? About 29 people were charged in a New Haven court Friday in connection with a trash hauling scheme controlled by the mob.
Authorities say Genovese crime boss Matty "the Horse" Ianniello would use violence to intimidate the competition while his private trash haulers got paid. Ianniello allegedly accepted $30,000 cash every month to run the business. Automated Waste Disposal owner James Galante, who also owns the Danbury Thrashers hockey team, was arrested along with several of his employees. Authorities say Galante paid Ianniello to carve out routes for his business. Joe Santopietro, former Waterbury mayor and consultant for Galante?s companies, was also arrested.
The U.S. attorney for Connecticut says the state?s waste industry has been controlled by the mob for two decades. Ianniello and the other suspects were released, however Galante is being held without bond.