Three Indicted in Mercer County Narcotics Distribution Scheme

TRENTON, NJ—A federal grand jury in Trenton today returned a six-count indictment charging Joseph A. “Jojo” Giorgianni, Mary Manfredo, and Anthony Dimatteo with distribution of oxycodone, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Giorgianni, 63, of Ewing, New Jersey; Manfredo, 65, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey; and Dimatteo, 31, of Trenton, originally were charged by complaint, filed September 10, 2012, with one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. The indictment returned today adds four additional counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone against Giorgianni, three additional oxycodone distribution counts against Manfredo, and two additional oxycodone distribution counts against Dimatteo. Giorgianni, a convicted felon, is also charged in the indictment with possessing four firearms.

According to the indictment and other documents filed in this case:

Giorgianni, Manfredo, and Dimatteo conspired and agreed with each other and Giuseppe Scordato, 47, of Hamilton, New Jersey; Ralph Dimatteo Sr., 62, also of Hamilton; and Charles Hall, III, 49, of Trenton, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone. Jojo’s Steakhouse, a restaurant that Giorgianni owned and that Mary Manfredo operated, served as a front for this drug distribution organization and a clearing house, where prescription pain pills were stored, provided to individuals such as Anthony Dimatteo and Giuseppe Scordato, and where narcotics proceeds were returned.

Hall previously pleaded guilty to an information in which he admitted his involvement in the distribution of oxycodone with Giorgianni, Manfredo, and Anthony Dimatteo. Scordato and Ralph Dimatteo are released on bail pending the charges contained in the criminal complaint.

The narcotics conspiracy count contained in count one of the indictment and the four distribution counts contained in counts two through five each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $1 million fine.

The firearms count contained in count six carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s Trenton Resident Agency, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge David Velazquez, with the investigation leading to today’s Indictment.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric W. Moran and Matthew J. Skahill of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division in Trenton and Camden, respectively.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.