Ettore Mazzei is seeking substance use treatment instead of incarceration after a 2024 drug sweep on Staten Island. During a court appearance Thursday in state Supreme Court in St. George, a treatment program reviewed his diversion request. Defense attorney Mark Fonte said Mazzei has battled substance abuse for decades and needs treatment. TASC said Mazzei’s case does not meet the standards for its diversion program after two interviews. The defense wants a hearing, while the judge said he will review both sides before deciding. The prosecution has offered Mazzei 22 years in prison as part of a plea deal.
