Latest news with #Gambino
Mint
02-07-2025
- Mint
What does 'racketeering' mean? One of the main charges Sean 'Diddy' Combs faced explained
Sean "Diddy" Combs secured a partial victory in his high-profile federal trial after a jury acquitted him of racketeering and sex trafficking charges. The music mogul, who faced life in prison if convicted of those counts, was instead found guilty on two lesser charges of transporting people for prostitution. Prosecutors had argued Combs ran a criminal "enterprise" using his Bad Boy Entertainment empire to coerce women into drug-fueled "freak-off" parties with male escorts. But jurors rejected the racketeering claim, the trial's most contentious charge, after deadlocking Tuesday amid "unpersuadable opinions." Legal experts suggest jurors likely didn't see Combs' staff as co-conspirators in a mafia-style operation, a key requirement under the RICO law. Racketeering charges under the RICO Act require proving a pattern of at least two crimes within 10 years by a structured criminal group. Originally designed to combat the mafia, like convicting Gambino boss John Gotti, RICO has since been applied to cases ranging from R. Kelly's sex trafficking ring to FIFA bribery scandals. Prosecutors claimed Combs' team facilitated crimes like kidnapping, arson, and obstruction. But the jury's acquittal suggests they saw Combs as a "sole individual" rather than the leader of an organized enterprise. Legal analyst Lorraine Gauli-Rufo notes RICO cases demand massive resources to untangle complex criminal webs, and the high bar for proof often leads to overreach. The verdict may chill future trafficking prosecutions against powerful figures. Despite the acquittals, Combs isn't walking free. He faces up to 10 years per prostitution count under the Mann Act, an anti-sex-trafficking law. Prosecutors seek a 5-year sentence, citing guidelines, while his defense argues for just 2 years. A judge will decide his fate later this year. Immediately after the verdict, Combs knelt in prayer and thanked jurors, but prosecutors urged he remain jailed until sentencing, calling him a danger to victims. The trial exposed brutal details: Surveillance video showed Combs assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a 2016 hotel attack, and witnesses described him bribing staff $100,000 to hide evidence. Though cleared of the worst charges, Combs' reputation lies in tatters, and his remaining legal battles include multiple civil lawsuits.
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Rapper 50 Cent reacts to Diddy verdict comparing him to infamous mafia boss
After a two-month trial, Sean 'Diddy' Combs was cleared of racketeering and sex trafficking but found guilty of transporting someone for prostitution. Rapper 50 Cent has finally spoken out following a dramatic jury verdict involving his longtime rival, music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs. After nearly two months of federal trial in New York City, Diddy was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges but found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors had alleged that Combs used his celebrity status and sprawling business empire to run a criminal enterprise involved in sex trafficking and cover up his crimes. The 12-member jury deliberated for 13 hours before clearing Diddy of three of the most serious charges he faced. One of the first high-profile reactions came from 50 Cent, who took to social media to declare: 'Diddy beat the Feds that boy a bad man ! beat the Rico, he the Gay John Gotti @50centaction.' The reference was to infamous mafia boss John Gotti, who orchestrated the murder of Gambino boss Paul Castellano before taking over the crime family, and died in 2002 from throat cancer. Following the verdict, Judge Arun Subramanian praised the jurors in court, calling their service 'inspiring.' He urged the media to respect their privacy, saying: 'Jurors, you can contact our chambers. You gave up a lot, these 10 weeks. It is inspiring. You worked together, rain or shine. You answered the call of public service, that should give us hope.' Diddy's legal team has since requested he be released on bond ahead of sentencing, arguing that since he was cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges, he should be allowed to return home. 'This is his first conviction, and it is a prostitution offence. He should be released. His family is here and could sign a bond. He should be released today, to go back and live at Two Star Island,' his lawyer said. The rivalry between Diddy and 50 Cent stretches back more than two decades. In 2001, 50 Cent claimed to have ghostwritten Diddy's verse on G. Dep's 'Let's Get It,' and in 2002 he publicly name-checked Diddy for the first time on his track 'U Not Like Me,' rapping: 'Hoes be like '50, you so witty / On the d**k like they heard I ghostwrite for P. Diddy.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The pair even collaborated on a song that year, with 50 Cent taking a subtle jab at Combs. Despite a brief thaw in 2018 when Diddy insisted there was no beef between them, saying: 'I don't have no beef with Fif. He loves me. Y'all can't see that he loves me? You really think that's hate? You know he loves me,' tensions have simmered ever since. Since allegations against Diddy surfaced, 50 Cent has been outspoken. In December 2023, he revealed he was producing a documentary about the claims, with proceeds reportedly earmarked for sexual assault victims. He also announced that the documentary series had been sold to Netflix. During the trial, 50 Cent posted videos of Diddy's past comments about former President Trump, seemingly to influence public opinion and prevent any potential pardon if Diddy were convicted.
Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
50 Cent compares Diddy to Mafia boss as he reacts to bombshell verdict
50 Cent has broken his silence after a jury reached a bombshell verdict on rapper Diddy, with whom he has held a long-running feud. Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has been found not guilty of racketeering and sex-trafficking charges, but guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution after a nearly two-month long federal trial in New York City. Prosecutors had accused Combs of using his celebrity status and business empire to run a criminal enterprise to sex traffic women and conceal his crimes. A panel of 12 jurors deliberated for 13 hours before acquitting Combs of three of the most serious five charges he was facing. One of the first famous faces to react to the stunning verdict was his long time nemesis and fellow rapper 50 Cent. In a social media post today, 50 Cent wrote: "Diddy beat the Feds that boy a bad man ! beat the Rico, he the Gay John Gotti @50centaction." John Gotti ordered and helped to orchestrate the murder of Gambino boss Paul Castellano and took over the family soon after. He died in 2002 at the age of 61 from throat cancer. Following the verdict being announced in court, Judge Arun Subramanian told the jurors they had been "inspiring". Judge Subramanian said: "I ask the media not to question jurors about their deliberations. "Jurors, you can contact our chambers. You gave up a lot, these 10 weeks. It is inspiring. You worked together, rain or shine. You answered the call of public service, that should give us hope." Diddy's lawyers have no argued that he should be released on bond ahead of sentencing. His lawyer said that it should be allowed given that he is no longer charged with sex trafficking or racketeering. They said that his plane had already been chartered. "This is his first conviction, and it is a prostitution offence. He should be released. His family is here and could sign a bond. He should be released today, to go back and live at Two Star Island," he said. Diddy and 50 Cent have had a long running feud, which goes all the way back to 2002. Back in 2001, 50 Cent took up ghost-writing and at the time, he said he had ghost-wrote Diddy's verse on G. Dep's Let's Get It.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE My family inspired The Godfather but everything you've been told about us is wrong... it's time for Trump to free the Mafia
Few last names conjure up the same level of notoriety as Gambino. One of New York's Five Families, the Gambinos get their name from Carlo Gambino - the 'boss of bosses' who inspired iconic mob movie The Godfather and led the Mafia dynasty until he died in 1976.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Freight Fraud and Cargo Theft: The Epidemic Nobody Wants to Talk About
In the trucking industry, fraud and cargo theft are full-blown crises. Maybe this isn't Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese-level organized crime, but make no mistake, organized crime exploits vulnerabilities in our supply chains and it's impacting everyone from small carriers to global shippers. We delve into the realities of freight fraud, the effectiveness of recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration identity checks and how industry initiatives like Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) verification and the Freight Fraud Task Force are reshaping the fight against these crimes. At its simplest, freight fraud is a deception involving carriers, brokers or shippers to steal freight, money or even company identities. Common tactics include double brokering, where fraudulent brokers rebook freight without authorization, often leaving carriers unpaid, and carrier identity theft, in which scammers use legitimate carrier credentials, including MC or DOT numbers, to book and steal freight. Legitimate carriers suffer twice, losing income and getting saddled with compliance violations they didn't commit or lawsuits they had no involvement in. Cargo theft has become sophisticated. Criminal groups arrange fake pickups using forged paperwork, forged credentials and counterfeit identification. Recently, authorities in Los Angeles County alone recovered over $1.3 million in stolen merchandise, ranging from electric bikes and Sony TVs to beauty products and electronics, emphasizing how lucrative and widespread these crimes have become. Part of the blame lies with the agency designed to prevent it, the FMCSA. Existing laws such as MAP-21 (2012) explicitly require the FMCSA to vet brokers thoroughly, yet these requirements, like mandatory knowledge tests and documented experience, remain largely unenforced. Today, anyone with roughly $1,500 (a $300 FMCSA fee, $1,000 down on a surety bond and minimal administrative costs) can become a broker. This ease of entry allows fraudulent brokers to scam shippers, pocket cash and disappear overnight. The FMCSA's own data systems are notoriously muddy and inadequate in highlighting fraudulent activity or clearly detailing limited authority for carriers, especially enterprise carriers, which frequently operate beyond their permitted scope. Recognizing these vulnerabilities, the FMCSA began implementing stringent measures in April to tighten identity verification. Working with Idemia, the FMCSA introduced mandatory facial recognition and government-issued ID checks for all new motor carrier applicants. The immediate impact of this initiative was significant. According to data from CarrierOK, the filed-to-published application approval rate, previously around 60%-65%, plummeted dramatically to roughly 30% after the verification rollout. This sudden drop might mean that the new ID checks are successfully weeding out fraudulent or incomplete applications before they even reach public review, or the agency is so slow in processing applications because of a lack of resources that it's miring down the process. Although the number of total filings remains steady, the sharp decline in published approvals might indicate a crackdown effect, clearly demonstrating that tighter identity controls are effectively curbing fraud at the entry point. Notice I said 'might.' The industry isn't just standing by. It's tired of the crazy. Solutions are emerging to tackle freight fraud proactively, led by innovative platforms like FreightValidate. Founder Dale Prax and partners John Cantera, Jeff Dickinson, Bill Robinson, Claudia Atletts and others (including myself) have established or are part of the Freight Fraud Task Force Inc, to curb industry fraud through education, audits, best practices and accountability at every level. FreightValidate's partnership with AU10TIX has introduced powerful, yet user-friendly verification tools. In under 90 seconds, carriers, drivers and brokers can complete facial recognition and real-time ID checks on any mobile device. This rapid validation ensures that the people handling the freight are exactly who they claim to be, dramatically reducing fraud opportunities before the truck arrives at the loading dock. I have long advocated for a cyberphysical approach to logistics fraud. A year or so ago, I wrote an article on a model for mitigating double brokering through integrated technologies. Leverage blockchain, smart contracts, digital identity verification and real-time tracking to build a trust-driven freight system. I even name-dropped Rich Mason, president and Chief Security Officer at Critical Infrastructure and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) legend, to hopefully draw him into this good time. The idea centers on a blockchain-based reputation system, where carriers, brokers and shippers earn scores based on performance, disputes and reliability. Smart contracts would lock in terms and trigger updates on the blockchain with each completed task. Verified digital identities, powered by facial recognition or biometrics, would restrict access to only authenticated users. Internet-of-things-based shipment tracking and AI-driven analytics could enhance this digital fortress to flag fraud patterns before a single invoice is sent. I believe that fighting fraud requires cybersecurity-level thinking. At the end of the day, our only solution is a solid cybersecurity program and some good CISOs to put it all together for us mere layman transportation folk. Ironically, FMCSA recently launched a costly facial recognition partnership with Idemia. Why spend millions on new systems when we already have proven verification mechanisms with a criminal background element like the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)? What sense does that make? Not much, but maybe the issue is we have such a revolving door at the federal agency that the people running the FMCSA aren't familiar enough with the supply chain to know what we have and what we don't or how to use it practically. TWIC, used extensively in ports, provides biometric verification and comprehensive background checks that go beyond simple identity confirmation. Implementing TWIC requirements for brokers and carriers would significantly strengthen vetting, ensuring that criminals don't just find new ways around superficial security measures. An extra $125 added to the FMCSA's application fee could cover these deeper screenings, bringing significant ROI in fraud prevention without burdening taxpayers. The Freight Fraud Task Force emphasizes practical, actionable steps over mere technology deployment. Real-time, in-person carrier audits at loading docks, comprehensive fraud-awareness training and best practices education form the backbone of its strategy. Companies are encouraged to actively participate, share information and implement robust anti-fraud measures in-house. The Task Force's Risk Assessment Audit Program provides audits, tailored training and certifications to proactively catch fraud early. The mantra here isn't cleanup after the theft, it's prevention before the crime happens. Ultimately, meaningful change requires industrywide accountability and governmental enforcement. As long as laws remain unenforced, cargo theft and fraud will persist, inflating consumer costs and damaging reputable carriers and brokers. FMCSA and the Department of Transportation need to commit fully to vetting carriers, brokers and shippers, enforcing existing laws and cooperating closely with private initiatives that are already making significant strides. The time to act isn't tomorrow, it's now. The freight industry's future, its integrity and its profitability depend on stopping fraud and theft before they happen. Industry leaders, tech innovators, regulators and carriers must unite under a common mission: protecting the lifeblood of our economy by finally enforcing the accountability and integrity this industry deserves. The post Freight Fraud and Cargo Theft: The Epidemic Nobody Wants to Talk About appeared first on FreightWaves.
