Related Federal Cases
- Edward ‘Eddy’ Lato, Extortion and Racketeering, Rhode Island 1995 · Rhode Island
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- Thomas Iafrate, Extortion and Racketeering Conspiracy, Rhode Island 2011 · Rhode Island
- Dorothy St. Laurent, Organized Crime Extortion, Rhode Island 2010 · Rhode Island
- Richard Bonafiglia, Racketeering Conspiracy, Rhode Island 2012 · Rhode Island
Defendant Sentenced to 108 Months in Federal Prison
Edward "Eddy" Lato, 65, of Providence, Rhode Island, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for participating in racketeering extortion conspiracies. The New England La Cosa Nostra leader pleaded guilty on March 13, 2012, to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise.
Lato’s sentence was announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; Peter F. Neronha, U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Office; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Pare.
Edward Lato admitted to the court that he participated in a racketeering and extortion conspiracy that demanded and received between $800,000 and $1.5 million in "protection" payments from several adult entertainment businesses in Rhode Island from 1995 to 2009. He also admitted his participation in a conspiracy to extort $25,000 from a Rhode Island car salesman and his wife by using implied threats of violence.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland for the District of Rhode Island and Trial Attorney Sam Nazzaro of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
The matter was investigated by the FBI, Rhode Island State Police and the Providence Police Department.
Lato’s sentence also includes three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. The total amount of "protection" payments demanded and received by Lato and his associates was between $800,000 and $1.5 million. The extortion conspiracy involving the car salesman and his wife resulted in the wife withdrawing $25,000 from a retirement account to satisfy the demand for payment.
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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