All hail the 'Blog-Father': Waiting for trial in 6 murders, 'Tommy Shots' takes to Web
Thomas "Tommy Shots" Gioeli, the reputed one-time acting boss of the Columbo Crime Family.
Prosecutors say Gioeli, 58, is trying to influence potential jurors through a blog called "Alleged Mob Boss Tommy Gioeli's Voice."
The first posting vowed, "It's going to be Tommy's voice; the voice of a generous, good humored, kind, compassionate, and loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend."
Gioeli, awaiting trial for six murders, including the rubout of NYPD cop Ralph Dols, has no Internet access from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn - but he can email with family members who could post the blog items, a Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman said.
Gioeli whines that he has been depicted as a "monster" to sell newspapers but, under the heading "About me," he boasts, "See me in a fight with a bear, pray for the bear."
He rants about jail conditions - hard mattresses and the lack of toenail clippers - and shoddy medical treatment, the government and the media.
Forty-six followers are listed on the blog including a "Fr. Peter," who appears to be a priest. Gioeli even puts a call-out to snitches for information about witnesses and FBI agents.
Gioeli came to the defense of 94-year-old Colombo underboss John (Sonny) Franzese after the oldfella was hit with an eight-year prison sentence for shaking down strip joints.
"It is heartbreaking and disturbing to see my government kick an old man when he is down," Gioeli wrote.
Recently, he attacked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder - who last week declined to seek the death penalty against Gioeli for Dols' murder - and the anti-racketeering RICO statute.
"Great entertainment for everyone except the Italian Americans who can't break the hold of this stereotype and are paying with their lives," he wrote.
Gioeli called the recent roundup of 127 gangsters in the metropolitan area, including some high-ranking Colombos, a publicity stunt second only to former President George W. Bush stepping out of a fighter jet to proclaim victory in Iraq.
Sources said the feds are aware of the site but have not complained to Federal Judge Brian Cogan about the contents.
Defense lawyer Adam Perlmutter declined to comment.
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