Posted on 11/25/2008 5:57:56 AM PST by Born Conservative
SCRANTON Reputed Mafia boss William Billy DElia was sentenced Monday to nine years in federal prison, but he could reduce that sentence further if he provides substantial assistance in the prosecution of Mount Airy Casino owner Louis DeNaples, a prosecutor said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Zubrod said the amount of time DElia might shave off his sentence is dependent upon how helpful he is in aiding Dauphin County prosecutors in the pending perjury cases against DeNaples and his longtime spiritual adviser, the Rev. Joseph Sica.
The offer is in addition to already significant concessions the U.S. Attorneys Office has made for DElia, who initially faced 18 charges related to an elaborate money laundering scheme and an attempt to have a witness in that case killed.
In March prosecutors agreed to drop 16 of those charges and allow DElia to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and attempted witness tampering. The deal was based on his help in building the case against DeNaples and Sica, Zubrod and DElias attorney, James Swetz, have confirmed.
DeNaples, of Dunmore, is accused of lying to state gaming officials about his relationship with DElia, 62, of Hughestown, long alleged to be the head of the Pittston-based crime family once ruled by the late Russell Bufalino. Sica, a Catholic priest, is accused of lying to a grand jury about his relationship with Bufalino. The cases are pending in Dauphin County court.
Attorneys for DeNaples attended DElias sentencing to keep abreast of the latest developments in the governments case against DeNaples, said Kevin Feeley, DeNaples spokesman.
DeNaples adamantly denies the charges against him. Feeley lambasted prosecutors for making a deal with DElia.
He got a significant reduction in his sentence with a promise of a potential for more, dependent upon what he is willing to say in a courtroom, Feeley said. I think the evidence clearly suggests he is willing to say anything.
Standing before U.S. District Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie, the gravel-voiced DElia apologized for his crimes.
Im truly sorry for my actions that may have harmed people, he said. I hope I will soon be able to resume my life with my family in a positive, honorable and productive way.
DElia had sought a sentence of seven years, but Vanaskie rejected that request. The judge instead sentenced him at the low end of sentencing guidelines, which called for a sentence anywhere from nine to 15 years in prison. With credit for time served, DElia will serve no more than seven years.
Vanaskie said he considered many factors in fashioning the sentence, including DElias poor health and the support he has from his family and the community.
About a dozen people, including DElias wife, Ellen, and two daughters, Miriam DElia and Carolyn Moscatelli, filled the courtroom in his support. Some wiped tears from their eyes as they awaited DElias appearance before the judge.
I do want to let you know my husband is a good person, a good father and good grandfather, Ellen DElia told Vanaskie.
Moscatelli and Miriam DElia described their father as loving and caring person.
Everyone of us grew up felling loved and special, Moscatelli said. The last years have shattered our family.
But Zubrod painted a different portrait of DElia that of a criminal who would stop at nothing, including murder to continue his criminal activity.
A grand jury first indicted DElia and several co-defendants, Louis Pagnotti, Richard Smallcombe and Frank Pavlico III, in May 2006 on charges they helped convicted drug dealer John Doncses launder hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds to make it seem as though the money was legitimately earned.
A second indictment issued in October 2006 alleged DElia, who was free on bail in the first case, continued to launder money and that he ordered the murder of Pavlico after learning he was cooperating with authorities.
This was a cold-blooded attempt to obstruct the investigation by murdering a witness, Zubrod told Vanaskie.
Vanaskie said he found DElias actions while out on bail particularly troubling. The judge said he has no confidence that any sentence he imposed would stop DElias criminal conduct.
I have a defendant in this case who, after being placed on pre-trial release, continued to commit crimes, Vanaskie said. You cant be laundering money while you are on pre-trial release. Thats a very serious matter.
DElias sentencing brings to a close an extensive investigation that involved numerous police agencies, including the Pennsylvania State Police, FBI, IRS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Martin C. Carlson lauded the agencies for their effort in bringing DElia and his co-defendants to justice.
Todays sentencing sends a powerful message about the commitment of law enforcement to break the grip of organized criminal money laundering in northeastern Pennsylvania and to ensure that the people of central Pennsylvania can live free of the influence of organized crime, Carlson said in a prepared statement.
Interestingly, DeNaples was on trial in 1983 for defrauding the Federal government. James Osticco was charged with jury tampering in that case, and was prosecuted by Obama AG-appointee Eric Holder.
What’s happening here is they dragged the priest into the net. That never happened on the Sopranos. I thought unless they were crooked themselves, they had a legally privileged relationship.
The women of big-time gangsters are all the same. They live like queens and they never ask how much blood was spilled to enable their life-style.
William Billy DElia? “Big Billy” D’Elia?
That’s the best they could do for nicknames? *Sigh* The mob has seriously gone downhill.
I do want to let you know my husband is a good person, a good father and good grandfather, Ellen DElia told Vanaskie.”
Thank you, Mrs. Soprano.
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