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INDEPTH: VITO RIZZUTO
Vito Rizzuto: Canadian 'godfather'
CBC News Online | August 17, 2006


Vito Rizzuto (file photo)
The RCMP and court documents refer to 58-year-old Vito Rizzuto as the "godfather" of the Montreal Mafia and the police say they consider him to be Canada's most influential member of the powerful Bonanno family of New York. Police link Rizutto to illegal gambling in Ontario and illicit drugs in Quebec.

Born in Sicily on Feb. 21, 1946, Rizzuto immigrated to Montreal with his family in 1954. He is married with three children and lives in the northern part of the city next to his father.

Rizzuto was the only Canadian arrested among 28 members of the Bonanno/Massino family; the others were arrested in New York. They are accused of murdering three of the family's top members in 1981. U.S. prosecutors say the arrests means virtually every leader in the Bonanno family has either been convicted or is under indictment.

American officials immediately asked for Rizzuto's extradition to the U.S., where a conviction could sentence him to 27 years in prison. Rizzuto's five lawyers said U.S. prosecutors waited too long to charge Rizzuto, claiming the statute of limitations for the alleged crimes expired 18 years ago. They asked for Rizzuto to be released from jail and financially compensated.

Former Canadian justice minister Irwin Cotler considered both arguments and decided he wasn't sure who was right. Since the law requires the minister to be sure it is too late, Cotler went ahead and ordered the extradition.

The Supreme Court refused to hear Rizzuto's appeal of the ruling, clearing the way for extradition.

Vito Rizzuto:

1981
Believed by police to have been formally inducted into the Bonanno organization after allegedly helping to murder three of the family's captains who were suspected of plotting a takeover.

1980s
Charged and acquitted in two drug investigations.

1972
Sentenced to two years for conspiring to commit arson.

2001
Montreal police said they had foiled a plot to kill Rizzuto and charged three people.

Jan. 20, 2004
Arrested at 6:15 a.m. at his Montreal home by local police on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

Aug. 17, 2006
Supreme Court refuses to hear appeal of extradition order, clearing the way for Rizzuto to stand trial in the U.S.





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CBC STORIES:
Extradition of Montreal 'godfather' up to Ottawa: judge (April 8, 2004)

Police arrest Montreal 'godfather' (Jan. 20, 2004)
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