federal magistrate-judge in Brooklyn has given prosecutors until today to turn over tape transcripts or summaries of supposed threats to a reputed Gambino crime family member who is trying to get bail.
Yesterday, Magistrate-Judge Joan Azrack abruptly cut short a bail hearing for Vincent Dragonetti, 43, of Bellmore, son-in-law of fugitive crime captain Nicholas Corozzo, after prosecutors started quoting from surveillance tapes in the case. Azrack was concerned that defense attorney Henry Mazurek of Manhattan didn't have the opportunity to study the taped conversations being relied upon by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Brownell. He was making the case that Dragonetti, who is charged with racketeering conspiracy and extortion, was dangerous and shouldn't be given bail. Mazurek has put together a $5 million bail package.
The tapes were apparently made by Joseph Vollaro of Staten Island, the main government informant in the big Gambino crime family roundup earlier this month. In one conversation quoted by Brownell, someone -- although it wasn't clear who -- talked about the need to squash someone's head. Azrack thought the comments were serious and might impact any bail decision.
But since the taped conversations weren't quoted in an earlier letter filed by the government to deny Dragonetti bail, Azrack wanted prosecutors to turn over more information to Mazurek.
"I just don't think it is fair to come in here and give extra quotes when defense counsel is hearing them for the first time," said Azrack.
Mazurek told reporters outside court that he thought he was being "sandbagged" by prosecutors quoting from tapes for which he had no summaries or transcripts.
"I don't think that is asking too much," said Mazurek.
Dragonetti's wife, Bernadette, whose father is Corozzo, 67, the reputed Gambino captain charged with racketeering conspiracy, wouldn't comment as she left the courthouse.
