Montreal Mafia boss to be extradited to US

The reputed godfather of the Montreal Mafia has lost an appeal against deportation to the United States to face charges stemming from the killings of three US mob captains in 1981.

The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed Vito Rizzuto’s case without comment today.

US authorities want to try Rizzuto for conspiracy to murder three captains in the notorious Bonanno crime family in 1981.

Rizzuto had argued his deportation was mishandled by Canada’s former justice minister.

Rizzuto, who is being detained in Montreal, faces 20 years in prison if convicted because the murder allegations are filed as part of a racketeering case. He has not been charged with murder, however.

Known in media reports as the “godfather” of the Montreal Mafia, Rizzuto was one of 30 suspects arrested in sweep ordered by US authorities.

He was the only Canadian arrested during the operation in 2004 that dealt a crippling blow to the powerful criminal organisation.

The Bonanno captains were shot dead on May 5, 1981, targeted for execution because they were believed to be plotting to take control of the family from boss Phil Rastelli, according to court documents.