Carmine Agnello Seeks Sentence Reduction for Kidney Donation
Carmine Agnello, the grandson of the infamous Gambino family figure John Gotti, is appealing to a federal judge for a lighter prison term on the grounds that he wants to donate a kidney to his sick mother, according to court documents.
The 39-year-old Agnello pleaded guilty last year to fraud charges after unlawfully obtaining $1.1 million in COVID-19 relief funds intended for struggling businesses. Much of this money was reportedly invested in cryptocurrencies, leaving him facing a potential prison sentence of up to three years.
In an unexpected turn, Agnello is now hoping that his intention to be an organ donor could lead to his release from prison, with federal prosecutors in Suffolk County exploring options ahead of his sentencing, which is scheduled for March 13.
“If the defendant is to be a donor and the surgery date is approaching, it may be reasonable to postpone his surrender,” the prosecutors stated in a motion submitted on Thursday.
Nevertheless, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York expressed skepticism, noting that being an organ donor doesn’t necessarily create a compelling family situation that would warrant a reduced sentence.
Agnello had filed a motion seeking to overturn the judgment back in February, but this document has since been sealed and is not publicly accessible.
The specific recipient of the kidney remains undisclosed, though it is likely that it would be his mother, Victoria Gotti. Reports earlier indicated that she was in need of a transplant, and Agnello’s court filings revealed that he has two adult siblings living nearby to assist with her recovery.
Prosecutors also contend that the Federal Bureau of Prisons has sufficient medical facilities to ensure Agnello’s recovery following the donation. They added, “BOP officials informed us that if surgery were to happen, they would be able to accommodate the defendant as long as the surgeon had the appropriate permission.”
Furthermore, the U.S. Attorney’s Office pointed out that scheduled donations do not prevent an inmate’s custody status from changing and that inmates can donate while incarcerated.
In addition to his looming prison time, Agnello has been ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution related to his fraudulent activities, which included submitting false applications for COVID-19 relief funds under the guise of his business, Crown Auto Parts.
