On a cool autumn evening in Brooklyn, New York, on November 6, 1990, the life of 47-year-old Edward "Eddie" Lino, a White male and a captain in the Gambino crime family, came to a violent end. Lino, a known drug trafficker and a key figure in the assassination of former Gambino boss Paul Castellano, was driving his Mercedes-Benz along the Belt Parkway when he was motioned to pull over by what appeared to be an unmarked police car.
Believing it to be a routine traffic stop, Lino complied, unaware that the men approaching his vehicle were not there to issue a citation.
The individuals who stepped out of the other car were, in fact, two decorated New York City Police Department detectives, Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa. However, on this night, they were not upholding the law but instead were acting as contract killers for the mob. As Caracappa approached the driver's side of the Mercedes, he unleashed a barrage of nine gunshots, killing Lino instantly. The brazen murder was orchestrated by Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso, the underboss of the Lucchese crime family, who sought revenge against Lino for his suspected involvement in a prior attempt on Casso's life. For their lethal services, Eppolito and Caracappa were reportedly paid $70,000.
The investigation into Lino's murder initially hit a wall, as is common with organized crime killings. However, the case of the "Mob Cops" eventually unraveled, exposing one of the most significant corruption scandals in NYPD history. Information provided by mob informants, including Casso himself, eventually led investigators to the two detectives. It was revealed that Eppolito and Caracappa had been secretly on the Lucchese family's payroll for years, providing confidential information and carrying out murders for hire.
After their retirement from the police force, both Eppolito and Caracappa moved to Las Vegas. It was there, in March 2005, that they were finally arrested for a string of crimes, including Lino's murder. Their trial brought to light the depth of their betrayal, detailing eight murders they committed on behalf of the mob, along with charges of racketeering, kidnapping, and obstruction of justice. In April 2006, a jury found both men guilty of all charges. Following an appeal that temporarily overturned the conviction based on the statute of limitations, the verdict was reinstated. Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa were ultimately sentenced to life in prison, bringing a final, shocking chapter to the story of Eddie Lino's death.
