17 arrests aimed at the mob in Delco

Investigators dubbed it "Operation Delco Nostra," and they said that for at least five years, the tentacles of Philadelphia's organized-crime network took a firm hold in Delaware County, engaging in illegal activities that included bookmaking, loan-sharking and drug-dealing.

Yesterday, 17 defendants surrendered to authorities in Delaware County and Philadelphia on charges including solicitation to commit aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit perjury.

The investigation also may have uncovered evidence of a rift in the organization, federal sources said.

State Police Maj. George L. Bivens, director of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, said Nicholas Cimino, 49, also known as "Nicky the Hat," operated a "large-scale" bookmaking operation from 2002 until March 2007 that included a "casino" on MacDade Boulevard in Folsom, a Web site for online sports betting, and an 800 number for bettors without computer access.

Police estimated the gambling operations took in $1 million a month.

Cimino's casino masqueraded as a social organization called "The Club" and was accessed through a steel basement door, said Bivens. When bettors lost, they were covered by loans - with very steep rates, "a minimum of over 25 percent," he said.

"It's not uncommon for people to find themselves unable to pay," Bivens said.

Rich Ritacco, a publisher who is listed in county records as the building's owner, took exception to the government's suggestion that his building was being used as a casino and said he was unaware of any illegal activities.

"These guys play cards, that's all they do here," he said. "I think it's like four old Italian guys." He said the state police had been around last week asking questions before they raided the place.

Yesterday, investigators released a flow chart describing the structure of "Delco Nostra" - an allusion to "La Cosa Nostra" - and at the top was Louis Monacello. Investigators said Monacello, 41, a Philadelphia mob associate known as "Bent Finger Lou," took over some of the bookmaking operations for George Borgesi during his 14-year prison term for racketeering.

Borgesi, described by investigators as a consigliere in the Joey Merlino organization and who was an uncharged coconspirator, met with Monacello before and during his incarceration, which began in 2001, police said. Monacello is accused of collecting a monthly operations "tax" from casino operator Cimino, who appears under him on the police flow chart.

On March 8, 2007, search warrants executed for Cimino's residence in Wallingford and his 2003 Cadillac Escalade netted $100,000 in cash, five cell phones, betting slips, loan-payment schedules, and a photograph of Cimino and Joseph Ligambi, alleged South Philadelphia mob boss, court records said. Cimino's attorney, Stephen P. Patrizio, declined comment.

Investigators said the probe began in February 2002, when a man arrested on bookmaking charges in Montgomery County began cooperating with state police, the state Attorney General's Office, and the FBI. During the ensuing four-year investigation, law enforcement used informants, wiretaps and undercover operatives to pry into the operations.

A Montgomery County grand jury examined evidence for a year, beginning in April 2007, that led to the arrests, police said.

"To give you an example of the volume that this organization was doing, the grand jury heard testimony that during a one-week period of Dec. 23 through Dec. 29, 2004, there were a total of $221,360 worth of bets placed just via telephone with various bettors with the Cimino organization," said Bivens.

He said the operation generated "easily a million a month."

Cpl. Gregg J. Kravitsky described the operation as relatively quiet and nonviolent - for practical reasons. "You get too physical, and people tend to run to police," he said.

He said the implied force was potent. "People are still scared of that threat."

The only hint of violence occurred with Monacello, who is accused of trying to hire someone to beat up a Philadelphia underboss, Martin Angelina, a convicted racketeer who was released from prison in June.

Investigators declined to speculate on the motive for the intended attack. But federal sources said that the targeting of Angelina, a close associate of Merlino, by Monacello, a Borgesi ally, might be evidence of a rift in the organization.

Police said Monacello assisted Cimino with collections when routine threats failed.

One grand-jury witness testified that Cimino, Monacello and a man known as "Frank the Plumber" confronted him several times to demand payment, an effort that stopped once Cimino and Monacello became aware of the investigation, police said.

Gregory "King" Triantafillou, 39, of Norristown; Daniel Diedrich, 34, also of Norristown; Victor "Vic" Novelli, 28, of Clifton Heights; and Spiro "Bart" Barbalois, 34, of Philadelphia, were identified as Cimino employees who primarily accepted sports wagers. All were charged with bookmaking offenses, as was Joseph Pizza, described by the grand jury as Cimino's principal debt collector.

Bivens said Triantafillou's employment with Cimino resulted from his inability to pay his own debts. The probe also implicated David "Fat Dave" Stroj, 36, a former Philadelphia bookmaker who relocated to near San Diego, but made trips back to the area because he owed Triantafillou money, police said.

Gayle Hudson, 52, of Glen Mills, Cimino's girlfriend, faces charges of dealing with unlawful proceeds and bookmaking. Investigators said she allowed Cimino to move his operation to her residence on West Forge Road on Super Bowl Sunday 2005.

Ralph Abbruzzi, 59, of Philadelphia, also known as "Ralphie Head," and Robert Beck, 43, of Morton, face charges of dealing with unlawful proceeds for their roles in an alleged scheme to hide Cimino's illegal income. Abbruzzi pleaded guilty in 2000 in connection with a mob-controlled stolen-property ring.

Ancillary probes resulted in drug charges against Andre Sims, 37, of Philadelphia, and Gary Battaglini, 47, also of Philadelphia, and bookmaking charges against Vincent Manzo, 46, and Frank Peirantozzi, 47, both of Philadelphia, and Carmen DellaPolla Sr., 73, of Folsom, the owner of DellaPolla's Family Tavern, a bar a block from Cimino's alleged casino. DellaPolla's tavern was raided last week, police said.

Monacello and Gregory Quigley, 37, of Philadelphia, an attorney, conspired to have a subpoenaed witness give false testimony before the grand jury, investigators said. The grand-jury presentment quotes Quigley as saying to a witness: "Once they give you immunity, then you can commit perjury."

Monacello entered Lima district court yesterday morning with a smile; he said he had "no comment" when he exited and was ushered into a police car for transport to his arraignment in Philadelphia. His attorney, Robert Mozenter, also had no comment.

Chief Deputy Attorney General Erik L. Olsen, who is prosecuting the case, said the most serious charge - corrupt organizations - carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

All 17 defendants were released on bail pending a preliminary hearing next Tuesday, which is expected to be postponed, court officials said.