Their names sound like they were lifted straight from a TV crime drama: “Big Frank,” “Nicky Nails,” “Louie,” “Fat Angelo.” But these guys weren’t fictional. They weren’t Italian mobsters, either, as their names suggest. They were real-life members of an Albanian organized crime enterprise in New York that called itself “The Corporation.” And for a time, the syndicate prospered.
Following
a massive investigation by the FBI
and the latest round of convictions
in early January, however, The Corporation
is now largely out of business and
most of its leaders—including ringleader Alex “Allie Boy” or “Uncle” Rudaj—are behind bars.
The organization didn’t
start from scratch. Many of
its leaders had worked with established
crime families in New York. But as
other syndicates were decimated by
criminal convictions, The Corporation
moved in, muscling aside its competition
through violence and intimidation.
We got wind of the crime ring in June
2001, when gang members beat a member
of the Astoria gambling scene in Queens,
sending a message that The Corporation
was now in charge. Two months later,
heavily-armed members of the syndicate
stormed a rival gambling parlor and shut
it down.
“We had a sense they were an
organization, but we were surprised at
how aggressively they challenged New
York’s Italian organized crime
families,” said the FBI case agent
assigned to the investigation. “They
started taking territory, beating up ‘made
men.’ In recent years, the FBI
has done such a good job going after
Italian organized crime there was almost
no one left to challenge them or fight
back.”
At one time, the syndicate
owned a massive network of gambling
parlors and gambling machines. Agents
estimate that it controlled at least
50 video poker machines throughout
Queens, the Bronx, and Westchester
County. Each machine pulled in at least
$700 a week, or about $1.8 million
a year altogether. A single dice game
could bring in an additional $67,000
a week. “They were choking on
money,” the case agent said.
The Albanian ring eventually branched
out into extortion, debt collection,
and loan-sharking.
Up to a dozen New York agents actively
worked on the case over the past five
years. So far, more than 20 members and
associates of the organization have been
charged with various crimes. More than
10 have pled guilty, six have been convicted,
and another defendant still faces trial.
Some face up to life in prison.
The
FBI is still looking for another fugitive
linked to the organization, Miri
Patani. Anyone with information
about Patani or Albanian Organized
Crime activities—or
similar crimes—is urged to contact
the New
York field office.
Resources:
FBI
Organized Crime webpage |
Department of Justice Press Release
Note:
The individuals pictured or identified
here may have been apprehended or
may no longer be wanted by law enforcement
since the above information was posted
on this website. Please check our Wanted
by the FBI website
or contact your
local FBI office
for up-to-date information.