CNN - Russian mob grows in Brooklyn

A Russian mob grows in Brooklyn

Law officials finger alleged 'godfather'

May 23, 1996
Web posted at: 8:00 a.m. EDT

From Correspondent Peg Tyre

BROOKLYN, New York (CNN) -- His appearance is that of a Wall Street executive, but he is accused of being a powerful member of organized crime. Vyacheslav Ivankov allegedly runs the Russian mob from his Brooklyn stronghold and has strong ties to the Mafia as well.

Ivankov lives in Brighton Beach, sometimes called Little Odessa. It is one of the largest Russian communities outside the former Soviet Union and growing every day. With the recent waves of hard-working immigrants have come a surge of hard-core Russian mobsters.

Law enforcement officials say Ivankov was sent here to carve out a criminal network in the United States and Canada. They say he's a member of a secret society of powerful and ruthless gangsters known as "Thieves in Law."

"Russian organized crime figures carried out a vicious extortion scheme that included a murder in Moscow and the kidnapping of two New York City businessmen," said James Kallstrom, director of the New York FBI.

And experts say Ivankov doesn't hesitate to use violence.

But Ivankov contends he was helping a legitimate Russia bank collect a bad loan, and his lawyers traveled to Russia and found the banker who backs up his story. They say Ivankov will cleared of the charges he faces of conspiracy to extort.

"He's pleaded not guilty ... he is presumed to be innocent," said his lawyer, Barry Slotnik. "We look forward to a trial. And his life is in the hands of the jury."

Next week, Ivankov's trial will get under way as both sides present opening statements. But meanwhile, experts say the Russian mob is growing and forging ties with the Cosa Nostra and Colombian drug cartels.

"I would provide them with protection from other mob families and the muscle to collect all the money due them," said former Mafia boss Michael Franzese.

Russian syndicates get wealthy from drug-dealing, extortion and fraud, usually staying one step ahead of the law.

"We haven't been able to think ahead of these particular Russian mobsters," said Stephen Handelsman, author of "Comrade Criminal."

With this prosecution, law enforcement officials say they are striking back, hoping to stem the tide of Russian organized crime in the United States.

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A Russian mob grows in Brooklyn

Law officials finger alleged 'godfather'

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