Sebastian Saracino, Who Testified Against Own Brother, Sentenced to Time Served
Former Colombo soldier Sebastian Saracino, who testified against his own brother, Dino (Little Dino) Saracino, and Colombo boss Thomas (Tommy Shots) Gioeli, was sentenced to time served on Monday, February 26.
That's according to a New York Daily New Exclusive report by Andrew Keshner.
Little Dino and Gioeli were acquitted of every murder they were charged with, despite testimony from four turncoats, including Sebastian, Dino (Big Dino) Calabro, who admitted his role in eight gangland hits and was sentenced last November to roughly two more years in prison, and Thomas McLaughlin, who was involved in three gangland hits and in March 2016 also was sentenced essentially to time served.
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That's according to a New York Daily New Exclusive report by Andrew Keshner.
Little Dino and Gioeli were acquitted of every murder they were charged with, despite testimony from four turncoats, including Sebastian, Dino (Big Dino) Calabro, who admitted his role in eight gangland hits and was sentenced last November to roughly two more years in prison, and Thomas McLaughlin, who was involved in three gangland hits and in March 2016 also was sentenced essentially to time served.
The split verdict in the Gioeli-Saracino trial stunned courtroom observers and is why Little Dino was hit with decades more prison time than Gioeli.
The charges included the murders of off-duty NYPD officer Ralph Dols, Colombo underboss William “Wild Bill” Cutolo, and Colombo associate Richard Greaves. Other murders in the case included Frank (Chestnut) Marasa and John Minerva.
The Feds long suspected Dols was slain for marrying former Colombo acting boss Joel (Joe Waverly) Cacace's ex-wife. And while they won convictions against many high-ranking Colombo mobsters in recent years, many, including Cacacre and Gioeli, beat the murder charges, including Dols.
Sebastian Saracino’s testimony included details about his brother's role as gunman in the shooting of Greaves in back of his head. The hit happened n the basement of a Brooklyn home owned by the Saracino brothers’ parents.
Sebastian could have been sent away for 70 years. His brother, Little Dino, was sent away for 50 years.
“I never wanted this life,” Saracino told Brooklyn Federal Judge Brian Cogan.
“Somehow, it seems like this life found me.” He'd have been fine being "a nobody."
The Feds busted the Sicilian-born Saracino for lying in his immigration documents, the News reported. He was detained, and about two months later, Saracino started talking about certain events, which helped spark cases against Gioeli and others.
At the 2012 trial, Sebastian testified while his family looked on from the courtroom.
"Don’t call me your brother no more!" Little Dino, reputed Colombo soldier, shouted during proceedings.
One of the crimes Sebastian Saracino admitted to was disposing a bag that contained the clothing of one of Dols’ assassins.
While mob turncoats can ask for waivers barring testimony against blood-relations, Saracino didn’t even ask for one, the News noted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Gatta said Saracino “turned his back on the mob. But he also turned his back on his family, and they turned their back really on him.” He noted that Saracino, who was not known to have been a shooter, faced deportation.
Tommy Shots |
Alphonse Persico, John “Jackie” DeRoss, Cacace and Andrew Russo, 70, a Persico cousin, all filled in as acting bosses. Each was convicted and jailed, as Gioeli rose through the ranks.
Sebastian Saracino's information helped get his brother's former attorney, Joseph Corozzo, Jr., son of reputed Gambino consigliere Joseph (JoJo) Corozzo, investigated for his role in setting up a meeting.
Federal Judge Brian Cogan ruled that allegations against Corozzo Jr. made it impossible for him to continue representing Little Dino.
Saracino told the Feds that in the summer of 2009, Corozzo Jr. set up a meeting for him with Theodore (Teddy) Persico to discuss Dino's loansharking business at Corozzo's home, according to court papers.
"Mr. Corozzo waited until both men were present and then excused himself."
Prosecutors had previously alleged that Corozzo Jr. was the Gambino crime family's "house counsel."
Federal Judge Brian Cogan ruled that allegations against Corozzo Jr. made it impossible for him to continue representing Little Dino.
Joe Waverly was once shot multiple times in the chest. |
"Mr. Corozzo waited until both men were present and then excused himself."
Prosecutors had previously alleged that Corozzo Jr. was the Gambino crime family's "house counsel."
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