Reputed Boss of Genovese Crime Family Convicted of Racketeering

A federal court jury convicted the reputed boss of the Genovese organized crime family and eight others Wednesday of a massive racketeering scheme that rigged multimillion-dollar bids in the construction industry.

But in an apparent setback for a government effort to oust the current leadership of the Teamsters Union, Genovese boss Anthony (Fat Tony) Salerno and two others were acquitted of tampering with national Teamsters elections.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers refused to comment on the verdict, citing a judicial gag order. The order remains in effect because the jury will reconvene next week to consider forfeiture proceedings against the defendants.

Salerno, 77, who is serving a 100-year prison term for a 1986 conviction, and eight of 10 co-defendants were convicted of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy, both of which carry maximum 20-year prison terms.

In all, Salerno was convicted on 28 counts, including extortion, mail fraud and illegal gambling in addition to racketeering. He was acquitted on five counts, including wire fraud for allegedly engineering the 1983 election of Jackie Presser and his predecessor, Roy L. Williams, as president of the 1.7 million-member Teamsters.