While Cheeseman’s away, new don will play
One Medford bookie voiced his fear that “the wrath of God” would befall anyone who dared sell short Carmen “The Cheeseman” DiNunzio, the seemingly soft-hearted godfather of the Boston Mafia.
Lt. Stephen Johnson, who investigates organized crime for state police, never made that mistake. Even now he is proceeding with caution as the new don in town - whom he refused to identify - steps into the shoes DiNunzio is giving up for prison-issue footwear.
“If you don’t keep after them, they’ll blossom back up again,” Johnson said of the importance of impeding the mob from returning to the city’s bloody days of old.
DiNunzio, 51, of East Boston pleaded guilty yesterday in Salem Superior Court to extortion and gaming charges as the final leg of an agreement he struck with Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and the U.S. Attorney’s Office that will send him up river in late September for six years - likely to the Federal Medical Center at Fort Devens.
Last week, DiNunzio, who suffers from pulmonary disease and diabetes, pleaded guilty in Boston to federal charges he bribed an undercover agent posing as a state highway inspector to land him a $6 million loam contract with the Big Dig.
The mobster’s longtime attorney Anthony Cardinale said yesterday, “I think he’s anxious to get on with the next phase of his life.”
Had DiNunzio gone to trial on both cases, he could have faced as many as 52 years behind bars.
“The federal case was particularly troubling because my client was on tape. There was not much we could do,” Cardinale said. “Viewing both (cases) together, it was our decision to make the best deal we could.”
State prosecutor Jack Dawley was prepared to prove that in 2001, DiNunzio demanded North End bookie Anthony Pino pay him “a nickel” ($500) each month to buy “protection” for his illegal operation. DiNunzio also managed a gaming ring with several North Shore offices.
Far from DiNunzio just betting on sports, however, Blodgett, the prosecutor, said, “What came to light is people were in danger. There was intimidation and violence.”
Source: bostonherald
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