New York Judicial Records Confirm Current Prison Status of Convicts in 2016 Joey Comunale Slaying

James Rackover and Lawrence Dilione remain in New York state prisons as of 2026 for the 2016 killing of Joey Comunale.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 8:39 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PEOPLE

The Final Destination of a Luxury Apartment Tragedy

Nearly a decade after the brutal killing of Joey Comunale, the legal consequences for those involved have solidified within the New York State correctional system. James Rackover, who was once a fixture in the Manhattan social scene under the supposed tutelage of a wealthy jeweler, is currently serving a sentence of 28 years and eight months to life. According to state inmate records, Rackover is being held at the Elmira Correctional Facility in Chemung County. His journey from a luxury Grand Sutton apartment to a maximum security cell followed a high profile trial that exposed his history of burglary and a fabricated identity.

The Middleman Serving Time in Dannemora

Lawrence Dilione, the individual who initially confessed to police and led them to Comunale's shallow grave in New Jersey, is also serving a significant prison term. Dilione accepted a plea deal for first degree manslaughter, resulting in a 23 year sentence. Official records indicate he is currently housed at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York. Despite his eventual cooperation with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Dilione made a futile attempt to withdraw his guilty plea during his sentencing hearing, claiming he was innocent of the crimes he had previously detailed to investigators.

Limited Sanctions for the Third Party Witness

The legal fate of Max Gemma differed substantially from his co-defendants, reflecting his more peripheral role in the events of November 2016. Gemma was convicted of hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence after he admitted to failing to contact authorities upon discovering the crime scene. While Rackover and Dilione face decades behind bars, Gemma was sentenced to only six months in jail. He completed his term at Rikers Island and was released in August 2019, eventually returning to private life after serving four months of his allocated time.