Stefano Sollecito was arrested back in November along with Leonardo Rizzuto as part of a massive drug trafficking case targeting organized crime.
Authorities alleged that Stefano and Leonardo were the new bosses of the Rizzuto crime family and sat at the head of a newly formed Montreal mafia leadership table. Both alleged mobsters were denied bail back in March but the 48-year-old Sollecito has now been granted bail due to his battle with cancer. The higher court judge said new information presented helped determine that the defendant’s cancer could not adequately be treated inside the detention center where he was held.
“Stefano Sollecito“
As part of the same hearing bail was again denied for Leonardo Rizzuto the son of former Montreal mafia godfather Vito Rizzuto. The judge acknowledged the excellent presentation put forth by Rizzuto’s defense attorney but said there was no real evidence that would merit a change in the previous ruling so he would remain behind bars until trial. The case will return to court in October for a preliminary inquiry according to the report. Unable to attend the hearing Sollecito appeared via a video linkup from the location he was being held.
“Leonardo Rizzuto“
Sollecito has agreed to follow strict conditions while out on bail which include him being required to be home 24 hours a day only leaving for medical reasons. This may prove to be the safest thing for Stefano after the assassination of his father and fellow high ranking Rizzuto family member Rocco Sollecito. The elder Sollecito was gunned down in broad daylight in Laval. The Montreal mob continues to be in the midst of an internal war for control of the Montreal underworld and there are definite concerns as to if Stefano himself may be a target. It’s still unclear as to who is behind the attacks which have successfully taken out multiple members of the former Rizzuto family hierarchy.
