Vincent Badalamenti | |
---|---|
![]() Vincent Badalamenti (left) with Vito Balsamo | |
Born | 1958 (age 66–67) |
Other names | "Vinny TV" |
Occupation | Mobster |
Allegiance | Bonanno crime family |
Conviction | Nonviolent collection of an unlawful debt (2012) |
Criminal penalty | 18 months' imprisonment (2012) |
Vincent Badalamenti (born 1958) is an American mobster who was acting boss of the Bonanno crime family. [1]
Badalamenti is the owner of Bagels Plus a bagel store in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. [2] He received his nickname "Vinny TV", because he used to own a Brooklyn electronics store. [1] It is also alleged that Badalamenti controls a mob social club on 20th Avenue and 72nd Street in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. [3]
In January 2012, Badalamenti was indicted along with capo Nicholas Santora, soldiers Vito Balsamo and Anthony Calabrese, and Gambino crime family associate James LaForte. [1] Badalamenti was charged with extorting restaurants and bars in Brooklyn and Manhattan and extending a $50,000 loanshark loan in 1999. [4] These charges were primarily based on information from government informant Hector Pagan (Anthony Graziano's ex son-in-law). [1]
On February 6, 2012, Maryann Santiago filed a lawsuit against three restaurants, including Bagels Plus, accusing the stores of violating the Americans With Disabilities Act. [2] The next day, Santiago withdrew her lawsuit against Bagels Plus, allegedly after finding out that Badalamenti was the owner. [5]
In April 2012, Badalamenti pleaded guilty to nonviolent collection of an unlawful debt, as prosecutors dropped racketeering and extortion charges. [6] After a postponement in sentencing in August 2012, [3] Badalamenti was sentenced to 18 months in prison on September 25. [7] On May 16, 2013 Badalamenti was released from the Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix in Fort Dix, New Jersey. [8]