'Cheese Man' gets time to exercise

Carmen "The Cheese Man" DiNunzio will be able to enjoy a bit of freedom for at least one hour a day under a judge's order allowing him to exercise.

US Magistrate Judge Joyce London Alexander approved a request yesterday by the lawyer for DiNunzio that allows the reputed underboss of the New England Mafia to leave his home daily for exercise, per orders from a doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital, according to court records.

The request for exercise, filed last week, had been based on the doctor's report that says DiNunzio is on a strict weight-loss program because of his diabetes and heart failure, and that he needs at least 30 minutes a day of aerobic exercise.

"The best exercise he can do is sustained walking allowing for both arm and leg exercise," said Aaron B. Waxman, DiNunzio's doctor, in a letter to the court.

Anthony Cardinale, DiNunzio's lawyer, had previously asked for his client to be released for two hours a day to give him time to go to a park or health clinic, but amended the request to one hour.

DiNunzio, 51, has been free on $20,000 cash bail since he was indicted in May on one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. Authorities say that he and two associates tried to pay a $10,000 bribe to an undercover FBA agent posing as a corrupt state worker to secure a $6 million contract related to the Big Dig.

DiNunzio, who weighed more than 400 pounds when he was indicted in May, had been confined to the East Boston house he shares with his mother and sister, except for visits to his lawyer or doctor's office or for court. He must wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, and a federal judge had warned him to abide by the conditions.

Federal prosecutors did not object to DiNunzio's request for daily exercise.