Joey Buttafuoco at a Glance
Joey Buttafuoco’s Net Worth: A Detailed Look at His Life and Controversies
Joey Buttafuoco is an American figure known for a high-profile scandal that thrust him into the media spotlight. Beyond the sensational headlines, his life involves a complex interplay of events, including an affair, a shooting, legal battles, and a fluctuating financial status. This article delves into the details of Joey Buttafuoco’s life, exploring his net worth, the infamous incidents that defined him, and his subsequent endeavors. We will examine his early life, the Amy Fisher affair, the shooting of his wife, the legal proceedings, his rise to minor celebrity status, and his appearances in the media. Finally, we’ll look at the current estimates of his net worth, considering the various factors that have shaped his financial standing.
Early Life and Background
Joseph “Joey” Buttafuoco was born on March 11, 1956, in Massapequa, New York. Growing up on Long Island, he attended Massapequa High School. Buttafuoco established himself as an auto body shop owner in Nassau County, New York. This background laid the foundation for the events that would later captivate the public’s attention, and the auto body shop would be the start of a series of events.
The Amy Fisher Affair and the Shooting
In 1991, Buttafuoco’s life took a dramatic turn when he began an affair with Amy Fisher, a 16-year-old girl who had brought her car to his auto body shop. The illicit relationship quickly escalated, leading to a series of events that would be heavily covered by the media. The affair became public knowledge. In May 1992, Fisher went to the Buttafuoco residence to confront his wife, Mary Jo. Posing as someone else to gain entry, Fisher showed Mary Jo a t-shirt that Buttafuoco had given her as evidence of their affair. After being told to leave, Fisher shot Mary Jo Buttafuoco in the face with a .25 caliber semiautomatic pistol. Mary Jo survived the shooting and identified Fisher as the assailant.
Legal Consequences and Incarceration
The shooting and subsequent investigation triggered extensive media coverage and multiple court cases. Fisher, due to her age and the nature of the crime, was dubbed the “Long Island Lolita.” Initially, Buttafuoco’s lawyer maintained his client’s innocence, claiming Fisher fabricated the entire relationship. However, after Fisher’s conviction, Buttafuoco was indicted on 19 counts of statutory rape, sodomy, and endangering the welfare of a child. He pleaded guilty, admitting he knew Fisher was only 16 at the time of their sexual encounters. Buttafuoco was sentenced to six months in jail, serving four months and nine days.
During his time in jail, Buttafuoco remained married to Mary Jo. After his release in 1994, the couple relocated to California. Despite the tumultuous events, they stayed married for nearly a decade before Mary Jo filed for divorce in Ventura County on February 3, 2003.
Celebrity Status and Media Appearances
The shooting trial turned Buttafuoco into a minor celebrity. He became a fixture in tabloids and gave numerous media interviews. He became a punchline on “Late Night with David Letterman” and was parodied on “Saturday Night Live.” One notable “SNL” sketch involved Madonna, who ripped up a photo of Buttafuoco at the end of a performance, mirroring Sinead O’Connor’s earlier protest against the Pope. He was also referenced on the TV show “Friends.”
In 2002, he participated in “Celebrity Boxing.” Originally scheduled to fight John Wayne Bobbitt, the lineup changed after Bobbitt’s arrest, and Buttafuoco fought female pro wrestler Joanie “Chyna” Laurer, winning the fight despite being booed by the crowd.
Later Life and Legal Troubles
Buttafuoco’s life continued to be marked by legal troubles and media appearances. In 1995, he pleaded no contest to solicitation of prostitution and received two years of probation. In 2004, he was sentenced to a year in jail and five years of probation for insurance fraud, also being banned from the auto body industry in California. In 2005, he was charged with illegal possession of ammunition and served about four months in jail. This was due to his status as a convicted felon, which made it illegal for him to possess ammunition.