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Gold Club Verdict
The jury in the salacious Gold Club trial told the court
about 3:40 p.m. today that it had found a reputed New
York Mafioso and a retired Atlanta policeman not guilty.
The men had been charged in the case involving charges
of racketeering, extortion, obstruction of justice and
police corruption in the far-flung investigation that
involved the now-defunct Buckhead strip club as well
as clubs in New York and Florida.
Assistant U.S. attorneys Art Leach and Glenn Baker left
the federal courtroom at the Richard B. Russell Building
quickly once the verdicts were announced.
Michael DiLeonardo, the 46-year-old reputed captain
in the Gambino family, embraced and kissed his lawyer,
Craig Gillen, a former federal prosecutor. Belinda Burney,
wife of 38-year-old Reginald Burney, the other defendant,
wept with relief while her husband smiled broadly at
his lawyer, Dwight Thomas.
U.S. District Judge Willis Hunt told the jury that it
was four months to the day that they had reported for
jury service on April 30.
"I thank you for your extraordinary service, your extraordinary
sacrifice and your extraordinary good humor," Hunt said
in releasing the jury.
Also in the courtroom were former Gold Club owner Steve
Kaplan, Jimmy Carillo and Roy Cicola, who were also
charged in the case.
The jury had the case for about 26 hours since Monday.
DiLeonardo was accused of extorting $100,000 from a
New York strip club in 1995.
Burney was accused of warning the strip club of rare
police inspections in exchange for free shrimp, drinks,
entertainment and champagne. He admitted to accepting
the freebies but testified earlier this month that he
had never tipped off the club.
Cicola and Kaplan -- who had been on trial -- earlier
this month entered their pleas with three other co-defendants,
who will likely get probation. Kaplan pleaded guilty
to racketeering, which involved credit card fraud and
prostitution. He will forfeit $5 million, the club and
will serve up to three years in prison -- to be decided
later by Hunt -- while Cicola and Carillo will likely
get probation.
Cicola, a former club manager, pleaded guilty to a charge
of knowing about and not reporting a felony. Carillo,
who had not yet been tried, pleaded guilty this week
to not reporting a felony. He had formerly managed the
club.
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