Grandson of John Gotti Begins Prison Sentence for Fraud

The grandson of the late mob boss John Gotti, Carmine Agnello, has started his 15-month prison term for fraud. This follows a failed attempt to delay his sentence by claiming he would donate a kidney to his mother, Victoria Gotti, who is ill.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Agnello began his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution Fairton, located in southern New Jersey. Known for his appearance on the reality show Growing Up Gotti, Agnello was initially scheduled to start his sentence in July. However, U.S. District Court Judge Nusrat Choudhury allowed a deferral until September 18 to permit potential surgery recovery.

Lawyers for Agnello stated that Victoria Gotti, a relative of the Gambino crime family’s former leader, has chronic kidney disease. Agnello suggested surgery could occur by August 10, but with no procedure set, Judge Choudhury ordered him to report to authorities.

There is no concrete evidence that an organ transplant will be scheduled to take place at any time between today and Sept. 18, 2026, Judge Choudhury said.

Agnello’s lawyer, Robert Beltrani, pointed out that Gotti’s infections caused delays in organizing the transplant. He insisted Agnello is the right donor for Gotti and sought more time for potential surgery arrangements.

Prosecutors argued against further delay, noting the absence of immediate plans for transplant surgery due to ongoing medical evaluations for Gotti’s infections. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella confirmed that no surgery was imminent.

Agnello was found guilty in 2024 of wire fraud linked to fraudulently obtaining $1.1 million through a COVID-19 pandemic federal loan program. Representing his company, Crown Auto Parts & Recycling LLC, he misrepresented employee numbers, criminal history, and fund usage. The company had closed before loan applications, and funds were diverted to other projects such as a $420,000 cryptocurrency venture.

Now aged 40, Agnello first gained fame as a teenager on Growing up Gotti, showcasing family life. His grandfather, John Gotti, famously nicknamed “Teflon Don” and “Dapper Don,” died in a federal prison in Missouri in 2002.

The prison housing Agnello has seen numerous notable inmates. Former New York Congressman George Santos served part of his sentence there before receiving clemency from President Donald Trump.