By Steve Neavling
The FBI is teaming up with police to search and dig for bodies as part of the ongoing investigation into the Gambino crime family, multiple law enforcement officials told NBC News.
The search, 65 miles Northwest of midtown Manhattan, comes after the Justice Department last week announced charges against 10 men accused of being members of the Gambino crime family. They are accused of racketeering, violent extortions, assaults, arson, and union-related crimes.
In coordination with Italian law enforcement officials, six organized crime members and associates connected to the Gambino family were charged in Italy with numerous crimes, including mafia association and related offenses. Another suspect was still at large Wednesday.
The U.S.-based defendants are charged in a 16-count indictment that alleges they committed crimes in an effort to dominate New York’s carting and demolition industries. They are accused of intimidation, violent assaults, embezzling funds, and defrauding unions and employee benefit plans.
The indictment alleges the men threatened business leaders and demanded protection payments. They also are accused of evading union rules and rigging bids for lucrative demolition contracts.
No more details were available Thursday morning about the search.
