The jury is still out in the case against Mr. Gotti, listed by authorities as the head of the Gambino family, and six other reputed mob figures, charged with racketeering.

Just Like a Puppet Nonetheless, prosecutors said the reputed mob figures charged in the suit so fully controlled the union that they were able to replace jailed officials with others loyal to them.

Among them were union officials, construction company executives and reputed mob figures.

Mr. Pirro's name has also come up in taped conversations between reputed mob figures, and he has fathered an out-of-wedlock child.

Mr. Newton, who listened to the arguments from a front row seat, later said he still felt the impact of the broadcast that linked him to a reputed mob figure, Guido Penosi.

One arose when investigators had to make sure that a reputed mob figure sat at the right table in a fast-food restaurant - the one they had bugged.

Union Corruption Charged Officials of a New York construction union and two reputed mob figures were charged with looting nearly $20 million from a pension fund.

The reputed mob figure was caught on tape saying that Mr. Pirro had shared details about an investigation by his wife's office.

It seeks to bar several reputed mob figures from involvement with the union or its funds and names nearly a dozen other mob associates as co-conspirators.

But two years ago, in financial trouble, Mr. Minkow said he borrowed money from a reputed mob figure, who then demanded a share of the profits.