In 2007, the boss of the South Florida Genovese organized crime family was sent to prison for 14 years, and, in a few days or weeks, he will be released thanks to his cooperation with the government despite his original stand against helping prosecutors, according to The Palm Beach Post.
Prosecutors recommended that the 78-year-old former crime boss' sentence be reduced by half after he cooperated with prosecutors. How he assisted the government is unclear, but it was substantial enough for the court to grant the recommendation. But with a half sentence and standard time off for good behavior, the former crime boss would have had to wait until August before he was released. His release was moved up after the defense asked that his final six months be removed due to his advanced age and serious health conditions, including diabetes and heart trouble. The judge conceded to this request.
The former crime boss used to live in Palm Beach Gardens and owned the West Palm Beach restaurant Soprano's. In 2007, he plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy for his role in criminal enterprises in Palm Beach and Broward counties, including extortion, robberies, loan sharking, and money laundering. He had also approved the violent assault of a Coral Springs businessman and accepted over $100,000 in stolen property from an undercover agent.
It is a defense attorney's job to act in the best interests of their client and to ensure that they are not unlawfully punished for wrongs that they may or may not have committed, before conviction, and, if necessary, after. If you have been charged with criminal enterprises in Florida, contact the Palm Beach County criminal enterprises defense lawyers at Musca Law to learn more about getting the legal defense you are entitled to. Call us today at (888) 484-5057 for a confidential consultation of your case.