In a remarkable courtroom plea, John Gotti’s grandson has requested additional time from a Brooklyn judge before facing imprisonment, citing the need to donate a kidney to his ill mother, Victoria. However, he missed the previous deadline, explaining her illness makes the procedure impossible right now.
Carmine Agnello, 39, previously convicted of defrauding COVID relief funds, had assured the court he would proceed with the kidney transplant by Monday, given his surrender date, initially set for August 10, was delayed to September 18.
The plan went awry when the would-be donor informed the court on Tuesday that his 63-year-old mother developed a severe infection, necessitating intensive antibiotic treatment, thereby postponing the surgery at the last moment.
“Mr. Agnello is fully prepared to proceed with the donation and only awaits surgical approval,” said his attorney, Robert Beltrani, in a formal appeal to the judge overseeing the case.
To maintain the two-month reprieve granted by Judge Nusrat Choudhury, Agnello must have the surgery completed this week. Despite the delay, he expressed optimism about fulfilling this obligation soon.
Prosecutors with the Brooklyn US Attorney’s Office have repeatedly argued that that the situation does not warrant any leniency from the court and have noted that Agnello could give up the kidney behind bars.
The admitted fraudster has pleaded guilty to skimming Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration that were meant to help companies bounce back from the pandemic shutdown.
He was ordered to pony up $1.2 million in restitution.
Victoria Gotti, daughter of the late John Gotti and star of 2004 reality TV show, “Growing Up Gotti,” praised her son for agreeing to give up a kidney in a letter sent to the judge in advance of her son’s April sentencing hearing, writing, “He is giving me the GIFT OF LIFE.”
Prosecutors and Judge Choudhury had yet to respond to Agnello’s letter to the court as of Tuesday afternoon.