Former New England Mafia Boss Luigi Manocchio Dies

Luigi 'Baby Shacks' Manocchio, the last boss of the New England Mafia from Rhode Island, passed away at the age of 97. Manocchio, who led the Patriarca crime family from the mid-1990s until 2009, was known for his involvement in traditional mob activities such as extortion, loansharking, and illegal gambling. He served a five-year prison sentence for extorting payments from Providence strip clubs and was released in 2015. His criminal career included a decade of hiding in Europe following gangland indictments in 1969. Despite a life of crime, former law enforcement officials noted his intelligence and potential for legitimate business success under different circumstances. His death marks the end of an era for the Rhode Island Mafia, which has seen significant declines due to federal crackdowns.