Michael Persico, son of reputed Colombo boss Carmine "The Snake" Persico and brother of reputed ex-acting boss Alphonse "Allie Boy" Persico was denied bail following his indictment earlier this month for allegedly participating in a kickback and extortion scheme involving removal of debris at the ground zero site of the World Trade Center.
That indictment alleges that a mob-controlled trucking company paid kickbacks to win a subcontract with a demolition company working at ground zero. Prosecutors also say the defendants threatened employees with the demolition company when it failed to pay on time. Wiretaps captured one defendant saying the employees were "shakin' in their boots over us."
The others indicted include Michael Persico, Edward Garofalo Jr., James Bombino, Louis Romeo, Alicia Dimichelle, and Mike Lnu.
Surveillance caught Persico, 53, meeting with high-level Colombos. He's charged with ordering mob associate James Bombino to extort Testa Construction to subcontract Ground Zero debris removal to All Around Trucking, reputedly controlled by the crime family.
In denying bail for Persico, U.S. District Judge Sandra Townes said "He has ties to organized crime that he has been surveilled meeting with the hierarchy of the Colombo crime family, including Ralph Deleo, the acting boss. He directs the acts of violent men and no amount of surety could protect the community."
Popularity: 4% [?]
