Defendants Responsible for Three Murders, including the Murder of the New York Post Delivery Superintendent

Following eight weeks of trial, a federal jury in Brooklyn today returned a verdict convicting Bonanno organized crime family soldiers BALDASSARE AMATO and STEPHEN LOCURTO, and Bonanno associate ANTHONY BASILE, of racketeering conspiracy, including three murders and other charges. When sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis on October 27, 2006, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

“Since March 2004, more than 70 Bonanno organized crime family members and associates have been prosecuted in this district, including Bonanno family boss Joseph Massino,” stated United States Attorney Roslynn R. Mauskopf. “Each of Massino’s successors, Anthony ‘Tony Green’ Urso, who led the crime family from January 2003 to January 2004, and Vincent ‘Vinny Georgeous’ Basciano, who assumed control thereafter, have also both been convicted. The message could not be clearer – if you are an organized crime associate, a soldier, a captain, or the boss, we will relentlessly investigate and prosecute you.”

AMATO, a made member of the Bonanno organized crime family since the 1970s, was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, which included as predicate acts: (1) murdering and conspiring to murder Sebastiano “Sammy” DiFalco, a Queens restaurant owner; (2) murdering and conspiring to murder Robert Perrino, the Superintendent of Deliveries for the New York Post; and (3) operating illegal gambling operations, including illegal joker-poker type machines and a seasonal baccarat tournament.

The jury convicted LOCURTO of racketeering conspiracy, which included as predicate acts: (1) murdering and conspiring to murder Joseph Platia; (2) conspiring to distribute marijuana; and (3) conspiring to distribute ecstasy. Platia was killed because it was believed he knew the identity of some of the Bonanno members and associates who were responsible for the murder and dismemberment of his friend, Bonanno associate Robert Capasio. LOCURTO, while a Bonanno associate, previously was prosecuted for, and acquitted of, the Platia murder in a New York State court in 1987.

The jury convicted BASILE of racketeering conspiracy, which included as predicate acts: (1) murdering and conspiring to murder Robert Perrino; (2) conspiring to distribute marijuana; and (3) conspiring to commit loansharking. At the time of his murder, Perrino and others at the Post were under investigation by the New York State Police for circulation fraud and other crimes relating to the Bonanno crime family. Perrino was murdered because it was believed he would cooperate with law enforcement.

Ms. Mauskopf praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led the investigation, and thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration and New York City Police Department for their cooperation and assistance.

The government’s case was tried by Assistant United States Attorneys John Buretta, Jeffrey A. Goldberg and Andrea Goldbarg.

The Defendants:

BALDASSARE AMATO
DOB: 12/9/51

STEPHEN LOCURTO
DOB: 1/24/61

ANTHONY BASILE
DOB: 4/2/70

---