Francesco Fiordino a former Bonanno crime family mobster turned rat has admitted to being involved in illegal gambling and debt collections for people he owed money while testifying for prosecutors in murder trial of Gambino crime family capo Bartolomeo “Bobby” Vernace. Prosecutors now fear that these illegal activities could very well put their conviction of Vernace in jeopardy. Fiordino decided to cut a deal with the government after being convicted of murder back in 2008 and was considered by the feds to be a seasoned rat by time he testified against Vernace in 2013. The former mobster was scared he may be whacked for money he owed and admitted his crimes to his handlers in the Brooklyn U.S. attorney’s and U.S. Marshalls offices.
“Bartolomeo Vernace (center)”
Bartolomeo Vernace was convicted of a pair of murders back in 1981 which was allegedly sparked by a spilled drink. He had already beaten the case at a state trial so it was considered a big win for the feds getting him convicted in federal court. Fiordino helped the feds prove that the murders back in 1981 helped to enhance Bartolomelo’s standing inside of the Gambino family. By 2013 he had allegedly become a very high ranking member of the New York mafia family once serving on a ruling panel for the Gambino’s.
Charles Carnesi and Joseph DiBenedetto defense lawyers for Bartolomelo have already filed court documents requesting a new trial or at least an evidentiary hearing. Seems that the mob turncoat who was rewarded for his cooperation and claimed to be totally at peace with his decision to turn rat because he no longer had to lie and pretend anymore wasn’t telling the whole story.
