BOSTON — Frank “Cadillac” Salemme, an 82-year-old former boss of the New England Family of La Cosa Nostra, was arrested today and charged with the murder of a federal witness in a case that goes back decades.
Salemme, a notorious figure in Boston’s organized crime scene, 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 subsequently convicted of obstruction of justice in 2008 for lying to federal authorities about the murder of Steven A. DiSarro.
According to officials, Salemme’s arrest was the result of a long-term investigation into the murder of a federal witness, which was carried out in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Rhode Island State Police.
The charge of murder of a federal witness provides for a sentence of death or life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.
Salemme is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Boston today at 3:00 p.m. for a hearing on the charges against him.
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.
The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. Salemme is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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