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Former La Cosa Nostra Boss Charged with Murder of Witness
BOSTON – A notorious figure in Boston’s underworld is behind bars, accused of ordering the hit on a federal witness. Frank ‘Cadillac’ Salemme, a former boss of the New England Family of La Cosa Nostra, was arrested this morning in Connecticut and is set to appear in U.S. District Court in Boston today at 3:00 p.m.
Salemme, 82, was the ‘boss’ of the New England La Cosa Nostra in the early 1990s until he was indicted on racketeering charges in 1995 and convicted in 1999. He was also convicted of obstruction of justice in 2008 for lying to federal authorities about the murder of Steven A. DiSarro.
The charge of murder of a federal witness carries a sentence of death or life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, Jr., Chief of Ortiz’s Public Corruption Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney William Ferland of Neronha’s Office.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz for the District of Massachusetts, United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha for the District of Rhode Island, and several other law enforcement officials made the announcement today. The case is a joint effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Massachusetts and Rhode Island State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, Jr., said, ‘We will continue to work tirelessly to hold accountable those who seek to silence witnesses and hinder justice.’ The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office provided assistance in the case, which is a significant blow to the New England Family of La Cosa Nostra. The arrest of Salemme is a testament to the determination of law enforcement to bring justice to victims and their families.
As the investigation continues, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its partners will work to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for this heinous crime are held accountable.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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