As Thanksgiving approaches, most of us will give thanks for the predictable things: family, health, career, and hopefully a gradual return to normalcy with the easing of the pandemic. But I’ll also be giving thanks for those lighter, odder moments in the legal system that give us some relief from mundane realities of day-to-day practice.

For example, I’m thankful for social media. Without it, we wouldn’t have such stories as that of Ralph DiMatteo, alleged high-ranking member of the Colombo crime family in New York. DiMatteo disappeared one day before 13 other alleged members of the Colombo family were indicted on federal racketeering and extortion. Law enforcement officials were without a clue as to DiMatteo’s whereabouts, until the reputed crime figure’s son posted a photo on Twitter of DiMatteo relaxing in a Florida swimming pool. Shortly thereafter, DiMatteo found himself in federal custody. Let’s hope his next swimming won’t be with the fishes.