Reputed mobsters charged in N.J.

NEWARK, N.J., May 8 (UPI) -- Three reputed New Jersey mobsters were among 23 people charged Thursday with crimes that range from labor racketeering to running illegal gambling.

Andrew Merola, allegedly "one of the Gambino crime family's highest ranking members in New Jersey," reputed Gambino member Charles "Buddy" Muccigrosso, and Martin Taccetta, reputedly a former Lucchese underboss, were named in an indictment unsealed in federal court in Newark, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported.

Officials with two New Jersey construction unions, Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers and Local 1153 of the Laborers International Union of North America, were charged. So were executives with Barone Construction of Kenilworth, N.J. and Kiska Construction of Long Island City, N.Y.

Investigators said that the illegal gambling included sports betting -- with a toll-free number for customers -- and card games.

The reputed mobsters and their associates were also charged with loansharking. One of the defendants, who worked in customer service at a Lowe's Home Improvement store in Paterson, allegedly stole personal information from customers.