“Mazzei built a labyrinth of crime including drug dealing, extortion, and fraud against numerous government programs including COVID-19 aid, housing support, food stamps, and other financial assistance. He is a successful businessman for sure – a crooked, evil businessman” – Prosecutors

NYC businessman and top chef, Ettore Mazzei, is the ‘evil’ mastermind behind a massive drug ring, – the “primary orchestrator” of the long-running operation, prosecutors said

Mazzei, 61, was called a “crooked, evil businessman” after he was nabbed Wednesday in a sting overnight at his home

Mazzei preyed on vulnerable people who suffered from addiction illness and oppressed them into servitude in his catering business, for housing and ultimately, for drug dealing

Mazzei who was honored in 2022 by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce for his community revitalization efforts, was one of 20 people busted in the sting operation

He was indicted on multiple charges including criminal sale of a controlled substance, grand larceny, identity theft and possession of a forged instrument

Mazzei was arraigned Wednesday and ordered held on $3 million cash bail and $5 million bond

Wealthy NYC business man, Ettore Mazzei, [center] was arrested Wednesday during a drug sting. Prosecutors say the one time business honoree is a “crooked, evil businessman”. He’s indicted on multiple charges including criminal sale of a controlled substance, grand larceny, identity theft and possession of a forged instrument

A renowned Staten Island chef and entrepreneur was busted as the ringleader of a massive drug operation where he tricked addicts into “servitude, officials said Wednesday after raiding his home and businesses.
Ettore Mazzei, 61, was called a “crooked, evil businessman” after he was nabbed in a sting overnight at his home on Bay Street in Stapleton, prosecutors and sources said.
Authorities also raided his nearby business Chez Vous Caterers and a construction business he owns, according to the sources.. 
“Like a modern-day Fagin, the character from Dickens’ Oliver Twist, Mazzei preyed on vulnerable people who suffered from addiction illness and oppressed them into servitude in his catering business, for housing and ultimately, for drug dealing,” Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon said in a statement.

Mazzei, is the founder of Chez Vous Caterers, Dock Street Bar & Grill, Construction & Design Co, as well as Shandelee Lake Inn

Mazzei has been honored by NYC authorities in 2022 for his community revitalization efforts. Now authorities say his massive drug operation tricked addicts into “servitude and charged him for criminal sale of a controlled substance, grand larceny, identity theft and possession of a forged instrument

“The breadth of his criminal activity is truly mind-boggling,” McMahon added.
“Mazzei built a labyrinth of crime including drug dealing, extortion, and fraud against numerous government programs including COVID-19 aid, housing support, food stamps, and other financial assistance. He is a successful businessman for sure – a crooked, evil businessman.” 
Mazzei, who was honored in 2022 by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce for his community revitalization efforts, has been indicted on multiple charges including criminal sale of a controlled substance, grand larceny, identity theft and possession of a forged instrument, according to prosecutors.
Mazzei, a well-known figure in Staten Island, allegedly was nabbed while delivering drugs with his girlfriend
He is was among about 20 people charged in the sweeping operation, which also included Rudy Santana, Gary Pulice, Foad Odeh and Melissa Mazzei, according to Richmond County Supreme Court documents.

The renowned Staten Island chef and entrepreneur was busted as the ringleader of a massive drug operation where he tricked addicts into “servitude, officials said Wednesday after raiding his home and businesses

Authorities likened Mazzei to “a modern-day Fagin, the character from Dickens’ Oliver Twist, preying on vulnerable people who suffer from addiction illness and oppressed them into servitude in his catering business, for housing and ultimately, for drug dealing”

Mazzei and and his illicit drug ring have been accused of selling 20 grams of heroin, 461 grams of cocaine, and 140 suboxone strips to undercover officers over a 14-month period starting in March 2023, according to arrest documents.
Mazzei, the founder of Chez Vous Caterers, Dock Street Bar & Grill, Construction & Design Co, as well as Shandelee Lake Inn, according to his online bio, was the “primary orchestrator” of the long-running operation, the DA’s office said. 

Mazzei is the “primary orchestrator” of the long-running drug distribution operation, according to the District Attorney’s office as recently as last month, “several acts of violence”, including two shootings and an armed home invasion, had been reported in and around his properties

As recently as last month, “several acts of violence”, including two shootings and an armed home invasion, had been reported in and around Mazzei’s properties, prosecutors said.
Furthermore, an investigation by the Richmond County DA’s Office’s Overdose Response Initiative, links the alleged actions of the ring to multiple overdose deaths on Staten Island. 
A statement from NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban states that “The defendants’ alleged actions plagued neighborhoods in Staten Island by littering the streets with illegal narcotics that led to overdose deaths and endangered countless more New Yorkers.
“These allegations are particularly galling given that the driving force behind this illicit drug operation – a local landlord, chef, and entrepreneur – was recently recognized as a pillar of the community by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce”, Caban lamented.

Foad Odeh was among about 20 people arrested in the sweeping operation that bust the drug ring

“Putting personal and financial gain above people’s lives is the polar opposite of what New Yorkers expect and deserve from their leaders.”
Ironically, Mazzei was also active in Staten Island anti-drug initiatives, where he allegedly took advantage of those who sought help.
“This gentleman is posing himself as someone who is looking to steer drug-addicted and people who are addicted to narcotics to rehab but nobody really knows he’s the one supplying the drugs to these people to keep them addicted,” wondered NYPD Deputy Inspector Scott Weisberg.

Wealthy NYC entrepreneur Ettore Mazzei was nabbed while delivering drugs with his girlfriend

He was ordered held on $3 million cash bail and $5 million bond during his Wednesday morning arraignment.
Mazzei who lives with his wife Rebecca, and has two adult children, Melissa and David, as well as three grandsons, according to the online profile, was nabbed while delivering drugs with his girlfriend.

Mazzei was also active in Staten Island anti-drug initiatives, where he allegedly took advantage of those who sought help. His alleged actions have also been linked to multiple overdose deaths on Staten Island, prosecutors said.

Mazzei published a book in 2014 called, “It’s Your Right to Be Fit, Sexed and Happy”.
“Who am I? My first response is that who I am is not important,” he wrote in his bio.
“What is important is my sharing with you what I have learned from my life experiences with fitness, whole foods, sex, and the forces that affect my well being and aliveness in each and every moment.”