Judge Sentences ‘Oddfather’ Gigante to 12 Years in Prison

Vincent “the Chin” Gigante, the Mafia “Oddfather” who escaped prosecution for years by wandering the streets in a ratty bathrobe like a madman, was sentenced Thursday to 12 years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Jack B. Weinstein rejected pleas that the ailing 69-year-old mob boss be allowed to spend “his final days” under house detention with his family.

Gigante, the longtime boss of New York’s powerful Genovese crime family, was also fined $1.2 million.

“He never should have been brought to trial,” said his brother, Father Louis Gigante. “He’s incompetent. . . . Ten years? He could be dead in about three.”

Gigante was convicted in July of murder conspiracy, racketeering and extortion. His attorneys and family said he suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. For years he often was seen walking New York City streets dressed in his bathrobe, muttering to himself.

But prosecutors said it was all an act, and during the trial, tapes and testimony showed Gigante sometimes behaving normally around family members and at unguarded moments.

Weinstein ruled Dec. 8 that Gigante was indeed faking and said he could be sent to prison rather than a mental hospital. On Thursday, he said Gigante may suffer from “slight” mental illness that he has exaggerated to escape justice.