of incriminating statements from Cantarella and his crew. While Cantarella broke off contact with Weinberg in the fall of 2001, he continued talking freely with Scozzari well into the summer of 2002—presumably because Scozzari was Italian. While talking with Scozzari, Cantarella made several incriminating statements about Massino. Largely on the strength of Weinberg and Scozzari's tapes, on October 2, 2002, Cantarella was arrested and indicted on a 24-count RICO indictment. Among the specific acts were the Perrino murder, arson, kidnapping, loansharking, extortion, illegal gambling, and money laundering. Lauretta and Paul Cantarella were also indicted on racketeering charges. While in prison, Cantarella learned that capo Frank Coppa, also arraigned in the October roundup, had become the first member of the Bonanno family ever to become an informant. Coppa told investigators that Cantarella had bragged about his role in setting up the Perrino hit, as well as being the getaway driver in the Mirra hit. Realizing that Coppa's testimony would all but assure that he would die in prison, in December 2002, Cantarella accepted a plea bargain deal and became a government witness. Lauretta and Paul also accepted plea deals. In early 2003, Massino realized that Cantarella had become an informant. In June 2004, Cantarella testified at Massino's racketeering trial. Earlier, he'd told investigators that Massino was displeased with Vitale and wanted him whacked. On the stand, he admitted his own role in the 1983 Mazzeo killing. Also in 2004, Cantarella testified that he attended the Bonanno family induction ceremony for Perry Criscitelli, who was then the president of the Feast of San Gennaro Association. In July 2007, Cantarella testified at the murder and racketeering trial of Bonanno mobster Vincent Basciano. Leaving Witness Protection In April 2017, Oxygen Channel launched Unprotected, a reality television program starring the Cantarella family, chronicling their attempt to start their lives over again after having opted out of Witness Protection. Further reading Crittle, Simon, The Last Godfather: The Rise and Fall of Joey Massino Berkley (March 7, 2006) References 1944 births Bonanno crime family American gangsters of Italian descent Living people Federal Bureau of Investigation informants