Informant: Alleged mobsters argued against killing

A government informant told a federal court jury Monday that two purported gangsters charged in connection with the murder of Herbert "Fat Herbie" Blitzstein tried to talk other mobsters out of doing the hit.

Longtime mob associate John Branco, under cross-examination from attorney John Fadgen, said defendants Stephen Cino, 60, and Robert Panaro, 57, told him to "see that nobody kills Mr. Blitzstein."

Branco testified that he, Cino and Panaro later urged others at a meeting in a Las Vegas restaurant to not have Blitzstein killed to take over his Las Vegas street rackets.

"It was said ... we were not going to kill him," Branco said, testifying for his fifth day in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Philip Pro. "I believe it was made way clear."

Testimony revealed that federal authorities to date have paid Branco $145,000 in taxpayer money for his information. That does not include $5,000 Branco is alleged to have obtained by defrauding an FBI agent, according to testimony.

Fadgen also noted in his questioning that Branco, as part of his agreement, will not be prosecuted for those crimes in exchange for surreptitiously taping conversations with his associates and testifying against them.

Branco admitted that he was "impressed" with the Mafia when he was growing up in Cleveland and wanted in. But he said as he grew old and got tired, he wanted out.

Fadgen noted, however, that Branco had a history dating back to the 1970s of going to authorities to cut deals when he was in trouble and not always testifying truthfully.

"If I did lie in the courtroom it was because I did not want to go to jail for 15 years," Branco said, getting obviously frustrated by Fadgen's questions. "I am 65 years old. I'm tired. I got in over my head. I just want out of this crap."

Fadgen responded: "Now you want this jury to believe that you have seen the light (after) 35 years? ... You lied, cheated and stole to keep out of jail."

If jurors believe Branco lied during any of his testimony they will be instructed by the judge that they can disregard all of his testimony.

Federal authorities allege that Richard Friedman, who is scheduled to go on trial late this month, was the triggerman.

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