LOCKPORT – Filippo Inglima, the former Buffalo and Lewiston restaurant owner who is to be deported to Italy after pleading guilty to second-degree sexual abuse, sought Tuesday to be allowed to withdraw that plea.
His new attorney, Andrew C. LoTempio, argued that Inglima wasn’t properly warned that his guilty plea would mean automatic deportation. LoTempio said Inglima doesn’t read or write English.
The topic was brought up when Inglima, 46, of Wheatfield, pleaded guilty March 18. But LoTempio said his reading of the transcript indicates that it was mentioned at the end rather than up front, before the plea was entered.
Assistant District Attorney Robert A. Zucco said the deportation was no secret, having been discussed with Inglima and his former attorney, Mark D. Grossman, for more than a year. He produced a transcript of a bail hearing in U.S. District Court on Oct. 11 in which deportation was mentioned.
LoTempio said that record wouldn’t be part of any appellate review in the sex case. Niagara County Judge Sara Sheldon Farkas said more research is needed and put off Inglima’s sentencing date from July 18 to Aug. 1.
His new attorney, Andrew C. LoTempio, argued that Inglima wasn’t properly warned that his guilty plea would mean automatic deportation. LoTempio said Inglima doesn’t read or write English.
The topic was brought up when Inglima, 46, of Wheatfield, pleaded guilty March 18. But LoTempio said his reading of the transcript indicates that it was mentioned at the end rather than up front, before the plea was entered.
Assistant District Attorney Robert A. Zucco said the deportation was no secret, having been discussed with Inglima and his former attorney, Mark D. Grossman, for more than a year. He produced a transcript of a bail hearing in U.S. District Court on Oct. 11 in which deportation was mentioned.
LoTempio said that record wouldn’t be part of any appellate review in the sex case. Niagara County Judge Sara Sheldon Farkas said more research is needed and put off Inglima’s sentencing date from July 18 to Aug. 1.