Buffalo, N.Y. — As the trial of Peter Gerace Jr. progresses, jurors resumed deliberations on Thursday, requesting to revisit testimony concerning alleged witness tampering, a key element of the case against the Buffalo strip club owner. The trial, which has captured local attention due to its lurid details and accusations involving federal law enforcement, includes charges of witness tampering, conspiracy to distribute drugs, and aiding in sex trafficking.
At the center of the six-week trial are accusations that Gerace conspired with a former Drug Enforcement Administration Agent, Joseph Bongiovanni, to evade federal narcotics investigations. Additionally, Gerace is charged with bribing Bongiovanni, maintaining his strip club, Pharaoh’s Gentlemen’s Club, as a drug-involved premises, and coercing dancers to engage in sex acts for financial gain over nearly a decade.
On their first day of deliberations, jurors focused on testimonies about alleged witness intimidation undertaken by Gerace, including threats conveyed through social media. On Nov. 19, 2019, Gerace reportedly urged two others at his home to send menacing messages via Facebook to a potential witness against him. These messages included derogatory and threatening language aimed at undermining and frightening the recipient, who was struggling with drug issues at the time.
The court heard how dead rats were placed at the home of an ex-dancer’s mother and roommate, symbolizing a chilling message of intimidation. Legal representatives for Gerace have denied any connection between their client and these menacing acts.
Further complicating the trial, dramatic testimonies revealed the toxic environment surrounding Gerace’s operations. A former dancer described an incident where she, Gerace, and a confidante named Crystal Quinn, while under the influence of cocaine, discussed another dancer suspected of cooperating with federal investigators. The ex-dancer testified that Quinn then used her phone to send threatening messages to the suspected informant, calling her derogatory names and even prompting her to self-harm.
This dark narrative extended into Gerace’s interactions while detained. Testimony from a former inmate at Niagara County Jail, who had conversed with Gerace, portrayed him as a man angered by the breach of loyalty and plainly discussing retribution against those he considered traitors.
The trial has also shed light on the wider implications of such criminal activities. For instance, Gerace and leaders from the Outlaws Motorcycle Club face separate charges under a different indictment, which includes conspiracies linked to the overdose death of Crystal Quinn.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, former jailhouse informants cited fears for their safety, articulating a culture of intimidation that could persist long after the trial ends. These informants’ insights, drawn from their clandestine discussions with Gerace, underscored a broader network of influence and retaliation that could reach anyone perceived as a threat to their operations.
As this high-profile case nears its pivotal moments, the community watches closely, awaiting outcomes that will resonate far beyond the confines of the courtroom.
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