Former LCN Members Indicted in Connection with Murder of South Boston Club Owner

BOSTON – Frank “Cadillac” Salemme, a former boss of the New England Family of La Cosa Nostra (NELCN), and former NELCN associate Paul Weadick, were charged in an indictment unsealed today in connection with the 1993 murder of Steven A. DiSarro.

Francis P. Salemme, 83, and Paul Weadick, 61, of Burlington, were indicted on one count of murder of a federal witness.  On Aug. 10, 2016, Salemme was arrested pursuant to a criminal complaint.  Weadick was arrested this morning and will appear before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald. L. Cabell in Boston at 12:45 p.m.

The indictment alleges that, on or about May 10, 1993, Salemme and Weadick murdered DiSarro to prevent DiSarro from communicating with federal law enforcement officials about violations of federal laws by Salemme and others.  Shortly after the murder, Salemme transported DiSarro’s body to Providence, R.I., where his associates arranged to have it buried in the vicinity of 715 Branch Avenue.  In March 2016, DiSarro’s remains were recovered by federal authorities behind a mill in Providence, R.I.

DiSarro was murdered after his relationship with Salemme and Salemme’s son, Francis P. Salemme, Jr., became the subject of federal investigation.  Part of that investigation revolved around the operation of a South Boston night club known as “The Channel.”  Weadick was a close associate of Salemme, Jr.

Salemme was the boss of the New England La Cosa Nostra during the early 1990’s until his indictment for racketeering in 1995 and conviction in 1999.  He was subsequently convicted of obstruction of justice in 2008 for lying to federal authorities about the murder of DiSarro.

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.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz for the District of Massachusetts; United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha for the District of Rhode Island; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Chief Michael Kent of the Burlington Police Department, made the announcement today.  Assistance was provided by the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred M. Wyshak, Jr. of Ortiz’s Office and William J. Ferland of Neronha’s Office.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.