The “Cheeseman” gets 6 years in prison

BOSTON (WPRI) - The one time right-hand man to New England mob boss Luigi “Baby Shacks” Manocchio of Providence was sentenced to six years in federal prison for attempted bribery.

Carmen “The Cheeseman” DiNunzio was swept up in an FBI sting 3 years ago; trying to bribe who he thought was a Big Dig official to secure a $6 million contract. He pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges earlier this year.

Thursday in a Boston courtroom, DiNunzio was ordered to report to a federal prison in October to begin his 6-year term.

DiNunzio served as underboss in the Patriarca crime family before his indictment in this case and a separate state gambling charge. Law enforcement officials say the torch has since been passed.

The 52 year-old, DiNunzio, whose nickname comes from his ownership of a North End cheese shop, is riddled with health problems including diabetes. His Attorney Anthony Cardinale requested the wise guy serve his sentence in a prison hospital. Ultimately the Federal Bureau of Prisons will make that call.

Investigators say DiNunzio personally delivered a $10,000 bribe to an undercover agent posing as a corrupt Big Dig official in an effort to score a contract to supply loam and soil to the infamous highway project.

DiNunzio, who tips the scales at nearly 400 pounds, has been on electronic monitoring since his arrest in December 2006. He was permitted to leave his North End home once a day to exercise for 60 minutes.