Reputed Pa. mobster wins sentence reduction

A reputed mob boss from northeastern Pennsylvania has gotten nearly two years knocked off his federal prison sentence after providing "substantial assistance" in an investigation of a casino owner.

William D'Elia pleaded guilty in 2008 to witness tampering and conspiracy to launder drug money.

On Wednesday, Judge Thomas Vanaskie reduced D'Elia's sentence by 21 months, to 87 months. He could be eligible for release in 2012.

Mount Airy Casino Resort owner Louis DeNaples was charged with lying about his relationship with D'Elia to state gaming regulators. DeNaples agreed to transfer ownership of the casino to his daughter as part of a deal with a county prosecutor to drop the case.

Federal prosecutors recommended the sentence reduction for D'Elia, saying he "provided tangible evidence of his longstanding relationship with DeNaples."

(Deletes incorrect reference to federal investigation in lead, clarifies that DeNaples struck deal with county prosecutors and was setenced to federal prison.)