Assuming it is the same Joe Abate, (and it probably is, the age is right) He was Pres of LIUNA local 225. They pitched him out in '97 after he got pinched for bookmaking. His record was clean up til then and he got probation and a $1000 fine for the gambling beef.
So, if he was 48 in 2012, that would make him about 33 back in 1997. He was president of the local at that age?