A mafia winner is a loser for life in the United States
The one who pocketed $ 30,000 in lotto was banned from this country
FÉLIX SÉGUIN
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 01:00
UPDATE Tuesday, November 12, 2019 01:00
One of the central characters of the Montreal Mafia has just been banned for life from the United States. Giuseppe Focarazzo was turned back at the border on his way to Las Vegas, confirmed several sources from our Investigation Bureau.

On November 2, Focarazzo, nicknamed Joey Gator, and one of his partners showed up at Montreal-Trudeau Airport.

They planned to travel to Vice City to attend the boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Sergey Kovalev. With $ 18,000 in US currency, the duo was ready for the fight that night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Focarazzo had in hand a "US Waiver", a derogation that allowed him to cross the US border despite his convictions for extortion, death threats and injuries in 2004.

This document is issued by the US Department of Homeland Security.

But US customs officials at the airport have undone his plans.

They relied on police reports that Giuseppe Focarazzo is now responsible for linking the Hells Angels to the Montreal Mafia.

In December 2018, he was among the guests at the wedding of Martin Robert, the most influential Hells of the province.

"Americans view organized crime as a threat to security just like terrorists, and can therefore deny access to connected individuals in the United States," reports a source familiar with the issue.

Although surprised by this expeditious procedure, an immigration lawyer explains that it is not unusual.

"If the information [about Giuseppe Focarazzo's involvement] comes after his request for a derogation to enter the United States, the customs officer has every reason to exercise his discretion," says Stéphane Handfield.

DRUGS IN FLORIDA

Focarazzo made the headlines twice this summer.

In August, our Investigation Office revealed that he was allegedly drugged and stolen by a prostitute while he was staying at the W Hotel in Miami Beach.

Also, we revealed at the end of July that the 43-year-old man had won $ 30,016 at the Banco lottery, and that he proudly posed with his check on the Loto-Québec website.

In fact, Joey Gator's numerous mediated freaks earned him a new alias for his organized crime acolytes, who now call him The Prince, according to our sources.

Joined yesterday by phone, Giuseppe Focarazzo refused to talk to our Investigation Bureau.

"I'm not interested, have a good day," he replied before hanging up.

https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2019/11/12/un-gagnant-mafieux-est-perdant-a-vie-aux-etats-unis