Nicholas “Nicky Mouth” Santora reputed captain in the Bonanno crime family rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors. If he agreed to plead guilty to one count of enterprise corruption prosecutors he would of been looking at sentencing guidelines of 7-21 years. The deal could of shaved approx a year of the minimal sentence he is going to face if he goes to trial and is found guilty. Defense lawyer Michael Alber said his client did not like the deal being offered and that prosecutors were attempting to link people who don’t even recognize each other except for their time in court.
“From left: Vito Badamo, Ernest Aiello, Anthony Santoro and Nicholas Santora in court.”
Nicky Mouth Santora now 71 inspired the character played by Bruno Kirby in the 1997 mafia movie “Donnis Brasco”. He along with eight other mob associates were busted on multiple charges of typical mafia related rackets including loan sharking and drug dealing. Each of the defendants is facing a possible sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
Anthony “Skinny” Santoro was also offered a plea deal of 9-18 years in prison if he plead guilty but like his fellow mobster rejected it. It would of been the second longest term behind that offered to Nicky Mouth. Tim Parlatore the defense attorney for Santoro called the offer ridiculous for a non-violent gambling offense. Santora remains behind bars but bond was set at $1 Million dollars.
I wonder if Parlatore reads Santora’s prison correspondence. If he did, perhaps he’d persuade his client to make a decision. Nicky’s facing a lot of time on small charges because the prosecutors found out that, although he isn’t responsible for the murders, he has first-hand knowledge of 2 Genovese murders and an Official’s involvement with the Bonanno family in some sort of scheme. From the sound of his deal, it doesn’t look like he’s talked – yet. He just needs a little more time to think about spending the rest of his life in a cell, while the people he’s protecting live their happy lives on the outside with no regard to him whatsoever. His former Boss, Vincent Basciano stood by that same “oathe” and will live out his days in an AdMax cell. A lot of good it did him. Only time will tell.