New York Daily News

Bonanno big gets 14 years for extortion

- BY ESTHER SHITTU AND LARRY MCSHANE

A Brooklyn federal judge whacked an acting Bonanno family capo with a 14-year prison term Wednesday for running a $3 million loansharki­ng business.

Ronald Giallanzo remained composed and respectful as Chief U.S. District Judge Dora Irizarry imposed the lengthy term before the defendant’s weepy family. “I want to take this opportunit­y to apologize to those directly affected and indirectly affected,” said Giallanzo. “No excuse for my behavior — I can blame no one but myself for being here today.”

According to prosecutor­s, Giallanzo (inset) headed a Bonanno family crew operating between 1998 and 2017 in Howard Beach, Queens — even overseeing the operations while behind bars for nearly eight years. He returned to the illegal business once released from prison in 2013.

“If I would have just walked away, I would have been home with my family right now,” he said.

As part of his deal, the gangster known as Ronnie G and his wife Elizabeth Giallanzo, 48, agreed to sell their mobfinance­d $2.9 million mansion with its wine cellar, pool and personal gym.

The defendant also agreed to forfeit $1.25 million in illgotten gains as part of the deal, and to make $268,000 in restitutio­n to his victims.

According to authoritie­s, Giallanzo was a hands-on member of the extortion operation who even assaulted one late-paying client in May 2013 and then beat the man until he soiled his pants.

“Where’s the f---ing money?” screamed Giallanzo, who was just one month out of prison.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States