Reputed Ex-New England Mob Leader Arrested In Fla.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The reputed former leader of New England's Patriarca crime family has been arrested in Florida, and another alleged mob associate has been picked up in Rhode Island as part of an FBI crackdown on organized crime in the Northeast.

The U.S. Attorney's office in Providence says Luigi Manocchio was arrested Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale. A newly unsealed indictment accuses Manocchio, who was believed to be until recently the longtime leader of the Patriarca crime family, of collecting protection payments from strip club owners.

WBZ-TV's Kate Merrill reports.

Also arrested was Thomas Iafrate, a bookkeeper for Providence strip clubs. Prosecutors allege he set aside money for Manocchio.

Iafrate pleaded not guilty Thursday in federal court in Providence and was released on $50,000 unsecured bond.

Manocchio has long denied having mob ties. It wasn't immediately clear if he had a lawyer.

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