A federal judge gave John Gotti’s grandson Carmine Agnello a two-month reprieve on his sentencing for a $1.1 million COVID fraud case so he could donate a kidney to his ailing mom, officials said.
Agnello, 39, was scheduled to be sentenced to more than 33 months in federal prison on Monday, but U.S. District Court Judge Nusrat Choudhury approved the extension as long as he donates his kidney to his mother, Victoria Gotti, on Aug. 3.
“I do believe that a deferment of the surrender date is justified here,” Choudhury said during a conference call on Friday, after two doctors gave her assurances that the operation had been scheduled, according to Newsday.
Agnello’s sentencing has been postponed to Sept. 18, as long as the court is notified by Aug. 4 that the kidney transplant took place.
Victoria Gotti, John Gotti’s daughter, has been begging Choudhury to spare her fraudster son from prison time since March.
The infamous Gambino boss’ 63-year-old daughter recently learned she has chronic kidney disease, and Agnello “immediately stepped up,” his lawyer, Steven Metcalf wrote the judge.
In a lengthy letter submitted on March 11, the “Growing Up Gotti” star called her son her “Miracle Child,” and questioned whether he actually committed the COVID fraud he pleaded guilty to in 2024.
“Your Honor, you want to know what kind of a young man Carmine is? I am sure every parent would say that if asked about their child, ‘Oh, he or she is the best’ — but on my life, my upcoming transplant, THAT is the kind of young man my son is. He is there to help anyone. He is kind and generous to a fault. He is giving me the GIFT OF LIFE,” Victoria Gotti wrote in her plea.
In his sentencing submission, attorney Steven Metcalf described Gotti’s life in the spotlight as the Teflon Don’s grandson, and his role on the 2024 A&E reality show.
“Carmine entered a world where he was quickly in front of a camera — leading to public fascination, and family legacy that was absolutely unavoidable — and a topic for daily discussion,” Metcalf wrote, adding, “Carmine became a fan favorite after ‘Growing Up Gotti’ aired. Viewing in hindsight, the world saw a charismatic, stylish, soft‑spoken young man who treated his family with respect.”
Agnello admitted to fraudulently applying for three COVID relief loans for his business, Crown Auto Parts, which he co-owned with his brothers, lying about the size of his payroll and falsely claiming he had no criminal record. He used $420,000 of the loan money to invest in a cryptocurrency business, according to federal prosecutors.
Federal prosecutors at first balked at the extension request.
“This is precisely the basis upon which the defendant sought an eve-of-sentencing adjournment in March; and, after obtaining that adjournment, no surgery actually occurred,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles P. Kelly wrote. “Needless to say, the government is extremely skeptical of the instant request.”
Yet, during Friday’s conference call Kelly said prosecutors were fine with the extension as long as there’s proof the procedure happened.
“I hope there’s no complications to come, and I hope the surgery goes forward and everything goes well for both mother and child,” Agnello defense attorney Robert Beltrani said.
