Press Release
Springfield Man Charged With Extortion
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
BOSTON – A Springfield man was arrested today and charged in federal court in Springfield with extortion.
Anthony J. Scibelli, 51, was charged with one count of collecting on an extension of credit by extortionate means. He will appear in federal court in Springfield later today.
According to the criminal complaint, in 2019, Scibelli collected on a line of credit that had been extended to a victim. It is alleged that on June 19, 2019, Scibelli threatened and beat the victim for failing to make the monthly $1300 payment. The beating occurred in front of four plain clothed members of law enforcement. During the beating, Scibelli allegedly threatened that the victim must have all the money “on the first,” referring to the 1st of the month.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Colonel Kerry Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Desroches of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorney Marianne Shelvey of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Updated July 2, 2019
Component