Ex-DEA Agent’s Shocking Corruption: A Decade of Protecting Drug Traffickers

A former DEA agent in Buffalo, New York, Joseph Bongiovanni, was found guilty of protecting drug dealers and other organized crime figures. Prosecutors revealed Bongiovanni, now 60, had been shielding his childhood friends and other suspects for over a decade. He warned them about investigations and falsified DEA reports. It’s reported Bongiovanni received bribes totaling at least $250,000, which he used for basic needs and luxuries. Jurors convicted him on seven counts, including obstruction of justice and false statements to law enforcement. They couldn’t agree on other charges like bribery. Bongiovanni’s attorney plans to appeal the verdict. This isn’t the first time Bongiovanni faced a jury. In April, he was convicted of lying to federal authorities about a DEA file. The case involves ties to the Pharoah’s Gentlemen’s Club outside Buffalo, where the former agent was friends with the owner, Peter Gerace Jr. Gerace is awaiting trial on multiple charges, including bribing Bongiovanni. This verdict highlights ongoing concerns about DEA agent supervision. Bongiovanni joins at least 16 other DEA agents facing federal charges since 2015, resulting in numerous prison sentences, including two former supervisors in a Miami bribery case. The case underscores the importance of integrity within law enforcement and the potential consequences of corruption.