Federico “Fritzy” Giovanelli a former captain in the Genovese crime family passed away in New York according to reports.
The 84-year-old mobster made his way through the ranks of the New York Mafia family aligning himself with Genovese family leaders including former boss Vincent Gigante. He was involved in plenty of typical mafia rackets over the years including loansharking, bookmaking, and illegal gambling but was most known for being charged with shooting death of an NYPD detective in 1986. Anthony Venditti and his partner were investigating Giovanelli and his organized crime activities when he was shot twice in the head outside of a diner in Queens. Giovanelli was able to avoid being convicted of the murder at two separate state trials.
“Federico Giovanneli”
He would eventually be convicted by a federal jury along with two other alleged Genovese family members in 1989 on racketeering charges that included the murder of Venditti. His conviction was later overturned by an appeals court and no one has ever been convicted in the detective’s murder. He would get caught up in some other Cosa Nostra linked legal issues over the next few years which put him behind bars for short periods of time. It is unclear as to what rank Giovanelli held at the time of his passing and exactly how active he was over the last few years due to his health. The Genovese family has long been and continues to be one of the strongest families in the NY Mafia both in size and influence.
Another old timer passes away! Seems like there have been quite of a few of the old guys dropping off over the last couple years. Was amazing that Fretzy was able to avoid getting convicted in that Venditti murder.