Restaurateur Gets Wrist Slap For Laundering Money
Earlier this year, Marco Polo, a Carroll Gardens Italian restaurant from “way back in the day” (how long has it been there?) opened a new take-out shop. But the big news there now has nothing to do with brick oven pizza or linguine. The owner, Joseph Chirico, reputed to be a soldier in the Gambino…
Earlier this year, Marco Polo, a Carroll Gardens Italian restaurant from “way back in the day” (how long has it been there?) opened a new take-out shop. But the big news there now has nothing to do with brick oven pizza or linguine. The owner, Joseph Chirico, reputed to be a soldier in the Gambino crime family, has been convicted of money laundering for the mob, but his sentence is surprisingly light: six month’s house arrest, with 10 hours a day allowed at his restaurant, writes the NY Daily News. The reason for the short, sweet sentence: friends in high places. The Beeps, current (Markowitz) and former (Golden) sent “glowing letters” of reference for Chirico. The judge said he was swayed by Chirico’s character. Maybe the linguine’s not bad, either.
Mob-tied Brooklyn Restaurateur Avoids Jail [NY Daily News]
Photo by indiamos.
Cobblehiller:
Well, I was just a kid then. But that’s what I heard even in the 1980s. Of course, we had a crackhouse down the street on Fifth Avenue, and no one had a car radio… It could very well be what I heard was very much relative.
Still though, I’m all about civilian block patrols – especially if they have automatic weapons.
What do you get when you cross Ouzo with an Uzi? Ouzis!
I recall a shooting outside Marco Polo a few years ago, was it Gotti’s driver?
Not really Poley, but that’s what everyone would like you to think. It’s a Carroll Gardens fairy tale/myth. It’s not like the mob was on “block patrol” with ouzi’s. Certain blocks and certain houses were safer than others. This isn’t some made for tv movie. It wasn’t the worst, but it certainly wasn’t ‘safe’ walking home. Although getting off the subway at Carroll Street was considered a little safer than Bergen Street, for sure. My parent’s house was burglarized a few times in the 70s. And we all had bike’s and skateboards and toys ripped off us right out on the street.
The Mob certainly protected and preserved Carroll Gardens. Once upon a time, you could walk those streets day or night without fear.
If the economy really crashes, that is the only hip neighborhood I would consider living in. I’d gladly pay the mob a few grand a year for peace. They certainly would be more effective than the NYPD.
The Mob built this borough and in a larger sense, built NYC. Mob is a relative and much bigger term. All municipal governments are corrupt and criminal somewhere down the line. Its the nature of government.
This story has had me cracking up all weekend. I don’t think writing a letter on the behalf of a mobster is turning blind eye, PS! It’s outright support!
Naughty naughty mobsters [finger wagging].
hmmm. death or the legal system? i’d probably take the second choice also.
The mob? In Carroll Gardens???
Well I never.
Whats even more SHOCKING ( nudge nudge wink wink ) is that Marty and other Brooklyn dignitaries would turn a blind eye.
Oh Marty, so transparent.