Mob gambling ring broken up

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Thursday, June 22, 2000 | 11:02 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MIAMI -- Eighteen people were charged with running the Colombo crime family's South Florida gambling, extortion and money laundering operations.

The South Florida "crew" of the Colombo family of New York has pulled in as much as $2,000 a day in gambling and illegal bookmaking since 1997, according to a six-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed Wednesday.

Joseph "Joey Flowers" Rotunno, 54, of Pembroke Pines, ran the South Florida faction with Reynolds Maragni, 48, of Pompano Beach, the indictment said.

Maragni is accused of serving as the link between the South Florida crew and the top bosses of the Colombo family. Authorities say Rotunno had control over the group's daily activities.