The NYPD and the feds are investigating whether the owner of a Brooklyn bar was shot in retaliation for providing detectives with a surveillance video implicating a Gambino mobster in a stabbing, the Daily News has learned.
Reputed mob associate Battista (Benny) Geritano has been indicted on state assault charges in the knife attack, which took place inside Nouveau Brooklyn, a restaurant and bar in Bay Ridge, on Dec. 23.
“Within a week of the bar owner giving that video to the police, he was shot himself, and we’re investigating what if any role Mr. Geritano may have had in that shooting as retaliation for turning over the video,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Dennehy.
The bar owner was shot in the leg on Staten Island by an unidentified gunman after Geritano’s arrest.
Geritano was busted two years ago for stabbing famed Brooklyn pizzamaker Mark Iacono, owner of Lucali’s in Carroll Gardens, in a bloody and very public knife fight that stemmed from a dispute over a woman. Iacono later declined to press charges against Geritano.
Judge Sterling Johnson adjourned the hearing because Geritano’s lawyer was not present, but that didn’t stop the violent gangster from mouthing off.
“I want you to know the truth,” Geritano told the judge. “There was an incident in there with 20 people fighting. I have statements from people that I didn’t do anything!”
By John Marzulli / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
No comments:
Post a Comment