Charges tossed in case with Mob links

A judge drops three extortion counts in the Tampa valet prosecution.

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 18, 2007

TAMPA - John E. Alite, the central figure in a federal case that tries to link a Tampa valet company to a New York-based crime family, will face fewer charges when he goes to trial in January.

U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew on Monday dismissed three extortion charges against Alite, 44, at the request of his attorney.

Howard Srebnick, Alite's Miami attorney, said in court documents that the Brazilian government agreed to extradite Alite to the United States to stand trial on only one count of conspiracy, not the three counts of extortion that he was charged with in an indictment.

Alite had lived in Brazil for nearly three years before FBI agents extradited him in December 2006, accusing him of controlling illegal businesses, illegal gambling, extortion, drug trafficking, money laundering, kidnapping and murder as a top lieutenant in New York's Gambino crime family.

Alite's alleged business partner, Ronald "Ronnie One Arm" Trucchio, and three co-defendants were found guilty of conspiracy and racketeering in Tampa federal court in November 2006.

Bucklew will meet with federal prosecutors and Alite's attorney Wednesday to receive an update on his case as they prepare for a Jan. 7 trial.

[Last modified September 18, 2007, 00:57:46]