Nicholas Santora a reputed captain for former underboss in the Bonanno crime family had his bid for home confinement due to medical reasons denied according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
The aging mobster is on trial along with fellow mobsters Vito Badamo, Anthony Santoro, and Ernest Aiello all busted back in 2013. The New York mafia crew led by Santora is facing charges of enterprise corruption, including illegal gambling, drug dealing, and loansharking. Santora’s lawyer requested bail and home confinement because of the now 73-year-old wiseguys poor health which the family claims is deteriorating.
“Nicholas Santora”
The alleged NY mafia capo has been in prison for approximately three years but has recently been relocated to Bellevue Hospital. According to court records, multiple medical experts testified as to the defendant’s condition, including a documented history of falls including recent events. But an expert for the prosecution who examined the aging Bonanno family mobster testified that he was aware, alert, and even engaging, showing no signs of concussion due to the falls. He recommended Santora stay housed at Bellevue Hospital as he showed no signs of psychiatric impairment or any other brain-related impairments.
But the defense has claimed that the New York mob captain suffers from an array of medical problems including blurred vision and dizziness which has led to multiple falls including a couple recently. A family doctor who submitted an earlier report claimed in his opinion Santora may have suffered a traumatic brain injury from these falls with each one worsening his condition. According to the report the falls continued to happen at the hospital and at one point Santora was found face down on the floor. But the judge didn’t bite on the defense’s claims and has ordered the mob captain to remain at the hospital as the mafia trail continues.
