
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 6, 1993                   TAG: 9310060237
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MINEOLA, N.Y.                                LENGTH: Short

BUTTAFUOCO FESSES UP TO FISHER FLING

After 1 1/2 years of denials - to his wife, to Howard Stern and Phil Donahue, to the producers of his made-for-TV movie - Joey Buttafuoco finally admitted it Tuesday: He slept with Amy Fisher.

He admitted it happened at a motel. He admitted knowing she was just 16 years old. And he admitted it all in court, where he pleaded guilty to third-degree rape and set himself up for a six-month jail term.

"On July 2, 1991, I had sexual relations with Amy Fisher at the Freeport Motel," Buttafuoco declared in a clear voice before a packed courtroom, acknowledging the affair for the first time. He appeared without his wife, Mary Jo, who is said to be standing by her man despite his confession.

Buttafuoco's plea was one of the final frames of the saga that began May 19, 1992, when Fisher shot Mary Jo Buttafuoco in the head to clear the way for her affair with Joey. Fisher is serving five to 15 years for the shooting.

Buttafuoco, who will be sentenced Nov. 15, had nothing to say after the 20-minute hearing before Nassau County Court Judge Jack Mackston. Under a plea bargain, Buttafuoco's sentence will be no more than six months in jail, five years' probation and a $5,000 fine.

If he gets the maximum, Buttafuoco could be released after four months.

by CNB