LA COSA NOSTRA SOLDIER GETS 27 MONTH PRISON TERM

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Soldier Sentenced to Serve 27 Months in Prison

Eric Esposito was sentenced to serve 27 months in prison for conducting an illegal gambling business on behalf of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Family, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Edward J. Hanko, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division .

Esposito, 43, of Philadelphia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.   In addition to his prison term, Esposito was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $4,000.

On Feb. 21, 2014, after a week-long trial, a jury convicted Esposito of conducting an illegal gambling business involving the use of video poker machines at a private social club known as the “First Ward Republican Club” in South Philadelphia.   According to evidence presented at trial, as a fully initiated mob soldier, Esposito worked in concert with other mob members to carry out this illegal gambling business on behalf of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Family.

A total of 13 leaders, members and associates of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Family have pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury as part of this case.   To date, 12 defendants, including Esposito, have been sentenced, and one is awaiting sentencing.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney John S. Han of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank A. Labor III and Suzanne B. Ercole of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.   Valuable prosecutorial assistance was provided by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, the New Jersey State Police, the Philadelphia Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.  Additional assistance was provided by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

LA COSA NOSTRA ASSOCIATE SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR 96 MONTHS

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 
Friday, July 12, 2013

Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Associate Sentenced to 96 Months in Prison
Gary Battaglini was sentenced today to serve 96 months in prison for his participation in a racketeering conspiracy involving loan sharking and illegal gambling, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Edward J. Hanko, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.

Battaglini, 52, of Sewell, N.J., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  In addition to his prison term, Battaglini was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release.

 On Feb. 5, 2013, after a four-month trial, a jury convicted Battaglini of conspiring to conduct and participate in the affairs of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra (LCN) Family through a pattern of racketeering activity.  The evidence at trial proved that, in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy, Battaglini, as an LCN Family “associate,” engaged in loan sharking and illegal sports bookmaking activities on behalf of the mob.  Battaglini exploited the violent reputation of the Philadelphia LCN Family in extending usurious loans and collecting payments on the loans, leaving the borrowers in fear of physical harm if they did not pay promptly.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney John S. Han of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank A. Labor III and Suzanne B. Ercole of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  Valuable prosecutorial assistance was provided by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

 A total of 12 leaders, members and associates of the Philadelphia LCN Family have pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury as part of this case. Six of the defendants, including Battaglini, have been sentenced, and six are awaiting sentencing.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, New Jersey State Police, Philadelphia Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, and U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.  Additional assistance was provided by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

LA COSA NOSTRA ASSOCIATE PLEADS GUILTY TO LOAN SHARKING

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Thursday, June 13, 2013

Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Associate Pleads Guilty to Loan Sharking

Robert Ranieri, 37, of Glendora, N.J., pleaded guilty today to committing loan sharking activities on behalf of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra (LCN) Family.


Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Edward J. Hanko, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Through court documents and statements made in court, Ranieri admitted that he conspired with Philadelphia LCN Family capo Anthony Staino and others to make a usurious loan to an undercover FBI agent and used threats of violence to collect payments on the loan.

At sentencing, scheduled for Sept. 25, 2013, Ranieri faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the New Jersey State Police, the Philadelphia Police Department, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration. Additional assistance was provided by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney John S. Han of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank A. Labor III and Suzanne B. Ercole of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Valuable prosecutorial assistance was provided by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

MEMBER LA COSA NOSTRA SENTENCED TO 55 MONTHS IN PRISON

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Monday, February 25, 2013
Member of Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Sentenced to 55 Months in Prison

Louis Fazzini was sentenced today to serve 55 months in prison for his participation in a racketeering conspiracy involving illegal gambling and theft from an employee benefit plan, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and John Brosnan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.

Fazzini, 46, of Caldwell, N.J., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In addition to his prison term, Fazzini was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

On Oct. 5, 2012, Fazzini pleaded guilty to conspiring to conduct and participate in the affairs of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra (LCN) Family through a pattern of racketeering activity. At the time of the plea colloquy, he admitted that, as a "made" member of the North Jersey crew of the Philadelphia LCN Family, he operated a sports bookmaking business and devised a fraudulent scheme to obtain health benefits through a "no show" job controlled by the LCN in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy. As a "no show" employee, Fazzini performed no work or productive services, while still receiving health benefits.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney John S. Han of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank A. Labor III and Suzanne B. Ercole of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Valuable prosecutorial assistance was provided by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the New Jersey State Police, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration. Additional assistance was provided by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

LA COSA NOSTRA CAPO SENTENCED FOR LOAN SHARKING AND ILLEGAL GAMBLING

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Monday, September 17, 2012
Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Capo Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison

Martin Angelina, 50, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for his participation in a racketeering conspiracy involving loan sharking and illegal gambling, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Zane David Memeger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and George C. Venizelos, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.

Angelina was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In addition to his prison term, Judge Robreno ordered Angelina to serve three years of supervised release. On Aug. 8, 2012, Angelina pleaded guilty to conspiring to conduct and participate in the affairs of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra (LCN) Family through a pattern of racketeering activity. At the time of the plea, Angelina admitted he attempted to collect payments related to usurious loans by using extortionate means and operated an illegal video poker machine business in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy.

Angelina is among 14 members and associates of the Philadelphia LCN Family charged with crimes involving racketeering conspiracy, extortion, loan sharking, illegal gambling, witness tampering and theft from an employee benefit plan in a third superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Philadelphia on July 25, 2012. The other defendants charged in the 52-count third superseding indictment included Philadelphia LCN Family boss Joseph Ligambi, Philadelphia LCN Family underboss Joseph Massimino, George Borgesi, Gaeton Lucibello, Anthony Staino Jr., Damion Canalichio, Louis Barretta, Gary Battaglini, Robert Verrecchia, Eric Esposito, Robert Ranieri, Joseph Licata and Louis Fazzini.

Lucibello pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges on Aug. 2, 2012, and was sentenced to 51 months in prison. Barretta also pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges on Sept. 5, 2012, and is awaiting sentencing on Nov. 26, 2012.

The trial for Ligambi, Massimino, Borgesi, Staino Jr., Canalichio, Battaglini, Licata and Fazzini is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2012. The trial for Verrecchia, Esposito and Ranieri has not yet been scheduled. Ligambi, Massimino, Borgesi, Canalichio, Licata and Fazzini are detained while awaiting trial. Staino Jr., Battaglini, Verrecchia, Esposito and Ranieri are free on bond while awaiting trial.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney John S. Han of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank A. Labor III and Suzanne B. Ercole of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Valuable prosecutorial assistance was provided by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the New Jersey State Police, the Philadelphia Police Department, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration. Additional assistance was provided by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

MEMBER LA COSA NOSTRA SENTENCED TO 51 MONTHS IN PRISON

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Friday, September 14, 2012
Member of Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison

Gaeton Lucibello, 59, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for his participation in a racketeering conspiracy involving extortion and illegal gambling, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and George C. Venizelos, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.

Lucibello was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In addition to his prison term, Lucibello was ordered to serve three years of supervised release. On Aug. 2, 2012, Lucibello pleaded guilty to conspiring to conduct and participate in the affairs of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra (LCN) Family through a pattern of racketeering activity. At the time of the plea, he admitted to the court that he assisted in shaking down a bookmaker for "street tax" payments and operated two illegal video poker machine businesses in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy.

Lucibello was among 14 members and associates of the Philadelphia LCN Family charged with crimes involving racketeering conspiracy, extortion, loan sharking, illegal gambling, witness tampering and theft from an employee benefit plan in a third superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Philadelphia on July 25, 2012. The other defendants charged in the 52-count third superseding indictment included Philadelphia LCN Family boss Joseph Ligambi, Philadelphia LCN Family underboss Joseph Massimino, George Borgesi, Martin Angelina, Anthony Staino Jr., Damion Canalichio, Louis Barretta, Gary Battaglini, Robert Verrecchia, Eric Esposito, Robert Ranieri, Joseph Licata and Louis Fazzini.

Angelina pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges on Aug. 8, 2012, and is awaiting sentencing on Sep. 17, 2012. Barretta also pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges on Sep. 5, 2012, and is awaiting sentencing on Nov. 26, 2012.

The trial for Ligambi, Massimino, Borgesi, Staino Jr., Canalichio, Battaglini, Licata and Fazzini is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2012. The trial for Verrecchia, Esposito and Ranieri has not yet been scheduled. Ligambi, Massimino, Borgesi, Canalichio, Licata and Fazzini are detained while awaiting trial. Staino Jr., Battaglini, Verrecchia, Esposito and Ranieri are on bond while awaiting trial.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney John S. Han of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank A. Labor III and Suzanne B. Ercole of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Valuable prosecutorial assistance was provided by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the New Jersey State Police, the Philadelphia Police Department, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration. Additional assistance was provided by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

PHILADELPHIA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO LA COSA NOSTRA ACTIVITIES

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON – Martin Angelina, 50, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty today to participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving loan sharking and illegal gambling, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and George C. Venizelos, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.

At the plea hearing before U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Angelina pleaded guilty to conspiring to conduct and participate in the affairs of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra (LCN) Family through a pattern of racketeering activity. He admitted to the court that he attempted to collect payments related to usurious loans by using extortionate means and operated an illegal video poker machine business in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2012.

Angelina was among 14 members and associates of the Philadelphia LCN Family charged with crimes involving racketeering conspiracy, extortion, loan sharking, illegal gambling, witness tampering and theft from an employee benefit plan in a third superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Philadelphia on July 25, 2012. The other defendants charged in the 52-count third superseding indictment included Philadelphia LCN Family boss Joseph Ligambi, Philadelphia LCN Family underboss Joseph Massimino, George Borgesi, Gaeton Lucibello, Anthony Staino Jr., Damion Canalichio, Louis Barretta, Gary Battaglini, Robert Verrecchia, Eric Esposito, Robert Ranieri, Joseph Licata and Louis Fazzini.

Gaeton Lucibello pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges on Aug. 2, 2012, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 26, 2012.

The trial for Ligambi, Massimino, Borgesi, Staino, Canalichio, Barretta, Battaglini, Licata and Fazzini is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2012. The trial for Verrecchia, Esposito and Ranieri has not yet been scheduled. Ligambi, Massimino, Borgesi, Canalichio, Licata and Fazzini are detained while awaiting trial. Staino, Barretta, Battaglini, Verrecchia, Esposito and Ranieri are free on bond while awaiting trial.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney John S. Han of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank A. Labor III and Suzanne B. Ercole of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Valuable prosecutorial assistance was provided by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the Pennsylvania State Police, the New Jersey State Police, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, and Employee Benefits Security Administration. Additional assistance was provided by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR ROLE IN HOBBS ACT EXTORTION CONSPIRACY

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Admitted Associate of New England La Cosa Nostra Sentenced to Prison for Participation in Hobbs Act Extortion Conspiracy

Albino Folcarelli is 7th Defendant to Plead Guilty and be Sentenced to Federal Prison for Alleged Extortion of Protection Payments from Rhode Island Businesses and Individuals by Organized Crime

Albino "Albie" Folcarelli, 54, of Johnston, R.I., an admitted associate of the New England La Cosa Nostra (NELCN), was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence, R.I., today to serve 84 months in federal prison for his participation in an extortion conspiracy to extort $25,000 from a Rhode Island individual by using implied threats of violence, including visits to the individual’s place of employment and home.

U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith also sentenced Folcarelli to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term and to pay $25,000 in restitution to be paid jointly and severally with co-defendants Raymond R. "Scarface" Jenkins and Edward "Eddy" Lato. Folcarelli pleaded guilty on May 4, 2012, to one count of Hobbs Act extortion.

Folcarelli admitted to participating in an extortion conspiracy with Lato, 65, an admitted NELCN capo, and Jenkins, 47. Lato, who also pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to shakedown Rhode Island adult entertainment business for protection money, is serving a sentence of 108 months in federal prison. Jenkins is serving a sentence of 37 months in prison.

Folcarelli’s sentence was announced by Peter F. Neronha, United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island; Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Richard Deslauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Office; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Pare.

Folcarelli, Lato and Jenkins are among seven Rhode Island men convicted and sentenced for crimes involving racketeering and extortion, which allegedly extorted protection payments from several adult entertainment businesses and individuals in Rhode Island during the past two decades. Admitted NELCN crime boss Luigi "Louie" Manocchio, 85, is currently serving a 66 month sentence in federal prison; Alfred "Chippy" Scivola, 72, an admitted NELCN member, is serving a 46 month sentence in prison; Richard Bonifiglia, 58, an admitted NELCN associate, is serving an 84 month sentence in prison; and Thomas Iafrate, an admitted NELCN associate, is currently serving a 30 month sentence in prison.

An eighth defendant named in a second superseding indictment, Theodore Cardillo, 69, has entered a plea of not guilty to three counts each of RICO conspiracy and extortion conspiracy. He is detained while awaiting trial.

A third superseding indictment returned in this matter returned on April 24, 2012, charges Anthony L. Dinunzio, 53, of East Boston, Mass., the alleged acting leader of the NELCN, with one count each of racketeering and extortion, and five counts of travel in aid of racketeering. A not guilty plea was entered on April 25, 2012. Dinunzio is detained while awaiting trial.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

NEW ENGLAND LA COSA NOSTRA LOSES FIVE MEMBERS

The following excerpt is from the Department of Justice website:

Thursday, February 16, 2012
"WASHINGTON – Five Rhode Island men previously identified as leaders or associates of the New England organized crime family of the La Cosa Nostra (NELCN) have agreed to plead guilty to racketeering-related charges, according to documents filed today with the U.S. district court in Providence, R.I.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha for the District of Rhode Island; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Office; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Pare.

The defendants were charged in a second superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Providence in September 2011, which alleges their participation in an extortion and racketeering conspiracy involving “protection” payments from several Rhode Island businesses.  The defendants face sentences of up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

According to plea agreements signed by the defendants and filed with the court, Luigi “Baby Shacks” Manocchio; Edward “Eddy” Lato; Alfred “Chippy” Scivola; and Richard Bonafiglia will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise.  Raymond R. Jenkins will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to participate in a Hobbs Act extortion.

According to the plea agreements, in addition to admitting to their criminal conduct, Manocchio, Lato and Scivola admit to their membership in the enterprise charged in the second superseding indictment, which is the NELCN.   In addition, in their signed plea agreements, Manocchio and Lato admit to being organizers and leaders of the enterprise’s criminal activity.  As alleged in the indictment, Manocchio was an underboss and boss of the NELCN and Lato was an NELCN capo, primarily responsible for Rhode Island.   Lato also admitted in his plea agreement to related extortion activity charged in the indictment.

Theodore Cardillo and Albino “Albie” Folcarelli, also named in the second superseding indictment and identified as alleged associates of the NELCN, are scheduled for trial on April 23, 2012.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt.   A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

An eighth defendant named in a previous superseding indictment in this matter, Thomas Iafrate, of Johnston, R.I., pleaded guilty on July 21, 2011, to one count of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise.   He also admitted that he was an associate of the NELCN.   Iafrate was sentenced in December 2011 to 30 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland for the District of Rhode Island and Trial Attorney Sam Nazzaro of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.  The matter was investigated by the FBI, Rhode Island State Police, Providence Police and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.”

DOJ SAYS LA COSA NOSTRA ASSOCIATE WAS SENTENCED FOR EXTORTION AND RACKETEERING CONSPIRACY

The following excerpt is from the Department of Justice website:

Monday, December 12, 2011
“Longtime Associate of the New England La Cosa Nostra Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Extortion and Racketeering Conspiracy
WASHINGTON – Thomas Iafrate, 70, of Johnston, R.I., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Providence, R.I., to 30 months in prison for participating in an extortion and racketeering conspiracy involving “protection” payments from several Rhode Island businesses, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha for the District of Rhode Island.
Iafrate also was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William E. Smith to three years of supervised release. Iafrate pleaded guilty on July 21, 2011, to one count of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. Iafrate admitted to the court that he was an associate of the New England La Cosa Nostra (NELCN).
According to information presented in court, Iafrate was an associate of the NELCN enterprise while working as a longtime bookkeeper for various Providence adult entertainment businesses, including the Satin Doll, Cadillac Lounge and Northeast Sales. Iafrate participated in the racketeering conspiracy by setting aside and by delivering extortion payments to members of the NELCN, including co-defendant Luigi Manocchio, on behalf of the owners. All three businesses were owned by the same people.
Four alleged members and associates of the NELCN, including an alleged former boss, were charged with crimes involving racketeering, extortion and related crimes in a superseding indictment unsealed in Providence on March 1, 2011. Iafrate was initially charged in an indictment unsealed in January 2011 as part of a coordinated nationwide takedown of organized crime figures. At that time, 91 leaders, members and associates of seven organized crime families of La Cosa Nostra were charged with federal crimes in four judicial districts, including Rhode Island.
The superseding indictment charged longtime NELCN boss Luigi Manocchio, aka “Louie,” “Baby Shacks,” “the Professor” and “the Old Man,” and Iafrate with racketeering conspiracy, extortion conspiracy and extortion. Richard Bonafiglia and Theodore Cardillo also are charged with racketeering conspiracy and extortion conspiracy. A second superseding indictment returned on Sept. 22, 2011, charged Edward Lato, aka “Eddy”; Alfred Scivola, aka “Chippy”; Raymond R. Jenkins, aka “Scarface”; and Albino Folcarelli aka “Albie” related to their alleged participation in the NELCN. An indictment is merely an allegation and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Manocchio, Bonafiglia, Lato, Scivola, Jenkins and Folcarelli are detained while awaiting trial. Cardillo is free on bond while awaiting trial.
The cases against the eight defendants are being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sam Nazzaro of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland of the District of Rhode Island.
The matter was investigated by the District of Rhode Island’s Organized Crime Task Force, which includes law enforcement agents from the FBI, Rhode Island State Police, the Providence Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division.”

AAG LANNY BREUER HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE ON LA COSA NOSTRA ARRESTS

The following is an excerpt from the Department of Justice website:

"Providence, R.I. ~ Friday, September 23, 2011
Thank you, Peter. It is an honor to stand here with you and our partners at the FBI, the Rhode Island State Police, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, and the Providence Police Department to announce this most recent, strategic strike against La Cosa Nostra.

The charges we are announcing today against a capo, another member, and two associates, of the New England LCN – as well as the additional allegations we are making against alleged longtime boss Luigi Manocchio – show our determination to put an end to the mob’s operations in Rhode Island, and throughout the Northeast.

The defendants charged today feared that law enforcement was watching them – and they were right to be concerned. Our commitment to fighting organized crime is unshakeable. We understand that sustained enforcement is the only way to break the grip of La Cosa Nostra in the United States. Today, for example, you see charges against a capo who allegedly stepped in to continue extortion operations after the January 2011 arrest of Manocchio and another LCN associate.

Since the department announced, earlier this year, the largest enforcement action ever against La Cosa Nostra in the United States, we have been sending the message loud and clear that we are here to stay.

In January, we arrested 91 LCN leaders, members, and associates, and 36 other defendants, in four districts on charges ranging from racketeering and murder to extortion and drug trafficking.

In March, we brought additional charges here in Rhode Island against the former boss of the New England LCN and three associates.

In May, we announced one of the largest enforcement actions ever against La Cosa Nostra in Philadelphia, charging 13 leaders, members, and associates of the Philadelphia LCN Family with crimes that spanned more than a decade.

And as of today, leaders of the New England LCN – the former boss and a capo allegedly in charge of LCN’s Rhode Island criminal activities – are in prison, pending federal trial.

While re-focusing our approach against traditional organized crime, we have also recognized that we must address emerging threats from transnational organized crime. In February, for example, we announced charges against 102 members and associates of Armenian Power and other transnational organized criminal groups operating in the United States. And in July, the Administration unveiled a transnational organized crime strategy based on a year-long review of the evolving threats we face. This strategy, together with our continued fight against La Cosa Nostra, recognizes that domestic and international partnerships across law enforcement are key to identifying and addressing the threats posed by organized crime. Today’s operations represent the kind of collaborative law enforcement that breeds success.

Relying on violence and intimidation to carry out their illegal activities, organized criminal groups often act as though if they operate in the shadows, they will escape punishment. They couldn’t be more wrong. Our law enforcement operations over the past nine months should make clear to anyone watching that we are zeroing in on La Cosa Nostra and other organized criminal groups, and that we will not rest until our work is done."