For over three decades, Michael Sessa has lived within the unforgiving walls of a federal prison, a life sentence hanging over him for a crime he maintains he did not commit. His case, now attracting renewed scrutiny, centers on allegations of egregious misconduct by a prosecutor whose name has become synonymous with ethical breaches: Andrew Weissmann.
Attorney David Schoen has taken up Sessa’s fight, meticulously building a case for a presidential pardon. Schoen argues that Weissmann didn’t just prosecute Sessa; he orchestrated a wrongful conviction, fueled by hidden evidence and a relentless pursuit of a desired outcome, regardless of the truth.
The story unfolds as a chilling exposé of a system corrupted from within. Schoen and former mob boss Michael Franzese describe the Sessa case as potentially “the single most corrupt case in DOJ history,” a claim rooted in a pattern of disturbing behavior by Weissmann and his team.
At the heart of the allegations lies the deliberate suppression of exculpatory evidence – information that could have cleared Sessa’s name. Schoen asserts Weissmann ignored witness statements that supported Sessa’s innocence and even allegedly suborned perjury to solidify the prosecution’s case.
The narrative deepens with the revelation of a dark alliance between the FBI and a notorious mob hitman, Gregory Scarpa. A corrupt FBI agent, Lin DeVecchio, allegedly instigated a violent power struggle within the Colombo crime family, effectively giving Scarpa a license to kill.
Scarpa, responsible for over 50 murders, became a key witness for Weissmann, yet his identity was concealed from the defense. This deception, Schoen contends, was a calculated move to secure a conviction at any cost.
Evidence uncovered after Sessa’s conviction paints a damning picture. An NYPD investigative file, deliberately withheld by Weissmann’s team, identified multiple suspects in the murder Sessa was accused of committing – including Scarpa himself. The file contained abundant evidence pointing towards Sessa’s innocence.
The misconduct didn’t stop there. Witnesses testified they were coached on what to say, and one admitted to receiving substantial payments for his testimony – facts Weissmann knowingly concealed. A former federal prosecutor described Weissmann’s ethical compass as “myopic,” a sentiment strong enough to prompt a judge to initially criticize the prosecutor by name in a court order.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Informants reportedly told investigators that Weissmann routinely lied to the court, and judges appeared intimidated by his tactics. The pattern of behavior, Schoen argues, demonstrates a disturbing willingness to disregard the principles of justice.
Michael Sessa surrendered himself to authorities at the age of 32, believing he could clear his name. Now 65, he has spent a third of his life behind bars. His daughter, just five months old when he was imprisoned, is now a college graduate.
Sessa recently marked his 34th Thanksgiving in prison, a stark reminder of the decades stolen from him and his family. He has penned a letter to Pardon Czar Alice Marie Johnson, hoping she will bring his case to the attention of the President.
Sessa’s plea isn’t just about his own freedom; it’s a call for justice for countless others trapped within a system he describes as inherently flawed. He believes a second chance isn’t just a possibility, but a moral imperative.
The case has garnered attention beyond legal circles, inspiring a forthcoming movie about Gregory Scarpa, titled “By Any Means,” starring Mark Wahlberg. The film serves as a chilling backdrop to the alleged corruption that fueled Sessa’s conviction.
For those who have followed Andrew Weissmann’s career, the allegations are not surprising. He has been accused of similar misconduct in other high-profile cases, including the politically charged investigation into President Trump.
Sessa’s supporters believe his case represents a profound injustice, a testament to the power of a prosecutor willing to sacrifice truth for the sake of a conviction. They hope that, after decades of silence, his story will finally be heard, and justice will finally prevail.
