Gambino Capo Gets Life Sentence for Double Homicide, Heroin Dealing, Gambling

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on

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Jagajeet Chiba

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Gambino Crime Family captain Bartolomeo “Bobby Glasses” Vernace, 65, has been sentenced to life in prison for a double homicide committed 33 years ago over a spilled drink.  He will not be eligible for parole.

The long time mobster was found guilty last year of the Queens killings that occurred on April 11, 1981 at the Shamrock Bar.  The victims, John D’Agnese, 22, and Richard Godkin, 35, owned the bar.  They were targeted after asking a Vernace associate to leave following an argument that involved the spilled drink.  Vernace accompanied the associate back to the bar and fatally shot D’Agnese and Godkin. 

The Gambino capo has also been charged with illegal gambling, heroin dealing, robbery and loansharking. 
The federal prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch, said Bartolomeo “dedicated his life to committing crimes for the Mafia,” while D’Agnese and Godkin were innocent men who also ran the local Boys’ Club.

Vernace turned himself in after years of hiding.

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com

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