Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Lucali Owner Also Charged With Assault In Stabbing
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Apr 16, 2011
Modified Apr 16, 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
Jaya Saxena
Published Apr 16, 2011
Modified Apr 16, 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
Ex-con Benny Geritano has been charged with first-degree assault after violently stabbing Lucali's pizza owner Mark Iacono in broad daylight. But according to him, Iacono attacked him with a knife first. "I didn’t do anything, I’m the victim here," he told police. "He attacked me. You see my hands, you see my neck, you see my back." So now, Iacono has been charged with felony assault.
Police say that though Geritano reportedly attacked first, Iacono was carrying his own blade and stabbed back. A police report says Iacono "did stab (Geritano) with intent to cause physical injury." One source said, "Geritano's weapon has been described as a small knife, and Iacono's weapon as a big knife. "No one is giving up a reason. These are a couple of hard guys, neighborhood guys."
Police believe Geritano is connected to the Genovese crime family (his uncle was allegedly an associate, and the book "Surviving the Mob" says Geritano was a Gambino associate), and was attempting to shake down the popular pizza restaurant. Friend Fareed Assad was shocked, saying the two men knew each other from when they were kids. “I mean I know his family, but I’m surprised that he would probably do this also because you would think…I don’t know. I really don’t know what to say." Another neighbor said of Iacono, “We see him out front of the store sweeping up. He’s very friendly, good guy. I think it’s a real blow to the community. It’s a great restaurant, but a real shame what happened."
Tagged
arrest
benny geritano
brooklyn
lucali's pizza
mark iacono
stabbing
victim
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
Mayor Mamdani has expanded enforcement on towing scams, but the unlicensed towing industry remains largely unregulated.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 2, 2026 at 4:47 p.m. ET
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Commissioner Jessica Tisch visited the officer in the hospital.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Commissioner Jessica Tisch visited the officer in the hospital.
By
Ryan Kost
DOC negligence factored in death at Rikers' Bellevue hospital outpost, jail officials say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Conductor on NYC subway that dragged man to death may have skipped safety check, source says
By
Stephen Nessen
NYPD still searching for man who threw burning substance on victim in East Harlem
By
Ryan Kost
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 .