This holiday season, two soldiers from the notorious Gambino crime family can express their gratitude to a compassionate federal judge.
A New York judge has ordered the release of alleged mobsters Diego “Danny” Tantillo and Angelo “Fifi” Gradilone just in time for Thanksgiving. The judge made an interesting observation, stating that the younger generation of mafia members aren’t involved in killing people like their predecessors. It remains to be seen whether the alleged wiseguys will be able to enjoy their freedom for long.
Federal Judge Frederic Block has ordered the release of the duo who were arrested along with eight other reputed mobsters by federal authorities in Brooklyn. The release came after almost two weeks of being held in federal lockup.
During their bail hearing in the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, Judge Block, who is 89 years old, ordered the defendants to be released from pre-trial detention. According to reports, the judge referenced the holiday spirit during his decision.
According to the New York Daily News, Block expressed that we all have a human side to us and shared his thought of letting the inmates out tomorrow, considering Thanksgiving is just around the corner on Thursday.
According to the judge, the accused crimes pale in comparison to the violence that was once inflicted on the residents of New York by the mob. According to the News, Judge Block commented that murderers were let out on bail in the past.
“This particular case does not have anything close to that. It is fortunate to see that the younger generation of mafioso are not resorting to killing people these days.”
According to a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Tantillo and Gradilone are anticipated to be released from custody once their bail terms are established on Wednesday.
On November 8th, the Gambino family members were charged with a 16-count indictment for their alleged attempts to take over the demolition and carting industries in New York City through violent means, extortion, and arson.
Federal prosecutors have claimed that 48-year-old Freehold, NJ resident Tantillo participated in a scheme involving two other alleged mobsters. According to reports, the trio conspired to extort a carting business operator by using a bat to threaten him, assaulting one of his associates, and setting fire to the steps outside his residence.
Prosecutors claim that in 2020, Tantillo and two other mobsters coerced the victim’s father-in-law after the victim refused to pay.
Shortly after, the victim resumed making payments, and one of the supposed gangsters shared a picture with Tantillo. The photograph featured reputed Sicilian Mafia associate Francesco Vicari, raising a small bottle of champagne in a celebratory toast.
According to prosecutors, Tantillo is accused of arranging a no-show job at a construction company for 57-year-old Staten Island resident, Gradilone. This allegedly provided Gradilone with income and health benefits that he was not entitled to.
According to court documents, Tantillo’s family members co-signed a $5 million bond for his release to home incarceration. He will be closely monitored through electronic means and is prohibited from making contact with co-defendants, witnesses, or victims involved in the case.
According to court papers, Gradilone has been granted a release on $1 million bond and will be required to serve home detention. Additionally, he is prohibited from contacting individuals associated with the case.
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