West Orange Resident Among 127 Arrested in Suspected Mob Bust

A West Orange resident was among 127 reputed organized crime figures arrested in predawn raids in New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island Thursday.

Vincent Aulisi, 78, of West Orange, also known as "The Vet," according to an 82-page U.S. Dept. of Justice indictment, is charged with conspiracy and extortion. He faces 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count, if convicted.

Aulisi, one of 15 New Jersey residents charged in a scheme to extort port workers, is a former president of the International Longshoremen's Association Local 1235.

The indictment states Aulisi and reputed Genovese associates allegedly forced port workers to hand over thousands of dollars in "tribute payments" each year around Christmas, when the workers receive an end-of-year bonus. Federal authorities said the extortion of the dockworkers has been going on for three decades.

In all, 91 members, including one in Italy, and associates of seven organized crime families were charged in 16 indictments as part of an FBI raid. Another 36 have been charged for their roles in alleged associated criminal activity, federal authorities said.

The other 14 New Jersey residents charged in the bust were Stephen Depiro, 55, of Kenilworth, Nunzio LaGrasso, 60, of Florham Park, Richard Dehmer, 75, of Springfield, Edward Aulisi, 51, of Flemington, Thomas Leonardis 53, of Glen Gardner, Robert Ruiz, 52, of Watchung, Michael Trueba, 75, of Kearny, Ramiro Quintans, 52, of Basking Ridge, Salvatore LaGrasso, 60, of Edison, Anthony Alfano, 76, of Union, Tonino Colantonio, 32, of Kenilworth, John Hartmann, 41, of Kenilworth, Guiseppe Pugliese, 32, of Kenilworth and Albert Cernadas. Cernadas was previously charged and arrested.

Aulisi, as well as the 15 others charged, allegedly were part of an organized crime gang authorities called La Cosa Nostra or "the enterprise." The organization allegedly operated through six crime families in New York City and New Jersey. The Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese families controlled most activities in New York, while the DeCavalcante family worked primarily in New Jersey, according to officials from the U.S. Dept. of Justice. The DeCavalcante has long been thought to be the inspiration for "The Sopranos."

Members allegedly conspired to collect cash from dockworkers through power of union officials, including former ILA Local 1235 presidents, such as Aulisi. They also would allegedly threaten or "inflict harm," according to the indictment.

All 14, excluding Cernadas, were arraigned this afternoon in federal court in Newark before U.S. Magistrate Judge Claire C. Cecchi. Vincent Aulisi was represented by Joseph Fusella, an attorney from Bloomfield. In order to be released on bail, Aulisi has to post an $850,000 bond, stop all union activity and is prohibited from contacting anyone involved in waterfront business.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the arrests are one of the largest mob takedowns in U.S. history.

"Today's arrests and charges mark an important step forward in disrupting La Cosa Nostra's illegal activities," he said. "This largest single-day operation against La Cosa Nostra sends the message that our fight against traditional organized crime is strong, and our commitment is unwavering."

Michael B. Ward, special agent in charge of the Newark division of the FBI, said his team has worked "around the clock" to curb organized crime activity in New Jersey.

"It's become almost cliché to link organized crime to New Jersey, with oft-repeated comments about the 'Soprano State' and bodies allegedly being buried in the Meadowlands," he said. "Today's arrests will serve as a stark reminder that organized crime continues to operate in New Jersey through corruption, extortion, racketeering and violence. Organized crime is not to be romanticized, but rather is now being targeted anew by the FBI in New Jersey by agents whose attention is focused on these groups 24/7."

— Tom Troncone contributed to this report.