A federal judge has refused to throw out a racketeering conspiracy charge against reputed mob boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi and 10 codefendants.
U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno denied a defense motion Friday seeking to have the charge dismissed. The racketeering conspiracy allegation is the principal charge in a 52-count indictment.
Robreno said there was enough evidence to support the government allegations that the conspiracy existed, rejecting the defense argument that the case was built around a series of cobbled-together but unrelated criminal acts. Ligambi and seven top associates are being held without bail pending the trial, scheduled to begin on Oct. 9.
