Gasper Valenti testimony notes (Asaro Trial)

[B.]

Interesting that he included places like Connecticut and LV but didn't mention Florida.


Pogo

Yeah, it was in his testimony and was def not meant to be comprehensive, the prosecutor just asked generally where the Bonanno family operated and he casually rattled off these places and they moved on.

He specifically said "Queens, New York, Brooklyn" about NYC -- he may have meant Manhattan by "New York" but he didn't mention the Bronx.

Can you think of any members, associates, or activities in Connecticut? I know they had a made member in upstate NY, but I can't remember ever hearing about a Bonanno presence in CT so it's weird he would casually throw that out there, especially because it was a low-stakes question. The prosecutor was just trying to establish the Bonanno family's general geography.

[Pogo The Clown]

None off the top of my head. We know about the Patriarca, Gambino, Genovese and even the Colombos and DeCavalcante being active there in the past but this may be the first time I've even read about the Bonnanos being active in the area.


Pogo

[B.]

Same here. All I can figure is maybe someone from the Bronx faction had interests there, like we've seen in other families.

[Makelaiusiwk]

Damn, Eaton made Burke mad .

[newera_212]

Kinda glad this one got bumped. All of the notes/writeups have been fantastic, but I forgot about this one. I loved reading about how much of a scumbag this Valenti was. Lying about giving the money to the Spero crew was hilarious. Seems like a lot of money went through Vinny Asaro's hands too...Jesus.

[Oc1878+]

Asaro really is an OG seen it all going all the way back to the 60’s. Anyone know if the Asaro picked up on the lam by the RCMP outside of Montréal in the 60’s and out of the Bronx is related to Vinnie or just a coincidence?

[OcSleeper]

The Joseph Asaro in Montreal was Vinny's uncle.

[Oc1878+]

Thanks, I assumed there had to be a relation somewhere but the Bronx threw me off as I associate the Asaro’s with that whole East NY/ Ozone Park/ Howard Beach area.

[PolackTony]

Valenti is a fascinating character in that he should have been killed at least 10 times over. Asaro was protecting him, sure, but actual members get clipped for less. A lot of these guys are degenerates, sure, but Valenti took being a POS to a true art form. The one photo of Valenti and Asaro seated together is like the original “Virgin vs Chad” meme.

Also, the dog story and the image of Vinnie Asaro literally jumping up and down in rage will never not be hilarious.

[Tonyd621]

Philip Navarra comes to mind as a Bonnano member with an active Facebook profile. He’s friends with Catalano relatives which is interesting.

Was made at 27 years old according go lcnbios. Must of done something or know someone to get made that young imo.

[B.]

Navarra had many blood relatives who were important members in the Bonanno Family and Sicilian mafia. He's also related to Sal Catalano through marriage.

[moneyman]

I lived in Ridgewood for a few years.. you can see Navarra and Grimaldi names on a number of different billboards/businesses in the area.. the neighborhood is very gentrified now