Jailed Reputed Mobster Hospitalized

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By Associated Press

Published: 10/21/2002

A reputed mobster who refused to testify in a strip club racketeering case that became a celebrity spectacle was found hanging in his Georgia prison cell and taken to a hospital, his lawyer said.
It was unclear if Craig DePalma, 35, tried to hang himself or if foul play was involved, attorney Jack Martin said.
Penitentiary spokeswoman Mary Mitchell refused to confirm DePalma had been injured, citing prison privacy guidelines. Hospital officials said they could not release information about federal inmates.
DePalma was scheduled to go on trial this month on criminal contempt charges for refusing to testify against reputed Gambino crime family captain Michael DiLeonardo, who was acquitted in the Gold Club case but has since been charged with racketeering.
The case against the nude dance club ended in January when a federal judge sentenced former owner Steve Kaplan to 16 months in prison.
Kaplan stopped the trial early when he pleaded guilty to racketeering charges after being portrayed by prosecutors as a star-struck profiteer who prostituted dancers to star athletes, cheated customers and funneled profits to the Gambino family. The trial brought a string of star athletes to the witness stand, including basketball star Patrick Ewing and Atlanta Braves outfielder Andruw Jones testifying about their escapades.
DePalma was compelled to testify under immunity before a grand jury investigating the Gold Club but later refused to take the stand at the trial.
He was found hanging in his cell last week and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was listed Tuesday in critical condition, Martin said.
Martin said that he felt confident DePalma could beat the contempt charge, which was to be tried before U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell.

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