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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Outfoxing the animals 5/4/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Sunday, May 4, 2008 Imprisoned mob boss fond of dropping $10 words on his son Associated Press NEW YORK -- He's known as Vinny Gorgeous, but convicted mob boss Vincent Basciano might want to trade up to Vinny Photogenic or Vinny Pulchritudinous. Some of his letters from federal prison, which are being intercepted and scrutinized by authorities, are full of such words as "thespian," "flippant" and "sagacious," his lawyer said Thursday. A new form of gangland slang, or a coded message to fellow wise guys? No, attorney Ephraim Savitt said, just vocabulary Basciano wants the recipient -- his 7-year-old son -- to learn. "He wants the kid to go to college and be a success," Savitt said, claiming his client's fatherly aims are being frustrated by authorities' slow pace in reviewing the letters. Basciano "enjoys using $10 words -- and uses them correctly, I might add," his attorney said. Basciano, 48, is serving a life sentence for the 2001 killing of a Mafia rival.

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