Fed First: Heads of New England Mafia Named

New England boss Luigi "Baby Shanks" Manocchio is "active."

The federal government, for the first time, publicly named who they believe is running the New England Mafia, and that the current official leadership team is in Massachusetts.

The revelation arrived in court documents when former New England mob boss Luigi "Baby Shacks" Manocchio pleaded not guilty to extortion and conspiracy charges.

Federal prosecutors in Rhode Island filed paperwork attesting to his high-level position to help keep Manocchio locked up while he awaits trial.






According to the filings: In June, 2010, (Manocchio) was observed by law enforcement having an extended meeting with then acting (New England Mafia) boss Peter Limone and underboss Anthony DiNunzio at a Chinese restaurant in Boston.

"His access to high ranking (New England Mafia) figures demonstrates his continued power and respect within the organization..."

DiNunzio is the brother of reputed Mafia leader Carmen “The Cheeseman” DiNunzio, who is currently serving a federal sentence. [ Ed.'s note three: I really don't think the New England mob "gets it" when it comes to nicknames -- Baby Shanks and Cheeseman??]

Limone pleaded no contest last July to running an organized crime gambling ring, but avoided going to jail.

Limone's attorney did not return phone calls, but earlier this month she denied her client is the boss of the New England mob.

Manocchio remains locked up. He'll be back in court again next week when a judge will decide if he'll be released.

According to various published reports and books, Manocchio has a criminal record dating back to the 1940s. A brief history of the more recent legal problems and other developments involving Baby Shanks:

In July 1996, Mannocchio was indicted with 43 others in a burglary ring. Prosecutors claimed that this Patriarca family-sanctioned gang was responsible for stealing $10 million in merchandise. When his trial began in April 1999, Manocchio pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to three years of probation.

Manocchio continued his steady rise, acting as underboss from 1998 until 2000, when he was promoted to boss of the Patriarca family following the imprisonment of many of the organization's other leaders. He has been described as a "shrewd, opportunistic old-school leader who excels at keeping a low profile" and "tough and capable," according to TruTV's website.

Mannochio's headquarters is a laundromat in the Federal Hill section of Providence. At least he has no excuse not to have clean, sharply pressed clothes at all times.

In December 2004, Manocchio was named, but not indicted, in a case involving Boston mob captain Frederick Simone as the defendant. The indictment identified Manocchio as Patriarca family boss, Alexander “Sonny Boy” Rizzo as underboss, Rocco Argenta as consigliere and Carmen DiNunzio, Mark Rosetti and Matthew Guglielmetti as capos. If he wasn't indicted, so what?

In November, 2009, Manocchio reportedly ceded control of the Patriarca family to mobster Peter Limone.

Then came Holder's big day: January 20th, 2011. Manocchio was indicted on charges of extorting payments from the owners of the Cadillac Lounge and Satin Doll strip clubs in Providence--the preferred profession of elderly mobsters.

The indictment listed his nicknames as "Louie," "The Professor," "The Old Man," or "Baby Shanks."

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