By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com
Anthony L. Dinunzio, the acting boss of the New England La Cosa Nostra, was sentenced Wednesday in Providence, R.I. federal court to 6 years and 6 months in prison for his role in extorting protection payments from adult entertainment businesses in Rhode Island.
Dinunzio, 53, of East Boston, Mass., pleaded guilty on Sept. 13 to one count of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise (RICO).
“Today, the admitted leader of the New England La Cosa Nostra was sentenced to prison for the years of significant harm he caused to the people of Rhode Island,” said Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer in a statement. “Anthony Dinunzio and his NELCN subordinates used threats of violence to extort protection payments from business owners throughout the state, and his sentence sends a powerful message about the department’s determination to hold mafia leaders and associates to account.”
“Over the last several years, the FBI and its federal, state and local law enforcement partners have undeniably shattered Omerta, the New England LCN’s code of silence,” said FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers. “Through persistent, methodical and unyielding investigations, Mr. Dinunzio and others in the LCN know they no longer are able to rely on their sworn bonds for protection from the FBI and our partners.”
