Retired Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Joseph Bongiovanni, 61, of Tonawanda, New York, has been sentenced to five years in prison following his conviction on multiple charges. U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo handed down the 60-month sentence after a jury found Bongiovanni guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, four counts of obstruction of justice, and one count of making false statements to law enforcement.
According to prosecutors Joseph M. Tripi, Nicholas T Cooper, and Casey L. Chalbeck, Bongiovanni served as a DEA agent from 1998 until his retirement in February 2019. He was assigned to the Buffalo Resident Office for much of that time. The prosecution stated that Bongiovanni abused his position by violating his oath and duty to enforce federal drug laws and protect public safety.
Bongiovanni protected friends and associates he believed were linked to Italian Organized Crime in Buffalo from investigation and prosecution. He provided Michael Masecchia—a former Buffalo school teacher with connections to organized crime—and others involved in drug distribution with sensitive law enforcement information about investigations, informants, and police tactics. To further shield these individuals from scrutiny by other agencies, Bongiovanni opened a case file within the DEA and entered information into deconfliction databases designed to prevent overlapping investigations.
He was also convicted of obstruction of justice and making false statements for preparing fraudulent DEA memoranda and lying about his relationship with Peter Gerace Jr., who was under investigation for drug trafficking offenses.
“As a member of law enforcement, this defendant was in a position of trust in the eyes of the public,” stated U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. “However, his criminal actions over the course of 10-plus years eroded that public trust and tarnished the reputation of the men and women in law enforcement who uphold justice with honesty and integrity every day.”
“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with significant authority and violating that trust will not be tolerated. Today’s sentencing affirms that no one is above the law,” said Philip Tejera, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. “Bongiovanni’s actions, however, do not represent the vast majority of law enforcement officers who protect their communities with integrity and honor. The FBI, and our law enforcement partners, remain committed to accountability and protecting the integrity of the criminal justice system.”
“Bongiovanni flagrantly betrayed his oath, and the trust placed in him by the American people. Instead of upholding the law, he became the very criminal he was sworn to pursue,” said Erin Keegan, HSI Buffalo Special-Agent-in Charge. “Bongiovanni thought he was above the law, but today’s sentence proves otherwise. We are proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure those who abuse positions of power are held accountable.”
“The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is committed to ensuring the integrity of the Department’s law enforcement personnel by investigating alleged misconduct and supporting criminal prosecution when warranted by the evidence,” stated OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Ryan Geach. “The jury’s verdict in this case and today’s sentencing affirm the OIG’s mission.”
“The sentencing today of retired DEA Special Agent Joseph Bongiovanni sends a powerful message that those who betray their badge will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” stated DEA Northeast Associate Chief of Operations Frank Tarentino. “Any abuse of authority is a breach of trust that not only undermines public confidence but also erodes the foundation of integrity upon which society relies.”
Michael Masecchia has already been convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison for related offenses involving drug distribution activities connected with organized crime groups in Buffalo. Peter Gerace Jr., another associate implicated during this investigation into corruption within local organized crime circles tied to narcotics trafficking networks led by former public officials or educators such as Masecchia himself or others like him—was convicted by a federal jury but awaits formal sentencing.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Erie County Sheriff’s Office as well as Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.
