Authors: Lee Lamothe
The Sixth Family (90 page)
Frank “Curly” LINO
Frank COPPA
“Goldie” LEISENHEIMER
“Shellackhead” CANTARELLA
UNDER SEIGE
VITO RIZZUTO
leans in close to listen to one of his lawyers, Jean Salois, after a court appearancein Montreal on February 6, 2004, following his arrest on U.S. charges that he was a gunman in the Brooklyn purge of three rival Mafia captains. After spending 16 nights in jail, Vito looked tired and weary from the ordeal, but it was far from over. He and his team of lawyers fought hard for more than two years to remain in Canada, taking his case to the SupremeCourt of Canada—but to no avail. As soon as the Supreme Court declined to hear his case, Vito was removed from his cell and placed on board a waiting airplane. That afternoon he appeared for the first time in a Brooklyn court, where he pleaded not guilty and was whisked to a crowded detention center, where he again waited while his lawyers worked.
leans in close to listen to one of his lawyers, Jean Salois, after a court appearancein Montreal on February 6, 2004, following his arrest on U.S. charges that he was a gunman in the Brooklyn purge of three rival Mafia captains. After spending 16 nights in jail, Vito looked tired and weary from the ordeal, but it was far from over. He and his team of lawyers fought hard for more than two years to remain in Canada, taking his case to the SupremeCourt of Canada—but to no avail. As soon as the Supreme Court declined to hear his case, Vito was removed from his cell and placed on board a waiting airplane. That afternoon he appeared for the first time in a Brooklyn court, where he pleaded not guilty and was whisked to a crowded detention center, where he again waited while his lawyers worked.
INNER SANCTUM:
Many members of the Sixth Family apparently felt safe behind the closed doors of their semi-private Montreal headquarters, the Club Social Consenza. Little did they know that police were secretly watching and listening, such as (top) when Paolo Renda, Nick Rizzuto, Frank Arcadi, Rocco Sollecito and a visitor allegedly divided up money; and (below) when Nick allegedly stuffed money down his socks.
Many members of the Sixth Family apparently felt safe behind the closed doors of their semi-private Montreal headquarters, the Club Social Consenza. Little did they know that police were secretly watching and listening, such as (top) when Paolo Renda, Nick Rizzuto, Frank Arcadi, Rocco Sollecito and a visitor allegedly divided up money; and (below) when Nick allegedly stuffed money down his socks.
PROJECT COLISÉE
THE RCMP HAILED
their efforts in 2006 against the Sixth Family as “one of the most importantpolice operations in the history of Canada” that challenged “the pinnacles of organized crime.” The four-year, joint operation led to charges of gangsterism, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, attempted murder, extortion, the corruption of public servants and the possession of illegal guns. Police say they also tracked the cross-border movement of drugs and money, including those pictured above. Code named Project Colisée, French for “Colosseum,” the famous ampitheatre of Ancient Rome, the operation was hugely expensive.
their efforts in 2006 against the Sixth Family as “one of the most importantpolice operations in the history of Canada” that challenged “the pinnacles of organized crime.” The four-year, joint operation led to charges of gangsterism, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, attempted murder, extortion, the corruption of public servants and the possession of illegal guns. Police say they also tracked the cross-border movement of drugs and money, including those pictured above. Code named Project Colisée, French for “Colosseum,” the famous ampitheatre of Ancient Rome, the operation was hugely expensive.
POLICE ACTION
came swift for men Canadian police allege were among the top bosses of the Rizzuto organization. While Vito was fighting charges in the United States, his father, Nicolò (top left), brother-in-law, Paolo Renda (top right), Frank Arcadi (bottom left) and Rocco Sollecito(bottom right) were arrested in Project Colisée. They were awaiting trial in Montreal as 2007 came to a close.
came swift for men Canadian police allege were among the top bosses of the Rizzuto organization. While Vito was fighting charges in the United States, his father, Nicolò (top left), brother-in-law, Paolo Renda (top right), Frank Arcadi (bottom left) and Rocco Sollecito(bottom right) were arrested in Project Colisée. They were awaiting trial in Montreal as 2007 came to a close.
A NEW YORK MINUTE
PLEAS OF POVERTY
from Vito (second from right) as he was sentenced for his role in the gangland massacre of the three captains drew the ire of U.S. Judge Nicholas Garaufis (far left) in May 2007. Vito said he was broke and unable to pay a fine to accompany his 10 years of prison. Federal prosecutor Greg Andres (second from left, arms behind back) said the claim was absurd. “Like everyone in the mob, his relatives hold all the assets,” he said in court. The judge agreed and ordered him to pay the maximum fine allowed under law: $250,000. In this courtroom sketch, Vito stands between his two U.S. lawyers, John Mitchell on his left and David Schoen on his right. It could well be Vito’s last public appearance before his release, scheduled for October 6, 2012.
from Vito (second from right) as he was sentenced for his role in the gangland massacre of the three captains drew the ire of U.S. Judge Nicholas Garaufis (far left) in May 2007. Vito said he was broke and unable to pay a fine to accompany his 10 years of prison. Federal prosecutor Greg Andres (second from left, arms behind back) said the claim was absurd. “Like everyone in the mob, his relatives hold all the assets,” he said in court. The judge agreed and ordered him to pay the maximum fine allowed under law: $250,000. In this courtroom sketch, Vito stands between his two U.S. lawyers, John Mitchell on his left and David Schoen on his right. It could well be Vito’s last public appearance before his release, scheduled for October 6, 2012.
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