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James Galante and lawyer Hugh Keefe outside New Haven District Court: Photo by Diane OrsonA Connecticut businessman has been sentenced to more than 7 years in prison for racketeering and conspiracy – part of a huge investigation into mob influence in the region’s trash business.

James Galante controlled 25 companies that handled garbage pickup for thousands of residents and businesses in Connecticut and New York. He pleaded guilty in June for his role in a scheme to drive up trash removal rates. He also agreed to forfeit his business interests worth more than 100 million dollars, as well as six racing cars, a home in Southbury and nearly ½ million dollars in cash. In addition to prison time, US District Judge Ellen Bree Burns imposed a 100 thousand dollar fine.

Acting US Attorney for Connecticut, Nora Dannehy said the government is "fully satisfied" with the sentence. "The judge in this case imposed the top of the advisory guideline range and I think sent a message to James Galante specifically and to the trash industry in general that the illegal property rights system will not be tolerated," Dannehy said.

Galante’s lawyer Hugh Keefe had called for leniency, citing his client’s charitable donations. Keefe told the court that sentencing, in general, has become too punitive and that Galante’s crimes were not as serious as murder. But the judge said Galante’s donations to charity were earned on the backs of innocent victims and suggested that his activities might have warranted an even longer prison term. Outside court,

Keefe acknowledged that things had not gone the way he’d hoped. "This sentence is a long sentence. 7.2 years. That’s a long time..you know, clearly she would have given more if she could," Keefe said.

Galante admitted fixing a bid for a contract to operate a Connecticut transfer station. He also admitted defrauding the United Hockey League, while he was owner of a minor league team called the Danbury Trashers.
Thirty three others have been charged in the case…Thirty two have pleaded guilty - including a reputed mob boss and the former mayor of Waterbury.