A former detective from Nassau County, Long Island, was found guilty on Wednesday for lying to the FBI to protect a Mafia-run gambling operation in the New York suburbs. However, he was cleared of a more serious charge of obstruction of justice.
Hector Rosario, who served as a police officer for 15 years, was accused of accepting money from the Bonanno crime family. In return, he allegedly warned a mobster about an ongoing investigation and accessed the address of a witness who was helping authorities. Prosecutors also claimed that he directed law enforcement raids toward rival gambling operations and even staged a fake police bust on a shoe repair shop linked to the Genovese crime family.
In 2020, FBI agents questioned Rosario about Mafia-related gambling activities, but he denied knowing anything. Prosecutors argued that he deliberately lied to protect his own interests. As a result, he now faces a prison sentence of up to five years.
Authorities initially charged nine people as part of a major crackdown on illegal gambling operations run by organized crime. Many of the accused had distinctive nicknames, such as “Joe Fish,” “Sal the Shoemaker,” and “Joe Box.” Their operations included backroom gambling spots hidden behind businesses like coffee bars, a soccer club, and a shoe repair shop.
Rosario’s defense team argued that the case was built on the testimony of criminals who had their own legal troubles. They also claimed Rosario had no intention of obstructing justice since he was unaware of the FBI’s investigation. After the trial, his lawyers stated that they planned to appeal the verdict.
