Pasquale (Patsy) Parrello an alleged captain in the Genovese crime family was charged last year in the massive racketeering conspiracy tied to what the feds have called the East Coast LCN Enterprise.
According to the feds, Parrello was a leader in the mafia enterprise that included members and associates from four of the five families of the New York mafia and the Philadelphia mafia. After his arrest back in August, his lawyers fought to have him released from prison on a $2 million dollar bond. According to this new NY Daily News report, the mobster had supporters come to his aid offering to guarantee the bond including an ex-judge.
The 72-year-old reputed wiseguy is also a restaurateur and owns a well-known Bronx eatery named Pasquale’s Rigoletto. Why would a former judge step out to aid an alleged mobster to get back on the streets well according to retired judge Anthony Fiorella it was because he likes the food at the restaurant. According to Fiorella he along with his brother-n-law and sister are regulars at Parrello’s place. While dining there several months ago someone asked if he would be willing to help Parrello with his case said Fiorella. He told the NYDailyNews “I agreed to try to help him out in some way if he needed help,” Fiorella explained, adding, “The only thing I can say is we’ve been going there for several years and how it happened, I can’t recall.”
According to the former judge he couldn’t recall any specifics about the request for help and there had been no bail discussion while he was at the restaurant. He said his relationship with Parrello was nothing more than brief “Hello, how are you?” interactions during his visits to the restaurant. He also denied having any knowledge of the charges against the alleged Cosa Nostra mobster or the status of the case. When asked if the quality of the food at Pasquale’s Rigoletto played a role in his agreeing to help Fiorella enthusiastically said sure. He said “The food has always been good. The restaurant is very nice, the people are all great. The employees they have a good attitude and they are very helpful.”
Manhattan Federal Judge Richard Sullivan who denied the bail petition originally agreed to keep the names of the supporters private. But he recently changed his mind and unsealed the court documents naming the supporters for which Fiorella was among. Fiorella who worked in both the Brooklyn Housing Court and the Bronx Housing court said he didn’t think there was anything wrong with offering his support since he is now retired from the bench. Parrello is awaiting trial along with other alleged leaders of the East Coast LCN Enterprise that include reputed Genovese family capo Eugene “Rooster” O’Nofrio and Philly mafia boss Joseph (Skinny Joey) Merlino.
