Anthony Megale

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Anthony "The Genius" Megale' was the acting underboss of the Gambino crime family.

Born in Italy, Megale eventually moved to the United States and joined the Gambino family. In August 2001 Megale became a capo in the Gambino family. In 2002, Megale became acting underboss after Peter Gotti's arrest on racketeering charges.

During August 2002, a Fairfield County, Connecticut nightclub owner met with Megale because he was being extorted by Gambino family members and by another New York crime family. Megale told the owner that he was a high-ranking member of the Gambino family, that he had met with leadership of the rival organized crime family, and that he had prevented the rival family from extorting payments from him. In September 2002, Megale informed the owner that he would have to pay for “protection”. Megale demanded payment of $2000 each month, plus a yearly “Christmas bonus.” Between November 2002 and February 2004, the owner made regular payments to Megale. Megale threatened the nightclub owner with violence, destruction of property and disruption of his business if the payments were late.

On April 3, 2006 A federal judge sentenced Anthony Megale to more than 86 months in prison.