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NBC New York
DEA and FBI agents arrested four members of the Bonanno organized crime family early Friday for alleged crimes that include racketeering, gambling and drug sales, NBC New York has learned.
NEW YORK CITY -- DEA and FBI agents arrested four alleged members of the Bonanno organized crime family early Friday on charges that include racketeering, gambling and drug sales, NBC New York has learned. The father of a "Mob Wives" reality show star was also charged in the federal case.
Vincent Badalamenti, identified as a member of the Bonanno crime family administration, Nicholas Santora, a Bonanno family capo, Vito Balsamo, an acting captain, and Anthony Calabrese, a soldier, were arrested Friday and are are charged with racketeering, extortion, illegal gambling, and conspiracy to distribute marijuana, a law enforcement official said.
Anthony Graziano -- a Bonanno family captain whose daughter Renee Graziano stars on the reality show "Mob Wives" -- was also charged. Graziano was already in custody on a prior conviction.
Read original story on NBCNewYork.com
Also arrested was James Laforte, an associate of the Gambino crime family, the official said.
All five men entered pleas of not guilty in federal court. Calabrese and Balsamo were released on $1.5 million bail, which includes home confinement and electronic monitoring.
Investigators used electronic and physical surveillance and cooperating witnesses in the investigation.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison.
The arrests are the latest in the federal government's investigation of the Bonanno crime family which has resulted in the prosecution of more than 175 members and associates of the family, officials said.
So far, more than 10 Bonanno family bosses, acting bosses and administration members have been convicted.
The suspects are due back in court on Feb. 7.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
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Taking out the competition. The new boss is the same as the old boss.
Marijuana is not a drug. Drugs are man made. Johnny Pot Seed says "A joint a day keeps the doctor away."
Johnny Apple Seed wasn't planting apple trees, he was planting pot and his name was Johnny Pot Seed.
Plant a seed and grow some weed. Let it dry and get high.
The bad part is they are selling it for profit. The state should be the one growing the MJ and giving it to needy americans for free. Socialize it already.
Crimes, gangsterism, drug trafficking, and gambling ..... are the only growth industry left in America.
While America manufactures no consumer electronics, imports nearly all of its apparel and shoes, and its two domestic auto makers struggling to stay alive, America's jails are over flowing.
Dirty, filthy gambling operators are not arrested because they pay money to the state government. Prostitutes in Nevada are not arrested because they pay state taxes as legal sex workers. As long as the states operate lottery games and take its hefty share, no government official is concern.
I smoke weed every day and i love it. Legalize it already our government will tax the @!$%# out of it and make billions.
I'm with ya....smoke he weeeeeeed ! legalize it all ready ~!
People are always missing the point. The Bonanno's are not only into drugs, prostitution, extortion, racketeering and gambling, they're into money laundering, pornography and they are killers. You don't run all those other things without having to take someone out. They are as bad as the Civella's of Kansas City, who blew up
So, knowing all this, we have a TV show displaying these scumbags and their offspring as entertainment. Simply legalizing pot isn't going to hurt them. They'll still have their hands in it and the money will still fund their other criminal enterprises.
The mindless call to legalize weed is pure selfishness, aimed at satisfying the users need for instant gratification and removing their fear of prosecution.
They are as bad as the Civella's of Kansas City, who blew up three buildings in the River Quay area and committed a hit inside the Virginian club. (sorry, lost connection while editing.)
Agree with most everything you stated Dan.These glorified ghouls are always the heros in Hollywood.Never shown are the victims of these so called 'man of honor'.Honor HA, they sell each other out at the first chance.
Disagree on your stance on marijuana thought.
Weed just makes you stupid and if everyone smoked weed we would have a stupid society.
we already have a stupid society ...that is why the future doctors and engineers will be asian and indian
Weed is like anything overindulged. An occasional joint is not normally harmful, smoking everyday will just dumb down your brain back to adolescence. I watched several friends from college that turned into fried brains after 20 years of smoking several times a day. Chocolate cake is good. Making it your daily breakfast and dinner is just plain dumb.
80% of the population is retarded. where have u been? let me buy stuff i cannot afford, duh!
A drug is any chemical substance that alters bodily functions, so drugs can be either man-made or natural. But then again, you probably missed that little fact in your high school biology class if you were too stoned to pay attention...
Ha, we already have an IGNORant society...maybe the tweeds will wake a few up to reality!!
FatCatGets$700Bil: Nevada does not have state tax and prostitution is not legal within the city limits. Further more, it is not truly legal outside of them either except in controlled and regulated "cat houses." Like the Kitty Kat Ranch for example. I do not condone it. Just stating facts. And yes I live in Las Vegas.
Brilliant-- you good for nothing stoner-- you're a big reason why we're in the 5h1t-hole we're in as a country
Isn't this TV show just a little concerned about pointing out the MOB, exactly who they are, and having them arrested??? I don't understand how these women can exploit their positions with the organization.
Do you want to see this country turn around? Would you like to see the economy turn around? Would you like to see people in good spirits and happy for a change ....?
Legalize pot ....... the 'Change We Need ' ....... is Weed .....!
Intolerance is what's bringing our country down (the same people who say something is bringing down the country - turn around and brag how great we are). The party of intolerance votes to stop all progress...must be that 8 martini lunch dumbing them down (look at all the red noses on politicians).
The media finds the dumbest weed smokers and tries to make it look like all weed smokers are like them....I guess normal acting stoners don't make for good (profitable) TV and movies.
The people who can't tolerate weed are pre-programed to think it's bad - so they act the way they think a stoner should act...you can give someone like Nick a placebo and they will claim how high and harmful it was...it's all in your mind how things affect you...think positive and your experience will be positive. Only drug that ever scared me was booze, it's the only one that ever made me puke, and the day it poisoned me was the worst experience I've ever had.
I can't smoke weed because I suffer chronic pain from 11 operations for various injuries and ailments that never recovered - if you have to take pain killers, you can't take other drugs. Weed was the only thing that helped me sleep - thanks to the intolerant, I'm lucky to get 3 hours of sleep in every 24 hour period.
Intolerance is clearly the biggest problem in America today.
Dan; please explain how the Mob would still have their hands in weed and sex if they were legal? Are they secretly running the booze business?
If weed is legal - most would grow it them selves. If the government takes the same approach as booze - no weed smoker will object to buying it from someone that is legal. Nobody hates buying weed from a "dealer" more than the person who has to go that route.
Why Marijane is a class 1 drug...
1. The roots of the plant can be used to make fuel, textiles, building materials, and any number of other products that would truly amaze you.
2. The medicinal properties that pharmies have a tough time regulating because it is a weed that grows wild.
3. Declaring it a class 1 drug makes it more difficult to legalize so oil, logging and pharm companies can keep us all hooked on their drugs instead.
Every time I have posted these facts on a thread the thread gets taken down within 24 hours. Spread the words not the diseases... Getting stoned is just a fantastic side effect of what this truly miraculous weed can do for us. Our forefathers agreed that's why they grew it. Peace...
The mobs are into lots of things, but unlike the cartels they don't depend solely on weed profits. Still, I'm surprised that "Mob Wives" is considered entertainment rather than information for the FBI.
Damn drug dealers. I hope they get the max.
You'd see it differently if you weren't stuck smoking that tumbleweed.
You hope they get the max huh? I don't i hope they walk.
Now why is it again, the FEDS can't go after the criminal BANKING Cartels and the Corrupt Criminals with Halliburton / KBR - Blackwater, and the rest who stole money from US while in IRAQ ??? and the Wall Street crowd - why is that again ?? come on FEDS get those BANKERS and corrupt Contractors who were over in IRAQ who robbed us blind !!
The FEDS are a part of the banking cartels, who do you think bailed out these bankers??? They get bailed out and i cant get a loan modification on a house that's underwater. My tax dollars bail out the banks but not us.....banks, oil company's, and U.S. government are the biggest enemy to all of us.......
Drug "crimes" are tyranny.
One word would stop a lot of these busts: Omerta.
those talking about contractors in Iraq you guys are idiots and know nothing seriously!!!!
@Arizona
I'm with you, I hope they get the max, friggin drug dealer ruin lives!!!!!!
i agree with scott what the hell cartels is fing everybody off and they going after some Mafia's come on now
sharri; look at AZ Tumbleweeds eyes - he even has weed in his name - those who cry the loudest have the most to hide.
lisa; please educate us. I'll be more than happy to counter any opinion you have, with facts.
Fact; under Saddam Iraq had the BEST health care system in the Middle East. Now it is one of the worst.
Why Marijane is a class 1 drug...
1. The roots of the plant can be used to make fuel, textiles, building materials, and any number of other products that would truly amaze you.
2. The medicinal properties that pharmies have a tough time regulating, because it is a weed that grows wild not a chemical produced in a lab.
3. The oil. logging and pharmaceutical companies want you to be addicted to their drugs instead of taking advantage of a plant that grows wild and is miracle crop of relatively harmless properties.
Every time I post this information the thread either gets closed down or my message magically disappears within apx 24 hours. Someone does not want you to have this knowledge and goes to great lengths to silence it. Maybe I am on to something huh?!! Our forefathers grew it. They knew the truth. Legalize it but do it for all the right things. The buzz is just a wonderful side effect. It is listed right next to heroin for Christ sake. WWJD? He would smoke a bowl and build a house with the roots an stems.
I have had this information erased 3 times already. LET PEOPLE KNOW THE TRUTH!!!
cmon on feds go bust the illegals that are here for god sakes they do more crime then anyone in this country and it starts with the scumbag in the white house
If the illegals committ more crimes than anyone else, then why are the majority of prison inmates are American citizens? If you don't like the scumbag in the white house, go ahead and elect one of those GOP scumbags; you only have a serial adulterer (who was censored by his own party), an elitist who hides his mony overseas to avoid paying taxes, and a racist isolationist (who falsely believes that isolation will protect America), and a hyporitical "evangelical" who wants to enact his version of Sharia law to choose from.
you listen to much to george soros and to the puppet master himself Yea like obamas helped this country you fucing idiot Hes a dictator socialist scumbag like yourself moron
joh candy, you are such a moron. People need to get over sh*t dealing with Obama. These so called mob folks are the scum of the earth. Immigrants are not the main issue, but something should be worked out with immigrants coming here. There's a right way and a wrong one. A lot of stupid republicans usually have the wrong idea of how to deal with them.
We are all immigrants moron!!! Read!!!
OBAMA = One Big Ass Mistake America
AMEN
No one does more crime than the organized crime families.
how bout we deal with the issue at hand (referring to the article) and discuss the growing problem of organized crime. obama being called scumbag has nothing to do with this article
Nothing wrong with immigration, but make it legal. Don't hire them or give them free services, you wont't have to deport them, they will go home on their own. Nuff said...
The face on T.V. most is the sc--b-g Obama, the one of the most unqualified presidents of all time, also one of the biggest liars and socialist.
hmmm....Obama ROCKS! Whoever thinks otherwise is a racist hillbilly!!! selling weed????? so what... u can buy it in a store here.... they r mad cuz they cant get any part of the money.
f u roy
LMAO - they got nowhere with the Birther bs so now it's a Socialist bs. Neo's sure are stubborn. You can tell they know the writing is on the wall - that Obama will get re-elected. Man are they going to be grumpy for the next 4 years - oh well - stuff happens (what goes around, comes around).
I thought this bust happened in Nov. 2011. They had talked it about before this season even started.
who cares! It's Business right! it's not personal
No, don't put him in prison! He's an accountant! He told us so! He's a good, loving family man! He provides for us! He goes to Mass every day! He donates to his parish! He's not a bad man! LOL.
throw away the key!
The racketeering charge is all the feds are worrying about because the feds hate competition.
allen in arizona, what are you talking about !?
Or maybe just maybe if her stupid daughter wasn't on tv causing more attention to themsleves then maybe this wouldn't have happened.
Why is this a bad thing again? They're ORGANIZED CRIMINALS for goodness sake.
She certainly looks mean!!
If it was'nt for pot busts and incurring fines from, how would they receive raises?
Heck, guys, you know they just arrest them with the easy charges (like the pot, gambling, tax evasion a common one) while they try to gather evidence for the bigger crimes. I'd be surprised if these people weren't involved in some very nasty things that you all wouldn't be so flippant about if you knew. They'd have no second thoughts about putting a slug in your head if you were of any inconvenience to them. I'm sure they take good care of their families and friends, but at the expense of anything(one) that gets in their way.
Hopefully this will get that stupid show off the TV
I find the show interesting and entertaining. This isn't about the show.
My drug dealer is cool. I would be lost if he went to jail.
tom from orlando, that is how police and feds find and put people like you in jail, you are so stupid !
Watched the Godfather series recently...can't get that accent out of my head reading the names of the arrested. The picture of the mob wife...sultry, wicked, vicious looking...man-eater!
let us not glorify what the italian mob really is, brutal to a fault killers and thieves.
nothing more!
Shil. That was Kim Kardashian you were looking at. Stop trying to make the mob like a bunch of good boys. They are murderers. The only thing that stands between them taking you out are the Feds. That TV would make a show about wives and daughters of criminals is disgusting. No wonder the country is in the toilet.
My thoughts exactly Harry. Don't you want your daughter to grow up with this garbage as a shining example of what she should aspire to ?
Next thing you know they'll produce a tv show that glorifies teenage motherhood and drunk, arrogant trash from Jersey. So much for the thought of 'reality TV'. Of course there's not much future in a tv show about a kid that don't do his homework, a couple that works 8-10 hours a day before coming home to sit in front of the tv or computer and a dog that pees on the carpet.
Also of note, of the list of charges (racketeering, extortion, illegal gambling, ...) the only things people seem to be focusing on is the pot. While I personally don't have a problem with someone occasionally getting high, these men are criminals and should be treated as such. The producers of the Mob Wives show are going to latch onto this and use it for ratings as well. As far as I'm concerned, that should also be criminal.
How is it even legal to make a show like this? I mean, shouldn't they be tracing connections and arresting everyone?
o damn now we on obama what the hell does he have to do with the fed are the Mafia not a damn thang and just to remind you dumb ass peoples @!$%# was already @!$%#ed up when he got in office so if you gonna tell it tell the damn truth keep it real
Grim32- they already have pregnant at 16, teen mom, and Jersey shore.
I can't believe the format they use to make TV shows, anything goes....what's next?
I can't believe people actually watch this kind of garbage. "Mob Wives." Really. Nothing like glorifying a bunch of rich, entitled spoiled brats who are nothing more than the accomplices of criminals....if they aren't the criminals themselves.
delilah52, i guess if people like to watch porn and stupid movies that involve sex then there is nothing wrong with watching mob wives as long as you don't let it influence you. i myself don't watch mob wives . i've only seen clips of it.
How come they don't just arrest everyone involved? Aren't they all criminals?
a friend with weed is a friend indeed!
angelicci, what is wrong with you ? why do you glamorize drugs ?
Sandra...Why do you demonize weed? Why do you judge people who use marijuana? Why do you care about the minuscule weed smokers while the country has literally fallen into serious straits because our country is ran by criminals and war mongers who profit off of the blood and torture of your fellow humans? Why are you so intolerant of others right to enjoy their own version of reality? You should try to live and let live...Smoke some weed and then come back to the conversation...Because weed makes it all just a bit better...Not perfect...Just a bit better.
Remember...Smoke weed for a bit better world...Not perfect...Just not as screwed up as it looked before.
Peace ;)
P.s....I smoke weed...And right now...I have a bag of weed...And I am going to go smoke some...But don't tell everyone...They wouldn't understand! ;)
Don't really have a problem with the occasional pot smoker. Unfortunately some pretty nast people grow and sell the stuff and you probably don't want to know what can happen if you screw some of these people over. A small amount to grow for personal use should be legal so that police enforcment could actually spend time busting the hard core drug dealers.
isn't ''Santora' the plural of 'Santorum'...? :)
Fuggedaboutit! She's a man, baby!
Marijuana is not classified as a "drug" the last time I checked. Illegal gambling pisses the government off because it takes away from their nationwide lottery! So you take a toke, buy a numbers bet and go home to your family. When the government outlaws cigarettes and the lottery they will then have justification for going after others. Do what I say, not what I do.....what a bunch of crap!
Who ever would have expected that a bunch of criminals would commit crimes and be arrested? This sort of thing just doesn't happen.
Being from Rhode Island I know Mob. The Feds craked down on the Patrara Crime Family. They make a big show of it. Now Providence has the Mexican mob, The chinese mob, the Russian mob who are all ruthless killers. With the patrarca family in charge there were no other mobs. RIP Federal Hill.
So one big mob got replaced by multiple smaller mobs.
Too funny, how does the mob contribute to our economy? There are only two types of people: the makers and the takers. The trouble with the takers, they don't add to society by: inventions, improvements or even healthcare. They only subtract from everyone's life by taking what they haven't earned. Really smart way of making America great again. The mobs greatest tricks are: stealing cars, chop shops on and on. Life is short and sooner or later their dead to.
The story is about the MOB, NOT the GOVT. Which just happens to be the BIGGEST LEGAL MOB there is.
Nice job.....must have missed the Mexican cartels....I guess they are a little bit to powerful for the cops to handle?
when they get dumb enough to have a reality tv show ....
Heck, maybe we need a reality show about the mexican cartel and illegal immigraton. Also include those planning to sneak into the US. Maybe then some of these politicians would see what a lot of states are up against and see why a lot of the public wants something done about it. All heck will break loose if aliens get the right to vote in the next election, or ever. However, lots of politicians would cater to these people to get their vote.