A Sting Operation Used the “Mafia” to Fight Crime in DC. Did it Work?

In the fall of 1975, a mysterious Italian crime family put word on the streets of Washington DC that they would pay top dollar for stolen goods at a warehouse in Northeast DC. Thieves flocked to Pasquale’s Finest Fencing with all manner of contraband. Office equipment, jewelry... even an EKG machine from Prince George’s Hospital Center. With mobster personas and names like Angelo Lasagna and Rico Rigotone, the crew at the warehouse seemed like real mafiosos. But they were actually cops, part of Operation Sting -- a joint effort between the FBI and DC Police.
In February of 1976, the Sting came to a smashing conclusion. Pasquale invited all of his clients back to the warehouse for a huge party. Scores of them showed up... and were promptly arrested. When news of the sting operation broke, it was the talk of Washington and the officers were overwhelmed with interview requests. Many Washingtonians were impressed and amused but others raised concerns. Rather than fight crime had the Sting actually encouraged it?
Critics were fighting uphill battle, however. After the first Sting, D.C. Police and the FBI teamed up for two more over the next few years and President Ford invited the Sting team to the White House for a victory lap. The high arrest numbers and conviction rates in the DC Sting Operations encouraged other cities to follow suit as a wave of Police Sting operations swept across the country.
ABOUT THE SERIES
“Boundary Stones” is an animated history series from WETA which brings the rich histories of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia to life. Using historic photos and archival footage, “Boundary Stones” tells the stories of the past: pivotal events, strange-but-true tales, and the myths and legends from the DMV. From Black history to unique D.C. protests, true crime to civil rights, and more - “Boundary Stones” is your home for D.C. history.
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