Former Mayoral Candidate Gino DiGiovanni Sentenced for Role in Capitol Attack

|Former Mayoral Candidate Gino DiGiovanni Sentenced for Role in Capitol Attack|

Derby, Connecticut business owner and one-time Republican mayoral hopeful, Gino DiGiovanni Jr., has been handed a 10-day jail sentence for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, marking another conviction in the ongoing repercussions faced by participants. DiGiovanni, who initially denied any wrongdoing, admitted to entering the Capitol after NBC Connecticut confronted him with evidence in October 2022.

The identification of DiGiovanni as one of the rioters by online "sedition hunters" contributed to the hundreds of cases pursued against individuals involved in the Capitol breach. Arrested in August, DiGiovanni later entered a plea agreement, admitting guilt to a misdemeanor charge of entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds this past January.

Federal prosecutors, who had sought a month-long jail term, underscored the severity of DiGiovanni's actions and pointed out his apparent lack of contrition. However, during the sentencing, DiGiovanni's defense attorney called for leniency, highlighting DiGiovanni's history of community service and the detrimental effects the legal proceedings had on his construction business.

The court heard how DiGiovanni partook in the "Stop the Steal" rally, entered the Capitol through the Upper West Terrace door, and stayed inside for approximately 22 minutes. He was seen celebrating on the East Front steps upon leaving the building. Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg presided over the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Boyles presenting video evidence of DiGiovanni at the scene.

Aside from the jail time, DiGiovanni received a sentence that includes one year of probation and an obligation to complete 50 hours of community service. Defense attorney Martin Minnella invoked a quote from Benjamin Franklin in his closing argument, asserting that DiGiovanni was merely a follower who had no intention of participating in an insurrection.

DiGiovanni's political involvement includes serving on the Derby Board of Aldermen and the Derby Planning and Zoning Commission. Despite the charges, he ran for mayor of Derby in the fall of 2022 but failed to win the election.

This sentencing comes over three years after the Capitol riot, with more than 1,387 individuals charged, over 984 convictions, and in excess of 520 sentences that include incarceration. The misdemeanor charge that led to DiGiovanni's conviction carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison. To date, over 1,350 persons have faced federal charges related to the riot, with over 800 sentenced and roughly two-thirds receiving prison sentences, reflecting the sustained legal consequences for those who participated in the events of January 6.

Conservative Bias:

Here we go again, folks, with the leftist witch hunt targeting another upstanding citizen for simply exercising his patriotic duty to question a rigged election. Gino DiGiovanni, a man who's given back to his community, is now a victim of the Democrats' relentless drive to criminalize dissent. They're painting this hardworking American as some sort of villain for being at the Capitol, where he was merely caught up in the moment, celebrating what he believed was a fight for electoral integrity. The left-wing prosecutors, hungry for a trophy, pushed for a harsher sentence, ignoring DiGiovanni's contributions to society and the damage they've done to his livelihood. This is nothing but a political show trial, aiming to intimidate and silence those who dare to stand against their corrupt power grab. It's an absolute disgrace to justice and a chilling reminder of how far the radical left will go to squash the spirit of freedom-loving Americans.

Liberal Bias:

Once again, the scales of justice tip in favor of insurrectionists as Gino DiGiovanni, a former Republican mayoral candidate and clear symbol of the entitlement that pervades the conservative movement, receives a mere slap on the wrist for his role in the violent attack on our democracy. This man, who brazenly celebrated the desecration of the Capitol, now hides behind a façade of community service, aided by a defense that has the audacity to invoke Benjamin Franklin. The lenient sentence is a stark testament to the systemic leniency afforded to those who threaten the very core of our nation, so long as they wave the flag of right-wing extremism. The fact that this domestic terrorist even dared to run for public office after participating in the January 6th insurrection is an insult to every American who believes in the rule of law. It's clear that the conservative movement will stop at nothing to undermine our institutions and erode the public's faith in our electoral process, all while their foot soldiers get off with a pat on the back from a justice system that they themselves have compromised.