Chris Walker

If both brothers were capable of such deception, could either of them be trusted? At the same time the police were rifling through Robert's records, Michael was under pressure of his own. He was still shaken by the shooting at his house, and his federal grape mislabeling trial was fast approaching. He now faced 12 criminal charges thanks to a superseding indictment.

If both brothers were capable of such deception, could either of them be trusted? At the same time the police were rifling through Robert's records, Michael was under pressure of his own. He was still shaken by the shooting at his house, and his federal grape mislabeling trial was fast approaching. He now faced 12 criminal charges thanks to a superseding indictment.

And although Lapham and his team had offered Michael reduced jail time if he cooperated as a witness, Michael refused to plea bargain. He felt that he was being blamed for way too much of the grape mislabeling activity when he was really just one small part of an industry-wide problem.

And although Lapham and his team had offered Michael reduced jail time if he cooperated as a witness, Michael refused to plea bargain. He felt that he was being blamed for way too much of the grape mislabeling activity when he was really just one small part of an industry-wide problem.

What about the wineries that turned their heads, that practically begged for grapes labeled Zinfandel so that they could fulfill their quotas? According to Michael's wife, Norma, He just couldn't.

What about the wineries that turned their heads, that practically begged for grapes labeled Zinfandel so that they could fulfill their quotas? According to Michael's wife, Norma, He just couldn't.

As Michael saw it, everything had been done with a wink and a nod. The least he could do was set the record straight. Rather than take a deal, he'd take his chances. He'd fight his 12 charges in front of a jury of 12 peers. And maybe he'd redeem both his name and his family's. Of course, here's where we get into the realities of America's criminal justice system.

As Michael saw it, everything had been done with a wink and a nod. The least he could do was set the record straight. Rather than take a deal, he'd take his chances. He'd fight his 12 charges in front of a jury of 12 peers. And maybe he'd redeem both his name and his family's. Of course, here's where we get into the realities of America's criminal justice system.

And there's a reason why over 97% of federal criminal cases never go to trial. Government prosecutors wield a fearsome arsenal of tools to coerce defendants into taking plea deals. Things like mandatory minimum sentencing, charge stacking, and perhaps the most intimidating, the so-called trial penalty.

And there's a reason why over 97% of federal criminal cases never go to trial. Government prosecutors wield a fearsome arsenal of tools to coerce defendants into taking plea deals. Things like mandatory minimum sentencing, charge stacking, and perhaps the most intimidating, the so-called trial penalty.

How sentences for defendants who lose their cases at trial are almost always stiffer than those originally offered in plea deals. And whether this system is fair, it's not, is a discussion for another day. Suffice it to say that you need to have enormous confidence, a Perry Mason caliber lawyer, or an airtight defense to join the roughly 2% of federal cases that actually end up before a jury.

How sentences for defendants who lose their cases at trial are almost always stiffer than those originally offered in plea deals. And whether this system is fair, it's not, is a discussion for another day. Suffice it to say that you need to have enormous confidence, a Perry Mason caliber lawyer, or an airtight defense to join the roughly 2% of federal cases that actually end up before a jury.

And the fact that Michael went for it, pleading not guilty to all 12 criminal charges, well, that stood out. It certainly raised eyebrows among Michael's co-conspirators, who had all negotiated plea deals in exchange for their testimony. According to Steve Lapham,

And the fact that Michael went for it, pleading not guilty to all 12 criminal charges, well, that stood out. It certainly raised eyebrows among Michael's co-conspirators, who had all negotiated plea deals in exchange for their testimony. According to Steve Lapham,

Two partners in the grape fraud. Even Nick and Frank Bavaro became witnesses for the state. Here's Frank.

Two partners in the grape fraud. Even Nick and Frank Bavaro became witnesses for the state. Here's Frank.

they were expected to dish out a seemingly endless amount of dirt.

they were expected to dish out a seemingly endless amount of dirt.

One of the government's primary targets was the Bavaro's old pal, Michael Licciardi. Michael's wife, Norma, remembers one instance in which Gary Alfieri came over to their house to speak to her husband. Norma was eavesdropping over the intercom, and she became suspicious when Alfieri started asking Michael questions.

One of the government's primary targets was the Bavaro's old pal, Michael Licciardi. Michael's wife, Norma, remembers one instance in which Gary Alfieri came over to their house to speak to her husband. Norma was eavesdropping over the intercom, and she became suspicious when Alfieri started asking Michael questions.