The tax-cheating former director of the Friars Club escaped a prison stint on Monday, the culmination of a court case that left some roast-ready members fuming.
At his hearing in Manhattan Federal Court, disgraced club honcho Michael Gyure was sentenced to time served, a year of supervised release and 100 hours of community service, and fined $5,500.
“I have no one to blame but myself,” a contrite Gyure told the court, choking up as he described a happy childhood in England and loving parents. “I have betrayed their memory,” he said, adding, “I am so sorry that they have had to suffer this disgrace.”
Gyure has paid the Internal Revenue Service a total of $156,920 for what he owed for three years of false tax filings, plus interest, said his lawyer, Paul Shechtman.
The standing-room-only courtroom was packed with Friars members who were rooting for Gyure’s freedom or howling for his scalp.
The comedy world’s most famous private club has endured tight finances and the prospect of declining membership. Gyure pleaded guilty in January to filing faulty tax forms following a two-year investigation by the Justice Department. The club is now closed for renovations.
“In my opinion, Michael Gyure is a bad person,” declared lawyer Irwin Cohen, asserting that on three occasions Gyure chiseled him out of thousands of dollars for work he did on the club’s behalf. “I trusted him, and I believe he preyed on me,” he said. “I think that incarceration is justified.”
Comedy writer Carol Scibelli also griped about Gyure’s leadership, claiming he took a committee chairmanship from her and that “members were thrown out for ridiculous offenses, others left in disgust.”
When Friars board member Arthur Aidala rose to speak, a weary Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald quipped, “Which side are you on?” drawing laughter from an audience appreciative of a snarky jibe.
“The groom’s side, your honor,” deadpanned Aidala. “I think it’s obvious, your honor, that Mr. Gyure has the support of the board.”
Shechtman argued that the former director also was supported by talk-show veteran Larry King and former New York City Mayor David Dinkins.
“He is a good man, and good words are called for,” said Shechtman,
Gyure is largely responsible for bringing A-list celebrities and big events to the venue, and he played a large role in hosting a sold-out, star-studded event honoring Billy Crystal with the club’s Icon award last November.