Mobsters of New York’s Gambino and Bonanno crime families sentenced on drug and gambling charges
They were rounded up in a bust said to be “a major disruption of La Costra Nostra’s activities on Long Island”. John “Johnny Boy” Ambrosio, Frank “Frankie Boy” Salerno, and Anthony Saladino will spend several years in prison for their crimes.
The men were arrested after a long-term joint investigation led by the FBI. Investigators found that mob captain Ambrosio and several other Gambino family mobsters engaged in illegal gambling, loansharking, drug trafficking, and obstruction of justice. Bonanno family gangster Salerno routinely collected payments from extortionate loans and gambling-related debts, often at the direction of Ambrosio.
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RICO Case Outcomes: Gambino and Bonanno Crime Family Members Sentenced in Drug and Gambling Operation
The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced the sentencing of key members of New York’s notorious Gambinoand Bonanno crime families in a sweeping racketeering and illegal gambling conspiracy case. Prosecuted under the RICO Act, this investigation demonstrates how coordinated task forces and investigative precision can dismantle deeply rooted organized crime networks.
At Royal Palm Investigations, our team includes former detectives from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Bureau. As wiretap coordinators and lead investigators, we were often the primary source of evidence production in complex organized crime cases. These experiences directly inform how we support criminal defense teams and civil litigators today.
What the Case Revealed
According to the DOJ press release, the defendants engaged in illegal sports betting, high-interest loan sharking, and narcotics distribution across multiple boroughs. Many of their criminal operations were backed by threats of violence and protected through traditional mafia hierarchy.
The multi-year investigation relied heavily on Title III wiretap intercepts, undercover agents, and financial tracking. Intercepted conversations revealed encrypted language, money laundering channels, and top-down coordination involving family captains.
Federal authorities worked with local and state agencies, including detectives from Suffolk County’s Special Investigations Bureau, whose contributions — especially in handling confidential informants and managing surveillance logistics — formed the backbone of the prosecution’s evidence.
Sentencing & Legal Impact
The case resulted in lengthy sentences — up to 20 years for certain defendants — as well as significant asset forfeiture and restitution. These RICO case outcomes reinforce the government’s ability to prosecute traditional organized crime using modern investigative methods.
This case also sets precedent for how wiretap evidence and detailed CDR analysis can directly lead to convictions, especially when built by experienced law enforcement professionals working behind the scenes.
PI Role in RICO Defense & Prosecution
At Royal Palm Investigations, our experience with high-level organized crime cases uniquely positions us to support both defense teams and government contractors. Our services include:
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Interpreting and annotating wiretap transcripts
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Conducting Call Detail Record (CDR) analysis
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Locating and vetting cooperating witnesses
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Investigating financial assets and shell corporations
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Preparing trial-ready exhibits from surveillance data
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