Prosecutors: mob boss to plead to charge

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- U.S. prosecutors say a man who is the acting head of the New England mob has agreed to plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy in federal court in Providence.

The U.S. Attorney's office in Rhode Island says 53-year-old Anthony L. DiNunzio, of East Boston, Mass., will enter his plea Thursday.

Prosecutors say DiNunzio will take responsibility for a conspiracy to extort protection money from strip clubs in Rhode Island.

DiNunzio was arrested in April and pleaded not guilty.

Police say DiNunzio assumed control of the New England mob about two years ago. One of his predecessors was his brother, Carmen "The Cheeseman" DiNunzio, who is now serving a six-year sentence for bribing an undercover FBI agent posing as a state official.