PROVIDENCE, R.I. from www.wpri.com – The man accused of helping Luigi “Baby Shacks” Manocchio shake down strip clubs in Rhode Island for protection money had his day in court Monday morning.

Thomas Iafrate [pictured], 69, pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering extortion and conspiracy during his arraignment in Federal Court in Providence.

Iafrate and former reputed mob boss Luigi “Baby Shacks Manocchio” were among 127 people taken into custody in January as part of a multistate raid that targeted seven Mafia families in Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey.

Court documents described Iafrate as a mob associate and bookkeeper for two Providence strip clubs, the Cadillac Lounge and the Satin Doll. FBI agents have raided the Cadillac Lounge at least twice in recent years, although it’s unclear whether that investigation and January’s arrests are connected.

Prosecutors allege Iafrate was responsible for setting aside, collecting and delivering payments to Manocchio on behalf of the two strip clubs, as well as other adult-entertainment businesses.

They also accuse Iafrate and Manocchio of using “force, violence and fear” to get $2,900 from the owner of the clubs on at least one specific occasion: Nov. 6, 2008.

Iafrate is a former Marine who has worked at the Cadillac Lounge for 11 years, according to prosecutors. Attorneys said he suffers from health problems, including high blood pressure.

The lead prosecutor in Iafrate’s case is William Ferland, who spent two decades as a Rhode Island state prosecutor before joining the U.S. Attorney’s office last year. Ferland was lead prosecutor in the Station nightclub trial.

Iafrate’s defense attorney is Kevin Salvaggio, a former North Providence police officer who owns an eponymous law firm in Providence.

If convicted, Iafrate faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.