The reputed acting boss of the New England mafia on Thursday was ordered to remain held without bail while awaiting trial on charges he participated in the shakedown of Providence strip clubs — a rap that prosecutors say Anthony L. DiNunzio boasted he could beat with his “nine lives.’’

During a bail hearing in U.S. District Court in Providence, a federal prosecutor described how the 53-year-old DiNunzio thought he would escape law enforcement’s reach even as his underlings in the New England branch of La Cosa Nostra were arrested in a case that had already ensnared a former mafia boss.

“‘I’ve got nine lives. I’ve been lucky’,’’ Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland quoted DiNunzio as saying. “‘I’ve been missed. I might beat this.’’’

DiNunzio, who lives in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston, has been locked up since his arrest last week on charges including racketeering conspiracy and extortion conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty.

DiNunzio is the ninth person described by authorities as a leader, member or associate of the New England mafia to be charged during the investigation into allegations that the mob extorted protection payments from strip clubs. Former New England mob boss Luigi “Baby Shacks’’ Manocchio, 84, has pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and is set to be sentenced next week.

DiNunzio thought he “might be safe’’ even as he opined that former mob boss Francis “Cadillac Frank’’ Salemme was cooperating with investigators and got warnings from admitted Rhode Island capo Edward “Eddy’’ Lato that a police surveillance operation appeared to be playing out, Ferland said.

DiNunzio assumed control of the New England mob about two years ago, police said. Among his predecessors in that role is his brother, Carmen “The Cheeseman’’ DiNunzio, Ferland said.