Ex-Mob Boss Charged With Lying in Deal

BOSTON — A former Mafia boss who served eight years for eight murders in a deal with the government could be sent back to prison after being arrested and charged Tuesday with lying to prosecutors during the negotiations about his role in a 1993 slaying.

Francis P. “Cadillac Frank” Salemme, 76, was charged with obstruction of justice and making false statements when he denied any knowledge about the disappearance of a nightclub manager. Prosecutors said Salemme was present at the killing and helped bury the body.

Salemme, who was to appear in court today, had been charged in 1995 with participating in eight murders but agreed to plead guilty to racketeering and extortion and cooperate with prosecutors in exchange for a lighter sentence. Instead of a possible life sentence, Salemme got less than 11 1/2 years and served eight. The new charges carry up to 15 years.

U.S. Atty. Michael Sullivan said Salemme was arrested without incident outside Massachusetts. He would not specify where or how the arrest occurred.

Salemme went into the federal witness protection program last year after getting out of prison, but was said to have left the program earlier this year.

His lawyer, Anthony Cardinale, said he was unaware of the indictment and had not had any recent contact with Salemme.

Salemme was a star witness at the 2002 trial of FBI agent John Connolly Jr., who was accused of tipping off mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger about an impending indictment. Connolly is serving a 10-year sentence.

Sullivan expressed confidence that Salemme had testified truthfully at Connolly’s trial.

Connolly’s attorney, Tracy Miner, said she was considering filing a motion for a new trial.