Local News in Brief : Sentence in Extortion
A North Hollywood man accused of collecting debts for the Mafia was sentenced Monday to two years in prison, becoming the first defendant to be sentenced in a wide-ranging case that targeted the entire hierarchy of the Los Angeles crime family.
Stephen Munichiello, 29, who pleaded guilty to two extortion and conspiracy counts, was also sentenced to 2 1/2 years’ probation by U.S. District Judge Ferdinand F. Fernandez.
Munichiello admitted that he attempted to locate a suspected loan shark for the purpose of shaking him down for money the man owed former U.S. Senate candidate Roy Elson, whom prosecutors said had contacted the Mafia for help in collecting the debt.
In the other count, Munichiello admitted attempting to extort a Brentwood pizza parlor owner to collect on a debt owed to a man who was acting as an informant for the FBI.
Munichiello has not admitted any ties to organized crime. The other defendants in the case, including alleged family boss Peter J. Milano, are scheduled to be sentenced May 16.
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