Defendants Agree to Pay Over $1.6 Million in Penalties
11 members and associates of the Gambino organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, fraud, obstruction of justice and related offenses for criminal activities throughout the New York metropolitan area committed as part of the illicit activities of the Gambino family. One additional defendant pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return. The proceedings were held before United States Magistrate Judge Roanne L. Mann.
Andrew Campos, a captain in the Gambino organized crime family, and Vincent Fiore, a Gambino family soldier, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, variously admitting their participation in predicate acts of wire fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice offenses.
Previously, Richard Martino, a Gambino family soldier, and Frank Tarul, a Gambino crime family associate, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruction justice; Mark Kocaj, Benito DiZenzo and Carlos Cobos, Sr., Gambino family associates, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy; James Ciaccia and George Campos, Gambino family soldiers, and Renato Barca, Jr. and Michael Tarul, Gambino family associates, pleaded guilty to making false statements in connection with their fraudulently obtaining safety cards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”). John Simonlacaj, a former managing director of a construction company, pleaded guilty to submitting a false tax return.
When sentenced, Andrew Campos, Cobos, DiZenzo, Fiore, Kocaj, Martino and Frank Tarul each face up to 20 years in prison. Barca, George Campos, Ciaccia and Michael Tarul each face up to 5 years in prison. Simonlacaj faces up to 3 years in prison.
RENATO BARCA, JR. (also known as “Ronny”)
Age: 33
Bronx, New York
ANDREW CAMPOS
Age: 51
Scarsdale, New York
GEORGE CAMPOS
Age: 73
Peekskill, New York
JAMES CIACCIA
Age: 52
Bronx, New York
CARLOS COBOS, SR.
Age: 57
Brentwood, New York
BENITO DIZENZO (also known as “Benny”)
Age: 54
New Rochelle, New York
VINCENT FIORE
Age: 58
Briarcliff, New York
MARK KOCAJ (also known as “Chippy”)
Age: 50
Tuckahoe, New York
RICHARD MARTINO
Age: 61
Rye, New York
JOHN SIMONLACAJ (also known as “John Si” and “Smiley”)
Age: 51
Scarsdale, New York
FRANK TARUL (also known as “Bones”)
Age: 46
Bronx, New York
MICHAEL TARUL (also known as “Perkins”)
Age: 44
Bronx, New York
