In the Matter of Rocco J. Napoli and Thomas J.
Fallacara
Laborers’ International Union of North America
Independent Hearing Officer
Docket No. 96-65D
Decided September 25,1997
This matter comes before the Laborers’
International Union of North America (“LIUNA”) Independent Hearing Officer
(“IHO”) pursuant to the LIUNA Constitution and the Ethics and Disciplinary
Procedure (“EDP”). The Rules of
Procedure For Arbitrations Involving Disciplinary Matters Before the LIUNA
Independent Hearing Officer (“IHO Rules”) apply.
On July 11, 1996, Disciplinary Charges
were filed by the LIUNA General Executive Board Attorney (“GEB Attorney”)
against Rocco J. Napoli (“Napoli”) and Thomas J. Fallacara (“Fallacara”). The Disciplinary Charges allege violations
of federal law and the LIUNA EDP.
Because of the similarity of the Disciplinary Charges against both
Napoli and Fallacara and the common facts supporting the charges against both
individuals, the matters against both respondents were consolidated and a joint
hearing was conducted on December 2, 1996 (“Tr. I”), and April 14, 1997 (“Tr.
II”). At the hearing, the Disciplinary
Charges were amended, to correct non-material facts.
Napoli did not appear at the hearing and
presented no evidence. Fallacara
appeared and was represented by counsel.
All parties were provided an opportunity to file post-hearing
submissions.
Based upon the hearing and the
submissions of the GEB Attorney and Fallacara, the IHO finds that the GEB
Attorney sustained his burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence as to
all charges against Napoli and Fallacara.
Findings
Regarding the La Cosa Nostra (“LCN”)
The charges in this matter involve allegations that the charged parties associated with organized crime figures. In order to evaluate the individual allegations, I make the following findings:
1. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations
(“RICO”) provisions of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 empowers federal
prosecutors to bring criminal prosecutions and civil suits against organized
crime syndicates. See 18 U.S.C. § 1961 et seq.
2. Congress’ principal aim in enacting the RICO statute
in 1970 was to prevent the infiltration of organized crime into legitimate
business. United States v. Turkette,
452 U.S. 576 (1981).
3. La Cosa Nostra (“LCN”), sometimes referred to as the
“Mob” or the “Mafia”, is a tightly structured criminal organization which
operates in various cities throughout the United States. It is in the business of crime for a profit.
4. The LCN of today had its origins in secret societies
formed in Sicily and Southern Italy in the late 19th century. See Symposium - Perspectives on
Organized Crime, 16 Rutgers L.J. 439 (1985) (“Symposium”). Secret societies emerged in the United
States toward the end of the 19th century. Id. at 440. These societies were the antecedents of the
present La Cosa Nostra. Id. at 441.
5. In the late 1920's, one criminal group attempted to
form an alliance of all the groups involved in boot legging. See Symposium
at 441 (citing D. Cressey, Theft of the Nation: The Structure and Operations
of Organized Crime in America 9 (1969)).
A power struggle erupted between Sicilian and non-Sicilian groups. The struggle led to a violent private
vendetta known as the Castellammarese War in New York in 1931. Symposium at p. 441.
6. The war began in April 1931, and lasted until
September 1931. During September 1931,
in a three day period, forty Italian or Sicilian organized crime leaders were
murdered. Symposium at 442. The structure of the Italian/Sicilian
organized crime organization in the United States today was created by a peace
treaty ending the Castellammarese War.
The resulting confederation became known as the La Cosa Nostra. Symposium at 442.
7. The LCN is comprised of groups of persons organized
into entities called families.
8. A number of such families are located in the New York
area, including the Genovese family.
9. The hierarchy of the leadership of each LCN family
consists of the head (the “boss”), his assistant (the “underboss”), and an
advisor (the “consigliere”). The boss,
underboss, and consigliere oversee the activities of the LCN members and their
associates.
10. LCN members within the family operate in small groups or cells called
“crews” which are headed by men called “capos” or “crew bosses.”
11. Persons who are not members of an LCN family, but who participate in,
cooperate with, or facilitate the LCN’s activities, are referred to as
“associates.” Associates are of two
types: criminals who are taken into the fold, by the members, Tr. I 27-28, and persons who work at legitimate
businesses, but perform tasks, or provide services, or assist members in their
illegal activities. Id. at 28.
12. To become a true LCN member, an individual must be accepted and
inducted into the Family. Induction
into the LCN is referred to as “getting made”, becoming “one of the boys”, or
“being reborn.” Members also refer to a
newly made members, as “he is with us.”
To be inducted, a member must undergo a formal initiation ceremony,
followed by all of the La Cosa Nostra families, in which the proposed member
swears his allegiance to the crime family.
Tr. I 27.
13. The initiation process and structure of the LCN was described in detail
by an LCN associate in testimony cited in United States v. Pungitore,
910 F.2d 1084, 1097-97 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 500 U.S. 915
(1990).
14. As part of its criminal conduct, the LCN has infiltrated and controls
numerous business organizations and labor unions. In these ventures “…it employs illegitimate methods -
monopolization, terrorism, extortion, tax evasion - to drive out or control
lawful ownership and leadership and to exact illegal profits from the
public.” See President’s
Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice -Task Force Report:
Organized Crime at 187 (1967); see
also Blakey & Goldstock, “On the Waterfront”: RICO and Labor
Racketeering, 17 Am. Crim. L. Rev. 341 (1980).
15. The Department of Justice has embarked on a concentrated effort to rid
the labor movement of organized crime.
The Department of Justice prosecutors have filed numerous civil RICO
complaints against International and local labor unions. See, e.g.,
United States v. Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International
Union, Civ. No. 95-4596 (D.N.J.); United States v. International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, 88 Civ. 4486 (S.D.N.Y.).
16. These foregoing suits resulted in consent decrees with the appointment
of independent monitors who have the power to hear disciplinary charges against
union members for misconduct, including associating with members of organized
crime. See e.g., United
States v. Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union
(Agathos), (D.N.J.) Civ. No.
95-4596 (GEB) Memorandum Opinion (May 8, 1997).
17. LIUNA has entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to
engage in a voluntary process of self-policing and internal reform outside of
the court system which is designed “to
ensure that all locals and other entities within LIUNA are rid of any corrupting
influence of any member of organized crime.”
See LIUNA-United States Department of Justice Agreement, February
13, 1995.
18. To effect this reform, LIUNA adopted an Ethics and Disciplinary
Procedure (“EDP”) on January 18, 1995, which prohibits all current and future
LIUNA officers, agents, representatives, employees, and members from engaging
in “barred conduct.” Barred conduct is
defined to include committing any act of racketeering, “knowingly associating” with members of an
organized crime family such as the LCN, knowingly allowing an LCN member or
associate to influence a LIUNA officer, and interfering with or obstructing the
efforts of the LIUNA Inspector General, the GEB Attorney or the IHO. See
EDP Section 1. Racketeering is the
commission of any predicate crime set out in 18 U.S.C. Section 1961(1) which
also are listed in Appendix A of the EDP.
Barred conduct is also prohibited under the LIUNA Ethics Practices Code.
See EDP Section 1.
19. Under the EDP, the term “knowingly associate” means that the union
member knew that the person with whom he/she was associating was a member or
associate of the LCN; the association related directly or indirectly to the
affairs of the union; and the association was more than fleeting or casual.
20. The requirement that the association be directly or indirectly related
to the affairs of the union will be liberally construed by the IHO to effect
the purpose of the EDP. It is apparent
from the agreement between LIUNA and the Department of Justice and the text of
the EDP and the EPC that the major aim of the reform process is to rid the
union of the influence of organized crime.
It follows that the drafters of the agreement would not expect that the
reform effort will be subjected to unduly restrictive definitions, so as to
thwart the plain purpose of the initiative. The phrase directly and indirectly
related to the affairs of the union will be construed to encompass any
reasonable relationship to the affairs of the union, its members, or its
officers. The relationship to the
affairs of the union need not on its face affect the operation of the union; it
need only reflect that the “knowing association” permits the undesirable
individuals to have easy access to the union officers and members in the total
atmosphere of the labor union operation.
21. The EDP also requires that the GEB Attorney also demonstrate that the
charged parties’ association was “more than fleeting or casual.” Id. See, e.g., United
States v. International Bhd. of Teamsters, 824 F. Supp. 410, 414 (S.D.N.Y.
1993); United States v. International Bhd. of Teamsters, 745 F. Supp.
908, 909 (S.D.N.Y. 1990) (contact that was “knowing, purposeful and not
fleeting” was enough to constitute “knowing association”), aff’d, 941
F.2d 1292 (2d Cir. 1991), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 1091 (1992).
22. To establish knowing association, the GEB Attorney must first prove
that the charged party knew that the person with whom he or she was associating
was a member or associate of the LCN. See
EDP § 1.
23. Policy and court decisions generally inform that “knowledge” can be
established in three ways: (a) the individual had actual knowledge that the
person with whom he was associating was an LCN member; (b) the individual
reasonably should have known that the person with whom he was associating was
an LCN member; and (c) the individual deliberately remained ignorant of facts
that would demonstrate that the person with whom he was associating was an LCN
member.
24. In applying the actual knowledge standard set forth above, actual
knowledge may be established “by reference to facts and circumstances
surrounding the case that [the charged party] knew that his conduct was
unauthorized or illegal.” See, e.g.,
Liparota v. United States, 471 U.S. 419, 434 (1985). “The trier of fact must infer knowledge and
intent by considering the facts and circumstances, including the individual’s
acts and words, and then draw rational inferences from those facts and
circumstances.” United States v.
International Bhd. of Teamsters, 764 F. Supp. 797, 801-02 (S.D.N.Y. 1991), aff’d
without opinion, 956 F.2d 1161 (2d Cir. 1992). “[K]nowledge
[also] may be inferred from the duration and quality of the association.” Id.
25. The second method of establishing knowledge is where the charged party
reasonably should have known that they were associating with a member or
associate of the LCN. “In the absence
of direct evidence of knowledge of the organized crime ties of an associate, .
. . such knowledge may be inferred from the duration and quality of the
association.” See, e.g., Investigations
Officer v. Senese, Decision of the Independent Administrator (July 12,
1990) at 37, aff’d, United States v. Teamsters (Senese and Talerico),
745 F. Supp. 908 (S.D.N.Y. 1990), aff’d, 941 F.2d 1292 (2d Cir. 1991), cert.
denied, 502 U.S. 1091 (1992).
Facts which establish constructive knowledge, situations where charged
parties objectively knew or should have known of organized crime ties, are
sufficient to establish violations of the EDP.
26. Finally, a LIUNA member may not deliberately remain ignorant of facts
that demonstrate that the person with whom they are associating is an LCN
member. Deliberate or intentional
ignorance is the legal equivalent of knowledge. See, e.g., United States v. Antzoulatos, 962
F.2d 720, 724 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 919
(1992); United States v. Jewell, 532 F.2d 697, 700 (9th
Cir.), cert. denied, 426 U.S. 951 (1976). Knowledge is established where a person,
“recognizing the likelihood of wrongdoing, nonetheless consciously refuse[s] to
take basic investigatory steps.” United
States v. St. Michael’s Credit Union, 880 F.2d 579, 585 (1st
Cir. 1989).
27. The LIUNA EDP incorporates by reference certain exceptions to the
definition “knowingly associate” as they appear and are defined in the Consent
Decree entered in United States v. District Council of New York City and
Vicinity of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, 90
Civ. 5722 (“Carpenters’ Consent Decree”). See EDP § 1.
That through in or about 1980 through on or about June 28, 1988, Rocco J. Napoli a/k/a “Rocky” Napoli, while a member of LIUNA Local 21 (Newark) committed “barred conduct” in violation of the LIUNA Ethics and Disciplinary Procedures by committing acts of racketeering as follows: conducting an illegal gambling business (18 U.S.C. § 1955); extortion (18 U.S.C. § 1951); accepting labor payoffs from employers while being a union official (29 U.S.C. § 186(b)(1)(2)); and RICO conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)) and RICO (18 U.S.C. § 1962(c)), involving murder, extortion, labor payoffs, trafficking in stolen property and gambling. On or about September 26, 1989, Napoli was sentenced upon conviction of these racketeering charges.
Findings of Fact
1. Charge I alleges that Rocco Napoli (“Napoli”)
committed barred conduct by committing the following acts of racketeering from
1980 through 1988: (a) conducting an illegal gambling enterprise (18 U.S.C. §
1955); (b) extortion (18 U.S.C. § 1951);
(c) accepting labor payoffs from employers while a union officer (29 U.S.C. §
186(b)(1) and (2)); (d) participating in RICO
Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 962 (d)); and (e)
committing RICO acts involving murder, extortion, labor payoffs, trafficking in
stolen property and gambling (18 U.S.C.
§ 1962 (c)).
2. Napoli was the Business Manager of LIUNA Local Union
21 throughout the relevant periods alleged in the criminal and disciplinary
charges lodged against him as discussed in this order.
3. Napoli was indicted in United States v. Rocco
Napoli, et al., Crim. No. 88-239 (MTB)
(D.N.J.). See GEB Exhibit
1 (Indictment), attached hereto as Appendix “A”.
4. At his federal trial, Napoli was convicted of Counts
1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 26 of
the Indictment. See GEB Exhibit
3 (Judgment Including Sentence Under the Sentencing Reform Act).
5. Napoli was convicted of various offenses including:
(a) conducting an illegal gambling business in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1955; (b) extortion in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951; (c) accepting labor payoffs while a union
official in violation of 29 U.S.C. §
186(b)(1)(2); (d) participating in a RICO conspiracy in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d); and (e) committing RICO acts in violation of
18 U.S.C. § 1962(c) involving murder,
extortion, labor payoffs, trafficking in stolen property, and gambling. Id.
6. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Napoli’s
convictions. See United
States v. Manna, et al., 919 F.2d 733 (3d Cir.1990). The United States Supreme Court denied
certiorari for Napoli’s petition. See
Napoli v. United States, 499 U.S. 953 (1991).
Conclusions
1. Napoli was indicted and convicted of acts which
constitute barred conduct. See
GEB Exhibits 1 (Indictment) and 3 (Judgement Including Sentence Under the
Sentencing Reform Act).
2. As a matter of law, Napoli is estopped from
challenging the underlying truth of the allegation that he committed the
offenses. See, e.g., United
States v. International Bhd. of Teamsters, 777 F. Supp. 1133 (S.D.N.Y.
1991); United States v. International Bhd. Of Teamsters, 725 F. Supp.
162 (S.D.N.Y. 1989).
Decision
The federal convictions for the above listed counts of the federal Indictment are identical to the allegations of barred conduct in Charge I of the GEB Attorney’s Disciplinary Charges, and conclusively prove that Napoli committed the barred conduct as alleged in Charge I of the Disciplinary Charges.
CHARGE II
That from in or about 1980 through on or about June 28, 1988, Rocco J. Napoli a/k/a “Rocky” Napoli, while a member of LIUNA Local 21 (Newark) committed “barred conduct” in violation of the LIUNA Ethics and Disciplinary Procedures by having knowingly associated with La Cosa Nostra crime family members: Louis Anthony “Bobby” Manna, the consigliere and leader of the New Jersey faction of the Genovese crime family; Martin Anthony “Motts” Casella, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family and “Bobby” Manna’s principal assistant; Richard “Bocci” Desciscio, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family; James “Jimmy Nap” Napoli, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family and the father of Rocco “Rocky” Napoli; James Derrico, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family, and Patsy “Fingers” Riccio, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family; Orlando “Riche” Cusimano, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family; Thomas “Trolly Car” Fallacara, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family and Frank “Dipsey” Daniello, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family. On or about September 29, 1989, Napoli was sentenced upon conviction for his knowing criminal associat[ions] with the named La Cosa Nostra crime family members.
Findings of Fact
1. Napoli was convicted of Count I of the federal
Indictment.
2. That Count alleged that Napoli knowingly associated
with the individuals listed in Charge II of this matter while assisting in
operating a faction of the Genovese crime family. The allegations of Count I of
the federal Indictment are very similar to the allegations of Charge II of this
matter.
Conclusions
1. Napoli’s conviction for participation in the criminal
enterprise defined in Charge I of the
Indictment and the other substantive crimes proves that he was an associate of
numerous organized crime figures who were part of the Manna faction of the
Genovese family.
2. The purpose of the enterprise charged in Count 1
includes “[e]xercising influence and control over labor unions whose members
are employed in the construction industry. These unions included Local 21 of
the Laborers['] International Union of North America….” See Appendix “A”
p. 13.
3. Napoli was also convicted of Count 7 of the indictment
which alleged that Napoli was an officer of LIUNA Local 21 and other members of
the Manna Faction of the Genovese crime family conspired to demand and receive
payments of money and other things of value from employers in violation of 29
U.S.C. § 186(b)(1).
4. These convictions conclusively prove that Napoli
associated with members of organized crime, and that the association related
directly or indirectly to the affairs of the union. As a matter of law, Napoli
is estopped from challenging the underlying truth of the allegation that he
committed the offenses. See, e.g.,
United States v. International Bhd. of Teamsters, 272 F. Supp. 1133
(S.D.N.Y. 1991); United States v. International Bhd. of Teamsters, 725
F. Supp. 162 (S.D.N.Y. 1989).
Decision
The GEB Attorney has met his burden of proof by a
preponderance of the evidence on Charge II.
CHARGE III
That from in or about 1980 through on or about June 28, 1988, Rocco J. Napoli a/k/a “Rocky” Napoli, while a member of LIUNA Local 21 (Newark) committed “barred conduct” in violation of the LIUNA Ethics and Disciplinary Procedures by having been an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family, and, accordingly, has knowingly associated with members and associates of La Cosa Nostra. On or about September 29, 1989, Napoli was sentenced upon conviction for his knowing criminal association with members and associates of the Genovese crime family.
Findings of Fact
The barred conduct in Charge III is similar to the barred conduct alleged in Charge II.
Conclusion
For the reasons set forth in the opinion above, the GEB attorney demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that Napoli was an associate of the Genovese crime family, and in that capacity, knowingly associated with members and associates of the LCN.
Decision
The GEB Attorney has proved Charge III by a preponderance of the evidence.
Findings of Fact and
Conclusions Regarding Thomas J. Fallacara
That from in or about 1980 through on or about June 28, 1988, Thomas J. Fallacara a/k/a “Trolley Car” Fallacara, while a member of LIUNA Local 21 (Newark) committed “barred conduct” in violation of the LIUNA Ethics and Disciplinary Procedures by committing acts of racketeering as follows: accepting payment from an employer while being a union officer (28 U.S.C. § 186(b)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2) and conducting an illegal gambling business (18 U.S.C. § 1955) with known members of organized crime. On or about December 13, 1989, Fallacara was sentenced upon entry of a plea on these racketeering charges.
Findings of Fact
1. Thomas Fallacara (“Fallacara”) was a member of the
Executive Committee of LIUNA Local Union 21 throughout the relevant periods
alleged in the criminal Indictment and the disciplinary charges lodged against
him. Fallacara is currently working at the
calling and an active member of LIUNA Local Union 21.
2. Fallacara was indicted along with Napoli and others in
United States v. Manna, et al., Crim. No. 88-239 (MTB) for activity
during the same period. See
Appendix “A” attached hereto, GEB Exhibit 1 (Indictment).
3. Fallacara entered a plea of guilty to Counts 29 and 42
of the Indictment, and on January 3, 1990, Fallacara was sentenced for those
offenses. See GEB Exhibit 2
(Judgment Including Sentence Under the Sentencing Reform Act).
4. Count 29 of the Indictment charged that Fallacara
accepted payoffs from an employer in violation of 29 U.S.C. § 186(b)(1). At
the hearing in this matter, Fallacara admitted receiving over $5,000 from the
employer. Tr. II 10.
5. Count 2 of the Indictment charged that Fallacara conducted
an illegal gambling business in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1955.
1. Fallacara was indicted and convicted of acts which
constitute barred conduct. See
GEB Exhibits 1 (Indictment) and (Judgment Including Sentence Under the Sentencing
Reform Act.)
2. As a matter of law, Fallacara is estopped from
challenging the underlying truth of the allegation that he committed the
offenses. See, e.g., United
States v. International Bhd. of Teamsters, 777 F. Supp. 1133 (S.D.N.Y.
1991); United States v. International Bhd. of Teamsters, 725 F. Supp.
162 (S.D.N.Y. 1989).
3. The EDP prohibits all current and future offices,
agents, representatives, employees and members of the union from engaging in
“barred conduct.” “Barred conduct” is
defined in Appendix A of the LIUNA EDP to include acts indictable under 29
U.S.C. § 186 (b) and 18 U.S.C. § 1955.
Decision
The convictions of Counts 29 and 42 of the indictment conclusively prove that Fallacara committed barred conduct as alleged in Charge I of this matter.
That from in or about 1980 through on or about June 28, 1988, Thomas J. Fallacara a/k/a “Trolly Car” Fallacara, while a member of LIUNA Local 21 (Newark) committed “barred conduct” in violation of the LIUNA Ethics and Disciplinary Procedures by having knowingly associated with La Cosa Nostra crime family members: Louis Anthony “Bobby” Manna, the consigliere and leader of the New Jersey faction of the Genovese crime family; Martin Anthony “Motts” Casella, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family and “Bobby” Manna’s principal assistant; Richard “Bocci” Desciscio, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family; James “Jimmy Nap” Napoli, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family; Rocco “Rocky” J. Napoli, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family; James Derrico, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family, and Patsey “Fingers” Riccio, an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family. On December 13, 1989, Fallacara was sentenced upon the entry of a guilty plea for knowing criminal associations with the named La Cosa Nostra crime family members.
Findings of Fact
1. Fallacara pled guilty to counts 29 and 42 of the Indictment.
2. Count 42 alleged that Fallacara associated with at
least seven other individuals in operating an illegal gambling operation in
violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1955.
3. The other individuals in Count 42 were also charged as
being part of a RICO conspiracy in Count I of the indictment as being members
of a faction of the Genovese family, and operating that faction to exercise
control over the construction industry and to obtain money through illegal
gambling.
4. Guilty findings were returned against Rocco Napoli,
Manna, Capella and Desciscio on Count I.
5. By pleading guilty to count 29 of the Indictment,
Fallacara admitted accepting money from an employer in violation of 29 U.S.C. § 186(b) in concert with Rocco J. Napoli and Joseph
Speranza.
6. Count 29 alleges that Fallacara, while an officer of
LIUNA Local 21, along with Napoli, an officer of Local Union 21, in concert
with Joseph Speranza, an employer, accepted unearned wages from an
employer. Both Napoli and Speranza were
identified in Count I as members of the Manna Faction of the Genovese family.
7. The allegations of Count 29 conclusively prove that
Fallacara associated with members of the LCN and the association directly
related to the affairs of the union.
8. Count 42 alleges that Fallacara, Manna, Casella,
Napoli and others operated an illegal gambling operation out of the Village
Coffee Shop located in Jersey City, New
Jersey. While doing so, Fallacara was
also an officer of Local Union 21.
9. Fallacara had actual knowledge that he was associating
with other criminals to collect labor payoffs and conduct an illegal gambling
operation. The Overt Acts in Count
Seven of the Indictment outline interaction between Fallacara and Manna, Rocco
J. Napoli, and Casella. Fallacara
himself acknowledged that Manna, Casella, Napoli and other LCN figures
controlled and/or conducted the gambling operation at the Village Coffee
Shop. Tr. II 34. Taking labor payoffs
and accepting illegal bets is not a legitimate union-related activity.
10. As a result of accepting labor payoffs and operating an illegal
gambling enterprise out of the Village Coffee Shop, Fallacara objectively knew or should have known of Napoli’s and
the other participants’ organized crime ties.
Fallacara also concedes that regular telephone conversations between
himself and other LCN figures were recorded by law enforcement authorities
during his operation of the Village Coffee Shop and produced at trial in United
States v. Manna, et al.
11. I credit the testimony of Deputy Inspector General Richard Ross
(“Ross”) regarding Fallacara’s association with organized crime. I find Ross to
be an expert in this area. See generally
Tr. I 22-58. Ross spent approximately
twenty-three years as a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(“FBI”). Ross spent a significant
amount of his career investigating organized crime, and in particular, the
Genovese crime family.
12. Ross testified that Fallacara knowingly associated with Napoli and
other LCN figures to conduct the illegal gambling business and to coordinate
criminal enterprises in various territories.
Tr. I 37. Ross testified that
Fallacara could not have participated in the gambling operation without knowing
that the other persons with whom he was associating were LCN figures. Tr. I 37-38. Ross explained that “[i]f you are engaged in this organized crime
activity, it is extremely important to know who the players are.” Tr. I 37.
13. Fallacara’s testimony at the hearing that he was unaware that the
persons he was dealing with were members of the organized crime is
unpersuasive.
Conclusions
1. The LIUNA EDP prohibits all current and future
officers, agents, representatives, employees, and members of the union from
engaging in “barred conduct.” The term
“barred conduct” is defined to include
“knowingly associating with any member or associate of the organized crime
syndicate known as La Cosa Nostra (LCN….”
See EDP § 1.
2. Fallacara was indicted and convicted of acts which
constitute barred conduct. See
GEB Exhibits 1 (Indictment) and 2 (Judgment Including Sentence Under the
Sentencing Reform Act.) In pleading
guilty, Fallacara admitted to associating with other criminals to collect
illegal labor payoffs and conducting an illegal gambling operation.
3. As a matter of law, Fallacara is estopped from
challenging the underlying truth of the allegation that he committed the
offenses. See, e.g., United
States International Bhd. of Teamsters, 777 F. Supp. 1133 (S.D.N.Y. 1991); United
States v. International Bhd. of Teamsters, 725 F. Supp. 162 (S.D.N.Y.
1989).
4. As found above, Fallacara’s acts affected the affairs
of the union.
Decision
The GEB Attorney has proved Charge II by a preponderance of the evidence.
That from in or about 1980 through on or about June 28, 1988, Thomas J. Fallacara a/k/a “Trolly Car” Fallacara, while a member of LIUNA Local 21 (Newark) committed “barred conduct” in violation of the LIUNA Ethics and Disciplinary Procedures by having been an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family, and, accordingly, has knowingly associated with members and associates of La Cosa Nostra. On or about September 29, 1989, Fallacara was sentenced upon entry of a guilty plea for his knowing association with members and associates of the Genovese crime family.
Findings of Fact
The LCN Findings of Fact, Findings of Fact, and Conclusions stated above for Charges I and II are adopted as Findings of Fact for purposes of Charge III as if restated verbatim herein.
Conclusions
1. Fallacara pled guilty to committing various crimes
with persons known to be racketeers and LCN members and associates. Fallacara also admitted to working at the
Village Coffee Shop to conduct an illegal bookmaking operation. As part of his illegal activities at the
Village Coffee Shop, he came into contact with and spoke to numerous other LCN
members and associates. Those actions were not part of his legitimate duties as
an officer of LIUNA Local 21 or a union laborer.
2. Deputy Inspector General Ross’ testimony confirmed
that Fallacara was an associate in the Manna faction of the Genovese crime
family. See Tr. I 32-39. Ross’ testimony is based upon reliable
information gathered in his experience as FBI Special Agent investigating
organized crime and the Genovese crime family, reliable information obtained
from other experienced FBI agents, and is corroborated by the consistency with
Fallacara’s own statements about his contribution in taking bets and accepting
labor payoffs.
3. Fallacara’s bookmaking activity at the Village Coffee
Shop in an operation run by LCN members and associates is related to the
affairs of the union. At the time
although Fallacara was a union officer and tending to union business at the
union office Fallacara was taking part in a major bookmaking operation. The
union job was used as a convenient cover for his illegal activities.
Decision
The GEB Attorney has met his burden by a preponderance of the evidence on Charge III. Charge II and Charge III are nearly identical, except that Charge III alleges that Fallacara is an associate of the Manna faction of the Genovese family.
The GEB Attorney sustained his burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence on all Charges as to both Napoli and Fallacara.
Napoli and Fallacara have the right to appeal this Order by filing a Notice of Appeal with the LIUNA Appellate Officer (“AO”) within thirty days of the date of this Order. This Order does not take effect until thirty days after the date of this Order and, if appealed, upon the decision of the AO.
A. Napoli
Napoli was convicted of the federal crimes of labor racketeering, kickbacks, extortion and RICO. The evidence establishes that Napoli held both an officer position in LIUNA Local Union 21 and the Manna faction of the Genovese crime family.
Napoli’s membership in LIUNA is revoked
permanently.
Fallacara’s convictions for accepting payoffs and running a syndicated gambling operation, all with the assistance of LCN members and associates, demonstrates his true livelihood. Fallacara’s main occupation was serving the LCN and furnishing its needs.
At the hearing in this matter, Fallacara
was less than candid in denying that he took bets at the coffee shop, although
he entered a plea to that count of the Indictment.
His activities in running the gambling operation is proof that his union position was to give him a legitimate source of income, while he worked outside the law. His union office was merely a vehicle for him to collect payoffs for himself and his LCN cohorts.
Fallacara contends he is now working only
as a laborer and is not an officer, and he is not associated with the LCN. The difficulty with this concept is that
Fallacara was allied with hard core LCN members. To the members of Local 21, he was and is a recognized associate
of the LCN, and his membership in LIUNA and his appearance at union meetings
will convey the message that the mob is still present at the Local.
The LCN is insidious, and the presence of an LCN associate in union affairs conveys a message that the LCN control continues. Removing the influence of the LCN from a union cannot be compared to voting a political party out of office. The members and associates, by their presence, carry the message of the mob, without holding union office. Until such presence is removed, the influence of the LCN will continue.
Fallacara’s membership in LIUNA is
revoked permanently.
PETER F. VAIRA
INDEPENDENT HEARING OFFICER