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NY 'mafia cops' may get life
05/06/2006 11:07 - (SA)
Larry McShane
New York - Two New York City police detectives convicted of working as Mafia hit men are likely to be sentenced to life in prison.
Detectives Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, who spent a combined 44 years on the force and once worked as partners, were convicted in April of racketeering conspiracy, which included eight murders, witness tampering, witness retaliation and obstruction of justice.
They also were convicted of money laundering and drug charges. Eppolito, 57, whose father was a member of the Gambino crime family, and Caracappa, 64, were respected detectives who worked for Luchese family underboss Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso between 1986 and 1990.
Eppolito, Caracappa earned $65 000 for killing
The eight murders were committed while the pair was simultaneously on the payrolls of both the NYPD and Casso.
Eppolito and Caracappa - dubbed the "Mafia Cops" - received $4 000 a month from Casso, who also used them to get information from inside law enforcement. Their pay went up for the murders: They earned $65 000 for one killing.
Federal prosecutor Daniel Wenner described the case as "the bloodiest, most violent betrayal of the badge this city has ever seen".
In victim impact statements filed with the court ahead of Monday's hearing, family members of victim Israel Greenwald detailed how their lives were nearly destroyed by his 1986 murder inside a Brooklyn parking garage.
Body undiscovered for 19 years
The diamond dealer's body was buried in a 1.5-metre deep hole, and later covered by concrete. Greenwald, killed because of fears that he might become an informant, was undiscovered for 19 years.
His daughter, Michal Greenwald Weinstein, said: "Losing a father at a young age is hard enough, but to lose a father in such a violent and mysterious way is nothing short of horrific.
"I don't know which crime was more monstrous, the actual murder or the concealment of his body."
Caracappa, who retired in 1992, helped establish the city police department's unit for Mafia murder investigations. Eppolito was a much-praised street cop despite whispers that some of his arrests came via from tips from mobsters.
'Mafia Cop, also an honest cop'
Eppolito also played a bit part in the mob movie GoodFellas. After retiring in 1990, he unsuccessfully tried his hand at Hollywood scriptwriting.
In his autobiography, Mafia Cop, he portrayed himself as an honest cop from a crooked family. The pair, both highly decorated, eventually retired to homes on the same block in Las Vegas.
The sentencings won't end the explosive case. Later this month, Eppolito would press forward with his request for a new trial based on his claim that defence attorney Bruce Cutler failed to put on a competent defence.
Eppolito, through new attorney Joseph Bondy, had asked for Casso to appear at that hearing.
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