MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — A convicted killer and registered sex offender who was on the lam for weeks after being indicted for allegedly taking part in an American Express identity theft ring that targeted customers in high-end Manhattan steak houses was ordered held on $150,000 bail Thursday after recently turning himself in.
Gregory Portacio, 52, was a "significant member" of the alleged crime ring that used credit accounts stolen from customers at the city's top steakhouses including Smith and Wollensky and The Capital Grille, prosecutors said.
"He stands before this court having a record that includes a manslaughter conviction in the 80s, a forceful sex act conviction in the 90s and now we have moved on to a white collar phase of his criminal career," Assistant District Attorney Kenn Kern said at Portacio's bail hearing.
Portacio, who served prison time for reportedly dragging a Queens woman to her death during a robbery, was one of 28 people indicted for the AmEx scam. That group included waiters at the restaurants, such JoJo and Wolfgang's Steakhouse, who allegedly used "skimmers" to log customers' credit card information.
Prosecutors say the group, allegedly led by Luis Damian Jacas, stole $600,000 during the spree that lasted from April 2010 to December 2011 and used it to purchase luxury goods from stores like Chanel and Hermes that would later be resold.
"This defendant has the worst criminal record of any of those individuals," Kern added of Portacio Thursday.
Prosecutors say Portacio was caught on video surveillance using forged credit cards that were generated with using stolen account information.
His attorney said Portacio willingly turned himself in to police in December and should have received a lower bail because he is not a flight risk.
"Frankly, he simply has no reason to flee, you honor," said attorney Lewis Gladstone.
Portacio, who faces enterprise corruption and grand larceny charges, is due back in court on Jan. 26. He faces a minimum of four years in prison if convicted.
