A federal judge has refused to disqualify on conflict of interest grounds a defense attorney with deep ties to the Gambino organized crime family.

Attorney Joseph R. Corozzo Jr. is defending Michael Scarpaci against a multi-felony racketeering indictment, and prosecutors attempted to have him disqualified because of four alleged potential conflicts, including that his father and uncle are top Gambino figures, and the claim that Corozzo is a Gambino family associate and serves as its “house counsel.”