John Gotti's grandson sentenced to 15 months in jail for COVID relief fraud
The 39-year-old of Smithtown lied on applications to get nearly $1 million.
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The grandson of late mob boss John Gotti is headed to jail.
Carmine Agnello was sentenced Tuesday to 15 months in jail after pleading guilty to defrauding the Small Business Administration out of more than $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
Prosecutors say Agnello illegally obtained $1.1 million in federal loans during the pandemic and used much of the money for personal gain instead of business expenses or employee payroll.
Agnello admitted he fraudulently applied for three SBA loans in 2020 and 2021, totaling $1.1 million. Authorities say nearly $500,000 of that money was spent investing in cryptocurrency.
He pleaded guilty to wire fraud in September 2024.
During sentencing, Agnello’s attorney asked the judge to impose home confinement instead of prison, citing serious family circumstances. The defense said Agnello’s mother is in kidney failure and that he hopes to donate a kidney to her.
The attorney also argued that growing up as John Gotti’s grandson and appearing on the reality television show “Growing Up Gotti” as a child distorted Agnello’s sense of right and wrong.
Agnello addressed the court, apologizing for his actions and saying he is ashamed and hopes to do better moving forward.
The judge rejected the request for home confinement and sentenced Agnello to:
15 months in jail
Two years of supervised release
100 hours of community service
Restitution of $1.2 million to the SBA, which includes interest
Following the sentencing, Agnello’s uncle, John A. Gotti, son of the deceased mob boss John Gotti, spoke outside the courthouse.
“His mother did a fine job raising him. However, the circumstances surrounding it are very difficult,” Gotti said. “As you guys all know, we’ve had 15 members of our family go to prison. I think it’s enough. I think we did our time.”
Agnello is scheduled to surrender to begin his sentence on July 20. His attorney said he believes Agnello will serve only part of the term.
