The Miniacis and the Mafiosi

Investigators are discovering a number of links between beach developers Albert and Dominick Miniaci and Broward underworld figures

A A A Comments (2) By Bob Norman Thursday, Jul 2 1998

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Imperato said that if the case involved a criminal conspiracy, all of Miniaci's privileges as a lawyer don't mean a thing, but she added that he does fall "into a gray area."

Because of the large number of defendants (17) in the racketeering indictment that includes Cerrella and because of the complexity of the case itself, two or three years will likely pass before the MIU's Genovese Mob cases are resolved, says Imperato, one of three prosecutors on the case.

Despite Dominick Miniaci's help and the Miniaci Enterprises loans, Fever was a flop, a financial disaster. Cerrella, in a recorded conversation on May 30, 1997, told Mulqueen that he doesn't even like to go to Fever any more, that it's "getting depressing."

"I just hope that everything picks up or, or I don't know what the fuck we're going to do here," he said. "I'm into so much money in this joint, and the rent's due this week.... I got nothin' else comin' to pay my bills. I can't do it."

"Wow," Mulqueen says.
It was proof that even reputed mobsters fall flat in some business attempts -- even if they have the help and cash of one of the most respected families in Fort Lauderdale.