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Budi

(15,325 posts)
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 03:50 PM Mar 2021

Any 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
-----
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


88 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Any NYer remember the story of corruption/racketeering with Mario Biaggi?, (Original Post) Budi Mar 2021 OP
That's interesting OP - I never realized this MisterNiceKitty Mar 2021 #1
Not familiar with her. Budi Mar 2021 #2
She is a fairly impressive up and coming NY State politician. Blue_true Mar 2021 #40
Yes, and she represents my district in Albany Sanity Claws Mar 2021 #17
I do remember Mario Biaggi choie Mar 2021 #3
So what did Mario Biaggi do to earn Racketeering/Corruption charges Budi Mar 2021 #4
See my post #8 just below yours: George II Mar 2021 #9
She's a State Senator from the Bronx. She was the first member of the state legislature... George II Mar 2021 #8
He may have had connections to Joseph Ippolito who had mob connections. Jim__ Mar 2021 #5
Biaggi was involved with the Wedtech scandal... PoliticAverse Mar 2021 #6
Cripe. Just another day in the owning & being owned by the NY mob. Budi Mar 2021 #10
Here's An Interesting Side Note Me. Mar 2021 #7
Aaaaha! The mob corrupted Biaggi family wants to govern the State of NY? Hmmm Budi Mar 2021 #12
Alessandra Biaggi and Lindey Boylan are close, and you're right, Boylan has threatened to support... George II Mar 2021 #16
THe Plot Thickens Me. Mar 2021 #31
Some deep NY political gamesmanship right before our very eyes. Budi Mar 2021 #46
Alessandra Biaggi choie Mar 2021 #18
She was the first to call for his resignation, and has been the most outspoken about it for weeks. George II Mar 2021 #20
Women's issues is one of her main legislative priorities. Blue_true Mar 2021 #44
Lol. Sure its not. It's totally innocent. Budi Mar 2021 #47
Do you have something other than Governor Cuomo's dad Blue_true Mar 2021 #54
LOL. Suuurrre she is.. Budi Mar 2021 #57
Calling for her grandfather to resign by Cuomo's father isn't disqualifying, but it certainly.... George II Mar 2021 #82
She worked in Cuomo's administration for 7 months. Blue_true Mar 2021 #88
It's more than that. There are these tweets AND one that she deleted blaming Biden and Harris.... George II Mar 2021 #52
Really? It's not a stretch either. Jfc Budi Mar 2021 #22
She also was a protege of Joe Crowley and Deputy National Operations Director for Hillary Clinton's Celerity Mar 2021 #38
That doesn't mean people can't have personal grudges. Similar to Kushner and Chris Christie JI7 Mar 2021 #49
Sorry, I am not going to promote fantasyland hit jobs on elected Dems based off Celerity Mar 2021 #55
My point is JI7 Mar 2021 #59
The OP already was caught downthread making another factually untrue statement. Celerity Mar 2021 #61
Shambolic describes the whole 'he touched my arm'!!! RESIGN!! Budi Mar 2021 #63
Much of this comes from the nursing home scandal as well. Celerity Mar 2021 #64
Ok. Now we've moved off the sex scandal & on to the nursing home scandal. Budi Mar 2021 #66
I did not move anywhere, the nursing home issue was always the more problematic one for me Celerity Mar 2021 #68
Ok. Well enjoy your evening. I'm going to watch a gardening show Budi Mar 2021 #73
cheers Celerity Mar 2021 #75
Rolf. Ok let's talk "Character Assassinations" K? Budi Mar 2021 #60
You should really self delete the OP, the thread is a baseless smear job on an elected Celerity Mar 2021 #62
No its not. The OP posed a question & a connection . Budi Mar 2021 #65
lol, now you just outed yourself in regards to another untrue statement, this one exposes your Celerity Mar 2021 #67
No, actually You outed yourself Budi Mar 2021 #69
I did not out myself as I have nothing to out, other than my tendency to debunk bollocks on all Celerity Mar 2021 #80
The smears against Governor Cuomo are baseless, radius777 Mar 2021 #71
Interesting take. You seem to not be a fan of having a full investigation, as you've already made Celerity Mar 2021 #74
I don't decide anything, the AG should investigate radius777 Mar 2021 #76
I have not called for him to resign, nor have I tried to smear anyone, and I, as stated before, am Celerity Mar 2021 #77
That is fair. AG Tish James is respected by all camps, radius777 Mar 2021 #79
Yes. I read about her, her record is both impressive and apparently very clean. nt Blue_true Mar 2021 #43
Actually Cuomo tried to choose who did the "independent investigation" but that failed... PoliticAverse Mar 2021 #23
No he did not. He allowed AG James to make the apointments Budi Mar 2021 #25
Cuomo's people chose Barbara Jones to do the investigation... PoliticAverse Mar 2021 #30
Cuomo called for a shared investigation that would involve AG James Blue_true Mar 2021 #45
She is a pretty straight arrow. Blue_true Mar 2021 #42
Not with her bonafides! Budi Mar 2021 #48
A pretty cryptic reply. Blue_true Mar 2021 #51
LoL. I have no idea what you're talking about. Budi Mar 2021 #53
I don't remember anyone claiming he had serious mob ties, but he was a NYC politician... TreasonousBastard Mar 2021 #11
Yes, he was close to Meade Esposito, who had mob ties. George II Mar 2021 #13
Meade Esposito.. choie Mar 2021 #15
Esposito was a big backer of Ed Koch for Mayor, too. As it turned out, Koch's administration was... George II Mar 2021 #19
"City for Sale" - yes an excellent book on the corruption of the Koch years. PoliticAverse Mar 2021 #26
I absolutely LOVED Ed Koch, and I too pooh-poohed lots of what was in the news. It wasn't until.... George II Mar 2021 #29
ooh thanks George II! choie Mar 2021 #85
When I googled the exact title yesterday, I saw that it's for sale on ebay or Amazon, but.... George II Mar 2021 #86
I found it for a little over $7 choie Mar 2021 #87
1985, during an FBI investigation into the Genovese crime family, Budi Mar 2021 #21
Tammany Hall was a name that I recently read. I haven't looked further but I will now! Budi Mar 2021 #14
That's the mother of all NYC political corruption. "Boss Tweed"... PoliticAverse Mar 2021 #33
God, They Were Notorious Here Me. Mar 2021 #35
They held power. Whatever people think of Teddy Roosevelt now he was not a wimp. JanMichael Mar 2021 #41
I hate to break it to Non NYers. NY has a history of corrupt politicians and politicians behaving tulipsandroses Mar 2021 #24
Doesn't matter the past corruption. The fact tha Trump sees a way to be pardoned & his life of Mob Budi Mar 2021 #27
What way is that? brooklynite Mar 2021 #32
it sure is such a theory, with the added benefit of ethnic-based stereotype smear attempts and CT Celerity Mar 2021 #72
Since he ran on cleaning up corruption, and has been embroiled in corruption scandals tulipsandroses Mar 2021 #37
This message was self-deleted by its author Budi Mar 2021 #28
Disgusting thread Gruff B. Gus Mar 2021 #34
Says You Me. Mar 2021 #36
Says you. Budi Mar 2021 #39
Unfortunately, several people seem to be trying to paste dirt on Alessandra Biaggi, Blue_true Mar 2021 #50
+100000000 Celerity Mar 2021 #56
+100000000 Celerity Mar 2021 #58
Alessandra Biaggi and Boylan are Cynthia Nixon clones, radius777 Mar 2021 #70
K & R Thank You! Budi Mar 2021 #78
Biaggi might be helping to pave the way for a second Cynthia Nixon primary run. lapucelle Mar 2021 #81
Cynthia Nixon doesn't seem like a serious candidate. I can understand wanting to challenge JI7 Mar 2021 #83
Nixon ran against Cuomo in 2018. lapucelle Mar 2021 #84

MisterNiceKitty

(422 posts)
1. That's interesting OP - I never realized this
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 03:53 PM
Mar 2021

& Alessandra Biaggi is the granddaughter of Mario Biaggi?

Small world...

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
40. She is a fairly impressive up and coming NY State politician.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 09:23 PM
Mar 2021

She appears to be solidly progressive and has women’s 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)
17. Yes, and she represents my district in Albany
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:43 PM
Mar 2021

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)
3. I do remember Mario Biaggi
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:00 PM
Mar 2021

He was an ex-cop. I don’t think there was any mention of him being in the mob. His granddaughter, Alessandra, is a New York State Senator.

 

Budi

(15,325 posts)
4. So what did Mario Biaggi do to earn Racketeering/Corruption charges
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:06 PM
Mar 2021

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)
8. She's a State Senator from the Bronx. She was the first member of the state legislature...
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:21 PM
Mar 2021

....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

Mr. Esposito retired as Brooklyn Democratic leader in late 1983, but remained one of the state's most powerful behind-the-scenes politicians until his indictment and conviction in 1987 for having given an illegal gratuity to another one-time power broker, former Representative Mario Biaggi of the Bronx. He was given a suspended two-year prison term and fined $500,000.


Here's some information about connections to the mob:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meade_Esposito#cite_note-nyma_TheH-13

In the fall of 1985, during an FBI investigation into the Genovese crime family, Esposito was heard speaking with gangster and lifelong friend Federico "Fritzy" Giovanelli. This led to a direct wiretap of Esposito's phone. Later in 1985, Esposito was recorded speaking with Bronx Rep. Mario Biaggi, claiming to have "made" 42 judges in Brooklyn. Esposito was found to be involved in bribery with Biaggi, having given him a Florida vacation in return for government assistance in a financially troubled drydock firm that owed Esposito's insurance company $280,000. Esposito was found guilty in 1988, put on probation, sentenced to community service and fined $500,000. Biaggi was sent to jail and lost his seat in Congress. In 1989, Esposito faced additional charges of bribery and tax fraud; however a federal judge determined Esposito was too sick and elderly to maintain a proper defense.

Jim__

(14,035 posts)
5. He may have had connections to Joseph Ippolito who had mob connections.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:10 PM
Mar 2021

A connection to Ippolito is tentative.

From a 1985 story in The Washington Post

On April 14, 1979, for instance, the FBI picked up a conversation at Masselli's Bronx warehouse between Masselli and a colleague named Joseph Ippolito about how Ippolito "had obtained the contract for dumping on Riker's Island" several years earlier.

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

But that problem paled in comparison to the job he allegedly botched on December 9, 1997. Authorities accuse him of trying to murder then-31-year-old Samuel Ippolito. Samuel's older and much-better-known brother Joseph Ippolito, 47, is serving a ten-year sentence for a federal narcotics offense. According to the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation, "Joey Ipp," as he is known, had ties to the Lucchese and DeCavalcante crime families. But then in 1997, word came out that Joey Ipp had decided to cooperate with the authorities in a drug probe.

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
6. Biaggi was involved with the Wedtech scandal...
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:14 PM
Mar 2021

Wedtech was a bi-partisan scandal involving some Republicans and Democrats...

For background see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedtech_scandal

Another key figure in the scandal was Paul Castellano's first cousin, Maj. General Vito Castellano who occupied key capitol positions in Albany, such as the former commander of the New York National Guard and Governor [Mario] Cuomo's former chief of staff.

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)
10. Cripe. Just another day in the owning & being owned by the NY mob.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:22 PM
Mar 2021

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)
7. Here's An Interesting Side Note
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:18 PM
Mar 2021

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)
12. Aaaaha! The mob corrupted Biaggi family wants to govern the State of NY? Hmmm
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:36 PM
Mar 2021

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)
16. Alessandra Biaggi and Lindey Boylan are close, and you're right, Boylan has threatened to support...
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:43 PM
Mar 2021

...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)


 

Budi

(15,325 posts)
46. Some deep NY political gamesmanship right before our very eyes.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 09:55 PM
Mar 2021

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)
18. Alessandra Biaggi
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:45 PM
Mar 2021

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)
20. She was the first to call for his resignation, and has been the most outspoken about it for weeks.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:54 PM
Mar 2021

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
44. Women's issues is one of her main legislative priorities.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 09:41 PM
Mar 2021

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.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
54. Do you have something other than Governor Cuomo's dad
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 10:18 PM
Mar 2021

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 granddad’s troubles to disqualify her. I read an account where she took her granddad’s 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)
57. LOL. Suuurrre she is..
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 10:49 PM
Mar 2021

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)
82. Calling for her grandfather to resign by Cuomo's father isn't disqualifying, but it certainly....
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 08:45 AM
Mar 2021

....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)
88. She worked in Cuomo's administration for 7 months.
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 09:54 PM
Mar 2021

That would say that she didn’t 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 don’t 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 don’t 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 didn’t. She definitely should not follow her value system simply because Cuomo’s 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)
52. It's more than that. There are these tweets AND one that she deleted blaming Biden and Harris....
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 10:16 PM
Mar 2021

....(wish I'd gotten a screen shot of that one). "It’s tied to every problem we have in this country."?







Celerity

(42,445 posts)
38. She also was a protege of Joe Crowley and Deputy National Operations Director for Hillary Clinton's
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 06:29 PM
Mar 2021

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)
49. That doesn't mean people can't have personal grudges. Similar to Kushner and Chris Christie
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 10:04 PM
Mar 2021

It doesn't mean they can't have personal grudges in things.

Celerity

(42,445 posts)
55. Sorry, I am not going to promote fantasyland hit jobs on elected Dems based off
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 10:45 PM
Mar 2021

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)
59. My point is
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 10:54 PM
Mar 2021

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)
61. The OP already was caught downthread making another factually untrue statement.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:02 PM
Mar 2021

Here is the reply exposing their false claims

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215224422#post30

This OP and overall thread is shambolic.

Celerity

(42,445 posts)
64. Much of this comes from the nursing home scandal as well.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:16 PM
Mar 2021

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)
66. Ok. Now we've moved off the sex scandal & on to the nursing home scandal.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:30 PM
Mar 2021

Wow what a month it's been!

Celerity

(42,445 posts)
68. I did not move anywhere, the nursing home issue was always the more problematic one for me
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:50 PM
Mar 2021

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)
73. Ok. Well enjoy your evening. I'm going to watch a gardening show
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 12:01 AM
Mar 2021

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)
60. Rolf. Ok let's talk "Character Assassinations" K?
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 10:54 PM
Mar 2021

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)
62. You should really self delete the OP, the thread is a baseless smear job on an elected
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:08 PM
Mar 2021

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)
65. No its not. The OP posed a question & a connection .
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:27 PM
Mar 2021

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)
67. lol, now you just outed yourself in regards to another untrue statement, this one exposes your
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:44 PM
Mar 2021

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)
69. No, actually You outed yourself
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:56 PM
Mar 2021

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)
80. I did not out myself as I have nothing to out, other than my tendency to debunk bollocks on all
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 01:21 AM
Mar 2021

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)
71. The smears against Governor Cuomo are baseless,
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:58 PM
Mar 2021

and if these folks want to get in the kitchen they should be ready to deal with the fire.

Celerity

(42,445 posts)
74. Interesting take. You seem to not be a fan of having a full investigation, as you've already made
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 12:06 AM
Mar 2021

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)
76. I don't decide anything, the AG should investigate
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 12:16 AM
Mar 2021

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)
77. I have not called for him to resign, nor have I tried to smear anyone, and I, as stated before, am
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 12:32 AM
Mar 2021

more troubled by the nursing home issues.

I am just waiting to see how it all falls out.

radius777

(3,624 posts)
79. That is fair. AG Tish James is respected by all camps,
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 12:47 AM
Mar 2021

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.

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
23. Actually Cuomo tried to choose who did the "independent investigation" but that failed...
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 05:02 PM
Mar 2021

due to extreme political blowback and rejection from AG James.

 

Budi

(15,325 posts)
25. No he did not. He allowed AG James to make the apointments
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 05:07 PM
Mar 2021

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)
30. Cuomo's people chose Barbara Jones to do the investigation...
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 05:23 PM
Mar 2021

Jones had worked for a Cuomo advisor in the past.

That choice suffered major political blowback and resulted in plan B.

Mr. Cuomo initially tried to choose someone other than Ms. James to lead the investigation, suggesting a former federal judge, Barbara Jones, for the job. That idea was scrapped amid criticism of Ms. Jones’s close ties to a former longtime adviser to the governor.


(From: https://www.nytimes.com/article/cuomo-sexual-harassment-nursing-homes-covid-19.html )

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
45. Cuomo called for a shared investigation that would involve AG James
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 09:45 PM
Mar 2021

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)
42. She is a pretty straight arrow.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 09:36 PM
Mar 2021

She uses her granddad’s 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 didn’t have the current problems, she would be a tough draw for him in a Democratic primary. She is no pushover.

 

Budi

(15,325 posts)
53. LoL. I have no idea what you're talking about.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 10:17 PM
Mar 2021

But we do know of her bonafides.
Creds. Ya know right?
Its no secret. Google even lists it.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
11. I don't remember anyone claiming he had serious mob ties, but he was a NYC politician...
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:27 PM
Mar 2021

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)
13. Yes, he was close to Meade Esposito, who had mob ties.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:39 PM
Mar 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meade_Esposito#cite_note-nyma_TheH-13

In the fall of 1985, during an FBI investigation into the Genovese crime family, Esposito was heard speaking with gangster and lifelong friend Federico "Fritzy" Giovanelli. This led to a direct wiretap of Esposito's phone. Later in 1985, Esposito was recorded speaking with Bronx Rep. Mario Biaggi, claiming to have "made" 42 judges in Brooklyn. Esposito was found to be involved in bribery with Biaggi, having given him a Florida vacation in return for government assistance in a financially troubled drydock firm that owed Esposito's insurance company $280,000. Esposito was found guilty in 1988, put on probation, sentenced to community service and fined $500,000. Biaggi was sent to jail and lost his seat in Congress. In 1989, Esposito faced additional charges of bribery and tax fraud; however a federal judge determined Esposito was too sick and elderly to maintain a proper defense.

George II

(67,782 posts)
19. Esposito was a big backer of Ed Koch for Mayor, too. As it turned out, Koch's administration was...
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:51 PM
Mar 2021

...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)
26. "City for Sale" - yes an excellent book on the corruption of the Koch years.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 05:12 PM
Mar 2021

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)
29. I absolutely LOVED Ed Koch, and I too pooh-poohed lots of what was in the news. It wasn't until....
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 05:19 PM
Mar 2021

....I read that book that I realized how deep the corruption was.

George II

(67,782 posts)
86. When I googled the exact title yesterday, I saw that it's for sale on ebay or Amazon, but....
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 11:11 AM
Mar 2021

....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.

 

Budi

(15,325 posts)
21. 1985, during an FBI investigation into the Genovese crime family,
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 04:56 PM
Mar 2021

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.

Me.

(35,454 posts)
35. God, They Were Notorious Here
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 05:47 PM
Mar 2021

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)
41. They held power. Whatever people think of Teddy Roosevelt now he was not a wimp.
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 09:35 PM
Mar 2021

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)
24. I hate to break it to Non NYers. NY has a history of corrupt politicians and politicians behaving
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 05:04 PM
Mar 2021

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)
27. Doesn't matter the past corruption. The fact tha Trump sees a way to be pardoned & his life of Mob
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 05:17 PM
Mar 2021

..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)
32. What way is that?
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 05:36 PM
Mar 2021

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)
72. it sure is such a theory, with the added benefit of ethnic-based stereotype smear attempts and CT
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:58 PM
Mar 2021

against a widely respected Democratic state Senator.

tulipsandroses

(5,071 posts)
37. Since he ran on cleaning up corruption, and has been embroiled in corruption scandals
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 05:52 PM
Mar 2021

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)

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
50. Unfortunately, several people seem to be trying to paste dirt on Alessandra Biaggi,
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 10:09 PM
Mar 2021

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 didn’t see the actual OP itself, but the attacks on Ms. Biaggi were off-putting.

I can’t believe some of the things that I have read on DU concerning Cuomo’s 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 doesn’t share that feeling, but who back off once no interest is made clear. I am talking about using one’s 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.

radius777

(3,624 posts)
70. Alessandra Biaggi and Boylan are Cynthia Nixon clones,
Sat Mar 13, 2021, 11:56 PM
Mar 2021

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)
78. K & R Thank You!
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 12:38 AM
Mar 2021

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.

JI7

(89,151 posts)
83. Cynthia Nixon doesn't seem like a serious candidate. I can understand wanting to challenge
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 08:46 AM
Mar 2021

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)
84. Nixon ran against Cuomo in 2018.
Sun Mar 14, 2021, 09:40 AM
Mar 2021

She was endorsed by Ocasio-Cortex, Justice Democrats, the DSA, and Our Revolution, among others.

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