PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Rhode Island man on Friday admitted his role in a plot hatched by the New England mafia to shake down a used-car salesman for $25,000, which was paid after the salesman's wife tapped a retirement account.
Albino Folcarelli, 54, Johnston, pleaded guilty to one count of extortion conspiracy in U.S. District Court in Providence. He is the seventh person to plead guilty to charges brought by federal authorities investigating the New England mob and its extortion activities, including this plot and the shakedown of Providence strip clubs.
Folcarelli was not accused in the strip club plot, but he and another man, Raymond "Scarface" Jenkins, 47, were indicted in the same case alongside Luigi "Baby Shacks" Manocchio, 84, the admitted former boss of the New England mafia.
The husky Folcarelli was described by U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Sam G. Nazzaro as the "fear factor" in the shakedown of the used-car salesman. Prosecutors say Folcarelli has also acknowledged being a mob associate.
Prosecutors are suggesting Folcarelli receive a prison term at the low end of sentencing guidelines that recommend he spend at least a little more than nine years in prison. Extortion conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
The court may also consider whether Folcarelli is a career offender based on upon two previous convictions for a crime of violence or drug offense, according to his plea agreement. He is scheduled to be sentenced in July.
Prosecutors say the used-car salesman, who owed a debt to a third party, approached Jenkins about the situation and asked for help.
Jenkins agreed to intervene, but the salesman later said he could not come up with the money he once thought he could get, Nazzaro said.
Folcarelli went to the Johnston dealership where the salesman worked to intimidate him, according to prosecutors. The man was not there at the time of the visit and two people called to warn him to stay away from work, Nazzaro said. Later, Folcarelli drove into the driveway of the salesman's home, Nazzaro said.
After that, the man paid $20,000 to Jenkins, and $5,000 to a different person, prosecutors said. The funds, prosecutors say, were withdrawn from a retirement account belonging to the salesman's wife.
Prosecutors say Folcarelli shared in that money, a claim Folcarelli disputes. Edward "Eddy" Lato, who is an admitted capo in charge of the mob's Rhode Island crew, has acknowledged receiving some of the extorted funds.
Jenkins has pleaded guilty to extortion conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced next week.
Lato has pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy in connection with the strip club plot and admitted his role in the extortion of the used-car salesman. He is scheduled to be sentenced next month.