Anthony Cinque Staten Island Explained (Simply)

If you’ve lived on Staten Island for any length of time, you know the rumors fly fast. Honestly, it’s just the nature of the borough. But recently, one name has been popping up in local conversations and news feeds more than most: Anthony Cinque. Specifically, the 39-year-old Anthony J. Cinque Jr. from Richmond County.

You’ve probably seen the headlines. Some people talk about him in the context of high-stakes legal drama, while others might be confusing him with different professionals sharing the same name in the New York real estate world. It gets confusing. Basically, there are two very different stories attached to this name, and it’s worth stripping away the noise to see what’s actually on the record.

What Really Happened with the Recent Arrests

In June 2024, the New York State Attorney General’s Office dropped a massive 84-count indictment. It wasn't just a minor citation. It was a full-scale takedown of what prosecutors called a massive illegal gambling and loansharking ring right here in Staten Island. Anthony Cinque Staten Island became a focal point of this investigation because, according to Attorney General Letitia James, he wasn’t just a bystander.

The state alleges that Cinque, along with John J. LaForte and John Matera, acted as "soldiers" in the Gambino crime family. That is a heavy label. Law enforcement claims this crew ran a sports betting operation that processed more than $22.7 million in illegal bets. Think about that for a second. That is a staggering amount of money moving through a local operation.

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But it wasn't just about the betting. The indictment suggests a more predatory side: loansharking. The investigation, which used intercepted communications and undercover work, alleged that Cinque and LaForte provided the "bank" for usurious loans. They weren't just collecting bets; they were allegedly funding the operation and ensuring winners got paid, while the enterprise raked in weekly payments from people trapped in high-interest debt.

The Evidence and the Charges

Court documents can be dry, but the details in this case are pretty intense. Prosecutors didn't just guess; they spent months listening.

• Intercepted Calls: Wiretaps reportedly caught defendants discussing "points," "juice," and how to distribute the proceeds.
• The Funding: According to the Attorney General, Anthony Cinque Jr. and John LaForte were the ones authorizing and funding the loansharking wing.
• The Scale: We are talking about $500,000 in usurious loans active at any given time.

It’s important to remember that an indictment is an accusation. Under the law, everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the sheer volume of evidence presented—over 22 million dollars in bets—makes this one of the most significant organized crime cases Staten Island has seen in several years.

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Sorting Out the Name Confusion

Look, "Anthony Cinque" isn't exactly a one-of-a-kind name in New York. If you go searching for Anthony Cinque Staten Island, you might accidentally stumble upon a professional controller in the real estate sector or a long-time manager in the housing industry.

It’s a bit of a mess for those guys. One Anthony Cinque has a 30-year career in public housing and real estate management, currently working with groups like Metropolitan Realty Group. He’s an accountant by trade. Then you have Anthony J. Cinque Jr., the 39-year-old named in the 2024 Gambino-related indictment.

Distinguishing between the two is crucial. One is a corporate executive; the other is a man facing serious felony charges including Enterprise Corruption and Promoting Gambling. Don't let the Google search results fool you into thinking they are the same person. They aren't.

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Why This Matters for the Community

People on the Island have a complicated relationship with "the life." For some, it’s just movie stuff. For others, it’s a reality that hits close to home when a local shop or a neighbor gets caught up in a loansharking debt.

When an operation this large gets dismantled, it leaves a vacuum. The state claims these operations thrive on secrecy and the exploitation of people who can't get credit elsewhere. By targeting the "soldiers" and the "associates"—like the other names in the indictment, including Edward LaForte and Charles Fusco—law enforcement is trying to dismantle the infrastructure that supports these activities in Richmond County.

The China Chalet on Amboy Road even got a mention in the filings as a meeting spot. It makes the whole thing feel very local, very "right in our backyard."

Actionable Insights and Next Steps

If you are following this case or are worried about the impact of these operations in your neighborhood, here is the reality of where things stand:

1. Monitor the Court Dates: The Richmond County Supreme Court is where this drama will play out. Following the docket for "The People of the State of New York v. John J. LaForte, Anthony J. Cinque, et al." is the only way to get the facts as they emerge.
2. Verify Professional Identity: If you are doing business with an Anthony Cinque in the real estate or accounting world, check their middle initial and professional history. The individual in the news for the indictment is specifically Anthony J. Cinque Jr., age 39.
3. Recognize the Signs of Loansharking: If you or someone you know is being pressured for high-interest payments that never seem to end, there are resources. You can contact the New York Attorney General’s office or local law enforcement. These operations depend on the silence of the victims.
4. Check Official Sources: Avoid the rumor mill on Facebook groups. Stick to the official press releases from the New York Attorney General’s office for the most accurate updates on the 84-count indictment.

The story of Anthony Cinque in Staten Island is still being written in the courtrooms. It serves as a reminder that the old-school investigative tactics—wiretaps and undercover work—are still very much alive in New York's efforts to curb organized crime.