Carmine Agnello Jr., grandson of notorious mob boss John Gotti, has been given a firm deadline by a federal judge: donate a kidney to his ailing mother, Victoria Gotti, by August 10, 2026, or report to prison.
Agnello, 40, was originally scheduled to begin a 15-month sentence for COVID-19 fraud on June 20, but received a two-month reprieve to undergo the kidney transplant. The operation was planned for August 3, but has not yet occurred. Agnello's attorney, Robert Beltrani, stated in a court filing that his mother suffered a serious infection ahead of the scheduled procedure, requiring antibiotic treatment. Beltrani expressed hope the transplant would occur by August 10.
U.S. District Court Judge Nusrat Choudhury ruled that if the transplant takes place on or before August 10, 2026, Agnello must self-surrender to the Bureau of Prisons by September 18, 2026. However, if the surgery does not occur by that date, he must report to prison by August 10, 2026.
Agnello pleaded guilty in 2024 to wire fraud for obtaining over $1.1 million in Small Business Administration loans for his Queens-based business, Crown Auto Parts and Recycling LLC. Prosecutors stated he falsely claimed no prior criminal record on his loan applications, despite having two previous convictions.
Victoria Gotti, 63, who is battling end-stage renal disease, had previously written a letter to the judge pleading for leniency for her son, calling his donation the "GIFT OF LIFE." Agnello's defense attorney had also argued that his client's family background limited his opportunities.
Prosecutors countered that Agnello's actions were his own and not solely attributable to his family's legacy. They also noted that a kidney donation is possible from within a correctional facility.
Choudhury sentenced Agnello to 15 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to undergo mental health evaluation and counseling for a gambling addiction.
Less than two months after his sentencing, Agnello was arrested on charges of assault, criminal obstruction of breathing, and criminal mischief following an alleged domestic incident. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
