Feds: Mob recruited immigrants for NY strip clubs

By The Associated Press
10:10 a.m., Nov. 30, 2011

NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors in New York City say they've broken up a mob-run ring that recruited women from Russia and other Eastern European countries to dance at New York strip clubs.

Prosecutors announced Wednesday that charges have been brought against 20 individuals, including seven members of the Gambino and Bonnano organized crime families.

Authorities say the strip clubs were controlled by the mob families. The government brought racketeering and extortion charges against several of the reputed crime family members. They say the owners of four strip clubs on Long Island and in Queens were required to make payments in exchange for protection.

They say the defendants also engaged in crimes by arranging fake marriages for some of the women so they could remain in the country.

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