Two highly decorated former detectives were today convicted of moonlighting as hitmen for the Mafia in one of the most sensational cases of police corruption in New York history.
Louis Eppolito (57), and Steven Caracappa (64) could get life in prison for their roles in eight murders committed between 1986 and 1990 while they were simultaneously on the payroll of both the New York police department and Luchese crime family underboss Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso.
A file picture of former New York police detective Stephen Caracappa
Federal prosecutor Daniel Wenner described the case as "the bloodiest, most violent betrayal of the badge this city has ever seen."
Prosecutors said the two men carried out two hits themselves - in one case after pulling a mobster over in a phoney traffic stop - and delivered up some of the other victims to the Mafia to be killed.
The defendants rubbed their faces and stared at the federal jury upon hearing the verdict, reached after two days of deliberations.
The defendants' $3 million bail was revoked and they were led off to jail to await sentencing May 22nd. The men's lawyers said they will appeal.
Prosecutors said the two used their law enforcement positions to help the Mafia at a price of $4,000 per month - more if they personally handled a killing.
The two officers also supplied Casso with inside information on law enforcement interest in the mob, prosecutors said. Casso was said to have referred to the two men as his "crystal ball".
They were convicted of charges that included racketeering conspiracy, witness tampering, witness retaliation and obstruction of justice. Caracappa, who retired in 1992, helped establish the city police department's unit for Mafia murder investigations.
Eppolito, the son of a Gambino crime family member, was a much-praised street cop, although there were suggestions that some of his arrests resulted from tips from mobsters. In his autobiography, Mafia Cop, he portrayed himself as an honest cop from a crooked family.
Eppolito also played a bit part in the mob movie GoodFellas. After retiring in 1990, he unsuccessfully tried his hand at Hollywood script-writing.
AP