John Zancocchio

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John "Porky" Zancocchio (b. 1958) is a New York mobster with the Bonanno crime family mobster who is a loanshark and bookmaker.

[edit] Biography

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Zancocchio started working under Bonnano caporegime Dominick Napolitano in the early 1970's. In 1982, the Bonanno family murdered Napolitano due to his role in introducing undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent Joe Pistone (aka Donnie Brasco) into the family business. Zancocchio was one of the few Bonanno soldiers to avoid indictment during the subsequent investigation. Unlike Napolitano, Zancocchio also escaped mob retribution for his association with Pistone. After Napolitano's death, Zancocchio working for capo Anthony Graziano. During the 1980's Zancocchio married Graziano's daughter Lana, making him brother-in-law to Bonanno mobsters Christian Ludwigsen and Hector Pagan.

Over time, Zancocchio built a major bookmaking operation that grossed $280 million a year at its high point. His operation served many influential and wealthy gamblers, including professional baseball player Pete Rose. Zancocchio also opened a Brooklyn pizzeria called "Mama Rosa's" which he leased to his mother. However, Zancocchio's financial dealings with the restaurant resulted in his first prosecution for income tax evasion. Zancocchio pleaded guilty and was fined $100,000 and sentenced to one year in prison. Rosa was also indicted at this time.

In 2002, Zancocchio and Lana were charged with income tax evasion for the years 1995 to 2000. The two pleaded guilty and Zancocchio received seventy-one months in prison and a $300,000 fine. Lana faced a sixteen months prison, but her attorney negotiated a house arrest deal so she could take care of their three children aged ten to sixteen.

As of June 2008, Zancocchio is serving his sentence at the Devens Federal Medical Facility in Massachusetts. His projected release date was recently changed from August 18, 2008 to August 30, 2008.

[edit] References

  • "All About Mob Wives: Goodfellas" by Anthony Bruno www.crimelibrary.com
  • "Family Scandals" GangLand News Online Column January 27, 2000 by Jerry Capeci
  • "Porky & Lana: Separate & Guilty" GangLand News Online Column January 10, 2002 by Jerry Capeci
  • http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/LocateInmate.jsp