Ex-Nassau County Detective Convicted for Lying to FBI to Shield Mafia Ties
A former detective from Nassau County, Hector Rosario, has been convicted of lying to the FBI in an effort to protect the illegal gambling operations of a Mafia family. The case, which garnered significant attention, involved Rosario providing cover for the Bonanno crime family, a notorious Mafia group, in the suburbs of New York City. The conviction came after a seven-day trial in a federal court in Brooklyn, where a jury delivered its verdict after two days of deliberation. Rosario was acquitted of the more severe charge of obstruction of justice, which carried a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, but faces up to five years for making false statements.
Rosario’s actions were deemed a significant betrayal of his oath as a law enforcement officer. As a police detective with 15 years of service, Rosario was accused of accepting money from the Bonanno crime family in exchange for sensitive information that compromised investigations. He tipped off a mobster under investigation and provided the address of a witness believed to be cooperating with authorities. Additionally, he directed police raids toward rival gambling establishments to protect the Bonanno family’s operations. These actions were seen as a profound breach of trust and a disgrace to the integrity of the Nassau County Police Department.
The case against Rosario stemmed from an FBI investigation into the Bonanno and Genovese crime families’ illegal gambling activities in the New York City suburbs. Federal agents began looking into these operations in 2020, and during their investigation, Rosario was questioned and repeatedly denied knowledge of the Mafia or illegal gambling locations. Prosecutors argued that Rosario’s lies were a deliberate attempt to impede the investigation and protect his criminal associates. His actions were described as a betrayal of the public trust and a failure to uphold the ethical standards expected of law enforcement officers.
Rosario was fired from the Nassau County Police Department in 2022 following the charges against him. His trial highlighted the challenges of corruption within law enforcement and the consequences of aligning with organized crime. Rosario’s defense team argued that the case relied heavily on the testimony of cooperating mobsters, whose credibility was questionable. They also contended that Rosario was unaware of the full scope of the federal investigation, which may have contributed to his acquittal on the obstruction of justice charge. Despite the partial acquittal, Rosario’s legal troubles are far from over, as he faces up to five years in prison and plans to appeal the conviction.
The broader implications of Rosario’s case extend beyond the individual outcome, pointing to a deeper issue of corruption within some elements of the law enforcement community. As part of the larger investigation, nine individuals were charged in connection with the Bonanno family’s illegal gambling operations, racketeering, and money laundering. The operation, described as a throwback to the heyday of organized crime in New York, involved establishments masquerading as legitimate businesses, such as a coffee bar, a soccer club, and a shoe repair shop. The case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent influence of organized crime and the need for transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies.
In conclusion, Rosario’s conviction underscores a disturbing trend of corruption and highlights the importance of integrity within law enforcement. His actions not only undermined the trust placed in him as a public servant but also compromised the safety and justice of the community he was sworn to protect. As Rosario awaits sentencing, the case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of straying from the principles of honesty and justice. The case also raises questions about the reliability of testimony from cooperating defendants and the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining trust and integrity. Ultimately, Rosario’s story is a tragic reminder of how even the most trusted individuals can fall victim to corruption and self-interest.
