As the gang leader’s eyes and ears on the streets, the couple stored extortion money collected in his name.
A Los Angeles couple were sentenced to federal prison Monday for acting as so-called secretaries for the man’s brother, an imprisoned Mexican Mafia member who relied on the pair to relay orders to the street.
Thomas Gonzales, 60, and Gloria Valerio, 66, both of Elysian Valley, were found guilty in March of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act — RICO — after a two-week trial in Los Angeles federal court. Gonzales also was found guilty of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.