US District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto sentenced Anthony Villani, a captain in the Luchese organized crime family, to 21 months in prison. Villani was convicted of racketeering with predicate acts of money laundering and illegal gambling related to his running of a large-scale, illegal online gambling business. The business was linked to the crime family of La Cosa Nostra.
Court Announces Villani’s Sentence
Villani, a 60-year-old Elmsford resident, pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of racketeering, money laundering, and illegal gambling. United States Attorney Nocella stated that the sentencing of Anthony Villani holds him accountable for racketeering offenses committed in service of the Luchese organized crime family, enriching both the organization and himself by millions of dollars. Nocella emphasized that while illegal gambling and extortion may be routine for the Mafia, prison remains a harsh consequence for those who disregard the law.
Meanwhile, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia added that Villani has received a just sentence for his significant criminal conduct tied to an illegal gambling operation. Raia noted that the sentencing should serve as a clear warning to the Mafia and all members of organized crime that the FBI will persist in holding them accountable for the illicit activities that sustain their lifestyles and broader criminal networks.
More About the Illegal Gambling Business
Court documents indicate that the gambling operation overseen by Villani, referred to as the Gambling Business, operated continuously from at least 2004 through December 2020. The enterprise was run online using offshore servers based in Costa Rica and relied on local bookmakers to handle cash payments and collections. These bookmakers managed groups of bettors, handled payouts and collections, and regularly settled accounts with Villani, who received a cut of each bookmaker’s profits.
Villani enlisted the help of several trusted associates to assist in running the Gambling Business. Among them were co-defendants Louis Tucci, Jr., and Dennis Filizzola, who reported directly to Villani in connection with their roles in the operation. Their responsibilities included collecting and delivering money from other bookmakers, and they met with Villani regularly.
In addition to running the Gambling Business, Villani and Filizzola participated in a money laundering scheme to hide the origins and nature of the substantial illegal profits. Acting on Villani’s instructions, Filizzola used proceeds from the gambling operation to buy US Postal Service money orders under false names. These money orders were then made payable to one of Villani’s real estate companies to give the appearance of legitimate rental income.
Speaking of money laundering, you may be interested to learn that the EGBA has updated its anti-money laundering guidelines recently in an effort to enhance the compliance of the European gambling industry.Back to Villani’s case, according to court proceedings, the business brought in at least $35 million in illicit profits during its operation. Villani personally made at least $15 million in illegal profits from his work as the leader of the Gambling Business. He was also ordered to pay $4 million in forfeiture, aside from the 21 months of prison he was sentenced to.