Advertisement

Mob boss to testify for the government

NEW YORK, April 12 (UPI) -- The reputed head of one of New York City's five mob families was expected to make history Tuesday by testifying for the government, observers said.

Joseph C. Massino, nicknamed "the last don" by tabloid newspapers, was set to become the first official New York organized crime boss to break ranks and cooperate with prosecutors, the New York Times reported.

Advertisement

The 68-year-old Massino was expected take the witness stand at the federal murder and racketeering trial of Vincent Basciano.

Basciano could face the death penalty if convicted of killing Bonnano family associate Randolph Pizzolo.

Massino's cooperation, disclosed in January 2005, came after his own conviction on murder and racketeering charges.

At the time, he faced life in prison on those charges and prosecutors threatened to seek the death penalty in another case against him.

His decision to turn state's evidence was all the more shocking because of his reputation as an Old World stalwart, a crime boss who seemed to cling to the Mafia's code of silence.

Latest Headlines