Sep 26, 2005 4:58 pm US/Eastern
Gotti Makes Bail
Judge: He's not a danger to the community
Sliwa says judge has no street smarts
by Pablo Guzmán
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
As expected, Federal Judge Shira Sheindlin granted bail to John A.Gotti, despite vigorous protests from government prosecutors at a bail hearing Monday (by the way, no one in the younger Gotti's family or among his friends calls him "Junior." He was never "John Gotti, Jr." That is a term of derision which originated with the agents who tailed him, and was passed on to tabloid writers they talked to. Nobody would call him "Junior" to his face).
The judge agreed with Gotti's lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, that Gotti did not represent "a danger to the community." And so she accepted a package of $7 million in bond, which had to be underwritten by "ten financially responsible people," who are still being checked out by the government. That bond is being secured by about $4.5 million in real assets --- the equity in four pieces of property. Including his mother's house in HowardBeach anf his sister Victoria's mansion on Long Island.
Gotti will be subject to electronic monitoring while under house arrest as part of his bail, and random searches. Curtis Sliwa said outside the courtroom that while he respects the judge's opinion on legal matters, as far as the judge's claim that Gotti was no longer a threat to intimidating witnesses because of all the scrutiny he will face, Sliwa said, "She's got legal smarts; but not street smarts." Gotti's lawyer, Jeffrey Lichtman, said, "After all the lies Curtis told on the stand, we look forward to the next trial. He's our best witness."
When the judge said the words, "I grant bail," Gotti's mother; his sisters, Angel and Victoria; his sister-in-law; and other friends briefly applauded. Gotti could be released as early as Tuesday afternoon. The next trial --- for the kidnapping and assault of Curtis Sliwa --- is scheduled to start February 13th.
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