The acting boss of the Colombo crime family today lost his bid to win a judge's permission to attend his daughter's wedding.
A Brooklyn federal judge ruled against a request by Thomas Gioeli to be released temporarily from prison for the upcoming ceremony in December, saying security issues were a paramount concern.
"The Court has conferred with the U.S. Marshals Service and with other judges in the courthouse and concludes that such a release is not feasible," Judge Brian Cogan wrote in his order today.
"Although the Court would like to accommodate the family members, the security issues presented and the charges against this particular defendant compel the Court to deny the request."
Gioeli, 59, is currently behind bars awaiting trial after being indicted for five mob-related murders, as well as racketeering and extortion charges.
If convicted, he faces a possible sentence of life in prison.
Brooklyn federal prosecutors had objected to Gioeli's request to attend the wedding while accompanied by private security guards, saying that he poses a distinct danger to the community.
One example of this dangerousness, prosecutors claimed, is the charge that the ranking mobster has already "directed or authorized his associates to commit multiple murders."
The feds also argued that such social occasions are commonly used by the mob to discuss their illicit business.
http://fivefamiliesnyc.blogspot.com/2011/11/acting-boss-of-colombo-family-not.html
