
Gino DiGiovanni (file photo).
DERBY – Gino DiGiovanni Jr., the city official who was sentenced to 10 days in prison for his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection, said he assumes he was pardoned by President Donald Trump this week – though he has yet to receive official word.
“I am grateful and hope our nation will heal and unite,” said DiGiovanni, who served his jail sentence.
DiGiovanni is the chairman of the Derby Planning and Zoning Commission. He is the chairman of the Derby Republican Town Committee, and he is a former Aldeman.
Last year DiGiovanni pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. The charge came from DiGiovanni’s entering the Capitol grounds and building on Jan. 6, 2021, disrupting Joe Biden’s certification as U.S. president.
The White House released a proclamation on Jan. 20 aimed to “end a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation.”
With that President Trump commuted the sentences of 14 people convicted in connection to the Jan. 6 riot and issued “a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.”
DiGiovanni said he read that statement and assumed it applies to him, though no official word had come to him or his lawyer as of Jan. 21.
DiGiovanni said he did not participate in violence or the destruction of property on Jan. 6. He told The Valley Indy on Jan. 21 that he was likely arrested because he was running for public office and the government needed to make an example of him.
DiGiovanni did not shy away from local public life after he was charged. In fact, he ran for mayor while federal charges were pending.
“This is the city I was born and raised in. I love the city. I don’t care who the mayor is or who the president of the Board of Aldermen is. I don’t care if there’s not one Republican on the board. I know all those guys and ladies. I just want to help the people I live with,” he said.
Mayor Joseph DiMartino is up for re-election in November. DiGiovanni said he does not plan to run again because a mayor usually deserves to serve two, two-year terms before being challenged.