West Orange Man Admits Role in Longshoreman Extortion

A West Orange man and two others admitted Tuesday they conspired to extort longshoreman on the New Jersey piers for Christmas tribute payments, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Vincent Aulisi, 82, of West Orange, the president of ILA Local 1235 from approximately 2006 through 2007; Thomas Leonardis, 56, of Glen Gardner, president of the union from about 2008 to 2011; and Robert Ruiz, 55, of Watchung, delegate of the union from 2007 to 2010, each pleaded guilty.

The trio admitted they conspired with each other to compel tribute payments from ILA union members who made the payments because of actual or threatened force, violence and fear, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

The extortion incidents usually coincided with year-end compensation checks certain ILA members received.

Aulisi had already retired from his position on the New Jersey piers at the time of his arrest and Leonardis and Ruiz were each suspended following their arrests in 2011.

The trio each face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,00 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 4 for Ruiz and Sept. 9 for Aulisi and Leonardis.

Charges remain pending against eight others, including a racketeering conspiracy charge against Stephen Depiro, 58, of Kenilworth. Depiro is a soldier in the Genovese crime family of La Cosa Nostra.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Depiro has managed the Genovese family's control over the New Jersey waterfront, including the extortion of port workers in ILA Local 1, ILA Local 1235 and ILA Local 1478 over the past three decades.