STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A reputed Staten Island mobster claims the feds planted a “spy” to extract defense secrets and strategy for an upcoming Bonanno mob trial.
John (Porky) Zancocchio, 61, an alleged consigliere in the Bonanno crime family, said the government’s new cooperating witness is a long-time client of an attorney who currently represents one of the other alleged Bonanno defendants, according to Manhattan federal court filings.
The unidentified witness and his longtime lawyer, Vincent Martinelli -- who represents Albert “Al Muscles” Armetta --discussed the strategy and strength of the case, as well as confidential information about co-defendants and other cooperators, said the filing.
The mob rat then shared that material with prosecutors, said the court letter. Martinelli represented the turncoat when he pleaded guilty to organized crime charges back in 2008.
“In other words, the government input a ‘spy in the camp’ of the defense and, thereby, violated their Sixth Amendment right to counsel as well as other constitutional rights designed to ensure that they receive a fair trial,” said Zancocchio’s lawyer, John Meringolo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Swergold refers to the motion as “frivolous” and “filled with factual misstatements.”
The prosecutor said the allegations that his office tried to infiltrate the defendant’s camp “could not be further from the truth."
The is the borough wiseguy’s second attempt at getting the racketeering case dismissed. Last week, Zancocchio alleged the feds provided testimony "cheat sheet’' to a mob snitch from Tottenville for next month’s trial. The defense claims Swergold handed over pertinent wiretap calls and texts to Staten Island reputed mobster Peter (Pug) Lovaglio, the government’s other cooperating witness.
Zancocchio is one of several alleged Bonanno members, including Joseph (Joe C) Cammarano Jr., charged with racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit extortion, authorities said.
Last year, a federal judge released Zancocchio from the Metropolitan Correctional Center and placed him on home detention to seek medical attention. He had been out on bail, but his bond was revoked when he was caught breaking bread at borough eateries.