Hector Rosario, a former detective with the Nassau County Police Department, has been convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn for making false statements to FBI agents regarding his involvement with the Bonanno crime family. The trial lasted seven days and was presided over by United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano. Rosario was dismissed from his position after being indicted in August 2022. He now faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
The verdict was announced by John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Leslie R. Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's New York Field Office; and Anne T. Donnelly, District Attorney for Nassau County.
“This corrupt detective chose to prove his loyalty to an organized crime family over the public he was sworn to protect,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “When police officers exploit their positions for personal gain, it erodes public trust in law enforcement. My Office has zero tolerance for corruption by any public officials, and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that it is punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Hector Rosario, a former Nassau County detective, allowed himself to be bought by the mob to blatantly lie during a federal investigation into the Bonanno family’s illegal gambling operations,” stated FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Backschies. “Rosario’s lies not only protected an organized criminal enterprise but also eroded the public’s trust in law enforcement and is a disservice to all who wear the badge honoring their oath to protect and serve. The FBI remains committed to disrupting any corrupt officer who prioritizes personal wealth over integrity to the shield.”
“Hector Rosario cared more about lining his pockets with Bonanno family money and protecting his own interests than his fidelity to the law,” stated Nassau County District Attorney Donnelly. “He disgracefully compromised the investigative work of his fellow detectives by tipping off a target and lied to federal agents as the walls were closing in on him. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will uncover and vigorously prosecute corruption in our law enforcement ranks in Nassau County because no one is above the law.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that Rosario received payments from the Bonanno crime family for safeguarding its illegal gambling operations. The Bonanno crime family ran these businesses across various locations including coffee shops and sports clubs throughout Queens and Long Island over more than ten years.
Rosario's activities included attempting to close down rival gambling establishments through actions such as staging a fake police raid on a Genovese-run gambling location inside Sal’s Shoe Repair. He also warned an associate of an ongoing investigation against them and looked up addresses of potential witnesses cooperating against the Bonanno crime family.
In January 2020, during an investigation into racketeering activities involving both Bonanno and Genovese families, Rosario falsely claimed ignorance about Mafia activities or illegal gambling spots when questioned by FBI agents.
Despite these charges, Rosario was acquitted of obstruction of justice.
The case is managed by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section with Assistant United States Attorneys Anna L. Karamigios, Sophia M. Suarez, Sean M. Sherman leading prosecution efforts supported by Paralegal Specialist Eleanor Jaffe-Pachuilo.
