A Brooklyn federal court judge denied bail for Anthony Ruggiero Jr., a Gambino family mobster accused of rigging card games that tied into NBA scandals. The move came amid concerns the 53-year-old could tamper with witnesses if released from custody.
Ruggiero's lawyer, James Froccaro, argued that his client should be allowed to go free on bail because other alleged mobsters in the scheme were released despite their own serious offenses. However, prosecutors countered that Ruggiero posed a significant threat due to his prior conviction for threatening to kill a witness while behind bars.
The case centers around Ruggiero's involvement in a rigged poker game inside a Greenwich Village apartment. The Justice Department alleges that he was part of a scheme involving four of New York's most powerful crime families, including the Gambinos. High-stakes games were allegedly fixed at two Manhattan locations, one of which involved NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups.
Prosecutors highlighted Ruggiero's previous behavior in court, citing an incident where he threatened to kill a witness by making his hand into the shape of a gun and saying "you know how we take care of rats — up close and personal." Judge Joseph Marutollo agreed with prosecutors that releasing Ruggiero on bail would put witnesses at risk.
Ruggiero's family and friends had offered a $5 million bond, but it was rejected. The suspect faces federal charges for his alleged role in the rigged games and potential witness tampering.
Ruggiero's lawyer, James Froccaro, argued that his client should be allowed to go free on bail because other alleged mobsters in the scheme were released despite their own serious offenses. However, prosecutors countered that Ruggiero posed a significant threat due to his prior conviction for threatening to kill a witness while behind bars.
The case centers around Ruggiero's involvement in a rigged poker game inside a Greenwich Village apartment. The Justice Department alleges that he was part of a scheme involving four of New York's most powerful crime families, including the Gambinos. High-stakes games were allegedly fixed at two Manhattan locations, one of which involved NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups.
Prosecutors highlighted Ruggiero's previous behavior in court, citing an incident where he threatened to kill a witness by making his hand into the shape of a gun and saying "you know how we take care of rats — up close and personal." Judge Joseph Marutollo agreed with prosecutors that releasing Ruggiero on bail would put witnesses at risk.
Ruggiero's family and friends had offered a $5 million bond, but it was rejected. The suspect faces federal charges for his alleged role in the rigged games and potential witness tampering.
I gotta say, this whole thing with Ruggiero Jr. just smells like trouble. I mean, I'm all for giving people a second chance, but you gotta think about the bigger picture here. A guy who's been in the system before, with a history of threatening to kill a witness... it's not exactly reassuring that he's safe to be out on bail. And what really gets my goat is that his lawyers are trying to spin this like he's just another victim of circumstance, when really he's shown himself to be a threat to others. I'm all for due process and all that, but you gotta make sure we're not letting the wrong people out into society too quickly. It's just common sense, right? 
This is just crazy! I mean, come on, a mobster from Brooklyn thinks he can just chill with his crew if he gets bail? 
Not buying it! Ruggiero's got a history of threatening people, like literally making a gun shape with his hand and all that jazz 
. And now we're supposed to believe he won't do it again if he gets out? 
. We need to keep these guys behind bars where they belong! 
#JusticeForWitnesses #MobstersBeware
like what's next? having a shootout at the poker table 
anyway, I think it's good that the judge denied bail - you can't trust someone who's already shown violent tendencies 
the fact that he was part of a scheme involving 4 powerful crime families and an NBA player is just crazy 
but now we'll have to wait and see if Ruggiero goes down for his alleged role in all this 
. And now we're supposed to believe he won't tamper with witnesses if he's out on bail? That's just not adding up. And let's be real, the fact that they offer a $5 million bond and it gets rejected... like, what even is the point of that? 
i mean i get that prosecutors are worried about him tamperin with witnesses but come on $5 mil is a lot of dough 
anyway idk man i think hes innocent 