If you are from New York, you might be interested in the following excerpt from my book. The Triangle Exit ronaldfino Corrupt Justice – Dennis Vacco Where did he come from? How did he rise so fast and have the support to reach the high positions he held? Dennis Vacco was born on August 16, 1952 and grew up in the southern tier of Western New York. Prior to his senate confirmation as United States attorney in 1988, he served as an assistant district attorney in Erie County, New York for about 10 years. Vacco was hired by the no-nonsense crime fighting district attorney Edward Cosgrove immediately upon graduating from the University at Buffalo School of Law in 1978. It was alleged that Joseph P. McCarthy, the top assistant to Cosgrove and later a New York State Supreme Court justice, together with former Local 210 laborer and Family Court Judge Anthony LaRusso, prodded Cosgrove to give the green Vacco the prized position. In the spring of 1988 I learned that New York Senator Alfonse D’Amato was going to have President Ronald Reagan nominate Dennis Vacco to the position of United States Attorney for Western New York. This revelation took place at a luncheon meeting I was having with former Congressman Jack Kemp’s assistant Russell Gugino, Joseph Cardinale and Victor Sansanese. They let me know about the pending appointment and were totally elated regarding it, exclaiming the benefits they could reap from having a friend in such a high position. I answered them I didn’t know much about him. Gugino retorted, “He is our guy and a great friend,” and that Jimmy Cosentino, Tommy Reynolds (former member of the Erie County legislature and later chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee), Lou Billittier (owner of Chef’s Restaurant), Bob Gioia (Gioia Pasta), Louie Russo (Sorrento Cheese), Harry Williams, Larry Reger (and someone whose name I cannot remember) implored Senator D’Amato to present Vacco’s name to the president for nominating. Gugino went on about Vacco and how he was extremely close to Vacco’s father Carmen, the chairman of the town of Brant Republican Party. Additionally, some in the Democratic Party agreed to go along with the appointment and would not cause any problems for the Republican. Sometime right after that Jimmy Cosentino and James “Harry” Williams sent word that they wanted to see me. When we met they asked me to gather up a group of people to attend an event they were holding for Senator D’Amato (I think the amount was $1,000 per person), that would be held at Cosentino’s (James “Harry” Williams was a secret part owner) Executive Resort Hotel located near the Buffalo Airport. Williams said, “Don’t worry about the cost; the tickets are already paid for. Just bring bodies.” He handed me around 20 tickets which I gave to some of the employees of Hazardous Waste Management. At the event Jimmy Cosentino was walking around with the Senator and introducing him to his friends and many of the other attendees. After guiding D’Amato to me, Cosentino did not know that we already knew each other and introduced me. D’Amato acknowledged that he already knew me and that we had met on a number of occasions. Then both D’Amato and Cosentino introduced me to Dennis Vacco and his father who were standing nearby. We shook hands and they greeted me in a very friendly way but no other words were uttered. While the senator was talking to Vacco, Cosentino pulled me aside and whispered in my ear that Vacco was going to be the new US Attorney. After apprizing Cosentino that I already heard of the disclosure, he went on to say how he, together with New York City entrepreneur Phil Basile and Uncle Joe (referring to Joseph Todaro Sr.) helped make sure that the senator appointed Vacco. Cosentino and the senator continued making the rounds and after personally greeting some of the other guests I went over to sign the guest book. While looking over the names I noticed that Vacco signed in as the United States Attorney even though he had not even been nominated for the position. years, a very dear and close friend, and I always liked him for keeping confidentiality. He confirmed that Vacco was indeed going to get the position and he was concerned about my safety. Then it happened, and on my birthday, June 1, 1988, United States Attorney General Edwin Meese named Dennis Vacco as the new United States Attorney. Oh my God! I thought to myself. How does the FBI keep my role secret from a guy I know is the enemy?
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 13:11:17 +0000