The once-glitzy Long Island mansion that served as the backdrop for the reality TV show “Growing Up Gotti” has now fallen into a state of disrepair following an FBI raid. Carmine Agnello, a member of New York’s Gambino crime family, owned the mansion, and the show documented the lives of his wife, Victoria, and their three sons. However, nearly two decades after the show first aired, the mansion has become a shadow of its former self.
Carmine Agnello, with a criminal record including charges of assault, arson, and racketeering, married mob boss John Gotti’s daughter, Victoria, against her father’s wishes in 1984. The couple moved into the five-bedroom mansion in the Long Island village of Westbury in 1989, where they resided with their three sons, Carmine Jr, John, and Frank.
Agnello’s criminal activities caught up with him, leading to a nine-year prison sentence in 2001 for racketeering, extortion, and arson. While he was in jail, Victoria divorced him in 2003 and was awarded the house on grounds of constructive abandonment. The Gotti family later starred in reality shows “Growing Up Gotti” and “Growing Up Gotti: Ten Years Later.” However, the mansion, the primary filming location for the show, has been abandoned since 2016 when it was raided by the FBI in connection to a tax fraud investigation.
The mansion, left to languish for more than seven years, still retains vestiges of its formerly luxurious decor, as evidenced by features like the dramatic butterfly staircase and tiled foyer. A video tour in 2022 by urban explorers showcases the mansion’s current state of deterioration, with personal belongings, ornate furniture, and various items left behind, frozen in time as though the family could return at any moment. The mansion’s faded grandeur serves as a stark contrast to its glamorous past, highlighting the impact of legal troubles on a once-opulent lifestyle.
The former mansion of Carmine Agnello, featured in the reality TV show “Growing Up Gotti,” reveals a scene of neglect and decay as explored by urban explorers. The kitchen, once a hub of activity, now lies in disarray with scattered paperwork, a broken door, and kitchenware left on countertops. Notably, the explorers found what appeared to be a script written by Victoria Gotti, entitled “The Senator’s Daughter,” on the island. Victoria Gotti, now a best-selling author and columnist, published a book with the same title in 1997.
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Amid the remnants of the mansion’s past, two automatic rifles were discovered ominously propped up in a corner of the kitchen, raising questions about their historical use. Despite these unsettling finds, glimpses of the mansion’s former grandeur remain evident. A lavish bathroom features a platform tub with gilded taps, surrounded by pink marble and complemented by a gold-framed shower.
The urban explorers made a thrilling discovery on the second floor of the guest house—a hidden room behind a bookcase. Although initially used as a closet or storage area with old clothes and detritus, the explorers uncovered a keypad locking mechanism, suggesting the room may have once held more secretive or incriminating items.
Outside, the overgrown grounds reflect years of neglect, with remnants of past opulence such as a basketball court, tennis court, garage, guest house, and swimming pool with a swim-up bar. Abandoned cars and a jet ski were found in the overgrowth at the rear of the property, further emphasizing the mansion’s current state of abandonment and the passage of time since its former glory days.
In its prime, the mobster home with its storied history was one of the most coveted pieces of real estate on Long Island. Rumors suggest that before Victoria and Carmine acquired the residence, it belonged to Victoria’s father, “Dapper Don” Gotti, the head of the Gambino crime family, who is believed to have invested significantly in the property. A glimpse into the past showcases the pristine, columned exterior, surrounded by manicured walled gardens and an impressive sweeping driveway.
During the Gotti family’s residency, the interiors exuded opulence and warmth, as depicted in the familiar scenes from “Growing Up Gotti.” Matriarch Victoria described the home as “very warm, very woodsy, very comfortable yet very elegant.” The living room featured fine wood paneling and bookshelves, reflecting the family’s style.
Despite its former grandeur, the property faced challenges in recent years. Various attempts to sell the mansion were made, with a listing in 2008 for $3.5 million (£2.7m). Financial difficulties led to threats of foreclosure in 2009 when Victoria Gotti fell behind on mortgage repayments. Over the years, the house was listed and delisted from the market seven times.
Following the 2016 FBI raid, the Gotti family never returned to live in the home. However, Victoria Gotti retained ownership until December 2022. The mansion eventually fell into foreclosure and was auctioned off, reportedly acquired by JP Morgan Chase National Bank for just under $2.7 million (£2m). The future of this former mafia mansion remains uncertain, leaving room for speculation about what lies ahead for the iconic property.
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