Judge shows pity to Colombo Associate

Judge shows pity to Colombo Associate

  November 25, 2009    Dapper_Don

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Even mobsters are feeling the squeeze in today's tough economy.
A bizarrely sympathetic judge took pity on a reputed Colombo family associate yesterday, saying he can keep his job at the trendy Lucali pizzeria in Carroll Gardens -- despite prosecutors' claims that it's a sham.
Dominick Dionisio, 39, who has a conviction for racketeering, works at the popular restaurant six days a week, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., yet makes just $300 to $400 per week. But that didn't raise any red flags for Brooklyn federal Judge Dora Irizarry.
"Realistically, it's quite problematic [even] for people who don't have the burden of a criminal conviction to find a job right now," Irizarry said, noting that Dionisio is using part of the money he earns to pay the feds restitution for his previous conviction.

GETTING HIS CUT: Mob-tied Dominick Dionisio (above) won his fight to work at Lucali pizza parlor in Brooklyn, which he allegedly treats as a social club.

"People . . . have lost jobs and can't find a job," the judge said.
Assistant US Attorney Nicole Argentieri had argued that Dionisio just hangs out at Lucali -- using the restaurant as a social club -- and doesn't do any real work. Federal agents even watched the reputed gangster come and go from the pizzeria, which has often been written up in the New York media, in different cars. The prosecutor said the job thwarts the purpose of Dionisio's house arrest, which allows him to leave for work. A probation official also said the atmosphere at the brick-oven eatery is too loose and many of Dionisio's co-workers are paid in cash, while he receives personal checks for his pay from owner Mark Iacono.
Iacono insisted the job is legit and said Dionisio is "learning the business."
"The parole officer has been here and checked everything out. This is just [prosecutors] trying to discredit Dominick," he said.
Dionisio is awaiting trial for racketeering, including charges that he and another mobster shot at two rivals in broad daylight during the Colombo mob wars in the 1990s. One rival and an innocent bystander were injured.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/aww_poor_mafia_KAElhlGNtCM8VfTcXFzu5K#ixzz0Xv06dtRC