Sep 12, 2007 1:24 pm US/Eastern
John Gotti Jr. Says He's Broke
Still Plans To Pay Back Taxes
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) ―
-
-
John A. Gotti Jr. claims his legal costs have left him broke.
AP
-
-
Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and radio talk show host, said Gotti Jr. ordered two 1992 attacks on him which left him hospitalized.
AP
John "Junior" Gotti says he's broke, but plans to make good on the money he owes the government.
"Subpoenas and trials for 10 years took a toll on me and my family. Financially I'm broke. What more youse want from me?" Gotti told reporters Wednesday at a suburban courthouse.
During his appearance, Gotti pleaded not guilty to violating the terms of his post-release supervision, meaning the payments.
Federal prosecutors said Gotti has failed to pay back about $80,000 in back taxes, which was a condition of his 1999 plea in a plot to shake down Scores, a Manhattan strip club.
Attorney Charles Carnesi said Gotti has paid back $40,000, but the remainder was delayed because Gotti was having problems with his accountant.
"He, like any other American, made arrangements with the IRS, which he will fulfill, and his taxes will be paid. They'll be completely paid," said Carnesi.
U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Robinson ordered Gotti back to court on Nov. 27.
It was the first time Gotti, 42, had been in the White Plains courthouse since he pleaded guilty in 1999 -- the night before his trial was to begin -- to racketeering crimes including bribery, extortion, gambling and fraud. He was sentenced to 77 months in prison and was released in 2005.
Since then, he has been tried three times in Manhattan on racketeering charges in connection with an alleged plot to kidnap Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa. Each trial ended in hung juries and mistrials, and federal prosecutors announced last October that they were giving up.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments