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Genovese Crime Family associate John Breheney (AKA “Fu”), 49, of Egg Harbor, NJ, pleaded guilty Friday before US District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute through his participation in an illegal sports betting operation.
Breheney and 11 others with suspected ties to the Genovese Crime Family were arrested on May 22, 2012, for their roles in the sports betting ring.
Breheney admitted that he earned income through his criminal activities and then concealed this income from the IRS by making false tax returns and failing to pay taxes on this income.
The complaint contends that the alleged criminal enterprise through smaller groups, sometimes referred to as “crews,” engaged in a variety of criminal activities in northern New Jersey and elsewhere. Each crew was headed by a “captain,” “capo,” or “skipper.” Each captain’s crew consisted of “soldiers” and “associates.” The captain was responsible for supervising the criminal activities of his crew and providing the crew with support and protection. In return, the captain often received a share of the crew’s earnings. Joseph Lascala, 81, of Monroe, N.J., was an alleged “capo” and a made member of the Genovese Crime Family, directing various criminal activities of a group of associates referred to in the criminal complaint as the “Lascala Crew.” These activities included the theft of goods and cargo, the receipt of stolen property in interstate commerce, extortion, illegal gambling, and the collection of unlawful debt. Breheney reported to Lascala and his underlings
Members and associates of the Lascala Crew and others conspired with individuals who owned and operated an offshore website to run an illegal gambling business that operated in northern New Jersey and elsewhere. High-level associates of the Lascala Crew, such as Breheney, acted as “agents” of the business.
Breheney admitted that he conspired with this criminal enterprise to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, including illegal gambling and theft from interstate shipments, and the collection of unlawful debt.
Breheney could face up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge plus a $250,000 fine. The tax evasion charge carries a maximum of 5 years prison time.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
