Killer’s Ghost Put Out a Hit on the Government
By: Joseph A. Gambardello and Patricia Hurtado, NY Newsday , July 1, 1995

Colombo crime family capo Gregory Scarpa has done more for his reputed fellow mobsters dead than alive.
Alive, he killed some of them and tried to kill others.
Dead, he is helping them get acquitted.
Because of Scarpa’s role as a confidential FBI informant and new revelations about his relationship with his handler, FBI Agent R. LindleyDeVecchio, a federal law enforcement campaign to prosecute those allegedly involved in the Colombo crime family war has faced a legal quagmire. By portraying Scarpa as a crazed killer who essentially had a license to kill, defense lawyers have succeeded in convincing jurors law enforcement officials overstepped their bounds and wrongly prosecuted their clients.
Yesterday, another jury in federal court in Brooklyn accepted that argument and acquitted of conspiracy charges seven men even though some jurors said they believed most of the defendants had mob ties.
“There is no question the FBI had an influence on how this supposed war played out,”
said defense attorney Alan Futerfas.
“This verdict shows American juries will not accept misconduct by law enforcement officials, said Gerald Shargel, another defense lawyer.
In December, another jury sent seven other reputed Colombo members and associates home in time to celebrate Christmas after hearing similar arguments about Scarpa.
And the disclosure of Scarpa’s dual life of mobster and friend of the FBI has triggered a flurry of appeals to overturn the convictions of several Colombo family members.
Three more men are slated to go on trial later this month in another Colombo war case, and despite the two recent setbacks, the U.S. attorney’s office said yesterday it would press ahead with the prosecution.
“They’re stubborn,”said Shargel, who will appear for one of the defendants at the next trial and promises the Scarpa’s ghost will be summoned again.
One response to “FBI Guilty #2”
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This case really highlights the complexities of law enforcement’s relationship with informants. It’s fascinating how Scarpa’s dual role as a mobster and FBI informant has created such a legal mess. The fact that juries are acquitting defendants based on the FBI’s overreach shows how crucial trust in law enforcement is. Do you think the FBI’s involvement with Scarpa was justified, or did they cross a line? It’s concerning that such actions could undermine the justice system. How can we ensure accountability in these situations? I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether this case sets a dangerous precedent or if it’s a necessary check on power.
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