Phila. man pleads not guilty in Pagans case

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Philadelphia man charged in a federal indictment targeting the Pagans Motorcycle Club pleaded not guilty yesterday to a charge of interstate travel in aid of racketeering.

Vincent Pezzano, 48, entered the plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Stanley. Pezzano is one of several members or associates of the Pagans accused of traveling to West Virginia to give the proceeds of what prosecutors say was an illegal raffle to club leaders in April 2008.

The charge is one of 44 leveled at Pagans members and associates from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, and Florida by federal prosecutors last month.

Pezzano has been in federal custody since his arrest last month. - AP