Joe Bruno on the Mob – Judge Gives Mobster a Break
Sometimes judges unjustly throw the book at an alleged Mafia defendant. This case doesn't seem to be one of those times.
Alleged Gambino crime family associate Frank Roccaforte has been incarcerated in his 31 years on earth a sum total of three times. At the sentencing of his last conviction for assault, drug dealing and illegal bookmaking, Roccaforte begged Judge Richard Berman for leniency, saying "he planed on becoming a law-abiding citizen, marrying his girlfriend, and starting a family when he gets out of prison."
Even Roccaforte's mother Joyce pleaded for leniency for her son, saying that Roccaforte wasn't entirely responsible for his past actions because his late father enticed him into a life of crime.
Be that as it may, Roccaforte was facing 57 months in prison, but the judge only sentenced him to 46 months, telling Roccaforte, "You're getting close to real trouble, and this is the opportunity to turn your life around."
Hey, 11 months off is 11 months off, and if Roccaforte is sincere about his lifestyle change, he certainly deserves the sentence reduction.
Only time will tell.
The article below can be seen at:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/mo...
Mobster's prison 'break'
By LIZ SADLER
Last Updated: 3:25 AM, December 14, 2011
Posted: 3:19 AM, December 14, 2011
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Lucky he's a family guy!
A federal judge gave a mobster a break yesterday after the goon said he plans on starting a very different kind of "family."
Frank Roccaforte, a three-time loser and associate of the Gambino crime family, had pleaded for leniency from Judge Richard Berman, saying he plans on becoming a law-abiding citizen, marrying his girlfriend and starting a family when he gets out of the big house.
Roccaforte, 31, who was swept up in a massive Mafia crackdown earlier this year, was facing up to 57 months in the slammer after pleading guilty to assault, drug dealing and illegal bookmaking.
Roccaforte's mother, Joyce, also pleaded for leniency from the judge, blaming her late husband for leading Frank into a life of crime.
The judge sentenced Roccaforte to 46 months, warning him this is his last shot at redemption.
"You're getting close to real trouble, and this is the opportunity to turn your life around," the judge said. Roccaforte flashed a big smile at his mom after the judge read the sentence.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/mo...
