The man who got hit by a truck and lost his head in Brooklyn was once a boss for the Genovese crime group, according to The Post.
His name was Anthony Conigliaro, but people called him “Tony Cakes” or “Tony the Dessert Man.” He died on June 12 in a tragic accident involving a city truck, his lawyers and police sources said.
“He was always watching his back, but he didn’t watch where he was going,” one police source said.
Before his accident, Conigliaro lived quietly by himself in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. A neighbor said he was a good guy who looked out for others.
But few knew about his past in the mafia and a criminal case from nearly twenty years ago.
In 2005, federal prosecutors accused Conigliaro of being involved with the Genovese crime family. He worked as a loan shark for them, according to court documents.
He pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge and served 13 months in prison.
He also faced other charges in 1999 and 2006, but details are sealed.
Conigliaro’s family couldn’t be reached for comment.
A lawyer who knew him well said Conigliaro turned his life around after prison and became successful in the dessert business.
“He was a kind, gentle guy who liked to help people,” the lawyer said.
A small memorial with flowers and candles was set up where Conigliaro was hit.
Video from the crash showed his head separated from his body, and the truck driver looked very upset.
“Somebody might be in trouble for this,” one source said, suggesting the driver might need protection.