The recent saga of Michael Persico the businessman son of imprisoned Colombo crime family boss Carmine “Junior” Persico continues as his sentencing has once again been delayed.
He was slated to be sentenced this week after agreeing to a very favorable plea deal back in 2012 that covered various racketeering crimes and murders. According to the feds Michael never became a made man in the New York mafia but as part of the Persico clan, he was a very influential associate of the Colombo family. The whole case has been a rollercoaster ride with disagreements between Persico and prosecutors causing one delay after another some of which was covered in a previous article found here.
“Michael Persico”
The 60-year-old mobster will once again be home for the holidays after Brooklyn Federal Court Chief Judge Dora delayed sentencing until January of next year. The judge offered no specific reason for the delay according to reports but it may be related to an array of letters supplied by Persico’s family, friends, and associates asking for leniency. According to his 2012 plea deal, Persico is facing a sentence from 37-46 months but could be given up to a maximum of five years by the judge. According to a sentencing memo, the defense has asked for a sentence of “time served” for 72 days that Persico spent in prison back in 2010. Prosecutors are sure to push for at a minimum the maximum 46 months as offered in the plea.
This is somewhat of an ironic twist as Michael’s father Carmine who is serving a 100-year sentence will be fighting for his release during that same month. The 83-year-old mob boss was sent to prison as part of the mafia “commission case” back in 1987 has fought for parole ever since becoming eligible after serving his first 10 years without success. But a Bureau of prisons rule that was in place when he was sentenced may allow the infamous Cosa Nostra boss a way out. The rule stated that an inmate must receive parole after serving 30 years unless prosecutors can establish that the convict has either committed crimes while behind bars or is likely to return to a life of crime once released. According to the feds, Carmine still holds the rank of boss in the Colombo family and prosecutors are sure to mount a strong case against him being released.
