CELEBRATION AND GRATITUDE FOR A REWARDING CAREER

I am celebrating more than a half century of the practice of law and the joys of public service. It starts with my parents, Bill & Kathryn Gentile, who instilled personal achievement in their children that produced an Annapolis graduate and aviator; a registered nurse; a lawyer and computer genius. My schooling at Manhattan College and Fordham University School of Law laid the foundation for my career. The legendary Burton B. Roberts appointed me as a Bronx Assistant D.A. on June 30 1969, and distinguished me as his “token goyim”. Within

four years the great Mario Merola appointed me as chief of a new bureau, The Major Offense Bureau, that successfully identified career criminals that were swiftly prosecuted. The bureau’s first case was tried to verdict in an amazing 62 days, that brought public acclaim to Merola and the office. Upon Meola’s death, then Governor Mario Cuomo appointed me as Bronx District Attorney to complete Merola’s term. After my tenure as Bronx District Attorney, I was appointed by Bronx Borough President Fernando “Freddy” Ferrer to chair the Commission on School Integrity that held public hearings in every school district and exposed massive corruption by local School Boards. By working in conjunction with the brilliant CBS reporter Marcia Kramer, the public learned of the commission’s work and the corruption it uncovered which garnered Ms. Kramer an Emmy for her efforts. Upon completion of the commission’s work, Ferrer appointed me as Chair of BronxNet Community Television succeeding former Bronx Borough President and Congressman Herman Badillo, where I have continuously served for the past 30 plus years. In private practice I have been entrusted by numerous lawyers and judges to represent them in disciplinary matters before Departmental Disciplinary Committees and the Commission on Judicial Conduct. I especially appreciate the opportunity to represent clients in serious and difficult criminal cases that enabled me to affect the scales of justice. In many matters I received substantial assistance from distinguished attorneys including noted civil rights lawyer Norman Siegel, former Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Riegel, Hon. Philip Schnelwar, Hon. Douglas McKeon and Jonathan Bodner. Lastly, I acknowledge Alexia Vingi, my wife and collaborator of many years, who welcomed me into her heart and provided me with a wonderful life.

Thank you one and all,