NEW: Top RI Mob Leaders Arrested
Friday, September 23, 2011
Four alleged members and associates of the New England La Cosa Nostra (LCN), including an alleged Rhode Island leader, have been arrested and charged in a second superseding indictment returned yesterday in federal court in Providence with crimes involving racketeering and extortion.
The charges and arrests were announced today by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; John T. Foley, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Office; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Steven M. Pare, Providence Public Safety Commissioner.
“As Attorney General Holder said in New York last January, battling all forms of organized crime, including La Cosa Nostra, remains a priority for the Department of Justice,” U.S. Attorney Neronha said. “It remains a priority because history has demonstrated that, unchecked, it extends its tentacles into our citizens’ everyday lives. Let no one doubt the commitment of law enforcement to keeping this threat off balance and on the run.”
Charges were unsealed today against Edward Lato, 64, aka “Eddy”; Alfred Scivola, 70, aka “Chippy”; Raymond R. Jenkins, 47, aka “Scarface”; and Albino Folcarelli, 53, aka “Albie” related to their alleged participation in the New England LCN. Lato is charged with racketeering conspiracy, two counts of extortion conspiracy and two counts of travel in aid of racketeering. Scivola is charged with racketeering conspiracy and extortion conspiracy. Folcarelli is charged with extortion conspiracy, and Jenkins is charged with extortion conspiracy and extortion.
As a capo, Lato was responsible for the Rhode Island New England LCN members and their activities. The indictment also alleges that he received monthly protection payments, paid in cash by the owners and operators of certain adult entertainment businesses in Providence, including the Satin Doll and the Cadillac Lounge. At various times, the monthly payments from each of the clubs ranged from $2,000 to $6,000. According to the indictment, after Iafrate and Manocchio were arrested in January 2011, Lato met with another individual in February 2011 to discuss the continuation of the extortion of the Cadillac Lounge as well as the extortion of other adult entertainment clubs.
