Ralph "Little Ralphie" Scopo Sr. (November 21, 1928 – March 9, 1993) was a New York mobster with the Colombo crime family who became a powerful labor racketeer.
[1] Scopo was the president of the Cement and Concrete Workers District Council of the Laborers' International Union of North America from 1977 to April 1985.
[2] During this time, Scopo used his position to extort money from cement contractors in New York in return for large construction contracts and labor peace.
[3][4] Although Scopo was only a low-ranking soldier, his membership in the Concrete Club allowed him more influence than some capos in the Colombo family.
[5] In 1980, the FBI initiated Operation Genus against all five of the New York Cosa Nostra families, an effort that would result in the infamous Mafia Commission trial.
[6] On February 25, 1985, Scopo and other high-ranking Cosa Nostra leaders were indicted on federal racketeering charges.
[8] On November 14, 1985, the trial was interrupted when Scopo complained of chest pains and was transported to a local hospital.
[10] Two months later, on March 21, 1987, the remaining leadership of the Concrete Workers District Council resigned, to be replaced by a court-appointed trustee.
[12] On March 9, 1993, Ralph Scopo Sr. died of natural causes while serving his sentence at United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg.