A reputed Genovese capo who was once pals with Rev. Al Sharpton pleaded guilty Thursday to federal racketeering charges involving illegal gambling and extortion.
Daniel Pagano, 61, son of the late Genovese hit man Joseph Pagano, had faced up to 20 years behind bars, but through his plea agreement with the government is now in line to get 27 to 33 months when hes sentenced July 10.
Pagano, of Ramapo, NY, told Manhattan federal Judge Ronnie Abrams that he conspired in racketeering activities, including an illegal gambling business, from 2009 until his arrest last August.
He did not offer further details, and both he and his lawyer, Murray Richman, declined comment afterward.
Pagano has been reportedly linked to an unsuccessful mob attempt in the early 1980s to recruit Sharpton to distribute illegal drugs. The two were also once acquaintances.
Sharpton, according to reports, was also once a mole with the FBIs Mafia unit when they were investigating Paganos father.
Sharpton has denied any wrongdoing. He has also denied being an informant.
Papa Pagano was involved in entertainment-industry schemes for decades, allegedly controlled Rat Pack singer Sammy Davis Jr. and once even lost a big roll [of money] to Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, FBI sources have said.
Pagano associate Michael Palazzolo, 49, of Rockland, faces related charges for racketeering conspiracy and extortion conspiracy. He is in negotiations for a plea deal, according to court records.
Palazzolo and several unnamed co-conspirators used threats of force to collect payments from a person they believed robbed one of the co-conspirators of marijuana, the indictment says.
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Mob boss, ex-pal of Al Sharpton pleads guilty to racketeering