STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
Top News
Seagal called 'lunatic'
Defense attorney assails film star in so-called Howland Hook trial
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
By RYAN LILLIS
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
Another day of closing arguments in the so-called Howland Hook trial meant another day of bashing Steven Seagal.
Describing the action film star as "a totally paranoid lunatic," the attorney for alleged Gambino crime family soldier Primo Cassarino began his closing argument yesterday in Brooklyn federal court. Closing remarks should be completed today and the jury will likely begin deliberating this week.
Richard Levitt, Casarino's attorney, also said none of the payments made by any of his client's alleged extortion victims -- including Carmine Ragucci, the former president of the Howland Hook Marine Terminal in Mariners Harbor -- were issued as a result of threats.
Witnesses said Ragucci, also the chair of the borough's Conservative Party, paid a union boss once every four months, and that those payments ended up in the hands of Gambino captain Anthony (Sonny) Ciccone. Those payments were part of the Gambino family's illegal control of Howland Hook and other portions of the New York waterfront, authorities said.
Levitt told the jury the payments made by Ragucci may have resulted from "a silent interest" Ciccone had in Howland Hook, or that Ciccone may have lent money to Ragucci to reopen the facility in 1996. Authorities have denied both claims.
Levitt moved on to Seagal, and soon went after the actor's talent.
"You may even think he's a good actor, it's a free country, you can think what you want," the attorney said. "But as a person, he is totally paranoid."
Levitt said Seagal lied about how his relationship with Eltingville film producer Julius Nasso had soured as a way to get out of a $60 million civil suit Nasso filed against the actor. The attorney said Seagal has no credibility.
"What do you call a witness like this?" Levitt asked. "I suggest you call him a nut job."
Representatives for Seagal have declined to comment throughout the trial.
Earlier in the day, Harry Batchelder, the attorney for Richard G. Gotti, said "this is a lack of proof case" against his client. Gotti, who is charged along with his uncle, reputed family boss Peter Gotti, allegedly accepted payments from Cassarino that authorities said were earned from the family's illegal activities.
Ryan Lillis covers police, fire and criminal court issues for the Advance. He may be reached at lillis@siadvance.com.
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Top News
Seagal called 'lunatic'
Defense attorney assails film star in so-called Howland Hook trial
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
By RYAN LILLIS
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
Another day of closing arguments in the so-called Howland Hook trial meant another day of bashing Steven Seagal.
Describing the action film star as "a totally paranoid lunatic," the attorney for alleged Gambino crime family soldier Primo Cassarino began his closing argument yesterday in Brooklyn federal court. Closing remarks should be completed today and the jury will likely begin deliberating this week.
Richard Levitt, Casarino's attorney, also said none of the payments made by any of his client's alleged extortion victims -- including Carmine Ragucci, the former president of the Howland Hook Marine Terminal in Mariners Harbor -- were issued as a result of threats.
Witnesses said Ragucci, also the chair of the borough's Conservative Party, paid a union boss once every four months, and that those payments ended up in the hands of Gambino captain Anthony (Sonny) Ciccone. Those payments were part of the Gambino family's illegal control of Howland Hook and other portions of the New York waterfront, authorities said.
Levitt told the jury the payments made by Ragucci may have resulted from "a silent interest" Ciccone had in Howland Hook, or that Ciccone may have lent money to Ragucci to reopen the facility in 1996. Authorities have denied both claims.
Levitt moved on to Seagal, and soon went after the actor's talent.
"You may even think he's a good actor, it's a free country, you can think what you want," the attorney said. "But as a person, he is totally paranoid."
Levitt said Seagal lied about how his relationship with Eltingville film producer Julius Nasso had soured as a way to get out of a $60 million civil suit Nasso filed against the actor. The attorney said Seagal has no credibility.
"What do you call a witness like this?" Levitt asked. "I suggest you call him a nut job."
Representatives for Seagal have declined to comment throughout the trial.
Earlier in the day, Harry Batchelder, the attorney for Richard G. Gotti, said "this is a lack of proof case" against his client. Gotti, who is charged along with his uncle, reputed family boss Peter Gotti, allegedly accepted payments from Cassarino that authorities said were earned from the family's illegal activities.
Ryan Lillis covers police, fire and criminal court issues for the Advance. He may be reached at lillis@siadvance.com.
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