The biggest canary in mafia history is being let out of his cage.
Notorious former Bonanno crime family boss Joseph Massino — the first head of one of NY’s five families ever to turn rat — will be released from jail as a reward for his cooperation with authorities, a judge ruled in Brooklyn federal court today.
The sickly former don, who headed the vicious mob family from 1991 to 2003, was facing life in prison for eight gangland slayings. Instead he will be relocated and given a new identity in the witness protection program as a governmental thank you for helping to convict dozens of mafiosi including his Bonanno successor, Vincent “Vinny Gorgeous” Basciano.
Appearing bloated in a mob-standard track suit and wearing white velcro sneakers, Massino rose to address Judge Nicholas Garaufis and steadied himself on a table to offer an apology for his murderous life of crime.
“I pray every night for all the people I hurt,” he said in a low growl. “Especially the victims’ families.”
While most of the mobsters Massino sank were low-level criminals, prosecutors said it was his historic break with the sacred mafia oath of omerta – not ratting out your criminal pals – that made him so valuable.
“Quite simply, Mr. Massino may be the most important cooperator in the modern history of law enforcement to prosecute the American Mafia,” Garaufis said before freeing the rat.
“Thank you, your honor,” Massino said after Garaufis sprung him loose.
After a quick scratch of his enormous belly and a handshake with his lawyer, the aging crook waddled out of court a soon to be free man.
The portly hoodlum testified against La Cosa Nostra elements twice. In one appearance, he dished that Basciano was plotting to kill Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Andres and taped the mob big admitting to the murder of family associate Randolph Pizzolo.
The throwback brute tickled spectators at Basciano’s trial with his authentic mob lingo. “It takes all kinds of meat to make a good sauce,” he said in describing the rare talents he looked for in a good crew.
Now 70, Massino has served 12 years in the clink and forfeited a mountain of bloody loot – including $7 million in cash and more than 250 bars of solid gold.
“It is very clear that Mr. Massino is a very sick and tired old man at this point,” said his lawyer, Edward McDonald, in arguing for Massino’s early release.
McDonald said his client can support himself through Social Security and income from some modest rental properties.
The lawyer said that Massino — who still slicks back a thick mane of gray hair — has reflected on the mob life during his time in jail and wishes he could turn back the clock.
“If he had to make the decision again, if he was 18 or 19, years old, he wouldn’t go into the mafia,” McDonald said.
salgar@nypost.com