Reputed Genovese mobster Anthony ‘Rom’ Romanello has ‘no regrets’ about viral punch of NYC restaurateur: lawyer
A reputed mobster caught-on-camera slugging a New York City restaurateur has “no regrets” about landing the blow, his lawyer said Monday — as the elderly tough guy was sentenced to two years in prison for the extortion plot.
Jerry McMahon, the attorney for alleged Genovese crime family capo Anthony “Rom” Romanello, argued in Brooklyn federal court that even he would have punched steakhouse owner Shuqeri “Bruno” Selimaj during the 2017 encounter.
“His lawyer thinks that beyond any shadow of a doubt that Rom has no regrets. And why should he?” McMahon said.
“What would Jerry McMahon do? Knock him flat out.”
Romanello, 86, was convicted by a jury in December of two counts of extortion for slugging Selimaj in the jaw while trying to collect on an $86,000 gambling debt, according to prosecutors.
McMahon claimed during the weeklong trial that Romanello had punched Selimaj in the jaw, not as part of a shakedown attempt, but because the restaurateur called him a “washed up Italian with no balls.”
The attorney said Monday he was offended by prosecutors’ request that Romanello get locked up for nearly six years — well above the recommended federal sentencing guidelines of around four years.
“Would Jack Dennehy ask or 71 months for Romanello? No,” McMahon argued, referring to the veteran assistant US attorney for the Eastern District of New York who has prosecuted mobsters for decades.
“Ask for the guideline sentence, but to ask for 71 months is absurd.”
But Assistant US Attorney Dana Rehnquist charged that Romanello deserved the longer sentence because he hadn’t changed his ways following his 2007 conviction for conspiracy to obstruct justice and for racketeering conspiracy in 2012.
Rehnquist noted to Judge Eric Komitee that the accused goodfella had only served 36 months and five days behind bars total for his past convictions — and argued that despite his advanced age, he’ll keep partaking in organized crime because he “does not understand” the offenses he’s committed.
“He can’t use his old age as a shield for no punishment,” Rehnquist said, while asking the judge to send a message to other “aging” alleged captains in La Cosa Nostra by slapping with Romanello with a stiffer sentence.
“The defendant has been told time and again that he needs to change his life. He doesn’t,” she added.
The alleged Mafioso — who was hauled off to a lockup after his conviction — appeared for the hearing with the aid of a walker, wearing a short-sleeved tan prison jumpsuit that left his stark forearm tattoos visible.
Romanello’s attorney tried getting him sprung on house arrest, asking the judge to show “mercy for this old guy” despite prosecutors trying to paint the alleged gangster as “Satan incarnate.”
McMahon also insinuated that Romanello wasn’t part of the mob anymore after bailing on the Genovese Christmas party last year — and claimed prosecutors were out to get his client because he’d served as right-hand man to reputed consiglieri Anthony “Tough Tony” Federici, who died in 2022.
“I don’t try to sell what I can’t sell,” McMahon said. “I don’t come in here saying my client is Monsignor — he is what he is.”
Prosecutors had argued that Romanello paid Selimaj three visits, including the day of the attack, threatening the restaurateur so he would pay off his relatives’ debt.
A 55-second recording from Selimaj’s since-shuttered Lincoln Square Steak restaurant was shown at trial when the accused mobster landed a right hook to Selimaj’s jaw.
Selimaj testified at trial that Romanello punched him after he said he would only be able to pay a portion — a $6,000 tab — off his nephew’s brother-in-law’s $80,000 debt, which enraged Romanello.
The judge ordered Romanello to forfeit $28,666 while handing down the lenient sentence.
Upon hearing the sentence, Romanello’s daughter signed herself with the cross — and the alleged mobster thanked a packed courtroom of family members for coming.
Family members booed prosecutors as they left the courtroom.
Co-defendant Joseph Celso, who was convicted of one of the two extortion counts, had his sentencing adjourned to next month.
