Another mob plea deal may be in works

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - On the eve of a plea hearing with the reputed former mob boss of the New England crime family, the lawyer for one accused mob associate is sending signals they too may be close to an agreement with federal prosecutors.

In a court filing on Tuesday, John F. Cicilline – the lawyer for Theodore Cardillo – asked the court to “vacate” the trial because “the counsel is attempting to resolve the case.”

It was Cicilline who called for a series of closed door meeting with U.S. District Court Judge William Smith and lawyers from both sides of the case that lead up to a plea agreement among five of the remaining seven defendants.

Manocchio along with reputed capo regime Edward “Eddie” Lato are scheduled to plead guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy Wednesday afternoon.

Three others – accused mobster Alfred “Chippy” Scivola and mob associates Raymond “Scarface” Jenkins and Richard Bonafiglia – are scheduled to change their plea Thursday morning.

Only Cardillo and accused mob associate Albino Folcarelli did not sign onto the plea deal. Folcarelli was granted a delay in the start of the trial by Smith earlier in the week.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin in May.

Tim White ( twhite@wpri.com ) is the Target 12 investigative reporter for WPRI 12 and Fox Providence. Follow him on Twitter: @white_tim