Reputed Capo in Bonanno crime family names social club after Staten Island youth league
Say it ain't so, Bo!
A reputed capo in the Bonanno crime family is using the name of a Staten Island little league for his social club where he allegedly supervises illegal gambling, a prosecutor said Thursday.
Anthony Sclafani, 63, who is charged with racketeering and extortion, played a bad hand in Brooklyn Federal Court where he was trying to convince a judge to let him out on bail.
Sclafani's claim that he's in poor health opened the door to Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Argentieri arguing that the wiseguy was out playing cards well past 4 a.m. on Oct. 7 when FBI agents came to arrest him.
His gambling spot is a house on Victory Blvd. that doubles as a social club.
A sign posted outside identifies it as home of the "Staten Island Padres Youth Organization."
"They pretend it's a softball league, but it actually is a gambling location," Argentieri said.
Federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis appeared puzzled.
"Is there really a league with uniforms. ... Do they go out for pizza after games?" he asked.
Argentieri said there was no baseball or softball at the site.
There is a legit Staten Island Padres Athletic Association on Getz Ave. which doesn't appear to be connected to the illicit operation.
Defense lawyer Michael Washor insisted Sclafani was out late because he sleeps all day due to the medication for a painful back condition.
Garaufis ordered the reputed capo held without bail.
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