Former NYPD Detectives Convicted as Mafia Hitmen in Historic Betrayal Case
In 2006, Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, who previously served as detectives in New York City, were found guilty of being hired assassins for the Lucchese crime family from 1986 to 1992. Their offenses involved orchestrating phony traffic stops to kidnap and kill individuals, such as Israel Greenwald, whose remains were concealed beneath a garage in Brooklyn. They provided sensitive police information to mob underboss Anthony Casso, leading to critical mistakes, including the wrongful murder of Nicholas Guido in December 1986. Arrested in March 2005, federal prosecutor Daniel Wenner described their actions as "the bloodiest, most violent betrayal of the badge." Eppolito passed away in 2019, Caracappa in 2017, and Casso in 2020. Other victims included Pasquale Varriale and Anthony DiLapi.
Key facts
- Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa were convicted in 2006 for Mafia-related killings.
- Their crimes occurred between 1986 and 1992 while they were NYPD detectives.
- They used fake traffic stops and leaked police intelligence to aid the Lucchese crime family.
- Anthony Casso, a Lucchese underboss, testified as a cooperating witness from 1994.
- Burton Kaplan acted as an intermediary between the detectives and the mob.
- Eppolito authored a book called 'Mafia Cop' and had minor film roles.
- Caracappa died in federal custody in 2017; Eppolito died in prison in 2019.
- The case was described as a historic betrayal of law enforcement.
Entities
Artists
- Christian Cipollini
Institutions
- NYPD
- FBI
- The Mob Museum
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- New York Daily News
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Las Vegas
- Nevada
- Brooklyn
- New York
- Los Angeles
- California
- New Jersey