Tacoma Racketeer John Carbone Dies

TACOMA - John Carbone, a central figure in a 1970s scandal that led to the downfall of the Pierce County sheriff and reform of the county government, has died at age 79.

Carbone died Tuesday at Western State Hospital from illnesses related to psychosis and dementia. He also suffered from Parkinson's disease.

Carbone was known as the boss of a racketeering conspiracy that involved extortion, attempted murder, assault and arson as part of a scheme to control Pierce County's tavern and cabaret business.

Carbone and five others were charged, including then-Sheriff George V. Janovich. Among other things, Janovich was accused of accepting $1,300 in bribes from an undercover FBI agent posing as a prospective tavern buyer, and tipping off Carbone's operation to impending gambling raids.

At a federal trial in San Francisco, Carbone, then 58, was convicted on 14 counts, including racketeering, conspiracy, mail fraud and interfering with interstate commerce.

He was sentenced to 100 years in prison and $163,000 in fines. He served 15 years in federal prisons.

Janovich was convicted of two counts of racketeering conspiracy and obstructing justice. He served six years of a 12-year sentence.