Reputed Top West Coast Mafia Figure Is Indicted

A reputed West Coast Mafia leader from Canoga Park and six other men have been indicted on charges that they attempted to market $1 million worth of stolen municipal bonds, federal prosecutors announced Friday.

Michael Anthony Rizzitello, 60, was named in a six-count federal indictment alleging that he conspired to sell public improvement bonds stolen from Manufacturers Hanover Trust in New York City in early 1983.

Rizzitello was convicted in 1980 on charges growing out of attempts to take over Los Angeles’ pornography and bookmaking trade, along with four other Southern California men identified as the upper echelon of the Los Angeles Mafia family.

Also named in the current indictment is Leonard Aron, 60, owner of a popular Palm Springs restaurant, who is serving a seven-year federal prison sentence for his conviction in 1985 on charges of transporting stolen property.

The case grew out of the same four-year federal investigation that resulted last week in the indictment of 15 reputed leaders of the Los Angeles family of La Cosa Nostra on racketeering and cocaine distribution charges.

The indictment alleges that the seven defendants attempted to market the stolen bonds through a legitimate broker, representing to potential buyers that the bonds had been acquired in exchange for 80 acres of land in Cooks Inlet, Alaska.

About $300,000 of the stolen bonds were actually sold, according to the indictment.

Also named in the indictment are Thomas Saullo Jr., 41, formerly of Nassau County, N.Y.; Steve Finkel, 40, formerly of Englewood, Colo.; Robert Zeichick, 50, of Woodland Hills; Jack Fineberg, 65, formerly of Los Angeles, and Jacob David Zemer, 40, of Tarzana.