The grandson of notorious Gambino crime boss John Gotti was sentenced to more than a year in federal prison after admitting he lied in order to illegally get more than $1 million in Covid relief. But Carmine G. Agnello walked out of federal court on Long Island Monday pleased overall with the sen tence. “It’s alright, it could be worse,” Agnello said as he walked to his car.   At first, Agnello tried to avoid any prison time. He had previously told the judge his mother, Victoria Gotti, was very ill and needed a kidney transplant. He said he was her kidney donor. Prosecutors argued for a longer sentence of two years and nine months but the judge was lenient, saying she took into consideration his willingness to donate his kidney to his mother. “This judge listened. She’s fair. She’s a decent person,” said Agnello’s attorney Jeffrey Lichtman. “You just want a fair share.” Agnello pleaded guilty to COVID relief fraud. Prosecutors alleged he obtained $1.1 million in disaster relief funds for his business that was already closed — money that he allegedly used to invest in cryptocurrency. “During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the defendant shamefully lined his own pockets with government and taxpayers’ dollars which he must repay as part of today’s sentence,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said. “Our office will continue to investigate and bring to justice those criminals who stole funds that were intended to assist legitimate businesses and their employees during a time of crisis.” In court, Agnello’s attorney told the judge his client suffered from a gambling addiction, for which he is in therapy. He also blamed his family and unusual upbringing for his actions, saying Agnello was thrust into the spotlight at a young age with a reality show, “Growing Up Gotti,” that glorified his family’s criminal history. “Carmine’s story is very compelling and very unusual. He didn’t have a normal childhood and he had a warped sense of reality and that’s what led him to the actions that got him sentenced today,” said Lichtman.  “My actions were wrong, selfish and criminal, I should have known better,” Agnello told the judge, adding “I carry a great deal of guilt and shame for my actions.” Agnello was sentenced to a year and three months. He also must pay back the government $1,286,302 while also completing 100 hours community service and serving two years of supervised release.     His uncle, John Gotti Jr., who was also in court, wrote a letter to the judge on his nephew’s behalf. “His mother did a fine job raising him, but the circumstances around him were very difficult,” Gotti Jr, told reporters outside of court in Central Islip. “You guys know there are 15 members of our family who went to prison I think it’s enough. I think we did our time.” According to Lichtman, if Victoria Gotti needs to have a transplant while Agnello is in prison, he can apply for a furlough to have the procedure. Agnello is scheduled to surrender on July 20.   ...read more read less