‘Nicky the Hat’ reaches plea agreement
Nicholas "Nicky the Hat" Cimino, a reputed bookmaker who allegedly ran an illegal casino in the basement of a Delaware County business, pleaded guilty today to a lesser sentence as part of a negotiated deal with prosecutors.
Nicholas "Nicky the Hat" Cimino, a reputed bookmaker who allegedly ran an illegal casino in the basement of a Delaware County business, pleaded guilty today to a lesser sentence as part of a negotiated deal with prosecutors.
Cimino, 49, of Wallingford, pleaded to corrupt organizations, conspiracy, gambling, money laundering, bookmaking, and use of a communication device.
He was sentenced to 11 1/2 to 23 months in the Delaware County prison and fined $5,000, and he will forfeit $100,000 seized during a search of his home and car. Cimino was declared immediately eligible for work release. Cimino could have been sentenced to 87 years and fined $130,000 if found guilty on all charges.
Cimino and Louis "Bent Finger Lou" Monacello were the central figures in "Operation Delco Nostra," an investigation into an organized-crime network operating in Delaware County.
When asked if his client agreed to testify against others in the case, Cimino's attorney, Stephen P. Patrizio, said he would not.
"He's not a rat," Patrizio said.
Contact staff writer Mari A. Schaefer at 610-892-9149 or mschaefer@phillynews.com.