This judge has respect for respects.
A Brooklyn federal court judge today allowed a reputed Genovese crime family soldier to remain out on bail despite his ill-advised attendance at a mobbed up wake.
Despite bail conditions that prohibit his mingling with mafiosi, James Bernardone, 46, showed up at a March 21 Bronx memorial that drew more than 25 known hoods — including Luchese underboss Steven Crea.
“He seems unable to cease his contact with organized crime,” said US attorney Jacquelyn Rasulo in arguing for his bail revocation. “The government finds this violation to be flagrant.”
But Bernardone’s attorney argued that his client was simply paying his respects to the elderly, non-wiseguy father of a childhood friend and that he didn’t deserve to be put behind bars for the infraction.
Judge Nicholas Garaufis showed the mobster some mercy and opted for a stern warning rather than a return trip to the clink.
“There are certain things that you can’t do and this is one of them,” Garaufis said, noting that mob funerals often serve as forums for business as well as mourning. “Wakes and funerals are a fertile environment for discussion of the activities of organized crime.”
Bernardone is facing racketeering charges related to the alleged extortion of contractors performing work in Manhattan Queens and Brooklyn between 2006 and 2009. He is currently out on $750,000 bail.
selim.algar@nypost.com