NEWARK, N.J. – Two associates of the DeCavalcante organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra were sentenced today to prison terms for their roles in distributing more than 500 grams of cocaine, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.



Rosario Pali, 33, of Linden, New Jersey, was sentenced to 76 months in prison and Nicholas DeGidio, 39, of Union, New Jersey, was sentenced to 17 months in prison. Both had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls, separate informations charging them with one count each of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Judge Walls imposed the sentences today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

DeGidio and Pali were arrested and charged by complaint in March 2015, along with eight other members of the DeCavalcante crime family. Both admitted selling cocaine in conjunction with other family associates.



In addition to the prison term, Judge Walls sentenced DeGidio to two years of supervised release and Pali to three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark; the N.J. State Commission of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Executive Director Lee C. Seglem; the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, under the direction of Executive Director Walter M. Arsenault; and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencings.

The government is represented by Senior Litigation Counsel V. Grady O’Malley Sr. and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Donnelly.

Defense counsel:

DeGidio: Ted Romankow Esq., Springfield, New Jersey

Pali: Christopher L. Patella Esq., Bayonne, New Jersey