‘Made' man Angelina pleads guilty in federal court

By WILLIAM BENDER and Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: August 09, 2012

With only a washed-up wiseguy sitting in his corner, Martin Angelina decided Wednesday to throw in the towel.

The hotheaded mobster pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, extortion and operating video-poker machines, opting not to fight the sweeping indictment that has ensnared reputed boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi, Anthony Staino, Joseph "Mousie" Massimino and others.

Angelina, 50, a "made" member of the Philly Mafia and an ally of exiled mob boss Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, will likely do about 57 months in prison, minus time served, according to his attorney, Jack McMahon. He won't be testifying against Ligambi and his associates in the federal racketeering trial set to begin in October.

Asked if his client had given thought to cooperating with prosecutors, McMahon said: "No. Zero. None. 100 percent, no."

Angelina's noncooperation plea is similar to what mobster Gaeton Lucibello agreed to last week. Lucibello faces 51 to 63 months in prison for assisting in shaking down a bookie and operating two illegal video-poker machines.

His hair now thinning and graying slightly, Angelina appeared in court in a forest-green prison jumpsuit and brown T-shirt. He said nothing, other than answering, "yes," "no" and "I do" to questions from U.S. District Judge Eduardo Robreno.

Angelina's only apparent supporter in the courtroom was Frank Gambino, the 80-year-old onetime mob soldier who was convicted with Angelina in a 2001 racketeering trial.

"Hey, Marty," Gambino said as Angelina was being led out of the room. "What's up!" Angelina replied.

McMahon said he felt that there were "significant issues" with the government's case, but Angelina, who has prior arrests for assault, DUI and spitting on a Margate cop, insisted on pleading. He'll be sentenced in December.

"Marty wanted to get it over with," McMahon said. "He wanted to get this thing resolved."

Contact William Bender at 215-854-5255 or benderw@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter @wbender99.

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