Mob chief pleads guilty in twin deal

BOSTON, July 2 (UPI) -- Reputed New England Mafia underboss Carmen "The Cheese Man'' DiNunzio has pleaded guilty in a two-stage plea deal, court records in Boston show.

In the first step of the deal, DiNunzio admitted in Boston federal court Wednesday that he tried to bribe an undercover FBI agent posing as a state highway inspector in a bid for a $6 million Big Dig contract.

He is to appear in Salem, Mass., next Wednesday to plead guilty to state extortion and illegal gambling charges.

As part of the deal, DiNunzio, 51, will be sentenced to six years in prison, The Boston Globe said. Sentencing was set for Sept. 24.