In 1981, Conte successfully prosecuted Worcester crime boss Carlo Mastrototaro, a Genovese crime family caporegime who also was affiliated with the Patriarca crime family. In league with federal and state law enforcement officials, Conte launched "Operation Big League" against Mastrototaro and other organized crime figures in Worcester. Starting in October 1980, the investigation used electronic surveillance to get the goods on the gangsters. In August 1981, police raids were launched against 17 locations in Worcester, Springfield and other Massachusetts cities. Conte announced, "All aspects of organized crime, from gaming and drugs to extortion, porno shops and prostitution – you name it, it was all uncovered in one fashion or another in this investigation".
