This is the type of story I normally see on Discovery ID at around midnight. Upon first glance, you are probably wondering how could Gomes, a run of the mill NBA player, have enough pull to help get his cousin out of prison.
I was thinking the same thing, but as I investigated more, it goes a lot deeper than just “help a brother” out situation.
Federal agents have interviewed NBA player and Waterbury native Ryan Gomes about whether he contacted State’s Attorney John Connelly about his cousin’s prison sentence, which was later reduced.
Keith Gomes agreed to a plea deal to serve three years in prison for first-degree assault in 2007 and then was given a rare sentence modification, approved by Connelly, that shaved six months shaved off that sentence. Keith Gomes is scheduled to appear today before a federal grand jury in New Haven investigating the relationship between Connelly and Waterbury attorney Martin Minnella, who represented Keith Gomes after his arrest.
Sources said that agents have interviewed Ryan Gomes in the past month. Sources familiar with the investigation said that federal agents are trying to determine if Ryan Gomes, a widely known figure in his hometown, contacted Connelly in an effort to get his cousin a lesser prison sentence. Ryan Gomes plays with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sources said that a federal grand jury is scrutinizing the relationship between Minnella and Connelly after federal authorities learned that the two men had taken multiple trips to Las Vegas together in the past five years.
Federal authorities are trying to build an extortion and corruption case under the Hobbs Act. The theory, said sources familiar with the investigation and potential witnesses who have been interviewed, is that Minnella has been bragging to potential clients for years that he has an “in” with Connelly and can get them better deals if they pay him more legal fees.
Keith Gomes was arrested for stabbing a man in the chest. At first it appeared he was going to get an eight year sentence, that mysteriously was reduced to a three years.
A year into that sentence he applied to get it further reduced which was granted and an additional six months was taken off the three years.
Most people don’t have faith in the justice system (FREE PLAX!!!!!) and this is definitely not helping. Stabbing someone in the chest shouldn’t amount to two and half years in prison, just because your cousin can shoot some hoops.
Furthermore the fact the State Attorney and high profile lawyer are hanging out at the Bellagio with Floyd Mayweather isn’t a good look especially if you aren’t able to pay a little extra to get a lesser sentence.
Hopefully this is fully investigated and justice this time is really served.
*off topic*
Gomes should get six months in jail for that haircut.
H/T @SportsMediaWrld