Anthony Spagnolo, Extortion, Massachusetts 2016

Crime Pays, Until You Get Caught

BOSTON – In a shocking turn of events, Anthony Spagnolo, 74, of Revere, was sentenced to 20 months in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 for his role in a brazen extortion scheme.

Spagnolo, along with his alleged accomplice Pryce Quintina, 76, of Revere, conspired to interfere with interstate commerce by extortion. The two men pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2015.

The scheme involved a social club in Revere, Moose Lodge, which wanted to replace its existing video poker machines with new ones. However, Constitution Vending Company, which supplied the machines, paid Spagnolo and Quintina to protect their interests and prevent the machines from being replaced.

Spagnolo and Quintina allegedly threatened the manager of Moose Lodge, telling him that Constitution’s machines ‘were not going anywhere.’ As a result, the Moose Lodge did not replace the machines, allowing Constitution to continue profiting from them.

The case is part of a multi-year investigation into La Cosa Nostra (LCN) operations in Eastern Massachusetts. As a result of the investigation, five individuals have been convicted, including Louis DiNunzio, 29, of Medford, Joseph Spagnuolo-Kazonis, 30, of Boston, and John Woodman, 43, of Braintree, who were convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana. John Evans, 68, of Middleborough, and Joseph Petrucelli, 24, of Winthrop, were convicted of conducting an illegal gambling business.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Massachusetts State Police, and other law enforcement agencies collaborated on the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy E. Moran.

Anthony Spagnolo’s sentencing is a significant blow to the LCN’s operations in Eastern Massachusetts, and serves as a reminder that crime does not pay. Spagnolo’s 20-month prison sentence and $5,000 fine are a testament to the severity of the charges against him.

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