Northeast
Former Connecticut mayoral candidate pleads guilty to Capitol riot-related trespassing charge
A former Connecticut city alderman who won a Republican primary for mayor while facing charges related to the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 pleaded guilty Friday to a misdemeanor for his actions in Washington.
Gino DiGiovanni Jr., who lost the November election for Derby mayor, pleaded to a trespassing charge — entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds — during a federal court videoconference hearing. Sentencing was set for April 15. He faces up to six months in jail under federal sentencing guidelines.
His lawyer, Martin Minnella, said the plea deal was a fair resolution of the case, given DiGiovanni wasn’t violent that day. Minnella said police were holding the Capitol doors open when DiGiovanni entered the building.
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“He didn’t break anything. He didn’t force his way in,” Minnella told The Associated Press in a phone interview Friday. “But he did remain in there when he wasn’t authorized. … This is an aberration in his life and hopefully he can turn the page.”
He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor trespassing charge for entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds during a federal court videoconference hearing. (Fox News)
Minnella added: “Certainly we don’t condone the conduct of a lot of other people. It was a terrible situation that got out of control.” He said DiGiovanni was at the Capitol on Jan. 6 to “exercise his rights as a citizen.”
On Jan. 6, supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an effort to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s presidential election victory.
More than 1,200 defendants have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Over 900 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted after trials decided by a judge or jury. Approximately 750 rioters have been sentenced, with nearly two-thirds getting some term of imprisonment.
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Despite his arrest in August, DiGiovanni won the Republican primary for Derby mayor in September, beating incumbent Mayor Richard Dziekan in the city of 12,400 people about 50 miles northeast of New York City. He lost the November election to Democrat Joseph DiMartino, with Dziekan running as an independent after losing the primary.
DiGiovanni pleaded guilty during a hearing in federal court in Washington. He and Minnella were in Connecticut and appeared via videoconference.
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The 24-year-old Skenes joins Rip
The co-owner of the Maine lumber mill that exploded has succumbed to his injuries since the “mass casualty event,” bringing the death toll to three people, including two firefighters, according to statements from the Robbins family and Maine Governor Janet Mills.
“Alden was the heart of our family in so many ways, and nothing mattered more to him than the people he loved,” his family said in a statement.
“Throughout his battle, he fought with extraordinary courage and determination, holding on so that his family could have precious time with him. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by those who loved him.”
Two firefighters died from injuries sustained while fighting the blaze on May 15 — Searsmont Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury, 76; and Andrew Cross, 27, of the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department.
Ten people were injured, including Robbins’ daughter Lily.
“My heart is with his family, including his father and former company President James Robbins, Alden’s wife, Amy, and their six children,” Mills said in a statement.
“I ask Maine people to join me in keeping the Robbins family and all impacted by this tragedy in their hearts and in their prayers during this difficult time.”
Horrifying photos of the explosion show massive plumes of smoke billowing from the facility and reaching high into the air.
Officials say that particulate matter in one of the mill’s silos rapidly ignited, causing the silo to explode and lift from its concrete base and release huge amounts of sawdust and other materials.
The silo then fell over and the surrounding area caught fire.
With Post wires
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