Extra: DEA Corruption Trial of Costanzo Had Sealed Courtroom Now Gets 48 Months Avenatti Cited
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By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 24 – On May 20, 2022 DOJ announced that "JOHN COSTANZO JR., a Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent, and MANUEL RECIO, a former DEA Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge, were indicted in Manhattan federal court."
On April 24, 2024 after conviction at trial with a sometimes sealed courtroom, Costanzo was sentenced to 48 months with Michael Avenatti and other cases cited. Inner City Press, as for the trial but for sealing it opposed, was there. Thread
Worlds collide: in run-up to imposing sentence, Judge cites 2d Circuit decision on Devon Archer.
Judge Oetken: Costanzo came to New York and accepted free Yankees tickets... Defendant's Section 201 / honest services wire fraud motion is denied. We'll turn to sentencing
Judge: Mr. Mukasey, have you read the pre-sentencing report?Marc Mukasey (who handled sentencing of SBF and trial of Nikola's Trevor Milton) - "Yes, we'll rest on our papers
Prosecutor: Costanzo was directing the flow of info; the sentencing enhancement applies.
Judge: I will not apply the 3B1.1 enhancement. The guideline, then, is 63 to 71 months. The Government is requesting 84 months. AUSA: The jury rejected defendant's arguments. Time served would be absurd.
Mukasey: A long sentence for Mr. Costanzo would be merciless and cruel. [He then cites lower sentences in cases of George Floyd non-Chauvin police officers, Rodney King and clerk in this courthouse Inner City Press first covered.
Now Mukasey cites another SDNY Judge- on same floor as this one - who lightened Michael Avenatti's sentence in the Nike case because DOJ did not also indict Garagos
Costanzo: I did not speak at trial. I want to thank my legal team. When I traveled overseas I told my sister the location of my thumb drive with my final messages. I viewed Recio as an extension of the DEA. This is my cross to bear.
Judge: Defendant shared confidential DEA information, and made money for it. It is like the clerk in this courthouse - but he was a lower level employee, and did not share confidential info. There are a lot of countries where this kind of corruption is routine
Judge: I sentence Mr Costanzo to 48 months [4 years]
Poroceeding ends in the weeds, Costanzo's 2d lawyer contesting forfeiture, including "The Yankees tickets were not related to the charged conduct in this case."
But wait there's more: Costanzo asking for bail pending appeal - after judge started setting surrender date. AUSA: Your Honor should continue and set the surrender date. Judge: Denied. Surrender date is July 22
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