By Matthew Monks
Soldiers in the Bonanno and Genovese crime families raked in roughly $12.5 million during the 15-month operation, taking wagers on everything from horse races to this year's NCAA basketball tournament before the gambling ring was broken up this week, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said during a news conference in Manhattan.He said the ring was an “unusual partnership” stemming from a personal relationship between the bookmakers – Genovese soldier Victor Colletti, 69, of 61-72 70th St. in Middle Village, and his silent partner, Bonanno thug Anthony Frascone, who is already in prison. Kelly said the ring netted nearly $200,000 a week, setting up off-shore accounts with the Costa Rican gambling Web site www.databets.com “There is no such thing as a friendly wager when the mob is involved,” Kelly said in a statement. “Inevitably, the Mafia organizers of sports betting and other illegal gambling have blood on their hands.”Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said 17 people have been indicted in the case on various gambling charges that carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison if convicted. Seven of the suspects are from Queens. The indictment alleges that the ring stationed runners at Clubhouse Sports Bar at 61-21 Fresh Pond Road in Maspeth, the First German Sports Club at 60-60 Metropolitan Ave. in Flushing and Tee-Dee's Tavern at 64-31 Cooper Ave. in Ridgewood.The following Queens residents were charged in the case:¥ Patricia Riebling, 63, of 61-12 69th St. in Middle Village, is charged with working as the ring's bookkeeper who kept the won-loss figures for every runners. She also allegedly coordinated debt collections and payouts, Brown said. ¥ Ercole “Cozie” Petrizzi, 66, of 79-15 Woodhaven Blvd. in Glendale, is accused of working as a collector who ran gambling proceeds between the bookmakers, runners and bettors, Brown said. ¥ Joseph “Mo” Beninati, 60, of 61-01 60th Rd. in Maspeth, Frank “the Beard” Catalano, 50, of 64-33 Catalpa Ave. in Ridgewood, Anthony “Mangi” Mangiaracina, 63, of 61-21 Fresh Pond Road in Maspeth, and Michael “MC” Parisen, 45, of 66-24 77th Place in Middle Village were all charged with being runners. The other suspects are from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Yonkers, New Jersey and Florida, Brown said. Reach reporter Matthew Monks by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
