The feds' knockout of the Gambino crime family looks more like a phantom punch.
Reputed boss John (Jackie Nose) D'Amico and reputed underboss Domenico (The Greaseball) Cefalu took a plea deal Wednesday, admitting to a single extortion count, and could end up spending less than two years in prison.
In the last two weeks - and with a June 7 trial date looming - prosecutors dropped their demand that D'Amico plead guilty to racketeering, which carried a more serious penalty, defense lawyer Elizabeth Macedonio said.
D'Amico and Cefalu admitted extorting a $100,000 payment from businessman-turned rat Joseph Vollaro in exchange for permission to sell his Staten Island cement company. Prosecutors did not object when D'Amico said Vollaro would suffer "economic harm" if he didn't pay up, rather than violence.
Despite great fanfare accompanying last February's indictment of 62 Gambinos, there was no new defection of a high-ranking turncoat, and Vollaro was unable to record conversations with D'Amico, Cefalu or reputed consigliere Joseph (JoJo) Corozzo, a government source acknowledged.
Corozzo is scheduled to plead guilty to a new complaint that drops a drug trafficking charge against him. "Plea [deals] are based on lack of evidence and quality of evidence," Macedonio said.
For aging mobsters like D'Amico, 71; Cefalu, 61, and Corozzo, 66, convictions after trial would have resulted in virtual life sentences. None of the 52 defendants cutting deals faces more than three years in prison.
Thanks to John Marzulli
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
"Little Nick" Corozzo Turns Himself into the NY FBI
On the run for nearly four months and featured on "America's Most Wanted," a reputed Mafia capo strolled up to the FBI's New York City office on Thursday and surrendered on charges he ordered a decades-old gangland hit that took an innocent bystander's life.
Nicholas "Little Nick" Corozzo _ according to authorities, a one-time crony of notorious mob boss John Gotti _ was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty to racketeering, extortion and murder charges _ part of a sprawling federal case against the once-mighty Gambino organized crime family.
So where had the balding 5-foot-5, 68-year-old fugitive been hiding out?
"I really don't know," defense attorney Diarmuid White told reporters outside court. Prosecutors claimed they didn't know either.
White said Corozzo contacted him two weeks ago about arranging a surrender _ around the time his case was featured on the popular television show. On Thursday morning, Corozzo donned a blue sweat suit-white sneaker ensemble, met the lawyer on a street corner in lower Manhattan and walked two blocks to the FBI office, where they were greeted outside by four agents.
"He knew what he was doing," White said.
Corozzo had fled his Long Island home in early February amid a massive pre-dawn roundup of 62 reputed mobsters named in an indictment unsealed in Brooklyn.
Authorities say Corozzo was a soldier in the Gambino family from the mid-1970s until 1992 when he was promoted to capo, or captain. They say he was part of a three-man committee of capos formed in 1994 to help John "Junior" Gotti run New York's Gambino family while his father was in prison, serving a life sentence for murder and racketeering; the elder Gotti died behind bars in 2002.
Corozzo, also known as "the Little Guy," was consider a candidate to take over the crime family, but racketeering convictions in the late 1990s in Florida and New York took him out of the running, prosecutors say.
The Gambinos have been crippled by a steady stream of government indictments and prosecutions since the 1990s. Authorities brought the new charges against Corozzo as part of a case aimed at delivering a knock-out blow, with charges accusing reputed mobsters with offenses stretching back three decades.
The indictment alleges Corozzo ordered the Jan. 26, 1996, the murder of a rival mobster, resulting in the death of the intended target and the bystander. So far, about 30 of his co-defendants have pleaded guilty.
Thanks to Tom Hays
Nicholas "Little Nick" Corozzo _ according to authorities, a one-time crony of notorious mob boss John Gotti _ was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty to racketeering, extortion and murder charges _ part of a sprawling federal case against the once-mighty Gambino organized crime family.So where had the balding 5-foot-5, 68-year-old fugitive been hiding out?
"I really don't know," defense attorney Diarmuid White told reporters outside court. Prosecutors claimed they didn't know either.
White said Corozzo contacted him two weeks ago about arranging a surrender _ around the time his case was featured on the popular television show. On Thursday morning, Corozzo donned a blue sweat suit-white sneaker ensemble, met the lawyer on a street corner in lower Manhattan and walked two blocks to the FBI office, where they were greeted outside by four agents.
"He knew what he was doing," White said.
Corozzo had fled his Long Island home in early February amid a massive pre-dawn roundup of 62 reputed mobsters named in an indictment unsealed in Brooklyn.
Authorities say Corozzo was a soldier in the Gambino family from the mid-1970s until 1992 when he was promoted to capo, or captain. They say he was part of a three-man committee of capos formed in 1994 to help John "Junior" Gotti run New York's Gambino family while his father was in prison, serving a life sentence for murder and racketeering; the elder Gotti died behind bars in 2002.
Corozzo, also known as "the Little Guy," was consider a candidate to take over the crime family, but racketeering convictions in the late 1990s in Florida and New York took him out of the running, prosecutors say.
The Gambinos have been crippled by a steady stream of government indictments and prosecutions since the 1990s. Authorities brought the new charges against Corozzo as part of a case aimed at delivering a knock-out blow, with charges accusing reputed mobsters with offenses stretching back three decades.
The indictment alleges Corozzo ordered the Jan. 26, 1996, the murder of a rival mobster, resulting in the death of the intended target and the bystander. So far, about 30 of his co-defendants have pleaded guilty.
Thanks to Tom Hays
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
SOPRANOS COSTUMES LEAD CHRISTIE’S POP CULTURE AUCTION
James Gandolfini’s Personal Collection Of Costumes Worn During Filming of The Sopranos Will Benefit Wounded Warrior Project
Christie’s Pop Culture auction on June 25 in New York will be highlighted by a collection of costumes from the critically acclaimed and Emmy-award-winning HBO drama series, The Sopranos. James Gandolfini will sell his personal costume wardrobe worn as the series star, Tony Soprano, to benefit Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Among the twenty-four lots of Tony Soprano costumes are complete costumes of suits with shoes, leisure shirts, bathrobes, track suits, and bloody costumes, with estimates starting at $500. The sale will also include a selection of men’s costumes from The Sopranos worn by various characters such as Junior Soprano, Paulie Walnuts, Christopher Moltisanti and A.J. Soprano.
“Wounded Warrior Project is thankful for James Gandolfini’s commitment to our organization,” stated Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director and Founder, John Melia. “His public support and generous donation gives a world-wide voice to the severely wounded men and women WWP assists. Our motto is ‘The Greatest Casualty is Being Forgotten’ and with Mr. Gandolfini’s support, we will ensure that doesn’t happen.”
Tony Soprano Wardrobe
Hailed by critics as a landmark series, The Sopranos riveted audiences for six seasons and drew an international base of dedicated fans. The cast’s wardrobe played a significant part in establishing the look and tone of the series, and no small detail was overlooked, down to the actors’ socks. The series costume designer, Juliet Polsca, earned two Emmy nominations and a Costume Designers Guild award.
Many of the lots are accompanied with the original production tags attached and all of the lots include a letter of authenticity by James Gandolfini. Highlights among the Tony Soprano wardrobe recall the character’s most recognizable styles, as demonstrated by the short sleeve button down blue shirt worn in the opening credits of every show (estimate: $2,000-3,000). A tan cotton bathrobe with lavender trim and an embroidered letter ‘S’ on the breast pocket, which was worn in the pilot episode when Tony is fetching the morning paper and feeding ducks in the pool (estimate: $1,000-1,500). A signature costume worn in numerous episodes throughout the entire series run is a striped short robe by Guy Laroche, a white tank top, light blue striped boxers, and a pair of leather Bostonian scuffs (estimate: $1,000-1,500).
A complete costume worn in the episode “Rat Pack” (season 5, episode 2) and displayed at an exhibition of “Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design” at The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, consists of a multicolored geometric Burma Bibas short sleeve shirt, a white athletic tank top, dark brown pleated Slates pants, Gold Toe Socks, and a pair of Allen Edmonds brown loafers (estimate: $800-1,200). A bloody costume worn in a pivotal scene during “Members Only” (season 6, episode 1), when Uncle Junior shoots Tony in a fit of dementia, comprises of a white Jockey tank top, a black and beige short sleeve polo shirt by George Foreman, and black pants by Zanella (estimate: $2,000-3,000).
Various Characters Wardrobe
Approximately 37 men’s costumes from other lead characters in The Sopranos are available from The Golden Closet. They include costumes worn by characters Junior Soprano, Paulie Walnuts, Christopher Moltisanti, A.J. Soprano, Bobby Balcala, Burt Gervasi, Johnny Sack and others. From the character Junior Soprano is a plaid cap by Bert Pulitzer (estimate: $300-500), and a black wool overcoat (estimate: $500-700). Several costumes worn by the character Paulie Walnuts are offered, including a navy double breasted two-piece suit by Marcello Toscani and white Jos A. Bank shirt, a short sleeve Tuscan knit shirt and tan Sansabelt pants, and two complete track suits (each estimate: $500-700).
Christie’s Pop Culture auction on June 25 in New York will be highlighted by a collection of costumes from the critically acclaimed and Emmy-award-winning HBO drama series, The Sopranos. James Gandolfini will sell his personal costume wardrobe worn as the series star, Tony Soprano, to benefit Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Among the twenty-four lots of Tony Soprano costumes are complete costumes of suits with shoes, leisure shirts, bathrobes, track suits, and bloody costumes, with estimates starting at $500. The sale will also include a selection of men’s costumes from The Sopranos worn by various characters such as Junior Soprano, Paulie Walnuts, Christopher Moltisanti and A.J. Soprano.“Wounded Warrior Project is thankful for James Gandolfini’s commitment to our organization,” stated Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director and Founder, John Melia. “His public support and generous donation gives a world-wide voice to the severely wounded men and women WWP assists. Our motto is ‘The Greatest Casualty is Being Forgotten’ and with Mr. Gandolfini’s support, we will ensure that doesn’t happen.”
Tony Soprano Wardrobe
Hailed by critics as a landmark series, The Sopranos riveted audiences for six seasons and drew an international base of dedicated fans. The cast’s wardrobe played a significant part in establishing the look and tone of the series, and no small detail was overlooked, down to the actors’ socks. The series costume designer, Juliet Polsca, earned two Emmy nominations and a Costume Designers Guild award.
Many of the lots are accompanied with the original production tags attached and all of the lots include a letter of authenticity by James Gandolfini. Highlights among the Tony Soprano wardrobe recall the character’s most recognizable styles, as demonstrated by the short sleeve button down blue shirt worn in the opening credits of every show (estimate: $2,000-3,000). A tan cotton bathrobe with lavender trim and an embroidered letter ‘S’ on the breast pocket, which was worn in the pilot episode when Tony is fetching the morning paper and feeding ducks in the pool (estimate: $1,000-1,500). A signature costume worn in numerous episodes throughout the entire series run is a striped short robe by Guy Laroche, a white tank top, light blue striped boxers, and a pair of leather Bostonian scuffs (estimate: $1,000-1,500).
A complete costume worn in the episode “Rat Pack” (season 5, episode 2) and displayed at an exhibition of “Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design” at The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, consists of a multicolored geometric Burma Bibas short sleeve shirt, a white athletic tank top, dark brown pleated Slates pants, Gold Toe Socks, and a pair of Allen Edmonds brown loafers (estimate: $800-1,200). A bloody costume worn in a pivotal scene during “Members Only” (season 6, episode 1), when Uncle Junior shoots Tony in a fit of dementia, comprises of a white Jockey tank top, a black and beige short sleeve polo shirt by George Foreman, and black pants by Zanella (estimate: $2,000-3,000).
Various Characters Wardrobe
Approximately 37 men’s costumes from other lead characters in The Sopranos are available from The Golden Closet. They include costumes worn by characters Junior Soprano, Paulie Walnuts, Christopher Moltisanti, A.J. Soprano, Bobby Balcala, Burt Gervasi, Johnny Sack and others. From the character Junior Soprano is a plaid cap by Bert Pulitzer (estimate: $300-500), and a black wool overcoat (estimate: $500-700). Several costumes worn by the character Paulie Walnuts are offered, including a navy double breasted two-piece suit by Marcello Toscani and white Jos A. Bank shirt, a short sleeve Tuscan knit shirt and tan Sansabelt pants, and two complete track suits (each estimate: $500-700).
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