Photo Courtesy of MoreLaw
Semplice’s sentence was handed down on Thursday at Brooklyn federal court.
By Forum Staff
A long-time made member of the Gambino organized crime family has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for conducting a loansharking scheme in which he extended extortionate loans with annual interest rates up to 54 percent, federal prosecutors announced on Thursday.
Paul Semplice, 55, of Brooklyn, engaged in a conspiracy with others to make extortionate extensions of credit to multiple victims, according to authorities.
“Semplice targeted victims desperate for loans and used his status as a Mafia soldier to make sure they paid the exorbitant interest rate,” said Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue. “With today’s sentence, the defendant will pay for his crimes in prison.”
During one recorded conversation with a cooperating witness, Semplice boasted that he had a “very special relationship,” “like brothers,” with a captain in the family and “answer[ed] to nobody but him.” In another recorded conversation with the witness, Semplice explained that in connection with a $200,000 loan to victim John Doe #1, he collected $9,000 interest per month, or 54 percent, and personally kept $8,000. Semplice called the arrangement “a beautiful thing.”
On Nov. 18, 2016, during a lawfully intercepted conversation, Semplice boasted about assaulting John Doe #2. “I started abusing him, right. He was in his forties….Once I – I had to smack him. I go, ‘What?’ Bang! I go, ‘I’ll smack you again.’ He goes, ‘Why?’ ‘Cause I shouldn’t have to come see you.’”
