Ex-Mob Boss Points A Finger

Anthony Casso Describes Murders He Says He Paid NYPD Detectives To Set Up Or Commit

(CBS)  "Right," says Casso. "Well, they wanted to kill for me. I didn't even have to do it. They were gonna get him, kill him and do whatever I wanted to do with him."

What’s more, prosecutors say, Casso used the two cops to commit a range of dirty deeds: They allegedly tapped into the NYPD database and funneled confidential police information to him (including wiretaps and police surveillance) containing addresses and other key details about Casso’s enemies.

One by one, prosecutors say, Casso had them killed, with a little help from his two friends at the NYPD. Casso’s allegations have stunned even the most hardened lawmen who worked on the case, like Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes.

"I was shocked, 'cause for all of the experience I’ve had over the years with police corruption cases, I’ve never had anything like this," says Hynes. "I've seen organized corruption cases, but the allegation of two cops being hit men, in addition to giving up people for hits, is just absolutely shocking."

And it was all the more shocking given that the detectives have received hundreds of commendations for bravery and excellence in the line of duty. Eppolito is among the most decorated cops in NYPD history. This is amazing, considering that his father, known as “Fat the Gangster,” was a mob enforcer, and his uncle, “Jimmy the Clam,” was a Mafia captain.

In the end, the federal prosecutor who indicted Eppolito says, he couldn’t resist the murderous life of the mob.

"It's an obscenity, that kind of allegation. It’s scurrilous. It’s not true. This is me speaking. I’m Lou’s lawyer," says Bruce Cutler, who became famous representing mobster John Gotti. He's now defending Eppolito against charges that he worked for "Gaspipe" Casso.

"Why would somebody who went up the ladder in the police department, received award for bravery above and beyond the call of duty, why would you besmirch and tarnish everything you stand for, to do the bidding of a reprobate like Casso?" asks Cutler.

"If your client is innocent of all of the charges, why, out of all of the officers in the New York City police department, did Anthony Casso choose him to say this about?" says Bradley.

"I can't give you the motive," says Cutler. "I never could. I never will. I never could understand it and I’ve tried so many federal cases where witnesses like Casso, who want to get out from under blame others. And especially if it’s sexy, if it’s appealing, and when you shake the police department like that it becomes a front-page case."

Eppolito made front-page news for the first time back in 1984, in a case unrelated to Casso. He was charged with passing police files to another mobster under investigation.

Eppolito was eventually cleared, but felt betrayed by the police department for suspecting him in the first place -- and he said so publicly. "I worked my ass off... for the city of New York and all I got was, 'You’re Italian and you have family members that were in organized crime.'”