Anthony “Gaspipe” Casso contracts COVID-19 in jail, denied release
Former Lucchese underboss Anthony “Gaspipe” Casso will spend the remainder of his life in prison. A federal judge ruled that he’s still a “danger to the community” despite being hooked up to a ventilator.
According to the feds, Casso caught the virus early in November inside FSP Tucson, an Arizona maximum-security prison. He has since been sent to a local hospital.
In his ruling, Brooklyn Federal Judge Frederick Block wrote, “The Court has carefully considered the gravity of defendant Anthony Casso’s medical condition. But even assuming it presents an extraordinary and compelling circumstance, the Court finds, in light of the nature and extent of defendant’s criminal history, that he remains a danger to the community.”
Casso is currently restrained to a wheelchair for mobility, awaiting a significant heart operation, has prostate cancer, and has lung issues from his prior smoking record. He was still denied release even with this information.
Casso, a 78-year-old former mob hitman, is currently in a battle for his health in a local hospital (Mary Altaffer for New York Daily News)
“Just days ago, he tested positive for COVID-19. He is currently hospitalized due to severe respiratory problems,” wrote Casso’s lawyers last Wednesday in a filing that was initially under seal. “His COVID-19 infection and rapidly deteriorating health require better medical care than [Bureau of Prisons] can provide.”
The courthouse showed very little sympathy, and according to the prosecutors, “All defendants sentenced to life in prison will, at some point, begin to succumb to one disease or another, or suffer from failing health due to old age.”
Casso was known as one of the most feared members of the mafia and his crimes eventually landed him a 400 year prison sentence. The fact that he broke his witness protection agreement several times didn’t help his case either.
A representative for Casso refused to comment on his current condition.
source: nydailynews.com
