John Ragano, a notorious Bonanno crime family soldier known by his menacing nickname “The Maniac,” has been convicted of extortion following a week-long trial at Brooklyn Federal Court.

Ragano, 62, also known as “Bazoo,” was found guilty of coercing Vincent Martino, a construction business owner with mob ties, into repaying a hefty $150,000 street loan.

The trial unveiled a chilling incident where Ragano forced Martino to strip naked in a Queens auto parts shop as part of his intimidating tactics.

The jury delivered its verdict, convicting Ragano of extortion but acquitting him of charges related to witness harassment and tampering. Throughout the trial, prosecutors painted a vivid picture of Ragano’s relentless pursuit of his money.

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Despite facing conviction and awaiting sentencing on charges related to the same loan, Ragano continued to pressure Martino for repayment, including the steep $1,800 weekly interest payments he claimed were owed.

Martino, overwhelmed by business debt, testified about his desperate decision to seek high-interest loans from the mafia, including the substantial loan from Ragano.

“I was drowning in debt,” Martino admitted, acknowledging his reliance on street loans to keep his business afloat.

He described making regular payments on a staggering $100,000 interest until September 2021, when a massive indictment led to the arrest of Ragano, Martino, and the Colombo crime family’s leadership in connection with a union shakedown scheme.

Ragano had already pleaded guilty to several charges stemming from that indictment, including prior extortion attempts against Martino. He began serving a 57-month sentence on July 10, 2023, a mere five days after the recorded confrontation with Martino.