Lucali's Mark Iacono Now in Stable Condition After Stabbing

Yesterday, news broke that Mark Iacono, of Brooklyn's famed Lucali pizzeria, was brutally stabbed near his restaurant, and rushed to the hospital. Now, the The Post reports that Iacono is in stable condition. He underwent emergency surgery last night, and his family believes he will survive the wounds to his neck, back and legs. The police have identified his attacker as Benny Geritano, a lifelong acquaintance of Iacono, who worked at Bagels by the Park Cafe, also in Carroll Gardens. He was taken into custody at another nearby hospital, where he was being treated for slashes on his hands.

Geritano has a serious rap sheet: he's been arrested ten times, spent three stints in prison, beat a murder charge in 2000, and according to the Post, he is "associated with the Genovese crime family." His stepfather was Anthony "Shorty" Mascuzzio, one of John Gotti's associates, who was murdered by a nightclub owner in 1988.

Also according to the Post, Iacono and Geritano ran into each other at a Dunkin' Donuts earlier in the day, and a "law enforcement source" believes that the attack outside of Joe's Suprette Deli may have been an attempt to "squeeze money" out of the chef. The Daily News reports that Geritano may have been off his meds at the time.
· Pizza Guy 'Stab' May Have Been Attempted Mob Shakedown [NYP]
· Mark Iacono, Owner of Renowned Brooklyn Pizzeria Lucali, Stabbed [NYDN]
· Lucali's Mark Iacono in Critical Condition After Stabbing [~ENY~]
[Arthur Bovino]