By Kevin Deutsch
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Move over, Scarface.
A jailed Bronx man wants to change his legal name to Tony Montana—a switch he said is necessary because of his prior work as a police informant and Guardian Angels patrol member.
The 55-year-old inmate, who is locked up at the Manhattan Detention Complex, said in court papers filed in the Bronx last week that he’s due to be released soon and must “change my name as my present name is very well known.”
His preferred moniker, Tony Montana, belongs to the iconic, drug-slinging character played by Al Pacino in the 1983 gangster film “Scarface.”
Bronx Justice News is withholding the inmate’s real name at his request. He is currently being held without bail on charges of grand larceny, scheme to defraud, and multiple parole violations, records show.
He said he’s worked as an informant for various law enforcement agencies and district attorneys, providing them with “gang intelligence.” He also worked as a certified security officer, in addition to conducting neighborhood safety patrols with the Angels, according to his court filing.
The man’s claims could not be independently corroborated. His petition is expected to go before a Bronx judge for consideration in the coming weeks.