The High-Stakes Game: Mafia's Poker Scheme Unveiled

In a recent crackdown, federal authorities have exposed a sophisticated poker rigging operation linked to New York City's infamous Mafia families. This high-tech scheme, which spanned six years, allegedly involved members and associates of the Genovese, Gambino, Bonanno, and Lucchese crime families. The operation, known as "Operation Royal Flush, " has led to the indictment of 34 individuals, including several alleged mobsters. The scheme targeted unsuspecting gamblers, using advanced technology to manipulate poker games and amass millions of dollars. The FBI's Christopher Raia described the operation as a nationwide scam that exploited both the reputation of some and the finances of others to fund the Italian crime families. Among the defendants is Ernest Aiello, a member of the Bonanno family with a history of felony convictions. Aiello is accused of receiving payments from organizers of rigged games on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. Despite his criminal past, including convictions for promoting gambling and assault, Aiello's attorney did not respond to requests for comment. Louis Apicella, an associate of the Gambino family, is also named in the indictment. Known as "Lou Ap, " Apicella is part of a "Cheating Team" that organized and participated in the rigged games. Although he has no prior criminal history, the government's investigation revealed his access to firearms and willingness to use violence. Apicella's lawyer declined to comment on the allegations. Ammar Awawdeh, another Gambino associate, is accused of organizing rigged games in Manhattan and the Hamptons. Awawdeh is also charged with a gunpoint robbery in September 2023 to steal a specific model of rigged shuffling machine. With a prior felony conviction for laundering drug proceeds, Awawdeh's attorneys declined to comment on the case. Matthew Daddino, a member of the Genovese family, is alleged to have managed the Washington Place poker game in Manhattan and received proceeds from the rigged games. His attorney, Gerard M. Marrone, asserted Daddino's innocence and compared the case to the 1919 Black Sox scandal, suggesting that Italian American defendants are easy targets for the government. The indictment also names Lee Fama, a member of the Gambino family, who received a portion of the money from the games. Fama has three prior felony convictions, including distribution of marijuana and assault in aid of racketeering. His lawyer declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. John Gallo, an associate of the Gambino family, is accused of organizing the Washington Place game and being part of the "Cheating Team. " Gallo has a prior felony conviction for attempted enterprise corruption and promoting gambling. Despite attempts to reach his attorneys, no comment was provided. Thomas Gelardo, known as "Juice, " is an associate of the Bonanno family who later affiliated with the Genovese family. Gelardo is accused of receiving proceeds from the illegal games and extorting an unnamed person to repay debts from illegal poker games. With multiple prior felony convictions for violent crimes, Gelardo's attorney did not respond to requests for comment. Joseph Lanni, a member and alleged captain of the Gambino family, is accused of receiving proceeds from the illegal games. Lanni has multiple prior felony convictions, including securities fraud and promoting gambling. His attorney, Frederick Sosinsky, stated that Lanni denies participation in the "straight" poker business and looks forward to his next court date. Nicholas Minucci, an associate of the Gambino family, is part of the "Cheating Team" and is accused of participating in a gunpoint robbery involving a rigged shuffling machine. Minucci has a criminal history, including convictions for robbery as a hate crime. His attorney did not respond to requests for comment. Anthony Ruggiero Jr. , a member of the Gambino family, is accused of receiving proceeds from the underground games and has a long history of serious crimes, including witness tampering. Ruggiero's attorney declined to comment on the allegations. Seth Trustman, an associate of the Lucchese family, is the only alleged member of that clan named in the case. Trustman organized illegal games and is accused of extorting an unnamed person to collect gambling debts. With two prior felony convictions, Trustman's attorney could not be reached for comment. Julius Ziliani, a member of the Bonanno family, is accused of receiving a share of the games' proceeds and extorting an individual to collect gambling debts. Ziliani's attorney stated that his client denies all allegations and looks forward to his day in court.