Frank Salemme

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"Cadillac" Frank Salemme
Birth name Francis P. Salemme
Born August 18, 1933 (1933-08-18) (age 74)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation(s) Hitman, Mob Boss

Francis P. Salemme [Salemone], AKA "Cadillac Frank", (born August 18, 1933) is a hitman and boss for the Patriarca crime family of New England, despite being half Irish. He is currently in prison awaiting trial on perjury charges.

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[edit] Early years

In 1969, Salemme fled Massachusetts after being indicted for attempted murder. He eluded authorities until 1971, when he was captured in New York City by FBI agent John Connolly. 1971. Salemme was sentenced to seventeen years in prison (although partner Steve Flemmi was not charged).

[edit] Mob Rivalry

In 1989, Soon after his release from prison, Salemme made a power grab in the Patriarca family. In 1986, family boss Jerry Angiulo was sent to prison on. Salemme forged ties to Whitey Bulger and the mostly Irish Winter Hill Gang and became especially close to Flemmi (who by this time had been a federal informant for ten years). In June 1989, Angelo "Sonny" Mercurio lured Salemme to a meeting outside a Saugus, Massachusetts restaurant. Gunmen then ambushed Salemme, wounding him in the chest and leg.

At this time, Salemme's son offered his father a chance to join in a criminal deal. Salemme Sr started extorting a film crew that wanted to avoid paying higher salaries to union workers in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island. As it turned out, the film crew was actually an Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) front. These events were highly fictionalized in the 2004 film The Last Shot.

In January 1995, Salemme was indicted on racketeering charges along with Bulger and Flemmi. Salemme was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and charged with racketeering, crossing state lines for criminal activity, extortion, conspiracy, and loansharking. Salemme was convicted and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment. While serving his sentence, Salemme agreed to become a government informant. In 2003, shortly after his release, Salemme appeared before a Congressional committee.

[edit] Current Status

In November 2004, Salemme was arrested for perjury during a federal investigation of 1993 murder of nightclub owner Steve Disarro. Salemme is currently awaiting trial on that charge.

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Nicholas Bianco		 Patriarca Crime Family Boss
1991-2000		 Succeeded by
Luigi Manocchio
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