Vincent Asaro found not guilty in Lufthansa heist that inspired 'Goodfellas'

Reputed mobster Vincent Asaro was acquitted Thursday of participating in the infamous $6 million Lufthansa heist at Kennedy Airport in 1978.

In a verdict that shocked the courtroom, an anonymous Brooklyn federal court jury of six men and six women also found Asaro, 80, not guilty in the killing of mob associate Paul Katz in the 1960s. He also was acquitted of various extortion and gambling charges.

At first Asaro, because of poor courtroom acoustics, couldn't hear the not-guilty findings in the case that inspired the film "Goodfellas," so he turned to defense paralegal Sam Tureff to find out what happened.

When Tureff told him "not guilty" and shook his hand, the startled Asaro broke into a broad grin and slapped both his hands on the defense table with glee. He then jumped up out of his chair and rushed to embrace defense attorneys Elizabeth Macedonio and Diane Ferrone. A U.S. marshal restrained him from going further toward the door.

Asaro thanked Judge Allyne Ross, who invited him to stay in court to watch as she dismissed the alternate jurors from their service.

Government attorneys, led by assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Argentieri, appeared stunned and left the courthouse without commenting.

Asaro, of Howard Beach, emerged from the federal courthouse in Brooklyn at 4:13 p.m., after nearly two years in custody, walking gingerly.

"Free!" he shouted as he was lit up with photographers' flashes.

He walked with his arms around two attorneys, searching for the Mercedes-Benz that would take him home. What did he think about his cousin Gaspare Valenti, who testified against him, he was asked.

"You don't want to know, honey," Asaro told a reporter.

As he watched the crush of reporters and news photographers who dogged his every step as he walked across Cadman Plaza Park, Asaro marveled and said, "John Gotti didn't get this much press!"

He was referring to the 1990 acquittal of the late mob boss on state charges, a case that in fact drew larger crowds in lower Manhattan.

"I like to thank my two lawyers. Without them I wouldn't be here now. And I would like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service for treating me great," Asaro told reporters, referring to the time he spent in federal custody since his arrest in early 2014. He added that he looked forward to a good meal at a friend's Italian restaurant.

Asaro wouldn't give his opinion of the Martin Scorsese film "Goodfellas," but he couldn't resist some mob humor. When paralegal Tureff opened the trunk of the car Asaro was going to drive home in, the aging reputed mobster said, "Sammy, don't let them see the body in the trunk!"

Asaro has been on trial in Brooklyn for three weeks, accused of being part of a racketeering enterprise, namely the Bonanno crime family; participating in the airport robbery; as well as murder, arson and extortion.

Since the heist on Dec. 11, 1978, no one has been convicted and the cash and jewelry taken was never recovered.

Prosecutors gave their closing statements Friday. On Monday, Macedonio gave a summation in which she attacked the reliability of government witnesses, primarily Valenti.

Valenti, a down-and-out mob associate, testified he was broke and disillusioned with mob life when he decided to cooperate with the FBI and give evidence against Asaro.

Macedonio attacked Valenti's credibility, arguing he was like other cooperating prosecution witnesses who had been bought and paid for.

Valenti was a crucial witness because he secretly made tape recordings of Asaro that prosecutors insist showed the octogenarian admitted being deeply involved in the planning and activities surrounding the Lufthansa heist, as well as the murder in the late 1960s of Katz. Valenti testified he was given a monthly stipend of $3,000 by the government.

But while the case on paper looked strong -- even Asaro said he was "shocked" by the acquittal -- defense attorneys thought the jurors had problems with Valenti's credibility.

Veteran defense attorney Gerald Lefcourt, who wasn't involved in the case, also said jurors apparently had problems with Valenti.

"If you don't believe somebody because he was given too big a break or a deal, jurors react," Lefcourt said.

As he headed home, Asaro said he would go back to enjoying life and playing paddleball.

He had sharp words for Valenti. "I hope he is happy with the $3,000 a month the government is going to give him," Asaro said.

Asked if he knew the Mets were in the World Series, Asaro replied with a chuckle: "I was locked up, but I wasn't dead."

With Matthew Chayes

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.