CCP 11-16-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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---- I 2'2( so , .. fashion with organized crime either the mafia or some other facet of non- mafia never-the-Iess highiy organized crime. I - Id. at 1047-48. I Thomas Bohling of the Chicago Police Department Organized Crime Division, Vice . Control Section, told the Pornography Commission that "it is the belief of state, federal- and local law enforcement that the pornography industry is controlled by organized crime families. If they do not own the business outright, they most certainly extract . street tax from independent smut peddiers.' Id. at 1048 (emphasis in original). The Pornography Commission stated that it had been advised by Los Angeles . Police Chief Daryl F. Gates that "organized crime families from Chicago, New York, I New Jersey and Rorida are openly controlling and directing the major pornography operations in Los Angeles." Id. The Pornography Commission was told by Jimmy Fratianno, described by the . Commission as a member of LCN, "that large profits have kept organized crime heavily -. involved in the obscenity industry.' !Q. at 1052. Fratianno testified that, "95% of the families are involved in one way or another in pornography. ... It's too big. They just . won't let it go." Id. at 1052-53. The Pornography Commission concluded that "organized crime in its traditional I j LCN forms and other forms exerts substantial influence and control over the obscenity I industry. Though a number of significant producers and distributors are not members . I of LCN families, all major producers and distributors of obscene material are highly organized and carry out illegal activities with a great deal of sophistication." Id. at 1053. I I The Pornography Commission reported that Michael George Thevis, reportedly I j one of the largest pornographers in the United States during the 1970's was convicted in 1979 of RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) violations including I murder, arson and extortion. The Commission also reported examples of other crimes I associated with the pornography industry, including prostitution and other sexual I I -. I -18- 0 .