Conrad Ianniello has been sentenced to 36 months in prison for extorting a union official, but Federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis allowed him out of house arrest between 6:30 to 11 p.m. to eat dinner at Da Nico restaurant in Staten Island.
BY John Marzulli
Reputed Genovese mobster Conrad Ianniello got a furlough from house arrest to eat Christmas Eve dinner with his family. The 71-year-old was sentenced to 36 months in prison for extortion.Kevin C. Downs/for New York Daily NewsReputed Genovese mobster Conrad Ianniello got a furlough from house arrest to eat Christmas Eve dinner with his family. The 71-year-old was sentenced to 36 months in prison for extortion.
A Brooklyn judge granted a Christmas Eve wish to a 71-year-old gangster bound for prison.
Federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis lambasted reputed Genovese capo Conrad Ianniello at his sentencing earlier this month, making it clear that the gangster disgusts him.
But Ianniello took the verbal beatdown like a man, pleading through his lawyer this week and “respectfully requesting” a furlough from house arrest so he could attend a Christmas Eve family dinner at Da Nico restaurant in Staten Island.
Ianniello, 71, will miss at least the next two Christmas holidays with his wife as he serves a 36-month sentence for extorting a union official.
Ianniello did not sound particularly remorseful about dispatching a mob goon to threaten the president of a rival union to make him stop trying to organize workers at a Long Island chocolate factory, leading to the judge’s epic tongue lashing.
“You’re bad for America,” Garaufis said on Dec. 11 in Brooklyn Federal Court with about 10 members of Ianniello’s family looking on.
“Your behavior disgusts me! You need to apologize to America. I have no sympathy for you. None. I don’t want to hear he’s sorry for his family. I want to talk about what he’s done to our country, he and his fellow mobsters!”
Ianniello, nephew of late Genovese underboss Matthew (Matty the Horse) Ianniello, said Wednesday he is grateful to the judge. His lawyer did not return a call.
Ianniello was allowed out of the house from 6:30 to 11 p.m. and is monitored by an electronic bracelet. The wiseguy surrenders next month to begin serving his term at a federal prison.
“I definitely appreciate it,” Ianniello told the Daily News. “My daughter and my sister will be there and I’ll miss them. I’m not getting any younger.”
Asked if he would partake in the Italian tradition of the feast of the seven fishes, Ianniello was noncommittal. “I’ll look at the menu and see what specials they have.”
Ianniello hesitated to reveal where he would be dining. “I don’t want a crowd showing up,” he said mysteriously.