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Arrests end Hamilton's 'mafia mecca' status

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 25, 1998 | 6:53 AM ET

CBC News

An expert on organized crime says the arrest of two members of a so-called "crime family" means Hamilton is no longer a mob mecca.

Pasquale Musitano and his brother, Angelo, face first-degree murder charges in last year's shooting of Johnny Papalia and one of his lieutenants. The Musitanos are to appear in court next Tuesday.

A third man charged yesterday promptly pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder and has been sentenced to life imprisonment. The third charge related to the shooting death of a man in 1985. Papalia was reputed to be Ontario's top mob figure when he was killed.

Angelo Musitano is also charged in the shooting death of Papalia's alleged underboss, Carmen Barrillaro.

James Dubro, a documentary film producer and author of several books on organized crime says organized crime is a real threat in Ontario communities, but the arrests take some of the power from the underworld.

This story is now closed to commenting.

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