PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A New England Mafia member was ordered on Thursday to serve three years and 10 months in federal prison for his role in the shakedown of Rhode Island strip clubs, becoming the second admitted mobster and fifth person overall to be sentenced in the case.
Alfred “Chippy” Scivola Jr., of Johnston, was sentenced in Providence by a federal judge, who imposed the punishment sought by prosecutors. Under a plea agreement, Scivola faced between three years and five months and four years and three months in federal prison.
The 71-year-old Scivola pleaded guilty in March to racketeering conspiracy. He blew a kiss to his family as he was led away from the courtroom in handcuffs.
Scivola’s role in the extortion of strip clubs by the mob for monthly protection payments goes back to 2002, according to a plea agreement signed in February. The agreement says the plot netted $800,000 to $1.5 million in ill-gotten gains.
Defense attorney Victor Beretta said the evidence ties Scivola to the scheme beginning last year and argued Scivola got involved at the end of a decades-long scheme.
“If you come in at the end of a 30-year conspiracy … you cannot be held responsible for everything that came before you,” Beretta said.
Beretta also described Scivola as a good family man and “loyal and true friend,” who has a pacemaker and requires treatment for respiratory and heart problems. He asked that Scivola be given a less severe sentence.
Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha praised Scivola’s sentence.
“We’re just moving along. The dominoes are falling,” Neronha said. He added prosecutors will “keep the pressure on” the mob after the final case is settled.
The extortion investigation has ensnared nine people described by prosecutors as having ties to organized crime.
Five people have been sentenced to prison in the case, including three mob associates and former New England mob boss Luigi “Baby Shacks” Manocchio. Manocchio, 84, was ordered last month to serve 5 1/2 years in prison for his role in the plot.
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