John "Jackie Nose" D'Amico and
Domenico "Italian Dom" Cefalu, reputed leaders of the
Gambino Crime Family, have agreed to plead guilty to a single count of extortion, according to
a story by John Marzulli of the New York Daily News. Through their plea deal, each could spend less than two years in prison.
Prosecutors say D'Amico (left), 71, is the acting boss and Cefalu, 61, the acting underboss of the Gambino clan. Those two men and reputed Gambino consigliere
Joseph "JoJo" Corozzo, 66, appeared to be the main targets of early February's FBI arrests of dozens of suspected Mafia members and associates. Corozzo also appears close to reaching a plea deal with prosecutors.
The D'Amico deal was made possible, according to defense attorney Elizabeth Macedonio, when prosecutors agreed to allow D'Amico to plead guilty to extortion rather than racketeering, which carries a tougher penalty. D'Amico and Cefalu admitted to extorting $100,000 from Staten Island cement company owner Joseph Vollaro. Vollaro later assisted the government's case.
Sixty-two people were indicted on federal charges
in February. More than two dozen others were charged in related New York State matters.
D'Amico was recently in the New York newspapers as he hoped to win his release on $2 million bail in order to return to his $71,000 a year job as a sales representative for the Big Geyser beverage distribution company in Queens. D'Amico has worked for the company since 1991, according to
a story by Tom Robbins of the Village Voice. The company also reportedly employs
Matthew Madonna, 72, a reputed big shot in the
Lucchese Crime Family, according to stories in
the Daily News and the
Village Voice.
