Guido Penosi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Guido Penosi (b. 1931) was a narcotics dealer who worked with the Gambino and Lucchese crime families.[1] He was convicted of murder as a juvenile.
His name became prominent in the media after his friendship with Wayne Newton was revealed. Newton and Penosi had known each other since the 1960's, when Newton performed at New York City's Copacabana Club.
According to court records, Newton's office calendar marked Penosi's birthday prominently and Newton spent almost a month with Penosi in Florida. Penosi attended the wedding of Newton's brother, and in 1976, Newton flew his band, manager and himself to Los Angeles to perform for Penosi's son free of charge.
In 1980, Newton approached Penosi for help with threats he was receiving from other organized crime figures related to Newton's pulling out of a Las Vegas tabloid called Backstage. Penosi, in turn, contacted his cousin, Frank Piccolo. As Judge William Norris of the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit wrote, "Newton went to Penosi with a problem and Penosi called Piccolo who helped solve the problem. Piccolo and Penosi later discussed 'earning off' Newton and possibly 'earning off' his ownership of the Aladdin Hotel. Piccolo and Penosi were investigated and indicted by a federal grand jury, which heard the testimony of Wayne Newton. All of these facts are beyond dispute." Newton originally tried to deny any relationship with Penosi, which Judge Norris wrote that Newton "testified falsely that Penosi had never visited him" and that it was "undisputed that a disagreement over an amount not less than $20,000" had let Newton to go to Penosi for help.[2]
He was also charged, along with his cousin Frank Piccolo, of conspiring to extort money and 'valuable rights' from Newton and entertainer Lola Falana.[3]
[edit] Quotes about Penosi
- "Then there was the deposition my partner, Tom Kavaler, took of Guido Penosi, who arrived at the deposition open-shirted, adorned with large gold jewelery and dressed—I know of no other way to say it—like someone involved in organized crime. Tom questioned Penosi about his relationship with Newton and received detailed responses. When Tom asked Penosi, as he sometimes was obliged to, if he had engaged in one criminal act or another, Penosi would respond, "I take the Fifth" (pronounced "Fiff"), and Tom, at ever break, would carefully assure Penosi that he was just doing his job. Penosi seemed amused, and so were we."Floyd Abrams.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Gambling Magazine, Wayne Newton Recalls Resort's Troubled Past
- ^ Floyd Abrams, Speaking Freely, published by Viking Press (2005), Page 122.
- ^ New York Times, The Region; 2 Allegedly in Mobs Accused of Extortion, June 13, 1981.
- ^ Speaking Freely, Page 109.
