Jailed New York mobster has ‘no regrets’ about topless photo that led to arrest
A notorious New York mobster said he has no regrets about posing shirtless for a picture that led to his arrest and a three-year jail term.
Ralph DiMatteo, 68, an alleged consigliere for the Colombo crime family, pleaded guilty earlier this year to racketeering involving extortion and money laundering. This week, he was sentenced to three years behind bars by a New York court.
DiMatteo was asked about a photograph that was taken of him by his son, lounging shirtless in a Florida swimming pool, with a large gold chain around his neck, while he was on the run from the police.
DiMatteo’s son posted the photograph on social media, giving away the whereabouts of the man wanted by the authorities. He surrendered himself the following day.
Asked in court whether he regretted the photo, he said he did not. “It was a great picture,” he said.
‘Taking his medicine’
DiMatteo’s lawyer, Gerald McMahon, asked the judge to be lenient with his client in part because DiMatteo was “old school” and that he was ready to take the blame.
“Mr DiMatteo did wrong,” Mr McMahon said. “He took a plea, he’s taking his medicine... He’s doing his time.”
Mr McMahon added that DiMatteo will “hopefully be ageing out” from his alleged crime family business, although prosecutors were less certain.
“Being a member of the Colombo crime family is a lifetime oath,” said Brooklyn federal prosecutor Michael Gibaldi.
DiMatteo was one of 14 defendants charged with crimes allegedly committed as members of the Colombo family.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the eastern district of New York, said: “There can be no doubt that the Colombo crime family has been decapitated as a result of the guilty pleas by its leadership and other facilitators of lucrative schemes.”
