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January 16, 2008

D’Elia informant sentenced on money laundering charge

SCRANTON - A man who authorities say provided key information that led to the arrest of reputed mobster Billy D’Elia was rewarded Wednesday for his cooperation, receiving a significantly reduced prison sentence on a money laundering charge.

Frank Pavlico III had faced up to just more than 11 years in prison, but was instead sentenced to 10 months and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine based on the recommendation of federal prosecutors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Zubrod acknowledged the sentence was a drastic departure from sentencing guidelines, but said the reduction was warranted because Pavlico had risked his life to obtain evidence against D’Elia, the reputed head of the Bufalino crime family.

“This is an extreme departure but we do so for extreme reasons,” Zubrod said in asking U.S. District Judge James Munley to accept the plea. “He gathered significant information. He was one of two people who did so at considerable risk.”

For the complete story read Thursday’s Times Leader

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