Blitzstein `friend' DeLuca held for trial

      The owner of a Las Vegas auto repair shop must remain in custody while awaiting trial on racketeering and extortion charges, a federal magistrate ruled Tuesday.
      U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leavitt held a brief hearing before finding that Joseph DeLuca, the 40-year-old owner of Any Auto Repair, poses a danger to the community.
      DeLuca was indicted Thursday with eight other people on charges that stem from a broad organized crime investigation in Southern Nevada. The indictment accuses two of DeLuca's co-defendants of killing mob associate Herbert "Fat Herbie" Blitzstein in January.
      After Tuesday's hearing, defense attorney Robert Lucherini said DeLuca had considered Blitzstein a "good, close friend."
      "And he was deeply saddened by the death," the attorney said. "In fact, he even flew to Chicago and attended the funeral with the Blitzstein family."
      DeLuca found the body Jan. 7 inside Blitzstein's townhome at 3655 Mount Vernon Ave. Blitzstein, 63, had been shot in the base of the skull.
      At Tuesday's hearing, Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Schulke said prosecutors have evidence that DeLuca knew in advance about the plot to kill Blitzstein. The indictment describes DeLuca as a mob associate.
      In addition to the racketeering and extortion charges, DeLuca faces charges of receiving stolen money and conspiracy.
      The indictment claims Blitzstein "directly or indirectly" owned an interest in Any Auto Repair on Fremont Street.
      According to the document, the business involves the repair of automobiles, the lawful and unlawful sale of automobiles, and the defrauding of insurance companies through false claims.
      The indictment also claims Blitzstein owned and operated a lending business that made high-interest loans.
      Kathryn Landreth, U.S. attorney for Nevada, said authorities believe Blitzstein was killed by mobsters interested in infiltrating his business activities in the Las Vegas Valley.
      The indictment accuses DeLuca and others of conspiring to obtain property, including money and "direct or indirect ownership" of Blitzstein's loan business, through extortion.
      Lucherini argued for DeLuca's release at Tuesday's hearing. He said the man, a 12-year resident of Las Vegas, is married and has two children.
      The attorney noted his client also is listed as a victim of extortion in the indictment.
      The document claims DeLuca "directly or indirectly" owned and operated a lending business making high-interest loans.
      The indictment accuses Peter Caruso, Stephen Cino and Louis Caruso of conspiring to obtain money and "direct or indirect ownership" of Any Auto Repair and DeLuca's loan business "by the wrongful use of fear against Joseph DeLuca."
      Leavitt agreed that DeLuca has sufficient ties to Las Vegas to prevent him from fleeing, but he opted to keep the man in custody to protect the community.
      DeLuca and most other defendants in the case are scheduled to appear before Leavitt on Thursday for arraignments.
      Las Vegas residents Peter Caruso, 58, and Alfred Mauriello, 69, face charges in connection with Blitzstein's death. Peter Caruso has no known relation to Louis Caruso.
      Peter Caruso, Mauriello and Cino, a 60-year-old Las Vegas resident, have been ordered to remain in custody pending the outcome of their cases.
      Louis Caruso, 40, was arrested Thursday in Los Angeles.
      Schulke said he has been released on bond and is scheduled to appear before a judge in Las Vegas next month.