‘Sal the Shoemaker’ pleads guilty to operating Mafia gambling ring out of Long Island shop

Salvatore Rubino, 60-year-old shoemaker from Long Island, New York, admitted his guilt to operating an illegal gambling ring for the Genovese organized crime family in a federal court on Tuesday, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Rubino, who is also known as "Sal the Shoemaker," confessed to his involvement in an extensive illegal gambling operation that generated significant revenue for the Genovese crime family. The gambling business included bookmaking and collecting debts through threats and violence, according to the criminal complaint unsealed in the Eastern District of New York.

The gambling ring accepted wagers on various sporting events and horse races, and Rubino served as a key intermediary between the bettors and the Genovese crime family, who controlled the operation and collected a percentage of the profits. The criminal enterprise generated hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, with Rubino keeping a portion for himself and using the rest to fund the Genovese family's criminal activities.

Rubino's guilty plea comes after an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the New York State Police, and the Nassau County Police Department. The investigation involved wiretaps, undercover operations, and the collection of physical evidence, including financial records and surveillance footage.

The charges against Rubino include racketeering conspiracy, conducting an illegal gambling business, and making extortionate extensions of credit. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each racketeering charge and up to five years for each gambling charge. The sentencing is scheduled for May 25, 2023.

The Genovese crime family is one of the "Five Families" that dominate organized crime in New York City and its surrounding areas. The family has been involved in various criminal activities, including gambling, loan sharking, drug trafficking, and extortion, among others. The family's leadership has changed over the years, but it remains a significant force in organized crime in New York and beyond.

Rubino's guilty plea is a significant blow to the Genovese crime family and demonstrates the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to dismantle organized crime operations in New York and beyond. The investigation and prosecution were conducted with the assistance of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which is a multi-agency task force that targets major drug trafficking and organized crime organizations.

In conclusion, Salvatore Rubino, also known as "Sal the Shoemaker," pleaded guilty in federal court to operating an illegal gambling ring for the Genovese crime family and using the proceeds to fund their criminal activities. The gambling business generated hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, and Rubino kept a portion for himself while using the rest to fund the Genovese family's criminal activities. The investigation and prosecution were conducted by the FBI, New York State Police, and Nassau County Police Department, with assistance from the OCDETF. Rubino faces up to 20 years in prison for each racketeering charge and up to five years for each gambling charge. The sentencing is scheduled for May 25, 2023. The Genovese crime family is one of the "Five Families" that dominate organized crime in New York City and its surrounding areas and has been involved in various criminal activities for decades.