Prosecutors seek 15-year sentence for aging ‘Goodfellas’ gangster

Aging gangster Vincent Asaro, 82, was acquitted for his role in the infamous $6 million 1978 Lufthansa heist but could still spend the rest of his life behind bars. He ordered a hit on the car that cut him off. Two years ago, the Bonanno capo scored a stunning acquittal on racketeering charges.

The feds insist the judge can weigh the acquitted conduct in her sentence. And they say she can also consider his more recent behavior — such as his alleged talk of killing a prosecutor, and jailhouse boasts about the decades-old heist like “We did it and got away with it.” Prosecutors said that although Asaro has “participated in racketeering, murder, robbery, extortion, loansharking, gambling and other illegal conduct, he has served less than eight years in jail.” In June, Asaro pleaded guilty to directing the 2012 Queens arson. The defense says Asaro should get time served.

Asaro enlisted a Bonanno associate to do the automotive hit. The associate brought in John J. Gotti and another man to help out. Gotti, the grandson of the late Gambino boss, pleaded guilty to being the getaway driver. He’s awaiting sentence.