Ex-DEA Officer Found Guilty of Shielding Drug Smugglers

A former agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Buffalo, New York, was found guilty of corruption on Thursday, following a retrial concerning his involvement with drug traffickers connected to organized crime. Joseph Bongiovanni, 60, was convicted on seven out of eleven charges brought against him.

Prosecution revealed that over a decade, Bongiovanni protected childhood friends who became drug dealers, along with other suspects linked to organized crime. He allegedly informed them of ongoing investigations and manipulated DEA reports. Reports indicated that he accepted over $250,000 in bribes, which were used not only for living expenses but also for personal luxuries and vacations.

“This jury found him to be a corrupt federal agent,” stated Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Tripi during a news conference following the verdict. “He betrayed his oath and responsibilities by protecting individuals he should have been investigating and prosecuting.”

The case has highlighted serious concerns regarding the oversight within the DEA, especially considering a series of corruption instances that have surfaced within the agency. Bongiovanni is among at least 16 DEA agents charged federally since 2015, with many facing prison sentences, including two former supervisors who were sentenced in a bribery case in Miami for leaking sensitive information to defense attorneys.

Bongiovanni faced multiple counts, including four for obstruction of justice, alongside single counts for conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and making false statements to law enforcement. He was cleared of one bribery charge as well as additional fraud, conspiracy, and obstruction allegations.

Robert Singer, Bongiovanni’s attorney, indicated plans to appeal the conviction. This most recent verdict follows a previous jury’s finding in April, which convicted Bongiovanni of lying regarding a DEA file that he maintained at his home; however, they were unable to reach a consensus on most other allegations.

The new trial began on August 5, featuring testimony from over 60 witnesses. Notably, Bongiovanni did not take the stand in either trial.

U.S. Attorney Trini Ross remarked on the difficulties of achieving justice in this case, stating, “This was a hard-fought road to justice. Ultimately, we prevailed.”

The investigation is tied to a human trafficking case linked with the Pharoah’s Gentlemen’s Club near Buffalo. Bongiovanni had longstanding connections with the strip club’s owner, Peter Gerace Jr., who is alleged to have ties with both the Buffalo Mafia and the notorious Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Gerace faces multiple charges, including allegations that he bribed Bongiovanni, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Following the verdict, Judge Lawrence Vilardo permitted Bongiovanni to remain free but mandated the use of an ankle monitor as he awaits his sentencing date set for June 9. He could face as much as 20 years in prison.