Joseph Bongiovanni, Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, New York 2024

Former DEA Agent Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Corruption

BUFFALO, N.Y. – In a shocking turn of events, retired DEA Special Agent Joseph Bongiovanni, 61, of Tonawanda, NY, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

According to court documents, Bongiovanni, who served as a DEA Special Agent from 1998 to 2019, used his position to protect his friends and associates from investigation, arrest, and prosecution. He provided sensitive information about investigations, informant identities, and law enforcement techniques to those involved in the distribution of marijuana, cocaine, and fentanyl pills.

The investigation revealed that Bongiovanni opened a case file within the DEA, which he used to ensure that other law enforcement agencies would defer the investigation of the individuals he was protecting. He also entered information about drug traffickers into deconfliction databases to alert himself if any other members of law enforcement were investigating co-conspirators.

Bongiovanni was convicted of one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, four counts of obstruction of justice, and one count of false statement to law enforcement.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo stated, 'As a member of law enforcement, this defendant was in a position of trust in the eyes of the public. 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.'

Philip Tejera, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Buffalo Field Office, added, '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.'

Bongiovanni's sentence marks a significant blow to the reputation of law enforcement, and serves as a reminder that corrupt officials will be held accountable for their actions.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/retired-dea-agent-going-prison-5-years-conspiracy-defraud-united-states-and-conspiracy