’s spouse was also attacked, knocked down, and beaten, a stark illustration of the mob’s disregard for collateral damage.
These acts of retribution weren’t just business; they were personal, designed to instill fear and compliance through sheer brutality. It’s a tactic as old as organized crime itself, yet still effective in silencing opposition.
Judge Frederic Block, presiding over Lanni’s plea, didn’t mince words, warning of a sentencing range between 6.5 and 8 years, though hinting at potential leniency. His quip, "You’re willing to roll the dice?" met with Lanni’s resigned "Yes, your honor," suggests a man finally facing the weight of his choices.
A Reckoning for Old-School Crime
Lanni’s own admission in court, "I knew that agreeing to do this was against the law," reads less like contrition and more like a scripted formality, a hollow echo of accountability. If anything, it highlights how deeply entrenched these mobsters are in a world where rules are just obstacles to bulldoze.
The guilty pleas of Lanni and his six associates mark a significant blow to the Gambino family’s grip, exposing their violent underbelly in an era when such tactics should long be extinct. Yet, as long as essential industries like garbage hauling remain ripe for exploitation, the lure of easy money will keep drawing in those willing to break every moral code.
This case serves as a sobering reminder that the fight against organized crime is far from over, demanding vigilance from law enforcement and communities alike. Let’s hope these convictions send a clear message: the days of ruling through fear are numbered, no matter how tough you talk.
