Manhattan Firm With Government Contracts Hired Convicted Mobster

A New York City firm with $45 million in city and state contracts was found to have employed a convicted mobster charged with killing a man and his dog in 1992.  The firm failed to disclose the hiring and is currently conducting an internal investigation of its own.

Tri-State Employment Services never mentioned his January 2011 arrest on a murder charge when it filed vendor responsibility forms with the state comptroller in February 2012.  The company hires temps and consultants for various city and state agencies.

From the New York Post:

A spokesperson for General Services said, “If true, the contract will be terminated immediately.”

In a deal with Brooklyn federal prosecutors, Messina wound up pleading guilty to racketeering charges in the 1992 Brooklyn home invasion and murder of Joseph Pistone and his beloved dog, King.

Pistone was killed during the robbery when two Messina accomplices searched for cash they thought was hidden in the house.

Messina, who said he was only the getaway driver, was one of nearly 100 wiseguys rounded up by the feds in January 2011.

Messina was a member of the Bonanno Crime Family.

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com