Judge Joseph Marutollo agreed with federal prosecutors, who raised concerns about Ruggiero\u2019s potential to interfere with witnesses if released from custody.<\/p>\n
ALLEGED MOB TIES IN NBA SCANDAL RECALL LA COSA NOSTRA\u2019S LONG SHADOW OVER SPORTS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The World Series of Poker 2021 at RIO All-Suite Hotel & Casino Oct. 6, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Diego Ribas\/PxImages)<\/p>\n “He made his hand in the shape of a gun and said, \u2018You know how we take care of rats \u2014 up close and personal’,” Marutollo said of a past case in which Ruggiero, 53, had allegedly threatened to kill a witness.<\/p>\n Ruggiero\u2019s lawyer, James Froccaro, argued that his client should be released on bail<\/a> because other alleged mobsters in the scheme were allowed out despite also being accused of serious offenses.<\/p>\n Angelo Ruggiero Jr., a made member of the Gambino crime family, has a prior conviction for threatening to kill a witness while still in prison, federal prosecutors said in a court filing last week.<\/p>\n “Ultimately, while together with the witness in their cell, the defendant made his hand into the shape of a gun, pointed it at the witness\u2019s head and stated, in sum and substance, \u2018You know how we take care of rats \u2014 we get up close and personal,'” court papers said, according to the Post.<\/p>\n FINANCE PROFESSOR QUESTIONS HOW NBA FIGURES GOT INTO ILLEGAL GAMBLING TIES DESPITE MILLIONS IN FORTUNE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Ruggiero is the son of Angelo Ruggiero Sr., a deceased member of New York\u2019s Gambino crime family who was the right-hand man of notorious boss John Gotti.<\/p>\n Angelo, known for frequently discussing crime family business on the phone, earned the nickname “Quack Quack.”<\/p>\n The Justice Department<\/a> alleges that the younger Ruggiero was involved in a scheme to rig poker games inside a Greenwich Village apartment.<\/p>\n The townhouse was one of two Manhattan locations where high-stakes poker games were allegedly fixed by four of the city\u2019s most powerful crime families, including the Gambinos<\/a>, prosecutors said, according to the Post.<\/p>\n An alleged mobster accused of being linked to the rigged card games tied to some NBA members was denied bail this week amid fears he may try to intimidate a witness. Former NBA player Chauncey Billups appears at right. (Soobum\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Playing](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Playing-cards.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Split](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/split-image-of-a-gambling-table-and-chauncey-billups.jpg\")
<\/p>\n