Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

A reputed underboss of the New England Mafia was arrested Friday on gambling and extortion charges, authorities said. Carmen Salvatore DiNunzio, 49, was arrested by state police in Boston's North End after being indicted by an Essex County grand jury on charges of extortion, maintaining and operating a gaming operation, and conspiracy to maintain or organize a gaming operation, the Essex District Attorney's office announced. DiNunzio, an East Boston man known as "The Big Cheese," operated a cheese shop in the North End. He allegedly rose through the ranks of local organized crime to become underboss about four years ago, running Boston rackets, The Boston Globe reported. A state police officer testified in federal court last year that Arthur Gianelli, a Lynnfield bookmaker and brother-in-law of former FBI agent John Connolly Jr., was paying DiNunzio $2,000 a month for permission to operate his gambling business. Gianelli is facing trial on federal racketeering charges. The Essex County District Attorney's office said authorities have been investigating alleged mob-related extortion of bookmakers involving DiNunzio since 2001. William Angelesco, 35, of Chelsea, was arrested earlier this year in a related case, charged with promoting and organizing a gambling operation. Angelesco was acquitted last year in an alleged revenge slaying at a Revere strip club in December 2001. DiNunzio is held on $250,000 bail at the state police barracks in Danvers pending his arraignment on Monday in Salem Superior Court. He could face up 15 years in prison if convicted.