Gene Borrello (born June 6, 1984) is an Italian-American criminal and former associate of the Bonanno crime family one of the Five Families. [1][2] He later became a government witness, agreeing to testify against crime family members Vincent Asaro and Ronald Giallanzo in 2016. Borrello is now a podcaster, author and motivational speaker. [3]
Gene Borrello | |
|---|---|
 Borrello in 2024 | |
| Born | 6 June 1984 |
| Nationality | Italian - American |
| Occupation(s) | Podcaster, convicted criminal, motivational speaker and author |
| Known for | Former Bonanno crime family associate |
History
editBorrello led a violent and brazen home invasion crew in Howard Beach, Queens, before he was arrested for his role in September 2014.[4][5] In 2016, Borrello agreed to become a government witness, testifying against several Bonanno members, including Vincent Asaro. Asaro had tasked Borrello with burning the car of a man in a severe road rage case.
In 2019, Borrello was released from prison after being sentenced to time served for his cooperation. Following his release, he publicly denounced organized crime and became a podcaster and book author, and often brags about his life of crime during interviews.[6][7]
In February 2021, Borrello was once again arrested for making violent threats towards his ex-girlfriend and her family.[4] He was released on June 21, 2021.[8]
In 2023 Borrello was incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where his time overlapped with Sam Bankman-Fried who was awaiting trial for numerous charges relating to the downfall of FTX and Alameda Research. Their interactions and Borrello's observations of Sam were the focus of an interview conducted by citizen journalist Tiffany Fong and published on her YouTube channel.[9]
On August 16, 2023, according to prison records, Borrello got into a fight with another inmate whom Borrello claimed was attempting to intimidate and potentially extort Bankman-Fried. Responding guards were able to separate the two inmates, with both being sent to the SHU. Borrello was released on September 20, 2023.[10] Upon release, Borrello had spent a total of 13 years of his life in prison.[9]
References
edit- ^ Ed Scarpo,"Gene Borrello, Ex-Bonanno Associate, Back In Slammer For Issuing Threats". Cosa Nostra News. 19 December 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ Rebecca Rosenberg,"Bonanno rat busted for threatening to kill ex-gal pal's hubby". New York Post. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ Ed Scarpo,"Snitch in Gotti-Asaro Federal Racketeering Indictment". Cosa Nostra News. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ a b Noah Goldberg,"'I will grab your father right now and beat the dogs--t out of him': Mob turncoat jailed again after threatening ex-girlfriend and her family". Daily News. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ Jerry Capeci,"Release of mafia rat Gene Borrello enrages his robbery victims". New York Post. 19 December 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ "Gene Borrello- Top podcast episodes". listennotes.com. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ "The Johnny and Gene Show". Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ "Gene Borrello". Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ a b SBF Extorted & on “Su*cide Watch” in Jail: Ex Mob Enforcer Gene Borrello protects Sam in MDC, retrieved 2023-12-14
- ^ "Inmate Locator". www.bop.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-14.