Reputed mob boss and Bonanno crime family member Vincent Asaro has passed away at the age of 88, according to his criminal defense attorney Liz Macedonio. Asaro’s death occurred last week, as confirmed by Macedonio on Sunday. Macedonio described Asaro as a larger-than-life client who lived life to the fullest and expressed that he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Asaro gained notoriety for his alleged involvement in the infamous heist at Kennedy Airport, which was depicted in Martin Scorsese’s film “Goodfellas.” However, he was acquitted of the charges related to the heist at trial decades later. The robbery, considered one of the largest cash heists in U.S. history, resulted in the theft of cash and jewelry that has never been recovered.
In 2015, Asaro faced trial for his alleged involvement in the sweeping robbery and other crimes. He was acquitted of the most serious charges, including murder and racketeering. However, in 2017, he pleaded guilty to ordering an associate to burn the car of a man who had cut him off in Queens. During the trial, Asaro was accused of threatening to kill a federal prosecutor.
In 2019, while being held in federal prison, Asaro suffered a stroke that left him unable to speak in complete sentences, feed himself, or use the bathroom independently. Due to his rapidly declining health and the COVID-19 epidemic, a Brooklyn judge released him in 2020, ruling that his state of health would not pose a significantly increased risk of danger to the public.
Asaro’s criminal history dates back to 1957 and includes charges such as rape, bank robbery, kidnapping, and assault. Many of these charges were dismissed over the years.
