Southland Mafioso Pleads Guilty

The reputed leader of the Southern California Mafia, two of his top henchmen and four other men today pleaded guilty to racketeering or extortion charges on the first day of their trial in Los Angeles federal court.

Peter John Milano, identified by prosecutors as the leader of an organized crime family, pleaded guilty to racketeering. He admitted that he participated in two attempted extortions. His brother, Carmen Milano, said to be the family’s underboss, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to extort. Today’s guilty pleas follow four earlier guilty pleas in what prosecutors consider a major victory. “I think it has absolutely crippled the family here,” chief prosecutor James Henderson said.