The U.S. Attorney for the New York region, Mary Jo White, has announced a sweeping racketeering indictment against 73 people allegedly involved with the family that leads the so-called Mafia.
The U.S. Attorney's office says more than 70 alleged members of the Genovese organized crime family are included in the seven indictments. They are charged with illegal activities such as extortion and embezzlement, including stealing from union pensions.
Ms. White says the Genovese family stole more than $14 million through its illegal activities between 1998 and 2001. She said, "Today's sweeping charges are the result of a 40 month undercover investigation conducted by the FBI and NYPD [New York Police Department] with assistance from the United States Secret Service. The investigation targeted the Genovese crime family, the largest and most financially successful crime family in New York."
Ms. White says the Genovese family was able to continue operating despite earlier crackdowns on the Mafia because it largely avoided violence.
Much of the evidence in the case was provided by a detective who infiltrated the family.
The defendants each face up to 100 years in jail and a $1 million fine.