Post by dockworker on Jul 22, 2009 20:58:31 GMT -5
Mobster Convicted of Extorting ILA Local
Coppola controlled large longshoremen’s local illegally
Reputed mobster Michael Coppola was convicted of racketeering charges that included extortion of one of the International Longshoremen’s Association’s largest locals for more than 30 years.
Coppola also was convicted of a second racketeering charge, possessing false identification during 11 years as a fugitive in the investigation of a 1977 mob murder in New Jersey. A federal court jury in Brooklyn acquitted Coppola of that murder, which was included in his racketeering indictment.
He faces up to 20 years in prison for the extortion and false-identification charges. Conviction on the murder count would have brought a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Federal prosecutors said Coppola controlled ILA Local 1235 in Newark from 1974 to 2007 through the extortion of three consecutive local union presidents -- Vincent Colucci, who pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in 1980; Al Cernadas, who resigned in 2005 after pleading guilty to extortion conspiracy; and Vincent Aulisi, ousted in 2007 after the FBI wiretapped his son and Coppola discussing what prosecutors said apparently were payoffs to the mob.
Contact Joseph Bonney at jbonney@joc.com.
Coppola controlled large longshoremen’s local illegally
Reputed mobster Michael Coppola was convicted of racketeering charges that included extortion of one of the International Longshoremen’s Association’s largest locals for more than 30 years.
Coppola also was convicted of a second racketeering charge, possessing false identification during 11 years as a fugitive in the investigation of a 1977 mob murder in New Jersey. A federal court jury in Brooklyn acquitted Coppola of that murder, which was included in his racketeering indictment.
He faces up to 20 years in prison for the extortion and false-identification charges. Conviction on the murder count would have brought a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Federal prosecutors said Coppola controlled ILA Local 1235 in Newark from 1974 to 2007 through the extortion of three consecutive local union presidents -- Vincent Colucci, who pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in 1980; Al Cernadas, who resigned in 2005 after pleading guilty to extortion conspiracy; and Vincent Aulisi, ousted in 2007 after the FBI wiretapped his son and Coppola discussing what prosecutors said apparently were payoffs to the mob.
Contact Joseph Bonney at jbonney@joc.com.