Blitzstein murder case figures indicted in insurance scheme

Kim Smith

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999 | 11:56 a.m.

Six Las Vegas residents were indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday in connection with insurance fraud reportedly hatched by the same people involved in the death of mobster Herbie Blitzstein.

According to the indictment, Michael W. Harmon, George Victor Nasse, Elisabeth Murphy, Anthony F. Vito and James Robert Aulicino reported their cars stolen when, in fact, they had given them to Peter Caruso, Anthony Delulio and others to be sold.

Aulicino is Caruso's nephew, the indictment states.

Authorities believe a sixth person, Mark Isaac Esses, jumped into a car after it had been hit and then filed an insurance claim stating that he had been injured in the accident. According to the indictment, Caruso also jumped into the car.

Esses and his attorney received a $14,500 check from Farmer's Insurance as a result of the crash, and Caruso received a $6,500 check, the indictment states.

The incidents are alleged to have occurred between December 1995 and January 1997.

According to authorities, Blitzstein was murdered in January 1997 by mobsters who wanted to take over his loan shark business. Alfred Mauriello, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence, told the FBI that the hit was ordered by Caruso, who later died while awaiting trial.

Delulio was given 18 months in prison for burglarizing Blitzstein's house and leaving the door open for his killers.

Those indicted Tuesday face charges of conspiracy, mail fraud and aiding and abetting.

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question