New England mob boss pleads guilty to racketeering


September 13, 2012 at 1:12p.m.

New England mob boss pleads guilty to racketeering

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The admitted leader of the New England mob has pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy in Rhode Island.

Anthony L. DiNunzio, of Boston entered his plea today in federal court in Providence.

The 53-year-old DiNunzio acknowledges being an organized crime leader and takes responsibility for a conspiracy to extort protection money from Rhode Island strip clubs.

He was arrested in April.

Police say DiNunzio assumed control of the New England mob about two years ago. One of his predecessors was his brother, Carmen “The Cheeseman” DiNunzio, who is serving a six-year sentence for bribing an undercover FBI agent posing as a state official.

Anthony DiNunzio’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 14. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors say they will recommend a sentence of between just over five years and up to 6 1/2 years.