Former DEA Agent Bongiovanni Acquitted of Corruption Charges

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Former DEA agent Joseph Bongiovanni, who was charged with bribery, has been acquitted of one count of bribery by federal judge Lawrence Vilardo.

In April 2024, Bongiovanni was convicted of two counts, including obstruction of justice and making false statements. The jury failed to reach a verdict on 12 of the 15 counts against him, including conspiracy, accepting bribes, and drug offenses.

In his ruling, Vilardo said the initial testimony never made clear why payments — if any — were made, including whether they were bribes. He also said there was no evidence, “circumstantial or otherwise.”

The decision comes just over a week before Bongiovanni’s retrial was scheduled to take place.

Bongiovanni was initially charged with accepting more than $250,000 in bribes from what prosecutors called “members of Italian organized crime” who allegedly worked with the former DEA agent to derail investigations into them.

Prosecutors also allege that Bongiovanni worked closely with co-defendant Peter Gerace, owner of Pharoah’s Gentleman’s Club, claiming the site was used for drug and sex trafficking.