Video by reputed mobster Frank DiMattina can be shown at his trial
Reputed Genovese mob associate Frank DiMattina, (center) leaves Brooklyn Federal Couirt where he is on trial for extortion.
A Brooklyn jury can view a video of a reputed Genovese crime associate bragging he’s a better cook than the catering-hall owner he’s charged with extorting, a judge ruled Tuesday.
But Federal Judge Jack Weinstein barred prosecutors from showing Frank DiMattina acting like a “tough guy” gangster in another video he made in a bid for a cable TV reality show.
DiMattina went on trial Tuesday for threatening and shaking down Walter Bowers, who had purchased Ariana’s Catering Hall in Staten Island from the defendant in 2010.
In a promotional video, DiMattina complains that he made a mistake selling the business to Bowers, whom he disparaged as a lousy cook.
DiMattina opened another Ariana’s in New Jersey, but prosecutors say he went ballistic after Bowers made a competing bid to cater lunches at a Catholic high school in Staten Island.
He allegedly threatened Bowers with a gun and was behind a series of vandalism incidents at the catering hall, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Dennehy.
DiMattina wore a preppy V-neck sweater and designer glasses in the courtroom, but he showed his tough-guy side outside when he shoved newspaper photographers.
Defense lawyer John Meringolo told the jury the dispute is merely a civil argument over a contract and denied there were any threats.
But Federal Judge Jack Weinstein barred prosecutors from showing Frank DiMattina acting like a “tough guy” gangster in another video he made in a bid for a cable TV reality show.
DiMattina went on trial Tuesday for threatening and shaking down Walter Bowers, who had purchased Ariana’s Catering Hall in Staten Island from the defendant in 2010.
In a promotional video, DiMattina complains that he made a mistake selling the business to Bowers, whom he disparaged as a lousy cook.
DiMattina opened another Ariana’s in New Jersey, but prosecutors say he went ballistic after Bowers made a competing bid to cater lunches at a Catholic high school in Staten Island.
He allegedly threatened Bowers with a gun and was behind a series of vandalism incidents at the catering hall, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Dennehy.
DiMattina wore a preppy V-neck sweater and designer glasses in the courtroom, but he showed his tough-guy side outside when he shoved newspaper photographers.
Defense lawyer John Meringolo told the jury the dispute is merely a civil argument over a contract and denied there were any threats.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/video-reputed-mobster-frank-dimattina-shown-trial-article-1.1000553#ixzz1iTGAwvn5
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