Mobster happy to help community rebuild after Hurricane Sandy
Manny Garofalo, who was sentenced to 300 hours of community service
around his storm-ravaged community of Seagate, Brooklyn, stands Saturday
in front of a payloader he had donated to the neighborhood cleanup.
Never go against the neighborhood.
Those are words reputed wiseguy Emmanuel "Manny" Garofalo appears to live by. Now the reputed Gambino member — whose good deeds helping rebuild his storm-ravaged community allowed him to dodge prison — insists his work has only just begun.
“I was ecstatic with the sentence and more so because I can get more involved with the community,” Garofalo, 64, told the Daily News on Saturday.
“This community needs 11/2 years of my help.”
Garofalo spoke out a day after he was sentenced to 300 hours of community service following his conviction for a mob shakedown.
The “demolition specialist” was facing a possible 30-month prison term, but a federal judge said she was moved by a flood of letters from Garofalo’s neighbors — and local police chief — praising his good deeds.
Standing outside his Sea Gate home, Garofalo said he didn’t think twice before putting his construction skills to work after Hurriance Sandy ravaged his block in Brooklyn.
“I was in the streets working, neglecting my own house, helping other people’s houses,” Garofalo said.
Garofalo pleaded guilty to strong-arming a worker from a competing demolition firm and attempting to extort money.
But he said he was merely defending his family and his business.
“I’m no angel,” Garofalo said. “I’m not trying to be an angel. I have no wings, but I will fight someone who looks to hurt my family.
“Most people would go to law enforcement to fight for themselves,” he added. “I don’t do that. It don't do me no good to go to law enforcement. Then I lose the work that I’m working for.”
Garofalo, whose brother Edward was slain by former Gambino underboss Salvatore "Sammy Bull" Gravano, vehemently denied being a mobster.
“I’m just a Garofalo. That’s all I am. I’m not in the mob,” he said. “And I’m not saying that because I want it written that way. I’m an everyday guy that goes to work every day, and when I’m not, I’m working, I’m helping my community.
“Believe it or not, I’m going to church tomorrow to thank God for the sentence,” Garofalo added.
Those are words reputed wiseguy Emmanuel "Manny" Garofalo appears to live by. Now the reputed Gambino member — whose good deeds helping rebuild his storm-ravaged community allowed him to dodge prison — insists his work has only just begun.
“I was ecstatic with the sentence and more so because I can get more involved with the community,” Garofalo, 64, told the Daily News on Saturday.
“This community needs 11/2 years of my help.”
Garofalo spoke out a day after he was sentenced to 300 hours of community service following his conviction for a mob shakedown.
The “demolition specialist” was facing a possible 30-month prison term, but a federal judge said she was moved by a flood of letters from Garofalo’s neighbors — and local police chief — praising his good deeds.
Standing outside his Sea Gate home, Garofalo said he didn’t think twice before putting his construction skills to work after Hurriance Sandy ravaged his block in Brooklyn.
“I was in the streets working, neglecting my own house, helping other people’s houses,” Garofalo said.
Garofalo pleaded guilty to strong-arming a worker from a competing demolition firm and attempting to extort money.
But he said he was merely defending his family and his business.
“I’m no angel,” Garofalo said. “I’m not trying to be an angel. I have no wings, but I will fight someone who looks to hurt my family.
“Most people would go to law enforcement to fight for themselves,” he added. “I don’t do that. It don't do me no good to go to law enforcement. Then I lose the work that I’m working for.”
Garofalo, whose brother Edward was slain by former Gambino underboss Salvatore "Sammy Bull" Gravano, vehemently denied being a mobster.
“I’m just a Garofalo. That’s all I am. I’m not in the mob,” he said. “And I’m not saying that because I want it written that way. I’m an everyday guy that goes to work every day, and when I’m not, I’m working, I’m helping my community.
“Believe it or not, I’m going to church tomorrow to thank God for the sentence,” Garofalo added.
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