Bradford Wedra was busted months ago along with over 40 alleged members and associates of the mafia in what the feds claim was an East Coast La Cosa Nostra Enterprise.
Members from four of the five New York mafia families which included the Genovese, Bonanno, Gambino, and Lucchese families and the Philadelphia mafia were rounded up in the nationwide bust. The 61-year-old Wedra an alleged mobster in the Genovese crime family was charged with racketeering conspiracy but pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. While he has been out on bail he has failed six drug tests according to prosecutors who were seeking to have his bail revoked according to a NY Post report.
“Bradford Wedra”
Prosecutors argued that the failed drug tests were a clear violation of his bail terms and asked the judge to revoke his bail and send him to prison. Abigail Kurland the Assistant US District Attorney said: “To say he got off on the wrong foot is an understatement, and it is clear that he isn’t taking this process seriously from the beginning.” But Wedra’s lawyer Michael Sporn argued his client suffers from underlying limitations including some developmental disorders and learning deficits which caused him to flout conditions of his release. Sporn talking to Manhattan federal court Judge Richard Sullivan added: “So I am not suggesting that, therefore, he should get a pass — not at all — but I am suggesting is that this may have something to do with what’s behind it, and maybe we can give him a little wider berth than the court might otherwise give him.”
Former Genovese family boss Vincent Gigante used a “crazy act” to avoid prosecutors successfully for years and for some reason it seems to still work as the judge accepted Sporn’s explanation and gave Wedra another chance. Judge Sullivan said “I can’t believe I’m having this hearing. I can’t believe I’m having to talk to an adult like a child, I’m going to give Mr. Wedra a second chance. Mr. Wedra, don’t make me regret this and recognize that it’s better to be out than in.” The Cosa Nostra mobster was ordered to attend a drug-treatment program while he remains out on bail. Although his drug use may start to worry some member of his old mafia crew led by capo Pasquale Parrello as he is believed to have inside knowledge about a lot of mob crimes including an alleged murder conspiracy.
Parrello along with fellow Genovese capo Eugene O’Nofrio and Philly mafia boss Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino were leaders of this East Coast LCN Enterprise according to the feds. Wedra previously spent 25 years in prison for a 1980’s murder but when asked about his current charges he said “They say they got 800 hours of tapes on me. I don’t think I talked that much in my whole life.”
