WCNYH

LONGSHOREMAN APPLICATION DENIED BASED ON VIOLENT FELONY CONVICTION AND FRAUD, DECEIT OR MISREPRESENTATION ON THE APPLICATION AND DURING COMMISSION INTERVIEW

January 31 2019

   The Commissioners today denied the application of George Traina, age 38, of Staten Island, New York for registration as a longshoreman

   The Commission proved at hearing that Traina had been convicted of a violent felony offense by virtue of his 2003 conviction for Assault in the Second Degree in New York County in which Traina struck the victim with a baseball bat in the head and body causing physical injury. The Commission further proved that Traina would be a danger to public peace or safety because of this felony conviction and because he committed fraud, deceit or misrepresentation during a Commission interview under oath when he falsely denied knowing that his late uncle, Charles Aurello, was a member of the Gambino crime family. The Commission established that Aurello had been initiated into the Gambino crime family on the same day as Sammy “the Bull” Gravano, a story that was described in detail in “Underboss,” a book written by Gravano. The Commission further proved that Traina falsely testified during a Commission interview that charges relating to his 2007 arrest were dismissed when in truth and in fact, he had pleaded guilty to Disorderly Conduct related to that arrest.

   The Commission also proved that Traina committed fraud, deceit or misrepresentation on his longshoreman application: by falsely denying previous marijuana use; and falsely denying possession of Alprazolam (a Schedule IV Controlled Substance) pills when he was arrested in 2003.

   Following the hearing, Judge Zidonik recommended denial of Traina’s application. The Commissioner’s accepted the ALJ’s recommendation.