Mileta Miljanić

Key Points

• Criminal Allegations: Mileta Miljanić is identified as the alleged leader of “Group America,” a transnational drug trafficking organization accused of smuggling large quantities of cocaine globally, with ties to organized crime groups like the Gambino crime family.
• Legal Issues: Miljanić faced arrest in the U.S. in 2021 for possessing an illegal firearm and was later sentenced in 2023 for charges related to a fraudulent pandemic loan scheme and ties to organized crime.
• Business Operations: Operated MDP Rebar Solutions, a Brooklyn-based construction company, which was implicated in suspicious financial practices and connections to the Gambino crime family.
• Reputational Risks: Associations with organized crime and public legal troubles have significantly damaged his reputation, making him a high-risk individual for business or personal associations.
• International Connections: Linked to criminal activities in Italy, Peru, and Serbia, with convictions or investigations in multiple jurisdictions.

Overview

Mileta Miljanić, born in 1960 in Bosnia-Herzegovina, is a U.S. citizen and the alleged head of “Group America,” a low-profile but brutal drug trafficking organization. He operated a construction company, MDP Rebar Solutions, in Brooklyn, New York, which was involved in high-profile construction projects like the Centrale condominium tower in Manhattan and the Haus25 apartment building in Jersey City. Miljanić has been linked to organized crime, including the Gambino crime family, and has a history of legal troubles in the U.S. and abroad. His criminal activities reportedly include drug trafficking, fraud, and associations with violent acts, such as dismembering enemies and assassinating officials.

Allegations and Concerns

• Drug Trafficking: Miljanić is accused of leading Group America, which allegedly smuggled tons of cocaine worldwide, with operations spanning South America, Europe, and the U.S. Italian authorities investigated him for supervising a cocaine shipment in Venice in 2009.
• Organized Crime Ties: His construction company reportedly paid $570,000 to Lorenzo Mannino, a Gambino crime family consigliere, for a “no-show or low-show” job between 2018 and 2021. Prosecutors also noted that $5.7 million of MDP Rebar’s $6.8 million revenue came from a company linked to the Gambino family.
• Fraudulent Loan Scheme: Miljanić was sentenced in 2023 for his role in a pandemic loan fraud scheme, exploiting relief programs meant for businesses affected by COVID-19.
• Illegal Firearm Possession: Arrested in February 2021 after authorities found a gun in his nightstand during a home search in New York.
• International Investigations: Italian prosecutors convicted him in absentia in 2013 for drug-related charges (later overturned on procedural grounds, with a retrial pending). He is a wanted man in Italy and faces arrest if he travels there.

Customer Feedback

There is no publicly available customer feedback specifically related to MDP Rebar Solutions or Miljanić’s personal business dealings, likely due to the niche nature of the construction subcontracting industry and the overshadowing criminal allegations. However, court documents and media reports indicate skepticism from Judge Philip Halpern regarding MDP Rebar’s business model, describing it as “atypical” and suggesting it “reeks of a problem” due to its payroll practices, which only listed Miljanić, his family, and Mannino, with workers reportedly paid through contractors. This lack of transparency may imply dissatisfaction or distrust among business partners, though no direct customer reviews are cited.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks: Miljanić’s involvement in fraudulent schemes, such as the pandemic loan fraud, suggests a pattern of financial misconduct. His company’s reliance on payments from a Gambino-linked entity raises concerns about the legitimacy of its revenue streams.
• Reputational Risks: His publicized ties to organized crime, arrests, and sentencing severely damage his credibility, making any association with him toxic for businesses or individuals seeking reputable partners.
• Legal Risks: Ongoing investigations in the U.S. and Italy, combined with his status as a wanted individual in Italy, pose significant legal risks. Future prosecutions or extradition could further complicate his situation.
• Operational Risks: The questionable business practices of MDP Rebar, such as its unusual payroll structure, suggest potential operational instability or unethical conduct, which could affect subcontractors or partners.
• International Risks: His criminal network’s global reach increases the risk of entanglement in cross-border legal or criminal issues, particularly in jurisdictions like Italy and Peru.

Business Relations and Associations

• MDP Rebar Solutions: Miljanić founded and operated this Brooklyn-based company, which worked on luxury construction projects but was implicated in organized crime activities.
• Gambino Crime Family: Miljanić’s company paid Lorenzo Mannino, a high-ranking Gambino member, for minimal or no work, and received significant funds from a Gambino-associated construction company.
• Group America: As the alleged leader, Miljanić worked with figures like Zoran Jakšić, a Serbian national sentenced in Peru for cocaine smuggling, and Mladen Miljanić, his nephew, who was involved in the Venice drug operation.
• Serbian Orthodox Church: Miljanić was introduced to Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić as a major donor to the church in the U.S., though Dačić denied knowing him personally.
• James Cahill: A labor leader with underworld connections, including to Miljanić’s Group America, arrested on bribery charges in a related investigation.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• U.S. Legal Actions:
  • 2021 Arrest: Charged with illegal firearm possession after a search of his New York home.
  • 2022-2023 Case: Sentenced for pandemic loan fraud and ties to organized crime, with sentencing in White Plains, New York, under Judge Philip Halpern. Miljanić acknowledged his actions, stating, “What I did was wrong,” and promised to repay debts.
  • Court Details: The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case: United States v. Miljanic, 22 Cr. 318) ordered disclosure of materials, noting privacy and confidentiality concerns due to the involvement of uncharged individuals and ongoing investigations.
• Italian Conviction: Convicted in absentia in 2013 for drug trafficking, sentenced to 10 years and a 60,000 euro fine, though the conviction was overturned on appeal due to procedural issues. A retrial was expected in 2021.
• No Bankruptcy Records: No public records indicate personal or business bankruptcy, though his fraudulent financial activities suggest potential instability.
• Unpaid Debts: Miljanić’s promise to “pay everything I owe” during sentencing implies outstanding financial obligations, though specific debts are not detailed.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Analysis: Mileta Miljanić presents a complex profile as both a business operator and an alleged criminal mastermind. His construction company, MDP Rebar Solutions, achieved legitimate contracts for high-profile projects, indicating some operational competence. However, the overwhelming evidence of his leadership in Group America, ties to the Gambino crime family, and convictions for fraud and firearm possession paint a picture of a deeply entrenched criminal figure. The lack of customer feedback limits insight into his business’s public perception, but judicial skepticism about his company’s practices suggests underlying issues. His international criminal connections amplify the risks of associating with him.

Pros:

• Demonstrated ability to secure high-value construction contracts.
• Connections to influential figures, such as Serbian officials, via charitable donations.

Cons:

• Proven involvement in drug trafficking, fraud, and organized crime.
• Ongoing legal battles and international wanted status.
• Severe reputational damage due to public exposure of criminal activities.

Cautionary Advice: Engaging with Miljanić or his businesses is highly inadvisable due to the critical legal and reputational risks. His criminal history and ongoing investigations make him a liability for any legitimate business or individual. Companies in the construction industry should thoroughly vet subcontractors to avoid entanglement with entities like MDP Rebar. Individuals or organizations considering partnerships should prioritize due diligence and steer clear of anyone linked to organized crime.

Key Citations

• United States v. Miljanic, 22 Cr. 318 (PMH), U.S. District Court, S.D. New York.
• United States v. Miljanic, 7-22-cr-00318-PMH, U.S. District Court, S.D. New York.
• “How a Pandemic Loan Fraud Took Down a Serbian Crime Boss With NY Mafia Ties,” The Messenger, August 25, 2023.
• “The US Arrests Mileta Miljanić, the Alleged Leader of ‘Group America’,” OCCRP, March 5, 2021.
• “A Broken Operation in Venice Exposed Group America’s Slovakian Connection,” OCCRP, September 1, 2020.
• Screenshot of Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić with Miljanić, Courthouse News Service.