Mobsters can often be quite charming in the movies, but it seems that they're not nearly as persuasive in real life: several Brooklyn federal judges are at their wits end with alleged mobsters and mafia associates bizarre (or entitled) bail requests. Reputed Genovese associate Peter Pace recently complained that his electronic bracelet doesn't allow him to stroll on his outdoor patio or garden in his backyard. "Move your tomatoes inside. I don't want to be bothered with this," Judge John Gleeson responded.
Reputed Gambino associate Emmanuel Garofalo told a Judge he needed to fly down to Florida to attend traffic school, to complete a four-hour course by May 1, or he would lose his license there. The Judge was unsurprisingly unmoved. Reputed Bonanno associate Neil Messina won his release on $3.1 million bail...and then tried to switch his brother's bail posting of $200,000 connected to a property with $200,000 in penny stocks. Maybe mobsters just have a better time of it in jail, where they can get perks such as their own specifically-tailored iPod.
But even if the mobsters on bail aren't charming, at least they don't have their own reality show documenting their every charmless move. But some of their wives and daughters do! After months of anticipation dread, the Post got a sneak peek at the new VH1 reality series "Mob Wives," which features Karen Gravano, daughter of Sammy "Bull" Gravano, and three other Richmond County mob ladies.
Among the choice dialogue is this gem from the "hulking" Renee Graziano, daughter of Anthony "The Little Guy" Graziano, reputed consigliere of the Bonanno crime family: "A rat is someone who doesn't mind their f--king business and gets involved with the cop. If you're a rat, you're not in my circle. Matter of fact, I'll make your life so f--king miserable you won't be able to hang out in anybody's circle. That's me, bitch. Call me a Mafia princess, call me anything you want."
