Joseph Isgro a reputed Gambino crime family mobster was given an offer from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office that he couldn’t refuse.
The sweet plea deal allowed Isgro to plead guilty to misdemeanor gambling charges and received a conditional discharge on charges of money laundering but was sentenced to pay a $1000 fine. He was charged back in 2014 with money laundering, gambling, and conspiracy before being released on a $250,000 bond. Isgro is believed to head the powerful NY Mafia families west coast rackets from Los Angeles.
According to the previously unsealed indictment Isgro and now deceased Gambino family capo Joseph Giordano conspired to open an illegal gambling operation. They used offshore wire rooms located in Costa Rica using online sports betting software credited with taking the Gambino family into the cyberspace era of bookmaking. They took bets from customers in the United States along with help from their various co-defendants. According to the feds, he also laundered approx $5 million dollars from 2005-2013 that he obtained from the New York mafia family and other mafia connected bookmakers.
Isgro has always denied any connections to the Cosa Nostra and organized crime in general. He became a big name in the music business back in the late 80s starting a successful record promotion company that handled clients like RCA and Columbia and produced music by artists such as James Brown and Rick James. He also made a name for himself in the movie business producing the hit movie “Hoffa” which starred Jack Nicholson and is involved in some more recent projects . But along the way, he also had his share of legal problems and was indicted back in 1987 on charges of furnishing cash and drugs to program directors for airplay but the charges were eventually dismissed.
He wasn’t so lucky in 2000 when he was charged with lending money at extensive interest rates and sending thugs to beat down deadbeat borrowers. He plead guilty to the extortion charges and was sentenced to 50 months behind bars.
Be interesting to get more info on how much of the Gambino family rackets are still up and running in LA and any other spots out West. The influence of organized crime doesn’t seem to be all that active in that area of the country anymore.
I’m sure it’s still active, it’s just there are more “bigger fish to fry” and so those ones get more publicity, like the NY rackets, which are still alive and well so it’s easy for the rackets on the West Coast get largely forgotten about. It also makes me wonder if there is still much happening in Vegas, nowadays.
At least from reports its seems Vegas has moderate action these days with perhaps more shylocking and the side alley bookmaking operation. Although there could easily be more going on quietly then has been reported one would think.
Isgro might have been based in LA but is is a soldier in the armone / giordano crew
Thanks Dom. Any idea of what kind of rackets he had/has going over on the west coast and how established they are out there (Gambino’s that is)?
That’s a pretty damning statement Dom. Shouldn’t the word, “reputed” be inserted between “a” and “soldier”?
As a Music Industry Professional. I’m offended. Did you attend his, ceremony? I think not.
He was indicted by the FBI as a soldier so that solidifies it for me , he was made in a ceremony in 1996 according to informants and court documents , be offended all you like .
So you’re saying, “Once in, never out”. I get it. I’ll agree to disagree. I know the man’s work ethic. He’s in the studio 20 hours a day. No time for such nonsense.
His iditment in 2000 ruined my music career! as my LP was independently funded and because he was my marketing and distinution, it was considered his asset and frozen.