A Bonanno capo in charge of the crime family’s New Jersey faction was slapped with 18 months behind bars and a $50,000 fine for extortion.
Joseph (Sammy) Sammartino, 56, also sat on the family’s ruling panel and told a member of his crew to “do whatever you gotta do” to collect monthly payments from a deadbeat, court papers say.
Sammartino, who is built like a football linebacker, sought mercy because he was treated for throat cancer seven years ago, but Assistant Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Gina Parlovecchio objected.
“His medical condition hasn’t stopped him from engaging in illegal activities,” she said.
The FBI found $10,000 in cash in his bedroom when he was arrested last year.
Defense lawyer Michael Rosen argued the defendant never threatened the victims himself, but Judge Nicholas Garaufis said it didn’t matter as long as his underlings were kicking up the cash to Sammartino.