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An 86-year-old mobster got a lighter sentence than the two years in prison he had previously been facing after claiming a series of ailments, including bladder cancer.
Long time loan shark and Colombo wiseguy Nicky Rizzo limped into court, telling the judge he could no longer hear. Rizzo received a six month sentence in a prison hospital followed by six months of house arrest. He was also charged with gambling and extortion.
"I'm starting to forget things because I'm getting older," Rizzo said in court.
"I've observed him and he's able to hear you," Assistant Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Allon Lifshitz told Federal Judge Kiyo Matsumoto.
"His shuffling in here, his groaning, it's ridiculous and should not be taken into account."
Rizzo also lifted his pants leg to show the judge a catheter and then asked for a recess so he could empty the urinary drainage bag.
Rizzo was also given permission by the judge to attend his grandson’s wedding.
"When is it going to end?" Lifshitz said. "He pleaded guilty two years ago!"
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
