General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAny NYer remember the story of corruption/racketeering with Mario Biaggi?,
What I can find:
Congressman Mario Biaggi, who was charged and convicted in 1987 of accepting illegal gratuities and obstruction of justice, sentenced to 2-1/2 years in prison. He was facing expulsion so he resigned. In 1988 he was also convicted of corruption/racketeering and sentenced to another 8 years in prison. The prosecutor was Rudy Giuliani.
Mario Cuomo was Governor when Mario Biaggi was convicted in 1987/1988
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Just wondering if anyone recalls more on this case of corruption & racketeering by Biaggi.
Was Congressman Mario Biaggi in with the NY mob as well?
NY's history of mob corruption & bribes & is just fascinating.
Just asking.
Thanks
MisterNiceKitty
(422 posts)& Alessandra Biaggi is the granddaughter of Mario Biaggi?
Small world...
Budi
(15,325 posts)Blue_true
(31,261 posts)She appears to be solidly progressive and has womens issues as her main policy area, but she works for other policy also. When I read what she has accomplished, I concluded that she would be Governor or on the US Senate soon. The situation with her granddad appears to serve as a warning omen to her to insure that all she does is above board.
Sanity Claws
(21,815 posts)Until you said this, I didn't realize that she was the granddaughter of the corrupt politician.
I knew Mario's son in school.
choie
(4,102 posts)He was an ex-cop. I dont think there was any mention of him being in the mob. His granddaughter, Alessandra, is a New York State Senator.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Sounds straight up NY mobster m.o.
He got caught apparantly.
What did he do to receive illegal payments for?
George II
(67,782 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)....to call for Cuomo's resignation, and has been the most outspoken of all politicians. She's been on MSNBC and CNN a number of times in the last week or so, most recently on CNN early this afternoon.
So, in 1988 we had Governor Cuomo and Mario Biaggi
Now in 2021 we have Governor Cuomo and Alessandra Biaggi
Except that the calls for resignation have been reversed.
As for connections with the mob, possibly. Congressman Mario Biaggi was charged along with Kings County (Brooklyn) Democratic Committee Leader Meade Esposito on corruption charges in 1987/1988. Both were convicted and sentenced to prison. Biaggi went away, Esposito's sentence was suspended because he was in his 80s and not healthy.
Lots of information in this 1993 article/obituary:
https://www.nytimes.com/1993/09/04/obituaries/meade-esposito-86-former-power-in-politics-is-dead.html
Here's some information about connections to the mob:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meade_Esposito#cite_note-nyma_TheH-13
Jim__
(14,035 posts)A connection to Ippolito is tentative.
From a 1985 story in The Washington Post
According to the FBI summary, Ippolito was told by "a third party" to contact Rep. Mario Biaggi (D-N.Y.). Ippolito said he met with Biaggi and then later received a telephone call from "this third party" who "stated that Biaggi wanted $5,000" in order to secure the contract for Ippolito. Ippolito related to Masselli that he wrote a check to Biaggi and on the face of the check he wrote "annual retainer" and that he gave this check to Biaggi on the steps of an unidentified "Administration Building."
And from a 1999 story in the San Diego Reader
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)Wedtech was a bi-partisan scandal involving some Republicans and Democrats...
For background see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedtech_scandal
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/07/18/whos-who-in-the-wedtech-scandal/2a50ae38-60f3-4bd7-b0a6-865472d29599/
And on Biaggi specifically see:
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-11-19-mn-400-story.html
> NY's history of mob corruption & bribes & is just fascinating.
For more fun NYC corruption search for "Donald Manes"...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Manes
Budi
(15,325 posts)Illegal payments, lying, & Racketeering.
Biaggi sounds like a gem of guy.
Watch for the paybacks, cuz that's how the mob works.
Thanks for the sources & info
Me.
(35,454 posts)Alessandra Biaggi, who has been howling for Cuomo to resign, and who wants to run for Governor, is Mario Biaggi;s granddaughter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandra_Biaggi
Budi
(15,325 posts)Last edited Sat Mar 13, 2021, 09:05 PM - Edit history (1)
Was Mario Biaggi mad at Mario Cuomo because he wanted a pardon & Gov Mario Cuomo didn't play mob games?
Interesting bio on those days.
Never knew much about this.Till now!
Appears it may or may not be a case of deep revenge payback, with the recent smears of Gov Andrew Cuomo.
Guess we'll find out as the investigations advance in depth.
NYAG is aware of the politicization of NY power players.
Where's Roger Stone? He lives for this shit.
Now this makes sense & explains why AG James enlisted to top aides to investigate the accusations, at the request of Gov Cuomo.
I hope NY is smarter than to hand their Blue State over to the mob lying in wait for the opportune time to avenge the takedown of illicit corrupt behavior in NY.
Nothing like a sex scandal to get the ball rolling!
I hear Boylan's since moved on to PAC fundraising .
You know Gov Cuomo knew what the bs was really about. Why he called for an investigation by AG James.
She darn well knows what's going on as well.
So mobster Biaggia's granddaughter is seeking revenge for her corrupt grampa? Is that what they're saying?
I certainly hope it's not being touted as this. For petes sake. C'mon.
Man. NY Voters, Protect your beautiful Blue State.
George II
(67,782 posts)...primaries against both Gillibrand and Schumer, and plans to start a PAC to fund their opponents. Interesting that hours after this threat (see below) they both came out and called for Cuomo's resignation.
(BTW, it's Mario Biaggi's granddaughter, not daughter)
Link to tweet
Me.
(35,454 posts)Budi
(15,325 posts)It's rather fascinating, how good vs evil NY politics was back then.
It took some serious governance to corner the mob families.
Good thing we still have some of those tough prosecutors around who know the who what & why of 'taking down the mob'.
With Trump's ties to NY criminal orgs, we may be revisiting those days again.
Watch who emerges for Cuomo's seat in 2022.
And watch who backs them as they vie for money & position.
'Do me a favor' he said.
😬
They'll reveal themselves & the truth will be know as to their true purpose.
This will get interesting to say the least!
choie
(4,102 posts)happens to be a very good State Senator representing the Bronx. Accusing her of wanting revenge for her father is not fair.
George II
(67,782 posts)Blue_true
(31,261 posts)I would guess that she would lead when that issue affects the highest office in her state.
Her advocacy for Cuomo to resign is not disqualifying for her.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Right.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)called for her granddad to resign from Congress? Do you have something of substance that I have not read about?
So far, all I have seen has been people pointing to her granddads troubles to disqualify her. I read an account where she took her granddads history head on when asked by a reporter to respond to that history when she was running for office. Her answer was pretty revealing and left me feeling that she clearly understand that a public official can never get himself or herself into a situation of having betrayed the public trust. I believe that she is exactly the type of politician that we need carrying the party banner.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Rofl
Suuurrre. Totally "what type of politician that we need carrying the party banner".
Looking at who's backing her, I'd say The Party is being taken for a ride.
But that's just my opinion. From all I've read & researched & its not hard to find.
money & media, millionares & billionares, a PAC in every pocket & only one person stands in the way.
Truth is, no one knows how the investigation will play out in the end. We each can have our opinions & preferences. I'll stick to mine & others will stand by theirs.
It's politics afterall.
#someonewantsapardon
George II
(67,782 posts)....could be a factor in her rush for calling for Cuomo's resignation, and she's been going way out of her way to press it - multiple interviews on CNN and MSNBC.
She was the first that I saw calling for him to resign. She may be the type of politician we need, but this is above and beyond that. In the interest of impartiality she should back away from this.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)That would say that she didnt hold a grudge against him due to his father. She left because of the things about a toxic work environment that are now coming to light. Her own public record is pretty clean, she appears to be heavily into ethics is government, I dont see a person with that track record satisfying a blood feud.
Why should a person that has strongly held personal values back away from something that they dont approve of? I would say that it is a testament to her values that she stepped forward, she could have hidden and let someone else call for the resignation, but she didnt. She definitely should not follow her value system simply because Cuomos father called for the resignation of her granddad - I see no reason for her to recuse, she is her own person on this issue.
George II
(67,782 posts)....(wish I'd gotten a screen shot of that one). "Its tied to every problem we have in this country."?
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
Budi
(15,325 posts)Wow.
Celerity
(42,445 posts)2016 Presidential campaign, but now, according to outrageous conspiracy theories being spun up out of whole cloth here, she is some wild-eyed, mobbed-up she-devil out to take over the entire state of NY.
This place just kills me at times.
BTW, She also beat Jeff Klein, the leader of the Independent Democratic Conference (the group of breakaway so-called Dems who sold out the Democratic Party and gave control of the NY Senate to the Rethugs by caucusing with them) Ironically Klein was also under the cosh with sexual harassment charges.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/ny-lawmaker-anti-harassment/
JI7
(89,151 posts)It doesn't mean they can't have personal grudges in things.
Celerity
(42,445 posts)fuckall of actual substance. This really faces up like a smear backed up with nothing of import. The OP was a pure bait and switch hit job from the start. They damn well knew Alessandra Biaggi was Mario's grandaughter, and that she was the real target of this sleazy character assassination attempt. I may be young but I did not just fall off the turnip lorry yesterday.
JI7
(89,151 posts)that one can still have issues with people in the same party and that doesn't mean their support for others wasn't real.
The way Kushner and Christie don't like each other but both supported Trump.
I don't know enough or anything about this case or even these people though.
Celerity
(42,445 posts)Here is the reply exposing their false claims
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215224422#post30
This OP and overall thread is shambolic.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Talk about shambolic!!
Celerity
(42,445 posts)It is hardly confined to just the sex harassment charges.
This entire smear job of an elected Dem state senator via bigoted ethnic stereotyped smears against her and with zero hard evidence is sickening.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Wow what a month it's been!
Celerity
(42,445 posts)I never got much involved in it all until I saw this dodgy hit job attempt thread of the state Senator via ethnic-based smears with nothing more than conjecture for evidence.
Budi
(15,325 posts)They're showing bulb gardens of the UK.
Which has some of the best weather for growing these beauties.
Similar to Seattle. Cool even temps, damp with sunny days but never too hot..
I recorded it earlier so I can't wait to get some ideas for my own gardens & see what's new for the year.
Toodles!
Budi
(15,325 posts)Geezus.. what's been front & center for the past 3 weeks.
Pure character assassination to the absolute finite degree.
Let's get im!!
Cripe.
Celerity
(42,445 posts)Democratic woman of very good standing. It is also bigotted AF to smear her, an Italian- American, as mobbed up with zero hard evidence. Disgusting.
Budi
(15,325 posts)The info given was taken from a mere google search.
Which in turn exposed the background of one interesting story of NY corruptiin in the days of some heavey NY mobstering corruption.
Those same days were when Donald Trump was busy with his favor to play property dealings.
You perhaps should read the history of Trump, & the Mob & the corruption in the days when Mario Cuomo was Gov of NY.
Biaggiis name appeared in that read & that's why I asked "who he was".
Someone else connected his granddaughter.
Don't tell me to delete my Op. I posed a question. Wtfru.
I cannot change the fact that these same family names appear again this day .
Rather a remarkeable twist of history sn't it
I found the info fascinating. That entire time in NY history was the real life stuff movies & books are written about.
It only took one google search.
It is the history of corruption in the great city of New York.
I didn't insert the names of the characters referenced in the OP.
They already wrote themselves into the history books.
This is a story of NY corruption & the players involved in taking down the mob.
You may google more of the fascinating history if you like.
Celerity
(42,445 posts)motives all along.
you just (to me) said now
YET
you said before
Your target ALL ALONG was Alessandra Biaggi
you feigned ignorance about her in post #2
Yet we are to believe you just happened to post an OP about her grandfather, whose days of infamy were decades ago and has not been in the news for ages, OTHER than due to his granddaughter?
You know, the granddaughter you went from claiming no knowledge of, to a now perpetrating a thorough and detailed CT smear job on.
give me a break
Budi
(15,325 posts)Gramps Biaghi was a name in the article about Trump's early days with the NY mob.
Thus the OP, asking if anyone knew what his corruption was about.
Someone replied about his grdaughter.
Can't help you with the gotcha bullshit you're after. ..
This Op was a question aabout Biaggios corruption & what he did & if anyone recalled that time.
But you just carry on being your expected self here. K?
I have no idea nor desire to even know what you're point is.
My OP asked if anyone knew who he was.
I don't know nor care what personal mission you're on at the moment. But if it satisfies you, then do your thing K?
Wtfever 🙄
Celerity
(42,445 posts)sides.
You posted about a person who is only remotely in the news due to his granddaughter, yet you then claim in post #2 to not even know who the granddaughter is.
Then you claim in other posts that your reason was to show her mobbed-up ways, a slur backed up with zero actual evidence, only twisted CT, and a slur against an elected Democratic state senator using a very problematic ethnic template, and all that magically arrived at about a person you had just claimed to not even know of.
I have NOT called for Como's resignation, I think the investigation should proceed. I am more troubled about the nursing home issue (which, despite gaslighting attempts by some, is a real issue and a lot of trouble for him) than the harassment issue atm, although both are serious charges. I also (because I can walk and chew gum at the same time) am now calling out this hit job attempt (see I can work in mob terms too ) of an OP/thread.
Absolute zero contradictions in my stances, and I have nothing to hide, so nothing to out.
radius777
(3,624 posts)and if these folks want to get in the kitchen they should be ready to deal with the fire.
Celerity
(42,445 posts)up your mind, so why even bother to have one.
Are you also claiming the nursing home issue is baseless? No investigation needed there?
Calling for no investigations being needed (as you already somehow know all the answers) seems to be utterly at odds with what almost all of the pro Cuomo camp members are calling for.
Interesting take indeed.
radius777
(3,624 posts)and the outcome should determine what happens with him.
But those who are attempting to smear Cuomo should expect blowback from the public that overwhelmingly (+30) chose him over the candidate that their camp (Zephyr Teachout in 2014 and the Cynthia Nixon in 2018) backed in the past two primary elections.
Celerity
(42,445 posts)more troubled by the nursing home issues.
I am just waiting to see how it all falls out.
radius777
(3,624 posts)and her findings should be accepted. If Cuomo is found to have done wrong he should resign. What people don't want is another Dem being railroaded by the media out of office - it sets a terrible standard - that Repubs are never held to.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)due to extreme political blowback and rejection from AG James.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Considering this is beyond accusations & seriously leaning towards revenge & settling of old debts, AG James will have to expand her investigative staff.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)Jones had worked for a Cuomo advisor in the past.
That choice suffered major political blowback and resulted in plan B.
(From: https://www.nytimes.com/article/cuomo-sexual-harassment-nursing-homes-covid-19.html )
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)and a former State Supreme Court Judge. AG James said no thanks, she would lead an investigation solely out of her office as State AG.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)She uses her granddads criminal history as a warning bell to keep everything above board.
As I found more about her record as a politician, the first thing that came to mind was that she would be Governor of NY State one day. She is youngish, I believe early to mid thirties, but she has been a dynamic and effective politician.
Honestly, even if Cuomo didnt have the current problems, she would be a tough draw for him in a Democratic primary. She is no pushover.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Jus sayin
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Do you have particulars?
Budi
(15,325 posts)But we do know of her bonafides.
Creds. Ya know right?
Its no secret. Google even lists it.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)which means he was on speaking terms with them. He was close to Meade Esposito, who was as close to a made member as it gets.
Look up the history of Tammany Hall. It's all but dead now, but worked with the Five Families, Westies, and probably even Chinatown's tongs.
George II
(67,782 posts)choie
(4,102 posts)lord I'd forgotten about him.
George II
(67,782 posts)...one of the most corrupt in city history, although it was mostly done behind Koch's back and he had nothing to do with it.
This was a great book detailing all the different scandals, NONE of which involved Koch directly. He was just a little too stubborn to admit it to himself that it was happening:
City for Sale : Ed Koch and the Betrayal of New York
The Parking Violations Bureau scandal was the most serious.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)I don't think it was stubbornness, he just looked the other way in trade for power. Koch wasn't about personal wealth, he was about power and (mostly) ego.
George II
(67,782 posts)....I read that book that I realized how deep the corruption was.
choie
(4,102 posts)I'm going to try to get my hands on City for Sale.
George II
(67,782 posts)....all copies are in the $50 range (it was that good!) Try the library, save some money. It's a great book, getting into all the various scandals, including the Bess Myerson scandal.
Sadly his first two terms were excellent, virtually all the scandals (and there were a lot!) happened during his third term, wiping away all the good he did for 8+ years.
choie
(4,102 posts)from thriftbooks! Thanks again!
Budi
(15,325 posts)Genovese Family?
Isn't that the mob family that Trump was said to have been raised in, because of his father's involvement?
Well. A lot of info availible to google.
'Donald Trump & NY mob'
Who the fk let this guy in the White House, and who's now backing the mobster-connected Biaggi's daughter & her vengence payback game?
BOYLAN?
Appears so.
Anyone who thinks Trump isn't pulling strings somewhere, to save his sorry ass is not paying attention.
Get outta your purity head for a minute.
Trump & the NY Mob.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/2019/01/18/donald-trump-mafia-connections-decades-later-linked-mob-1285771.html%3famp=1
AG James is going to have to hire a bigger staff to take the mob connected players in this game of corruption & vengence & the settling of old debts.
WOW.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Thanks.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)Me.
(35,454 posts)As i remember it when Teddy Roosevelt was police commissioner of NYC he tried to clean up Tammany Hall but was blocked at every turn, even by the police themselves
JanMichael
(24,841 posts)Is "wimp" wrong now?
Whatever...After he was no longer President TR went back to the WH and dug up his bad-ass dog because he didn't think new people would or could appreciate the dogs exceptionalism.
Then again, these are his words:
"All men of sane and wholesome thought must dismiss with impatient contempt the plea that these continents should be reserved for the use of scattered savage tribes.
Most fortunately, the hard, energetic, practical men who do the rough pioneer work of civilization in barbarous lands, are not prone to false sentimentality. The people who are, these stay-at-homes are too selfish and indolent, too lacking in imagination, to understand the race-importance of the work which is done by their pioneer brethren in wild and distant lands.
The most ultimately righteous of all wars is a war with savages.
American and Indian, Boer and Zulu, Cossack and Tartar, New Zealander and Maori,in each case the victor, horrible though many of his deeds are, has laid deep the foundations for the future greatness of a mighty people."
https://www.amazon.com/Winning-American-West-Volumes-Trans-Alleghany-ebook/dp/B0746NPJ3M
It is hard to accept that TR was a horrible genocidal loving maniac. But yes, he was.
But Tammany Hall kicked his ass.
tulipsandroses
(5,071 posts)badly. Including democrats.
Some of Cuomo's closest allies have been convicted of corruption in his tenure. Which he claims he had no knowledge of.
My point is, this Biaggi thing really means nothing, when you look at the history of corrupt NY politicians.
Budi
(15,325 posts)..mob ties should be a red fking flag to everyone that never wants to see Trump walk away from his crimes.
It's definately No Longer Just a NY Thing.
Who else would Trump turn to but the ties to his past for protection.
Call in favors, make deals, money & advancment of name & position all under the umbrella of Trump's old mob family.
No one should be hanging out the welcome sign for the old crime families of NY.
Unless ya don't really give a shit if Trump someday walks free.
It doesn't just affect NY.
brooklynite
(93,627 posts)I hope its not this ridiculous "fake an accusation of sexual harassment against Governor Cuomo and get him out of office in order to win the 2022 Election with someone who would pardon him" theory.
Celerity
(42,445 posts)against a widely respected Democratic state Senator.
tulipsandroses
(5,071 posts)I think it matters.
Moreland Commission? This just adds fuel to the fire for people that were willing to overlook any hint of impropriety of the Moreland Commission.
I don't live in NY anymore, but people in NY today are probably not much different from people anywhere else really, when you say you are different from the other guy, but start doing things that look like the other guy, then people start saying, we might as well vote for the other guy, if the other guy says something we like.
As far trump pardons. - The Lt Gov takes over if Cuomo resigns. Which I think he should, to ensure that Dems retain the Governorship next year. He's under water. I doubt he is a viable candidate to win another term. He should give his successor air to breathe.
As it stands, trump would not be eligible for a pardon. If a republican wins next year. Can they change the pardon rules? I don't know. I am not a legal scholar. But given that he is under water. He should go, to ensure that Dems win the election next year.
How do I get a pardon for a felony in NY?
The seven requirements to be eligible for this pardon are:
At least 10 years have passed since you were either convicted of the crime, or released from a period of incarceration for that crime, if applicable.
You have been conviction-free since that time.
You have been convicted of a non-violent offense
[link:https://www.ny.gov/services/apply-clemency|
Response to tulipsandroses (Reply #24)
Budi This message was self-deleted by its author.
Gruff B. Gus
(22 posts)Me.
(35,454 posts)anything constructive you care to add?
Budi
(15,325 posts)What will the replies be if Trump is pardoned & walks away?
Oops?
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Last edited Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:09 PM - Edit history (1)
all because her grandad was apparently shady. They are completely ignoring that she is self-made and has worked hard and stayed clear of corruption. She also is a Hillary Clinton protege, to me, that says a lot of positive things about her, even if I had not read her impressive track record of advocacy even before she became a recently minted politician. In my view, she is the type of Democrat that we need in office.
Yes, I too found many of the posts in this thread to be disgusting. I didnt see the actual OP itself, but the attacks on Ms. Biaggi were off-putting.
I cant believe some of the things that I have read on DU concerning Cuomos accusers, from why did they wait so long to come forward to there must be a hidden payoff somewhere to she is now raising PAC money. The fact is the vast majority of sexually harassed and assaulted women do not come forward, can that be because they know that their credibility will be attacked by people that they would have expected to be more neutral?
When I talk about sexual harassment, I am not talking about the frequent cases where a person may have a romantic interest in a person who doesnt share that feeling, but who back off once no interest is made clear. I am talking about using ones position to impose on a person, even after that person has made it clear that she or he is uncomfortable with the undesired attention and want it stopped.
Celerity
(42,445 posts)Celerity
(42,445 posts)radius777
(3,624 posts)and she was defeated by 30 points in the 2018 primary against Cuomo, who has long been despised by their wing of the party.
And I agree the Biaggi-Cuomo history is relevant to this analysis - as big city politics often resemble mafia families fighting for control - where the players involved have long memories.
Budi
(15,325 posts)Why this history is so easily dismissed is beyond me!
No one can pretend it never happened & that is has no ties to today, just because it doesn't fit the preferred narrative
It is the history of NY.
lapucelle
(18,016 posts)JI7
(89,151 posts)Cuomo but why NIxon ?
NY is a huge state so why not get someone who has experience and can be taken more seriously ?
lapucelle
(18,016 posts)She was endorsed by Ocasio-Cortex, Justice Democrats, the DSA, and Our Revolution, among others.