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Racketeering, extortion trial nears jury phase

Defense attorneys argue that their clients weren't sent to Tampa by the Gambino crime family.

By CARRIE WEIMAR
Published November 21, 2006

TAMPA - Four defendants, one common theme: They didn't introduce the Mafia to the valet parking business in Tampa.

In closing arguments Monday, attorneys for the four men on trial on racketeering and extortion charges in U.S. District Court told jurors the government was overreaching when it claimed they were members of a crew sent to Tampa by the Gambino crime family.

Joseph Corozzo Jr., attorney for Ronald "Ronnie One Arm" Trucchio, didn't deny his client had ties to organized crime. But he was never a member of the crew that infiltrated Tampa, Corozzo said.

"He's not an innocent person," Corozzo said. "But he is absolutely not guilty of these crimes."

Trucchio is accused of being the captain, or "capo," of the crew. But Corozzo said the real target of the government's investigation was John Alite, who was charged in the indictment but is in a Brazilian prison fighting extradition.

Corozzo said Alite reported directly to John Gotti Jr., son of the famed mob boss. When Alite had a falling-out with Gotti over money in the early 1990s, he created his own crew and branched out to Tampa, Corozzo said.

Alite has denied any criminal wrongdoing and said he has been targeted by the government in an attempt to get information about Gotti Jr.

Corozzo said prosecutors charged Trucchio in an attempt to draw a link between Tampa and mob activity in New York, Corozzo said. There was no affiliation between him and the other defendants.

"The government wants to give you mob stories," Corozzo said. "And by having Mr. Trucchio here, you can have many, many stories."

Several of the lawyers questioned the credibility of the prosecution's witnesses, many of whom are convicted criminals hoping to reduce their sentences by cooperating with the government. Others are admitted drug users.

Pat Doherty, Terry Scaglione's attorney, said he was especially offended by the testimony of Louis "Duke" Mendel, who was Alite's former partner in the valet business.

During his testimony, Mendel accused Scaglione of threatening him with violence when he started his own parking business. Mendel also admitted to stealing, acting as a pimp and committing perjury multiple times.

"This guy is a serial liar," Doherty said.

Doherty also told jurors his client sued Mendel in civil court for stealing from Prestige Valet, the parking company he owned with Alite. He cited the suit as proof of his client's innocence.

"There's no suing in the mob, are you kidding me?" Doherty asked. "You go to court because you're a regular businessperson."

After more than a month of testimony, jurors are expected to begin their deliberations today in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew.

Carrie Weimar can be reached at 813 226-3416 or cweimar@sptimes.com

[Last modified November 21, 2006, 05:54:17]