Little Nick Learns That Life's A Beach

By Jerry Capeci

THE heir apparent to jailed Gambino boss John Gotti was busted in grand style yesterday as he sunned himself on a Florida beach.

Nicholas (Little Nick) Corozzo was picked up by the FBI on federal racketeering and attempted murder charges for allegedly running a South Florida loansharking ring whose members included reputed Gambino capo Leonard DiMaria and seven cohorts.

Wearing only bathing suits, Corozzo and Ralph Davino Jr. were arrested as they walked toward the plush Sonesta Beach Resort on Key Biscayne, where they had been staying, said FBI spokesman Paul Miller.

Sources said Corozzo (right, dark sunglasses) and Davino (shown in an FBI surveillance photo taken last year) were winding down a week-long stay in the Miami area and planned to return to New York for Christmas when the agents struck. DiMaria, 55, was arrested in New York.

Based in Brooklyn, Corozzo uses Davino and several Florida-based hoods to run the Miami and Fort Lauderdale-area loansharking operation, said one law enforcement source.

Corozzo occasionally makes trips to the area himself that are "business and pleasure," the source said.

Corozzo, 56, and Davino, 53, may not be back on the street for some time, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Lothar Genge.

"We intend to seek pre-trial detention of all the defendants charged with the murder conspiracy," Genge told the Daily News.

According to a 20-count indictment, in July and August of this year Corozzo, Davino and five members of the South Florida crew conspired to kidnap and murder Louis Maione, a purported loanshark collector for their gang.

Corozzo believed Maione had stolen money from the crew, but Maione was in fact an FBI informer who will testify against the defendants, law enforcement sources said.

From 1992 to this year, Corozzo allegedly supervised and controlled the South Florida gang in a loansharking operation that sources said earned hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

The crew also transported stolen designer sunglasses to Florida for sale, conspired to torch the business of a witness against a crew member and threatened bodily harm to six loanshark victims, the indictment said.

Corozzo, who was acquitted of racketeering charges with Gotti in 1987, has been chosen by Gambino capos to become boss when the imprisoned Gotti steps down as soon as his latest appeal for a new trial is denied, sources said.

As The News reported last month, the Mafia's Commission reportedly ordered Gotti to step down because his ability to run the crime family from prison had deteriorated so much it was hurting joint rackets with other families.

If convicted, Corozzo and the others face up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

Prosecutors also are seeking forfeiture of a Deerfield Beach, Fla., check-cashing business operated by the crew and $150,000 that was seized during a search of the premises.

The resort was not buzzing with word of Corozzo's bust, but rather with its Christmas party. The resort prides itself on being discreet - and expensive. Rooms are $350 a night, and suites cost $1,700.