The Bonanno crime family trial has come to an end and the fate of the alleged mobsters is now in the hands of the jury.
The New York mafia crew was busted back in 2013 leading to an enterprise corruption case against Nicholas Santora, Anthony “Skinny” Santoro, Vito Badamo, and Ernest Aiello. According to court records, the enterprise corruption charge included illegal gambling, drug dealing, and loan sharking. The jury began deliberations last Wednesday and has yet to reach a verdict as they explore the different elements of the various charges.
“Left to Right: Vito Badamo, Ernest Aiello, Anthony Santoro, Nicky Santora“
According to reports the panel of jurors had multiple questions and asked to have the testimony of the prosecution’s key witness who was allegedly involved in a loansharking operation read back to them. They also asked to hear multiple calls recorded by law enforcement regarding union and insurance deals related to the loansharking element of the case. The video that allegedly shows an undercover officer involved in a money transfer was also reviewed. The panel was unable to reach an immediate verdict and further deliberations have now been adjourned until May 2.
According to prosecutors, the 73-year-old Santora was the alleged ringleader of the Cosa Nostra crew and holds the rank of captain in the Bonanno family once serving as the mafia families underboss. They claim he was personally in charge of the crews internet gambling and drug operations and the other three defendants were mob underlings.
This should be a very interesting outcome as the prosecutions case def isn’t an iron clad one and the evidence against Santora seems to be a tad on the shaky side.