Peter Gerace, Bribery, Sex Trafficking, New York 2024

BUFFALO, N.Y. - A federal jury in New York has convicted Peter Gerace, 57, of Clarence, NY, of conspiracy to defraud the United States, bribery, sex trafficking conspiracy, maintaining a drug involved premises, narcotics conspiracy, witness tampering, and distribution of cocaine, which carry a maximum of life in prison.

Gerace, owner and operator of Pharaoh's Gentlemen's Club, conspired to defraud the United States and paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash bribes to Drug Enforcement Administration special agent Joseph Bongiovanni. In exchange for payments he received, Bongiovanni protected Gerace and utilized his position to dissuade other members of law enforcement from conducting investigations into Gerace’s activities at Pharaoh’s.

Between 2006, through 2019, Gerace knowingly maintained Pharaoh’s Gentlemen's Club as a drug involved premises, where he and others distributed cocaine, Adderall, marijuana, and heroin. Gerace and others distributed controlled substances and used other methods to coerce Pharaoh’s dancers to engage in sex acts inside Pharaoh’s.

Gerace also, acting with others, sent threatening Facebook messages to a witness in order to prevent her from testifying and providing information in an official proceeding.

“Peter Gerace preyed on the most vulnerable victims, using them to grow his business and his profits,” stated U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross. “Peter Gerace did not want to be caught and have his crimes exposed. However, this investigative and prosecutorial team worked tirelessly, gathering the evidence, and connecting the dots and Peter Gerace now stands convicted of some of the most heinous crimes.”

Sentencing is scheduled for August 15.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/federal-jury-convicts-pharaohs-owner-multiple-charges-including-bribery-sex