The new breed of Mafia have swapped slashing throats for tyres, as a judge noted that the younger generation of mobsters are softer than their predecessors.

Two members of the Gambino family, one of the ‘Five Families’ that rule the roost of New York’s criminal underground, were granted release in time for Thanksgiving on Thursday. Diego Tantillo, 48, and Angelo Gradilone, 57, appeared in Brooklyn Federal Court on Tuesday (November 21) for their bond appeal.

The pair were among 10 alleged Mafia members – the Gambino 10 – charged on November 8 in using cut-throat methods to take over New York’s prized garbage hauling and demolition businesses. Despite initial hesitation, Judge Frederic Block decided to release the two men for the holiday period as they’re not quite as ruthless as the old guard mobsters.

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“You know, in the past we would let murderers out on bail,” the 89-year-old said Tuesday, according to the Daily News. “We don’t have anything close to that in this particular case. Fortunately, I guess the younger generation of mafioso aren’t killing people these days.”

A $5million (£4m) bond for Tantillo and $1m (£798,000) for Gradilone was reportedly agreed between both the prosecution and defence. Now, the pair from New Jersey and Staten Island respectively will be released on Wednesday (November 22), the court heard.

“We should have a human aspect to us,” Judge Block said. “We’re gonna have Thanksgiving on Thursday. Maybe I should try to let them out tomorrow.” Five other members of the family were also released on bail.

A separate incident on September 1, 2023, saw two mobsters of the incriminated Gambino 10 make a scene at a restaurant at Toms River, New Jersey. The pair weren’t happy when the owner asked them to leave after they got into a scuffle with another customer – and one of the men threatened to burn the place down.

Four hours after things seemingly cooled down, the owner was got into his car to leave the restaurant with his wife. All of a sudden, a man opened the door, punched the owner in the head, put a knife to his neck, and threatened to kill him.

The spouse ran to help but she was beaten on the ground. Instead of cutting his throat, the man with the knife slashed the owner's tyres before walking away, court documents allege.