Reputed Montreal ‘godfather' extradited to U.S.

Ottawa — The reputed godfather of the Montreal Mafia has been ordered extradited to the United States to face charges stemming from the slayings of three U.S. mob captains in 1981.

Vito Rizzuto, 58, is behind bars awaiting trial in New York for the slayings at a Brooklyn social club.

A spokesman for Justice Minister Irwin Cotler said Mr. Rizzuto's lawyers were made aware of the extradition order on Wednesday.

“The minister sent his decision to Mr. Rizzuto's lawyers this afternoon and has ordered his extradition,” said Patrick Charette, a spokesman for the minister.

Mr. Rizzuto can appeal the decision.

He's being detained in Montreal and is charged under U.S. racketeering laws. Racketeering is the U.S. equivalent of gangsterism.

He's known in media reports as the “godfather” of the Montreal Mafia and was one of 30 suspects arrested in sweep ordered by U.S. authorities. He was the only Canadian arrested during the operation last January that dealt a crippling blow to the powerful criminal organization.

Mr. Rizzuto faces 20 years in prison if convicted because the murder allegations are filed as part of a racketeering case. He has not been charged with murder.

His lawyers are fighting his extradition on the grounds that the statute of limitations on the racketeering count ran out 18 years ago.

Dec. 8, 2004, Canadian Press