Joseph Bongiovanni, Bribery, New York 2023

Retired DEA Agent Indicted on Charges of Bribery, Obstruction, and Conspiracy

In a shocking turn of events, Joseph Bongiovanni, 55, of Tonawanda, NY, has been indicted on 11 counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; accepting a bribe; obstruction of justice; and making false statements to an agency of the United States.

According to the indictment, Bongiovanni, a retired DEA Special Agent, used his position to shield his friends and associates from criminal investigations in exchange for payments. The defendant is accused of taking bribes totaling at least $250,000 between 2008 and 2017.

The indictment alleges that Bongiovanni had friends and associates involved in the possession, use, distribution, and importation of controlled substances, including marijuana and cocaine. Those friends and associates included individuals believed to be members of, connected to, or associated with Italian Organized Crime (IOC).

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of their respective Special Agents-in-Charge. The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General New York Field Office also assisted in the investigation.

The indictment is the result of an ongoing investigation and is a significant blow to the DEA and the community it serves. Bongiovanni is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The maximum possible sentence for the drug conspiracy charge is life in prison, while the maximum possible sentences for the remaining counts range from five years to 20 years in prison.

For more information, contact Barbara Burns at (716) 843-5817 or fax (716) 551-3051.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This article was written by a Grimy Times journalist and is based on information provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/retired-dea-agent-indicted-charges-bribery-obstruction-and-conspiracy