Lucchese and Gambino Family bust : Operations “Pure Luck” and “Night Gallery”
Posted on 19. Nov, 2009 in Colombo
| Suspects in mob sweep led to arraignments |
“Operation Pure Luck” was a long-term investigation into the alleged loan sharking and bookmaking activities of alleged Gambino capo Carmine Sciandra, alleged Gambino soldier Michael Murdocco, and alleged Gambino associates Vinnie LaFace and Benedetto Casale, among others. Sciandra owns a chain of popular supermarkets on Staten Island called “Top Tomato.” Sciandra and Murdocco are alleged to be “made men” in the Gambino crime family.
“Operation Night Gallery” was a long-term investigation into the alleged loan sharking and bookmaking of alleged Luchese capo Anthony Croce, alleged Luchese soldier Joseph Datello, and Joseph Datello’s brother, Frank Datello, among others. According to the charges, the Datellos would collect from reluctant payers by using threats of violence, and Joseph Datello and Croce based their operation out of a Staten Island bar called the “Night Gallery.” Croce and Joseph Datello are alleged to be “made men” in the Lucchese crime family.