2003-06-24 -- Taglianetti, Joseph -- Sentencings -- News Release

Bonanno Crime Family Member and His Associate Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Extortion

NEWARK - A member of the Bonanno Crime Family and his associate, both from Staten Island, were sentenced to prison today for their roles in a conspiracy to commit extortion by threatening physical violence to the owner of a Bayonne automotive tinting store and garage, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

U.S. District Judge Faith S. Hochberg sentenced Joseph Taglianetti, a/k/a "Joe Curley," 70, to 46 months in prison for his role as the leader of the conspiracy. Frank Pastore, a/k/a "Big Frank," a/k/a "Sleepy," 33, Taglianetti's associate who played the role of "enforcer," was sentenced to 39 months in prison by Judge Hochberg.

Judge Hochberg ordered both men to serve three years supervised release upon completion of their custodial sentences and pay joint restitution of $8,800. Of this amount, the government has seized assets that have already been deposited with the Clerk of the Court to be used as restitution, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Aidan P. O'Connor.

Taglianetti and Pastore both pleaded guilty on Dec. 17, 2002, to an Indictment filed against them on July 2, 2001, charging the defendants with a conspiracy to commit extortion and threatening physical violence to the proprietor of an automotive tinting store and garage located in Bayonne.

Parole has been abolished in the federal system. Under the Sentencing Guidelines, defendants that are given custodial terms must serve nearly all that time.

Christie credited Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of

Louie F. Allen, Special Agent in Charge, with developing the case against the defendants.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney O'Connor, of the U.S. Attorney's Organized Crime Strike Force in Newark.

Defense Counsel: