Judge sets sentencing dates in 2026 for Gerace, Bongiovanni

Separate juries convicted Gerace, owner of the now-closed Pharaoh’s Gentlemen’s Club, and Bongiovanni in high-profile trials last year presided over by U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo.

The judge scheduled Bongiovanni to be sentenced Jan. 21.

A jury convicted Bongiovanni in October 2024 on seven of 11 charges in his retrial, including conspiring to distribute drugs, making a false statement, conspiring to defraud the United States and obstruction of justice. Vilardo recently ordered probation officials to revise Bongiovanni’s presentence report that may lead to a recommended sentencing range of nine to 11 years in prison.

Vilardo scheduled Gerace to be sentenced Feb. 12.

The judge has not yet ruled on Gerace’s motion for an acquittal or a new trial. Gerace’s lawyers have argued the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction. His lawyers also said a juror’s comments after the verdict justify a new trial. The juror told a TV news reporter it was “outrageous” Gerace did not testify himself or that his defense team did not call witnesses. The comments reflect the juror’s mistaken belief Gerace had the burden to put up a defense, defense lawyers Mark Foti and Eric Soehnlein have said. In criminal cases, the burden is on the government to prove the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

Gerace awaits sentencing on his convictions of bribery, conspiracy to distribute drugs, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and witness tampering among other convictions that could send him to prison for the rest of his life.

Bongiovanni had previously been scheduled to be sentenced last July, and Gerace’s new sentencing date replaces a previously scheduled Oct. 31 sentencing date.