It's possible but just because the main guy in NY has an italian name doesnt mean thats where the trail leads. i guess its possible though. I dont know the guy personally, he just issued a payment to me, so i really can't say for sure, but i try not to subscripe to stereotypes.
Firs of all the guy issued multiple payments to you and there was another one too, who paid you. Let's not forget that.
Were you the forum link builder (spammer) black-hat SEO guy they hired, right? It figures.
How much did you charge them btw? I nearly ended up working for them, although I'm not a black hatter I'm kinda curious what's the going price for forum signature link spam nowadays. I checked the linkportfolio (btw. you might have used your own email address at some of the forum profiles,

so much for anonymity).
The ambulance chaser may be on to something that I didn't know.