U.S., Italian police nab reputed mobsters

NEW YORK, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Law enforcement authorities Thursday arrested reputed crime family members in New York and Italy on numerous charges, including murder and racketeering.

The 80-count indictment against members of the Gambino, Genovese and Bonanno families included charges of racketeering conspiracy, extortion, theft of union benefits, mail fraud, false statements, loan sharking, embezzlement of union funds, money laundering and illegal gambling, the New York Post reported.

The indictment "covers more than three decades of illegal activity," said U.S. Attorney Benton J. Campbell during a news conference in Brooklyn.

The investigation focused on revived relations among organized crime families in the United States and Sicily.

The indictment named several people with alleged links the Gambino family, including John D'Amico, Domenico Cefalu, Joseph Corozzo, Nicholas Corozzo; and John Gotti Sr.'s brother, Vincent, and his nephew, Richard Gotti Jr.

In Palermo, Italy, Operation Old Bridge led to the arrest of approximately 25 people tied to the Mafia, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

"Today's operation is the natural development of the investigations carried out by police in Palermo in recent years" and led to the arrest of alleged Cosa Nostra superboss Bernardo Provenzano, said Pietro Grasso, Italy's chief anti-Mafia prosecutor.