N.J. charges Bruno soldier, 20 others with roles in gambling racket

Saturday, Feb. 10, 2001 | 10:16 a.m.

A Runnemede councilman was also among those named in five indictments handed up Friday by a state grand jury in Trenton.

The charges cap an investigation that became public in December 1999, when officers raided three bars and about 20 homes during a Monday Night Football game, making eight arrests.

At the time, investigators said the ring took in $30 million a year from gambling, using threats and violence to collect debts.

A spokeswoman for the state Division of Criminal Justice, Emily J. Hornaday, which oversaw the 28-month investigation, declined Friday to comment on the scope of the gambling operation.

Two of those arrested during those raids, Joseph "Mousie" Massimino, a reputed soldier in the Bruno crime family, and Edward "Pop" Parisi, were charged Friday with being leaders of organized crime, in addition to conspiracy, racketeering, promoting gambling and loansharking.

Massimino, 50, of Philadelphia, and Parisi, 59, of Mount Laurel, face up to 45 years in prison and $715,000 in fines if convicted on those charges, while Parisi faces an additional 10 years and $150,000 fine if convicted on a charge of theft by extortion.

Investigators said Massimino is an associate of jailed Bruno boss Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, who faces a federal racketeering trial next month in Philadelphia.

The crime family is also believed to operate in Atlantic City.

Lawyers for Massimino and Parisi did not return messages seeking comment.

Also indicted Friday was Runnemede Councilman William "Porky" Sampolski. A message left at his home was not immediately returned Friday.

Sampolski, 51, was charged with conspiracy, promoting gambling, and possession of gambling records. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.

He was not indicted on official misconduct because the crime took place before he was sworn in, the Division of Criminal Justice said. He can continue to serve unless convicted.

None of the 21 suspects were arrested Friday. The case is to be handled in state Superior Court in Camden, but no date has been set for their arraignments.

"They all had roles in some conspiracy related to gambling and the accouterment of loan-sharking," Hornaday said.

Asked why the indictments were brought more than a year after the raids, Hornaday said: "We took it to grand jury in a reasonable amount of time, for us, considering the complicated nature of the investigation."

"An investigation of this magnitude did not end at the time of the arrests, and there was continued investigation," she said.

At the time of the raids, the ring was described as one of the largest illegal gambling operations in southern New Jersey, taking bets on professional football, basketball, baseball and hockey, as well as some collegiate sports.