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Brooklyn Firefighter Accused Of Serving As Muscle For Mob Coke Ring
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 5, 2011
Modified Oct 5, 2011
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 5, 2011
Modified Oct 5, 2011
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A Brooklyn firefighter is facing 20 years in prison for allegedly serving as muscle for a mob coke ring. Anthony Cilento, of Ladder 166, claims he left the ring when he entered the Fire Department Academy in 2008. But prosecutors paint a different picture: "The defendant's relationship with the Bonanno family is corroborated by consensual recordings made...over a full year into his service to the New York City Fire Department," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Argerentieri.
Cilento, 27, has been charged with "a litany of crimes on behalf of the Bonanno family, including extortion, illegal gambling and violent assaults with a lead pipe and firearms." Between 2002 and 2009, he is accused of taking drug orders over the phone, storing drugs in his Brooklyn home, bagging coke for sale, meeting with suppliers and accompanying sellers on deliveries. There's a lot of money in that white powder!
Prosecutors add that Cilento was the "right-hand man" to soldier Anthony "Little Anthony" Seccafico, and once threatened a Bronx bar owner at gunpoint for failing to pay protection money. Earlier this year, retired 39-year-old NYPD officer John Avvento was accused of trading "cash, cocaine and Vicodin" for NYPD gear.
Tagged
brooklyn
cocaine
coke ring
drugs
fdny
firefighter
mob
muscle
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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