Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Williamsburg Butcher Guilty Of Extortion, Mob Ties
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Oct 26, 2011
Modified Oct 26, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Oct 26, 2011
Modified Oct 26, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Michael "Mike the Butcher" Virtuoso, who owns old-school Williamsburg butcher shop Graham Ave Meats & Deli, has unexpectedly pleaded guilty to extortion charges thanks to his side business as a loanshark for the Bonanno mafia.
"Although I did not threaten him, it was understood that harm would be used if he did not pay," said Virtuoso in court yesterday. He plead guilty to a single extortion conspiracy count, following the FBI's discovery of a "Mafia scrapbook" he kept in the store.
Virtuoso now faces 33 months in prison and $1000 in restitution to an unnamed victim, and under the plea agreement his defense attorney is working out, he will also have to forfeit the $24,000 in cash the feds found in the shop. We called the shop for comment and were met with a solid "we're not interested in talking," even after we professed our undying devotion to the Godfather sandwich (seriously: it's AMAZING). Cold-cut lovers, at the very least, we can tell you to breathe easy: day-to-day business is carrying on as usual.
Tagged
butcher
extortion
graham ave meats and deli
mafia
mob
sandwich
williamsburg
Jamie Feldmar
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Can opening a restaurant in a New York museum turn the food into a work of art?
These city institutions — including museums, galleries, and auction houses — are hoping customers will find a luxurious meal to be as appealing as the priceless works on the walls.
By
Joshua David Stein
Published Nov 4, 2026
Why NYC restaurants are playing coy about sustainability
Though it has multiple benefits, the practice remains popular for one basic reason: it saves money.
By
Samantha Dady
Food
Why NYC restaurants are playing coy about sustainability
Though it has multiple benefits, the practice remains popular for one basic reason: it saves money.
By
Samantha Dady
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
By
Hannah Frishberg
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .