Former Union President from West Orange Sentenced to 18 Months for Extortion

A judge sentenced former president of the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1235 to 18 months in prison for extorting longshoremen in New Jersey for Christmastime tribute payments through use of violence, threats and fear, according to New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman and Eastern District of New York U.S. Attorney Loretta E. Lynch.

Vincent Aulisi, 82, of West Orange plead guilty prior to the Wednesday announcement to one count of an indictment charging him with conspiring to extort Christmastime tributes.

Aulisi served as president of the union from 2006 to 2007. He along with two other men -- Thomas Leonardis, 57, of Glen Gardner, who served as the ILA’s president from 2008 through 2011, and Robert Ruiz, 55, of Watchung, a union delegate from 2007 through 2010 -- admitted that they used threats and fear to receive the payments.

Charges are still pending against three men, including Stephen Depiro, 59, of Kenilworth, who is a soldier in the Genovese organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra.

Aulisi is also to serve one year of supervised release and a must pay a fine of $10,000.