Former Mob Boss Charged in Murder of Boston Nightclub Manager

Boston, MA — New England mafioso Frank “Cadillac” Salemme was reportedly led from a federal courtroom in handcuffs after his appearance there Wednesday, charged in connection with the murder of a federal witness, according to the U.S. District Attorney's Massachusetts office.

A complaint charges the one-time La Cosa Nostra boss in the murder of former Channel Nightclub manager Steven A. DiSarro, according to The Boston Globe, based upon the date on a criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday that matches that of DiSarro's disappearance.

Salemme, 82, was arrested Wednesday morning in Connecticut, according to the DA's office. He was held without bail after a brief court appearance Wednesday afternoon. His attorney told the Globe Salemme "denies these charges, always has, always will."

According to the DA's office, the charges could carry a sentence of life in prison or death, if Salemme is convicted. Prosecutors have not said whether they intend to seek the death penalty, according to The Associated Press.

DiSarro, of Westwood, went missing over 23 years ago, at age 43. His remains were unearthed by the FBI behind a mill in Providence, Rhode Island, this spring.

DiSarro disappeared May 10, 1993, after a federal grand jury began looking into The Channel's ties with Salemme and his son Frank Salemme, Jr., according to a separate federal indictment. The popular nightclub's manager was allegedly strangled to death in a home connected to Salemme, according to another gangster's account reported by The Boston Globe.

Salemme was previously charged with obstruction of justice related to his knowledge of DiSarro's killing.

Another former LCN member, 70-year-old Robert DeLuca, was arrested this June in connection with the same case, after allegedly also obstructing federal officials' investigation into DiSarro's murder.

Read more from Patch:

• FBI Unearth Remains of Possible Mob Victim from Westwood
• Boston Club Manager Killed by Mob ID'd 23 Years Later
• Mobster Charged In Connection With Murder of Steven DiSarro

>> Salemme mugshot via FBI, used under public domain