Dive Brief:

• In a federal court in Manhattan, two men connected to the mob pled guilty to making threats against a cooperating witness.

• The charges were filed one year ago against Anthony Bazzini and Scott Fappiano, both accused by officials of being "silent partners" in a Ronkonkoma hauling company. The pair would extort money in return for protection and use the firm to recruit customers in New Jersey.

• Each man faces up to five years behind bars.

Dive Insight:

According to a U.S. attorney, 21 of 32 defendants have pleaded guilty. Bazzini was a made member of the Gambino family while Fappiano was an associate. In November, "Papa Smurf" Franco and Anthony Pucciarello, both of the Genovese crime family, each pleaded guilty to their roles in controlling waste in New York City. Three more members of the mob pleaded guilty in August to charges of scheming to control trash collections in New York and New Jersey.