09:12 AM EST on Wednesday, February 9, 2005
SCITUATE -- The New England Patriots' Super Bowl victory in Jacksonville generated plenty of action in Rhode Island.
State, federal and local police announced yesterday that they had broken up a mob-sanctioned gambling ring and arrested 15 alleged bookmakers on a variety of racketeering, gambling, drug and gun charges.
The money was generated by bets placed on Sunday night's Super Bowl game between the Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles, the police said. In a series of raids at JJ's Coliseum, a bar at 23 Greenville Ave., Johnston, and eight other places, the authorities confiscated six guns, 3 ounces of marijuana, cocaine and three cars, including a black 2004 Hummer.
The most prominent mobster nabbed in the sweep was Joseph Achille, 69, described by the state police as a capo regime in the Patriarca crime family. He was arraigned on charges of racketeering, organized criminal gambling and bookmaking.
The police seized a Double Diamond Deluxe slot machine from the basement of Achille's house at 75 Windmill St., in the north end of Providence. The machine was identical to one that would be found on the floor of a Las Vegas casino.
The authorities said that Achille and Donald Capasso, who owns the building that houses JJ's Coliseum, directed the gambling operation that collected more than $500,000 in illegal bets that were placed on professional and college football.
Capasso, 47, of 19 Maribeth Drive, Johnston, was charged with racketeering, organized criminal gambling, conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling and bookmaking. He was released on $15,000 surety bail, which requires posting the full amount in property or 10 percent in cash.
Achille also has been charged, along with his son David Achille, 37, with conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon.
State police Maj. Steven G. O'Donnell said the charges stem from an argument that David Achille had with two members of the Laborers' International Union of North America at a job site at India Point Park in Providence.
O'Donnell said the dispute revolved around "who was getting the prime jobs."
To settle the score, O'Donnell said, Joe Achille gave his son a handgun and instructed him to shoot the two laborers in the kneecaps. On Jan. 28, the state police, who were monitoring phone conversations through court-ordered wiretaps, arrested the younger Achille, who was armed with the loaded gun, while he was going to the job site.
The Achilles were each released on $25,000 surety bail.
The sweeping arrests made up the largest mob gambling bust in recent years.
O'Donnell and Col. Steven M. Pare, superintendent of the state police, said that last year they decided to place a greater emphasis on investigations involving organized crime. For decades, the state police had developed a national reputation for their dogged pursuit of members of the Patriarca crime family.
Sometime during the late 1990s, as many high-level mobsters were prosecuted and sent to prison, the mob became less of a priority.
O'Donnell, who has spent much of his career chasing mobsters and working undercover, said that about six months ago, the state police made several personnel moves to fortify the agency's intelligence unit.
Under the direction of Lt. John T. Leyden III, the unit began investigating the gambling operation that resulted in the arrest of Joe and David Achille, and 13 others.
Leyden and his unit also were instrumental in last month's arrest of Matthew L. Guglielmetti Jr., also a capo regime in the Patriarca crime family, on federal charges that he conspired to protect a shipment of 67 kilograms of cocaine that was passing through Rhode Island to Canada.
The FBI and the Providence police worked closely with the state police in both investigations.
Pare, O'Donnell and Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch conceded that many people scoff at gambling raids, saying that it's no big deal because many forms of gambling are legal and there are casinos across the border in Connecticut.
But, they said, when the mob is involved, the stakes rise.
"People need to understand that it is definitely not the same thing as gambling in a casino or scratching a lottery ticket," Lynch said. "This is gambling on credit, in which debts get collected by threats and fear, and it is a serious crime. The alleged leaders of this large, criminal bookmaking enterprise have been preying upon our families and communities long enough."
O'Donnell said that one victim had to refinance his house to pay off $80,000 in gambling debts.
Pare vowed that the police will remain vigilant with the gambling crackdown as the NCAA college basketball tournament is set to begin next month.
Also arrested and charged were: