Reality TV Star Grandson of John Gotti Begins Prison Sentence

The grandson of the late mob boss John Gotti, Carmine Agnello, has started his federal prison term. He attempted to delay his sentence by intending to donate a kidney to his ill mother, Victoria Gotti. The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Agnello, known from the show “Growing Up Gotti,” began his 15-month sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution Fairton, located in southern New Jersey.

Agnello was initially supposed to report to prison in July. However, U.S. District Court Judge Nusrat Choudhury allowed a deferment until September 18. The time extension was supposed to cover recovery from proposed surgery, planned around August 10, according to Agnello’s suggestions.

Victoria Gotti, the daughter of a former head of the Gambino crime family, suffers from chronic kidney disease. With surgery unplanned, Judge Choudhury ordered Agnello to surrender to federal authorities. She cited a lack of concrete evidence scheduled for an organ transplant, making further postponement unreasonable.

Agnello’s lawyer, Robert Beltrani, argued that surgeons needed more time to plan the operation, as Gotti was experiencing infections. Beltrani stated, “Carmine is a great match for Ms. Gotti. He requests to remain available to assist his mother during this period while doctors assess her readiness for surgery.”

The prosecutors raised concerns that the medical report showed doctors were trying to establish the cause and treatment for Gotti’s infections. They noted that a transplant was not feasible until infections were treated. Joseph Nocella, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, stated, “The transplant surgery is not imminent.” His office refrained from further comments, and communication attempts with Agnello’s legal representatives and Gotti have not been returned.

Agnello had pled guilty to wire fraud charges in 2024. Prosecutors cited that he deceitfully acquired $1.1 million in loans from a COVID-19 aid program for small businesses. Agnello falsely claimed information about his company, Crown Auto Parts & Recycling LLC, its employee count, his criminal record, and fund usage plans. The company had ceased operations before he applied for the loans, which he ultimately used for ventures like a $420,000 cryptocurrency investment.

At age 40, Agnello became publicly known during his teenage years with his brothers on “Growing up Gotti,” highlighting their livetyle in Long Island. His grandfather, nicknamed “Teflon Don” and “Dapper Don” for his flamboyant and elusive legal history, passed away in a Missouri federal prison in 2002 at 61.

Over the years, the New Jersey prison where Agnello is housed has held notable inmates. Recently, it hosted former New York Congressman George Santos. Santos served under three months of a more than seven-year sentence before a clemency by former President Donald Trump.