DiNunzio Sentenced To Six Years In Prison

Salem Superior Court Judge David Lowy this afternoon sentenced Carmen S. DiNunzio, 51, of Boston, an alleged underboss in the New England crime family, to six years in state prison for extortion, promoting an illegal gaming operation, and conspiring to violate state gaming laws.

DiNunzio had pleaded guilty to the state charges on July 8 of this year.

That sentence will be served concurrently with the six year federal prison term imposed by Judge William G. Young yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston. DiNunzio had previously pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiring to bribe a state official in connection with a proposed sale of materials to a project related to the Central Artery Project, otherwise known as the "Big Dig," and for providing a $10,000 down payment on the illegal payoff.

As for the state prosecution, First Assistant District Attorney John T. Dawley told the court that in 2001, DiNunzio extorted $500 per month from a North End bookmaker in exchange for allowing a gaming/numbers office to operate. He also managed and financed a gaming organization with several offices and numerous agents in the North Shore area that took bets on the outcome of professional and college sporting events. In addition, he conspired with others to operate a gaming enterprise.

The state investigation was conducted by the Massachusetts State Police Special Services Section, coordinated by Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett.

DiNunzio will begin serving his sentence at a federal penitentiary on October 22, 2009.

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