Man Pleads Guilty in Philadelphia Mob Case Involving Gambling

PHILADELPHIA – (Associated Press) - A man charged in a Philadelphia mob case has pleaded guilty in federal court.

Federal prosecutors say 59-year-old Gaeton Lucibello pleaded guilty Thursday to participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving extortion and illegal gambling. Authorities say he admitted that he assisted in shaking down a bookmaker for "street tax" payments and operated two illegal video poker machine businesses.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 26.

Lucibello was among 14 alleged members of Philadelphia's La Cosa Nostra family charged with crimes involving racketeering conspiracy, extortion and loan sharking. They are charged in a superseding indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury on July 25.

The trial for 10 others charged in the case is schedule for October. Trial for three others has not yet been scheduled.