Luchese Soldier Convicted Of Racketeering And Illegal Gambling Offenses
Eugene Castelle, a Luchese Family Mafia soldier, was convicted of conspiracy to commit racketeering and operating an illegal gambling business for protecting an offshore sports betting ring, extorting tribute, using threats to collect debts, and holding a no-show carpentry job, facing up to 25 years in prison with sentencing set for September 20, 2019.
Eugene Castelle, a soldier in the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra, was convicted of conspiracy to commit racketeering and operation of an illegal gambling business after a two-week trial in the Southern District of New York. Between 2012 and January 2018, he profited from an offshore sports betting operation by collecting tribute payments, using threats of violence to enforce debts, and extorting the bookmaker, while also committing fraud through a no-show carpentry job where he received wages without working. He was acquitted of attempted extortion but faces a maximum of 20 years for racketeering and five years for illegal gambling, totaling up to 25 years, with sentencing scheduled for September 20, 2019.
Eugene Castelle, a soldier in the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra, was found guilty on May 31, 2019, of conspiracy to commit racketeering and operation of an illegal gambling business following a two-week trial in the Southern District of New York. From 2012 to January 2018, Castelle used his Mafia position to protect a large-scale offshore sports betting operation based in Costa Rica, collecting thousands of dollars in annual tribute payments, threatening violence to collect debts owed to the bookmaker, and extorting the operator. He also committed fraud by holding a no-show carpentry job at a construction site, receiving carpenter wages for months without ever performing any work. Although acquitted of one count of attempted extortion, Castelle faces a maximum combined sentence of 25 years—20 years for racketeering and five years for illegal gambling—with sentencing scheduled for September 20, 2019. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, with investigative support from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, the Department of Labor, the NYPD, and other federal and local agencies. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman emphasized the government’s commitment to dismantling organized crime networks, praising the collaborative efforts that led to Castelle’s conviction.
Extracted insights
- person eugene castelle
- person Geoffrey S. Berman
- Eugene Castelle was convicted of conspiracy to commit racketeering and operation of an illegal gambling business
- Eugene Castelle acted as soldier in the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra
- Eugene Castelle received thousands of dollars from illegal sports betting business between 2012 and January 2018
- Eugene Castelle protected illegal sports betting business operating through off-shore websites in Costa Rica
- Eugene Castelle used threats of violence to collect debts and extort bookmaker for annual tribute payments
- Eugene Castelle held no show job as carpenter at construction project
- Geoffrey S. Berman announced conviction of Eugene Castelle
- U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein presided over two-week trial of Eugene Castelle
- Eugene Castelle was acquitted of one count of attempted extortion
- Eugene Castelle is scheduled to be sentenced on September 20, 2019
- conspiracy to commit racketeering carries maximum sentence of 20 years in prison
- operation of illegal gambling business carries maximum sentence of 5 years in prison
- Eugene Castelle is 59 years old from Staten Island, New York
Press Release Luchese Soldier Convicted Of Racketeering And Illegal Gambling Offenses Friday, May 31, 2019 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that EUGENE CASTELLE, a/k/a “Boobsie,” was found guilty of conspiracy to commit racketeering and operation of an illegal gambling business following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “For years, Eugene Castelle used intimidation and threats of violence to line his pockets as a member of the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra. Castelle now stands convicted of serious federal crimes. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and prosecute members of the Mafia.” According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and the evidence presented in court during the trial: Between 2012 and January 2018, CASTELLE acted as a soldier in the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra, often referred to as the Mafia. CASTELLE used his position in the Luchese Family to receive thousands of dollars, over multiple years, from a large-scale illegal sports betting business operating through off-shore websites in Costa Rica. CASTELLE protected the business from other members of the Mafia, used threats of violence to collect debts owed to the business, and extorted the bookmaker for annual payments of “tribute.” CASTELLE also committed other racketeering acts, such as holding a “no show” job as a carpenter at a construction project where he was paid a carpenter’s wages for many months without ever settting foot on the jobsite. * * * CASTELLE, 59, of Staten Island, New York, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of operation of an illegal gambling business, which carries a maximum potential sentence of five years. The jury acquitted CASTELLE of one count of attempted extortion. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentence of the defendant will be determined by the judge. CASTELLE is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Hellerstein on September 20, 2019. Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Labor, the Diplomatic Security Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Berman also thanked the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. The trial in this case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Hagan Scotten and Jacob R. Fiddelman. Updated May 31, 2019 Topic Violent Crime Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 19-174
Press Release Luchese Soldier Convicted Of Racketeering And Illegal Gambling Offenses Friday, May 31, 2019 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that EUGENE CASTELLE, a/k/a “Boobsie,” was found guilty of conspiracy to commit racketeering and operation of an illegal gambling business following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “For years, Eugene Castelle used intimidation and threats of violence to line his pockets as a member of the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra. Castelle now stands convicted of serious federal crimes. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and prosecute members of the Mafia.” According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and the evidence presented in court during the trial: Between 2012 and January 2018, CASTELLE acted as a soldier in the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra, often referred to as the Mafia. CASTELLE used his position in the Luchese Family to receive thousands of dollars, over multiple years, from a large-scale illegal sports betting business operating through off-shore websites in Costa Rica. CASTELLE protected the business from other members of the Mafia, used threats of violence to collect debts owed to the business, and extorted the bookmaker for annual payments of “tribute.” CASTELLE also committed other racketeering acts, such as holding a “no show” job as a carpenter at a construction project where he was paid a carpenter’s wages for many months without ever settting foot on the jobsite. * * * CASTELLE, 59, of Staten Island, New York, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of operation of an illegal gambling business, which carries a maximum potential sentence of five years. The jury acquitted CASTELLE of one count of attempted extortion. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentence of the defendant will be determined by the judge. CASTELLE is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Hellerstein on September 20, 2019. Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Labor, the Diplomatic Security Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Berman also thanked the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. The trial in this case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Hagan Scotten and Jacob R. Fiddelman. Updated May 31, 2019 Topic Violent Crime Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 19-174