Video shows the moment 86-year-old reputed mafioso punches … – New York Daily News

Surveillance video captures the moment an elderly reputed Genovese capo punched the owner of a fancy Manhattan steakhouse in an attack federal prosecutors hope to prove was part of a gambling extortion conspiracy.

Anthony Rom Romanello was 80 years old when he swung on Shuqeri Bruro Selimaj after a heated exchange at Lincoln Square Steak on the Upper West Side on May 11, 2017.

Romanello, now 86, and another reputed Genovese crime family gangster, Joseph Celso, are on trial in Brooklyn Federal Court on charges that could land them in prison for decades.

Selimajs nephew, Toni, and Tonis brother-in-law, Eddie, had racked up an $86,000 sports gambling debt with Michael Regan, who was accused in 2019 of running a bookie operation in Queens, according to court filings.

Romanello was a regular customer at Selimajs steakhouses, and the feds say he paid three angry visits to demand that the restaurateur settle the debt himself.

The punch came on visit number three, after Romanello confronted Selimaj in a private room, while Regan, Celso and Romanellos son waited in the restaurant, Selimaj recounted on the stand Wednesday.

The video shows Selimaj flanked by Regan and Romanello, right before he leans in and makes a remark to the aging wiseguy. Romanello leans back at the comment, then punches Selimaj in the jaw.

The other men then surround Selimaj as he walks backwards. Regan can be seen grabbing Selimaj by the lapels as he retreats.

Selimaj told the jury Wednesday that he told Romanello he was willing to make good on his nephews $6,000 debt, but he wouldnt cover the brother-in-laws $80,000 and that angered Romanello.

According to Selimaj, Romanello repeated, I would like to punch you! I would like to punch you! and he responded, You have no guts to punch me.

Romanellos lawyer, Gerald McMahon, presented a different version of the exchange, and tried to make Selimaj out as an Albanian tough guy and a bully.

Bruno told him that he was a washed-up Italian, that he had no balls, that he was nothing, McMahon told the jury, saying the punch was meant to answer that insult, not to collect a debt.

McMahon also downplayed the assault, noting that his client punches like a girl.

On Thursday, Selimajs brother Nino the owner of Ninos Restaurant on the Upper East Side, who played himself in the 2019 film Uncut Gems took the stand to describe his role in making sure the debt was paid.

Bruno Selimaj filed a police complaint, which he withdrew the next day after Celso warned him things would be ugly, Nino said.

Joe told me if Rom gets arrested, somebodys going to pay the price, he said.

In 2019, after Nino Selimaj was subpoenaed, Celso told him, Go ahead, testify, but keep me away from this, he told the jury.

Nino Selimaj said he and Celso were close friends, almost like family, and that Celso was his bookie. To settle the debt, he gave Celso $6,000 from his brother, plus another $49,000 from Eddies dad, he testified.

Typically, Nino said hed bet $5,000 on a sporting game and made several bets a week three or four, usually, but sometimes as many as 10 in a week.

Marrone asked if Nino declared his winnings on his taxes, and when he said no, the lawyer asked, I know you dont know the law, but is that against the law?

Nino responded, to the laughter of the courtroom, Yeah, but I lose more than I win. The government has to pay me back.

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Video shows the moment 86-year-old reputed mafioso punches ... - New York Daily News