'Cuban Mafia' Members Convicted by Federal Prosecutors

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August 04, 2006 3:08 PM

While many wait to see the fate of Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro, three of the largest Cuban criminals in the United States were convicted of racketeering and murder charges in south Florida.

Three leaders of the organized crime group known as 'The Corporation' were all found guilty last week. Manuel Marquez, Julio Acuna and Jose Miguel Battle, Jr. were convicted on a combination of racketeering, money laundering, arson and murder charges, and each faces a long prison sentence.

The founder of group, Jose Miguel Battle Sr., moved to the United States prior to Castro's coup and worked with CIA operatives in the Bay of Pigs. After being captured by Cuban forces and serving time in jail there, he returned to the United States and found a life of crime with Italian mob bosses in New York. The 75-year-old Battle Sr. is now in poor health and pleaded guilty to racketeering charges earlier this year.

The Corporation made its fortune through illegal gambling establishments in Florida, New York and New Jersey. According to the U.S. Attorney's office in Southern Florida, they enforced their mob gambling rings through intimidation, arson and murder, attempting two of their eight murders in a hospital.

Battle Jr., Marquez and Acuna are just the three most recent convictions in the 12-year case. There were 28 arrests and 25 convictions in the case, and three more men in custody await trial in September.