Alleged Montreal Mafia leaders Leonardo Rizzuto and Stefano Sollecito have opted for a trial by jury when their case goes to court this winter.
Superior Court Judge Nathalie Fafard ruled Monday that there’s enough evidence for the men to stand trial on charges of gangsterism and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.
Rizzuto, the second-oldest son of former Mafia boss Vito Rizzuto, was one of 43 people rounded up by police on Nov. 19, 2015, as part of operation Magot-Mastiff. The Sûreté du Québec worked with the RCMP and Montreal police to carry out a raid they say dealt a critical blow to organized crime in the city.
At the time of the mass arrests, police alleged Rizzuto and Sollecito were two of the Mafia’s leaders.
Six others appeared at the Centre de services judiciaires Gouin courthouse Monday, including reputed gang leader Gregory Woolley.
Woolley, Eric Bourgeois, Martin Girard, André Sauvageau, Gaétan Sévigny and Wesley Jean-Marie will also stand trial for charges related to operation Magot-Mastiff.
All of the accused are scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 25.
