The convictions of three of New Jersey's most powerful Mafia members in a plot to kill reputed New York godfather John Gotti and his brother are a major setback for the mob, prosecutors said.
"We have a hope of making organized crime a historic relic rather than something that preys on people in the community year in and year out," assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Chertoff said Monday.A federal jury Monday convicted Louis A. "Bobby" Manna of Jersey City, the reputed consigliere, or No. 3 leader of the Genovese crime family; restaurateur Martin "Motts" Casella; and enforcer Richard "Bocci" DeSciscio of plotting to kill Gotti, the flamboyant reputed boss of the rival Gambino family, and his brother Gene.
Also convicted of racketeering conspiracy were the group's arms supplier, former Hoboken police Lt. Frank "Dipsy" Daniello and laborer's union official Rocco J. Napoli. John Derrico, 27, of Hoboken, a cook at Casella's restaurant, was acquitted on all counts but a gambling charge.
Manna, Casella and DeSciscio face up to 65 years in prison, Napoli 75 or more, Daniello 40 and Derrico five.