Former NYPD Detective Convicted of Lying to FBI Amid Mafia Ties and Gambling War

Hector Rosario, a 51-year-old former New York detective, has been convicted of lying to the FBI, a charge stemming from his alleged involvement with the Bonanno mafia family and his role in fueling a mini-mob war on Long Island. The verdict, delivered in Brooklyn federal court after a seven-day trial, marks a significant development in a case that has exposed the complex web of corruption, organized crime, and law enforcement misconduct in the New York City suburbs.

Rosario, who served as a detective for the Nassau County Police Department for 15 years, was accused of moonlighting for the Bonanno crime family, allegedly assisting them in protecting their illegal gambling operations while simultaneously targeting rival Genovese family members. While he was acquitted of obstruction of justice, the most serious charge he faced, his conviction for lying to federal agents underscores the severity of his actions and the extent to which he compromised his oath to uphold the law.

According to prosecutors, Rosario’s involvement with the Bonanno family was deeply intertwined with a feud that erupted between the Bonanno and Genovese clans after an unusual agreement to split the proceeds of a backroom gambling den operating out of a gelato shop fell apart. The Bonanno and Genovese families, two of New York City’s five prominent mafia organizations, historically maintained separate territories, but this collaboration proved to be short-lived, triggering a violent conflict that threatened to destabilize the region’s criminal underworld.

Rosario’s alleged actions to benefit the Bonanno family included orchestrating a fake police raid on a covert casino run by the Genovese family, a brazen act of corruption that demonstrated his willingness to abuse his position and authority to further the interests of organized crime. These actions not only violated his duty as a law enforcement officer but also endangered the lives and safety of the community he was sworn to protect.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly expressed her outrage at Rosario’s betrayal of public trust, stating that he "cared more about lining his pockets with Bonanno family money and protecting his own interests than his fidelity to the law." Donnelly further asserted that Rosario "disgracefully compromised the investigative work of his fellow detectives by tipping off a target and lied to federal agents as the walls were closing in on him."

U.S. Attorney John Durham echoed these sentiments, branding Rosario as a "corrupt detective" who prioritized "loyalty to the mob over the public he was sworn to protect." Durham’s remarks highlight the profound damage inflicted on the integrity of law enforcement and the erosion of public confidence that results from such acts of corruption.

The investigation into Rosario’s activities began in 2020 when FBI agents interviewed him as part of a broader inquiry into Bonanno and Genovese criminal activity in the suburbs east of New York City. During the interview, Rosario allegedly made false statements, claiming that he had no knowledge of the mafia or illegal gambling spots, despite his deep involvement with the Bonanno family and his efforts to protect their gambling operations. These lies ultimately led to his conviction on the charge of making false statements to the FBI.

Rosario’s downfall culminated in his termination from the Nassau County Police Department in 2022, marking the end of his 15-year career as a law enforcement officer. He was among nine individuals charged in connection with the federal investigation into the gambling racket, a case that has exposed the extent of organized crime’s infiltration into local communities and the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating these criminal enterprises.

During the trial, Rosario’s defense team argued that the case rested heavily on the testimony of mobsters who were cooperating with prosecutors in exchange for leniency in their own criminal cases. They attempted to cast doubt on the credibility of these witnesses, suggesting that their testimony was unreliable and motivated by self-interest. However, the jury ultimately found Rosario guilty of lying to the FBI, indicating that they were convinced by the evidence presented by the prosecution.

The conviction of Hector Rosario serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat posed by organized crime and the importance of maintaining the highest ethical standards within law enforcement agencies. It also underscores the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to combat corruption and prevent the infiltration of criminal elements into positions of public trust. The case has sent ripples throughout the law enforcement community and serves as a cautionary tale for those who may be tempted to compromise their integrity for personal gain.

The other mafia families mentioned in the article, the Colombo, Gambino, and Lucchese families, also represent significant organized crime entities in New York City, each with its own history, territory, and criminal activities. The ongoing efforts to combat these criminal organizations require a coordinated approach involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as the cooperation of the public. The fight against organized crime is a continuous battle, and the conviction of Hector Rosario represents a significant victory in the pursuit of justice and the protection of the community.