Miss-Delectable
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Deaf sons spare mob associate from jail
A Genovese family associate from Smithtown convicted of extortion was spared jail Friday because he is the sole caregiver for his two deaf teenage sons.
U.S. District Judge John Gleeson of Brooklyn told Glenn Mazzella, 49, a boat broker and businessman, that he was getting probation only because of his boys.
"You are a defendant who deserves to go to prison," said Gleeson, who gained recognition as a mob-busting prosecutor. "But I don't know how a judge with a heart could do that to you, to your kids."
Gleeson concluded that Mazzella, a widower, played an "irreplaceable" role in coordinating his sons' care and education, and supporting them both
emotionally and financially.
Mazzella pleaded guilty last year to extortion conspiracy as part of a crew working for alleged Genovese soldier Daniel Cilenti, his uncle, in 2009 and 2010. Cilenti has pleaded not guilty.
Mazzella told Gleeson his family's mob ties gave him access to "that life" but he chose a different path.
He graduated from Fordham University business school, started Glenn Marine boating centers on Long Island and worked as a lecturer at Kingsborough Community College -- until his uncle got sick a few years ago and asked him to help with "family matters."
Mazzella said he was "deeply sorry" for his crimes and said he had promised his boys it would never happen again.
"To separate me from my children would have maximum negative effect," he said. "Emotionally and financially, they wouldn't survive. There really isn't anyone else."
Under sentencing guidelines, Mazzella faced between 15 and 21 months in prison.
Prosecutor Stephen Frank recommended some prison time, noting, "We don't believe his family situation is a get-out-of-jail-free card."
A Genovese family associate from Smithtown convicted of extortion was spared jail Friday because he is the sole caregiver for his two deaf teenage sons.
U.S. District Judge John Gleeson of Brooklyn told Glenn Mazzella, 49, a boat broker and businessman, that he was getting probation only because of his boys.
"You are a defendant who deserves to go to prison," said Gleeson, who gained recognition as a mob-busting prosecutor. "But I don't know how a judge with a heart could do that to you, to your kids."
Gleeson concluded that Mazzella, a widower, played an "irreplaceable" role in coordinating his sons' care and education, and supporting them both
emotionally and financially.
Mazzella pleaded guilty last year to extortion conspiracy as part of a crew working for alleged Genovese soldier Daniel Cilenti, his uncle, in 2009 and 2010. Cilenti has pleaded not guilty.
Mazzella told Gleeson his family's mob ties gave him access to "that life" but he chose a different path.
He graduated from Fordham University business school, started Glenn Marine boating centers on Long Island and worked as a lecturer at Kingsborough Community College -- until his uncle got sick a few years ago and asked him to help with "family matters."
Mazzella said he was "deeply sorry" for his crimes and said he had promised his boys it would never happen again.
"To separate me from my children would have maximum negative effect," he said. "Emotionally and financially, they wouldn't survive. There really isn't anyone else."
Under sentencing guidelines, Mazzella faced between 15 and 21 months in prison.
Prosecutor Stephen Frank recommended some prison time, noting, "We don't believe his family situation is a get-out-of-jail-free card."