Commack Strip Club Raided During Mob Bust

Commack strip club was raided by police Wednesday as part of an investigation into an alleged mob ring that smuggled Eastern European women into America and forced them to work as exotic dancers, according to a New York Post report.

An indictment unsealed on Wednesday included a total of 20 defendants who are alleged to have been involved in recruiting women from Russia and other Eastern European countries to illegally enter the country to work as exotic dancers at strip clubs controlled by the Gambino and Bonnano Organized Crime Families of La Cosa Nostra, according to the United States Attorney's Office. 

Some defendants arranged for the women to enter into "sham marriages" with U.S. citizens, a statement said.

Among the Long Islanders charged with racketeering and extortion crimes were Anthony Frascone aka “Perry Como” of East Meadow, Elena Turubanova of Dix Hills, Gerald Monfort of West Babylon, Thomas Devitt III aka “Tommy D” of East Meadow, Oscar Zeledon of East Hampton, Lawrence Zaino of Westbury and Paul Casella of Franklin Square.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent-in-Charge James T. Hayes, Jr., said in a press statement, “Today’s arrests bring to an end a long-standing criminal enterprise operated by colluding organized crime entities that profited wildly through a combination of extortion and fraud. As alleged, the defendants controlled their business and protected their turf through intimidation and threats of physical and economic harm. Today, that business model has been extinguished.”

Other clubs busted in the raid include Cheetah's and Gallagher's 2000 in Manhattan, and Queens-based establishments Perfection and Rouge.

Additional reporting by Taylor K. Vescey.