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Thomas Vario Says Mob Family History Blocking Him From Getting A Job

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - Thomas Vario, an experienced crane operator, says he is suffering for the sins of his great uncle, and he's filed a lawsuit.

WCBS 880's Irene Cornell On The Story

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Thomas says he's just a blue collar guy who can't get a union job because his great uncle, Paulie Vario, was a Lucchese crime family mobster.

Paulie was immortalized in the classic film "Goodfellas." Played by Paul Sorvino, he's seen carefully slicing the garlic in prison while his cellmates cooked the tomato sauce.

The 45-year-old Thomas Vario was in a baby carriage when his great uncle was a notorious mobster and he says "This is ridiculous. I'm not responsible for anyone's sins but my own."

Thomas says when he tried to get the job, he was told that if he got a union job, the next in line would be John "Jr." Gotti.

His lawyer, Anthony Colleluori, says someday Bernard Madoff's grandson will get a job if he wants. Even John Dillinger's descendants could get one.

In his federal lawsuit against the crane operators' union, he charges that he's being barred from employment because of his Italian ties.

The elder Vario died in 1988.

What do you think of Thomas Vario's situation? Sound off in the comments section below.

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