The Untouchable Truth: 5 Shocking Facts About 'Mafia Cop' Louis Eppolito And His Final Fate

The saga of Louis Eppolito, one of the most notorious corrupt police officers in American history, reached its definitive end when the former NYPD detective died in federal prison on November 3, 2019. The story of Eppolito and his partner, Stephen Caracappa, collectively known as the "Mafia Cops," remains a chilling testament to the depth of organized crime's infiltration of law enforcement, a case that shocked New York City and permanently tarnished the reputation of the NYPD.

As of late 2025, the legacy of Louis Eppolito continues to be studied by true crime aficionados and legal professionals alike. His life was a dizzying spiral from a decorated police officer to a contract killer for the Lucchese Crime Family, a narrative that inspired books, documentaries, and films. This article delves into the updated facts and the profound details of the man who served two masters: the law and the mob.

Louis Eppolito: A Complete Biographical Profile

Louis Eppolito’s life was inextricably linked to the world of organized crime long before he became a detective, a connection that ultimately defined his downfall and death.

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• Full Name: Louis Eppolito
• Date of Birth: July 22, 1948
• Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Date of Death: November 3, 2019
• Place of Death: Tucson, Arizona, U.S. (in federal custody)
• Spouse: Frances Ann Eppolito
• Occupation: Former New York City Police Department (NYPD) Detective (1977-1990), Author, Aspiring Actor
• Criminal Conviction: Racketeering, extortion, obstruction of justice, and eight counts of murder in aid of racketeering.
• Sentence: Life imprisonment plus 100 years.
• Key Partner in Crime: Stephen Caracappa (fellow NYPD Detective)
• Mob Connection: Lucchese Crime Family, specifically underboss Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso.

The Dual Life: How Eppolito Became a Mob Hitman on the NYPD Payroll

The transition of Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa from respected NYPD detectives to paid assassins for the Mafia is a story of unprecedented corruption. Eppolito, whose own father had ties to the Gambino Crime Family, was already predisposed to the world of the mob.

The partnership of Eppolito and Caracappa began its criminal enterprise in the mid-1980s. They leveraged their positions in the New York City Police Department to provide highly sensitive information to the Lucchese Crime Family.

Their primary contact and handler was the ruthless Lucchese underboss, Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso.

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For a substantial salary—reportedly $4,000 a month plus bonuses for "special services"—the detectives began passing on confidential police files, warning Casso about investigations, and, most damningly, pointing out informers and rivals.

The Eight Murders for Hire

Between 1986 and 1990, the "Mafia Cops" were directly involved in at least eight contract killings, acting as the mob’s enforcement arm within the police force.

Their methods were chillingly effective, often using their badges to lure victims to their deaths. They would pull over a target, flash their police identification, and then deliver the person directly into the hands of Casso's hitmen, or execute the hit themselves.

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One of the most infamous victims was James Hydell, who was lured to his death after Eppolito and Caracappa pulled him over. Another was the execution-style murder of mob associate Edward Lino, who was shot in his car. The victims were often rivals or suspected informants of the Lucchese family.

The Unraveling: Trial, Conviction, and the Star Witness

Despite years of suspicion and internal affairs investigations, Eppolito and Caracappa managed to retire from the NYPD and relocate to Las Vegas, Nevada, in the 1990s.

Eppolito even attempted a career in Hollywood, making a cameo appearance in the film Goodfellas and writing an autobiography, Mafia Cop: The Story of an Honest Cop Whose Family Was the Mob, ironically portraying himself as a clean officer battling his family's criminal legacy.

The case finally broke open in 2004 with the arrest of the two men in Las Vegas.

The Role of Burton Kaplan and Anthony Casso

The prosecution's case hinged on the testimony of two key figures: Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso and the middleman, Burton Kaplan.

Burton Kaplan, an admitted garment and marijuana wholesaler with ties to the Jewish Mafia, served as the primary go-between, delivering payments from Casso to the two detectives from 1986 to 1993.

Kaplan became the star witness, providing the crucial link between the Lucchese Crime Family's operations and the NYPD detectives.

Casso, who was already serving multiple life sentences, also provided devastating testimony detailing the contracts and the detectives' direct involvement in the murders.

The Conviction and Sentencing

In 2006, a jury found both Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa guilty on all counts, including racketeering, extortion, and eight counts of murder.

Though the conviction was briefly overturned on a technicality, the appellate court reinstated the guilty verdict.

On March 6, 2009, a federal judge delivered the final sentence: Eppolito was sentenced to life in prison plus 100 years, and Caracappa received life plus 80 years. Both were fined over $4 million each.

The Final Chapter: Louis Eppolito's Death in Federal Custody

Louis Eppolito spent the final decade of his life serving his sentence at the United States Penitentiary, Tucson (USP Tucson), a high-security federal prison in Arizona.

His death on November 3, 2019, at the age of 71, marked the official conclusion of one of the most infamous police corruption cases in history.

His wife, Frances Ann Eppolito, confirmed the death, stating, "Louie died with dignity, the way he lived, on his own terms."

The death of Eppolito, and his partner Caracappa who died in 2017, closed the book on the "Mafia Cops" saga, but the reverberations of their crimes continue to influence law enforcement training and internal oversight.

The case is a permanent cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the corrosive effect of organized crime on public institutions. The detailed testimony and evidence presented during their trial provided an unprecedented look into the inner workings of the Lucchese Crime Family and the shocking betrayal of the NYPD badge.

The story of Louis Eppolito is no longer a story of a corrupt cop on the run or on trial; it is a historical case study of a man who traded his sworn duty for the mob's payroll, a choice that cost him his life and his legacy.