Hector Rosario, a former Nassau County detective, was convicted on Wednesday (March 5) of lying to the FBI to protect a Mafia family’s illegal gambling operations. The verdict was delivered after a seven-day trial in Brooklyn federal court, where Rosario, 51, was also acquitted of obstruction of justice, the most serious charge he faced.

Rosario, a 15-year police veteran, was accused of accepting payments from the Bonanno crime family and tipping off a mobster under investigation. He also allegedly conducted fake police raids to benefit the Bonannos in their feud with the rival Genovese family. U.S. Attorney John Durham described Rosario as a “corrupt detective” who prioritized his loyalty to the mob over his duty to the public.

The former detective was fired in 2022 after being charged along with eight others in connection with the gambling racket. Prosecutors said Rosario lied to FBI agents in 2020, denying any knowledge of Mafia activities or illegal gambling spots.

Rosario’s lawyers argued that the case relied on unreliable testimony from mobsters cooperating with prosecutors.

Rosario, who remains out on bail, faces up to five years in prison for his conviction. His legal team plans to appeal the decision, citing the questionable credibility of the witnesses.