The DeCavalcantes were unique in that they were always very dependent on a certain construction union - Laborers Local 394. The Local was actually considered the "life blood" and "cash cow" for the family. John Riggi was the business manager for years and many DeCavalcante members were members of the Local. Not just no show jobs but actually involved in union and construction business. The NY families used to joke that they couldn't meet with DeCavalcante guys until after 5 pm when they were off work.

The family's control of the Local took a huge hit with the busts in the late 1990's and early 2000's. And it was finally put under oversight by LIUNA in 2006. Even prior to that it was reported that the family's hold on the Local had been slipping and it was becoming harder for the union and mobbed up contractors to form relationships. Mobsters were even having to work when they're names came up on jobs.

In my opinion, most of the gambling, loansharking, drugs, etc. in New Jersey is controlled by the NY families. Not to mention the waterfront, garbage, etc. So the DeCavalcantes are a small family with a small niche and that's probably why you don't see these big gambling and loansharking busts involving them like you do with even the New England or Philadelphia families. They are involved in that stuff, as well as things like stolen goods, but a lot less so, relatively speaking.