Mobster's Unusual Threats Lead to Conviction

John Ragano, a member of the Bonanno crime family, was found guilty of extortion. This 62-year-old, nicknamed "The Maniac," was recorded threatening Vincent Martino, a former mob associate who owed him $150,000. In the recording, Ragano demanded Martino strip naked to check for a wire before threatening him further. This incident happened just days before Ragano was sentenced to prison for a separate racketeering case.

Martino testified that Ragano's threats and actions were intense, saying he was searched for a hidden microphone while partially clothed. The search was futile as the wire was cleverly attached to Martino's clothes. Martino, already in debt to the mob, cooperated with the feds to escape his financial hole, eventually leading to the trial. The jury convicted Ragano, seeing it as a blatant disregard for the law. Ragano faces up to 20 years in prison for his actions.

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