Organized crime members plead guilty to visa and marriage fraud charges

NEW YORK – Two members of an organized crime family pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges for their participation in a scheme to recruit illegal aliens to work in adult entertainment clubs controlled by "La Cosa Nostra." The guilty pleas are a result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

Alphonse Trucchio was a captain of the Gambino family and responsible for supervising crews of street level members, also known as "Soldiers," and associates. Soldiers are members who have been formally initiated or "made," and associates are noninitiated individuals who commit crimes with and for the Gambino Family. Christopher Colon was a member of Trucchio's crew.

On Nov. 30, 2011, owners, managers and associates of several strip clubs in the New York City-area were charged and arrested in connection with the scheme.

In all, 20 individuals were arrested for their participation in a visa and marriage fraud scheme involving La Cosa Nostra organized crime families.

The defendants were members of an organization that arranged for women from Eastern Europe and Russia to illegally enter the United States to work as exotic dancers at adult entertainment clubs (strip clubs) controlled by the Gambino and Bonnano crime families. Several of the defendants also arranged for many of the women to enter into sham marriages with U.S. citizens.