A former Connecticut city official was sentenced Wednesday to 10 days in jail for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol in support of former President Donald Trump.

Gene DiGiovanni Jr., 42, successfully ran for a spot on the Derby Board of Aldermen after the riot, but before his participation was revealed. He gave up his position to run unsuccessfully for Derby mayor in 2023.

DiGiovanni, who also owns a local construction business, was not directly involved in any physical violence. He walked into the Capitol during the riot and remained inside for about 22 minutes, according to prosecutors.

“After exiting the building, DiGiovanni did not leave the grounds but remained on the East Front steps where he celebrated, raising his arm in the air,” federal prosecutors said.

DiGiovanni pleaded guilty in January to one count of entering or remaining within a restricted building or grounds and faced a maximum of one year in prison. Prosecutors asked for 30 days, while defense attorneys argued DiGiovanni should walk free.

In addition to the 10 days behind bars, Chief Judge James Boasberg also ordered DiGiovanni to perform 50 hours of community service.

In November 2021, DiGiovanni was elected to the Derby Board of Aldermen and Alderwomen to represent the New Haven suburb’s 2nd Ward.

DiGiovanni was not implicated in the riot until the fall of 2022, when online sleuths identified him using videos from the day. Their work led to Connecticut NBC affiliate WVIT confronting DiGiovanni after a board meeting that October.

In the interview, DiGiovanni admitted to participating in the riot, as reporters had photographs proving his presence. When asked if he believed Trump won the 2020 election, he told the station, “I think there’s some discrepancies there.”

________

©2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.