FBI testifies mob victim was not an informant

BOSTON — A former FBI agent testified in court in federal court Tuesday the head of the New England mafia's belief that a business associate was a federal informant was wrong.

Following that, jurors heard from the mobster who admitted to helping get rid of the man who supposedly was ratting out Cadillac Frank Salemme.

Robert DeLuca Sr., now 72 years old, was once a prominent man in the New England crime family. On Tuesday, prosecutors used his testimony to show that the murder of Steven DiSarro - may have been for nothing.

Prosecutors say although DeLuca and Salemme lived in different states, they began collaborating on mob business frequently. They said they often met at baseball fields to avoid FBI surveillance.

At the same time, Salemme teamed up with DiSarro, a 43-year-old father of five, as a silent partner in a former night club in South Boston, The Channel.

That's when the FBI began to pressure DiSarro to turn on Salemme.

A former agent told the jury DiSarro wasn't interested, saying "he certainly didn't return any of my calls."
However, by May of 1993 - prosecutors say Salemme believed DiSarro was indeed a rat.

DeLuca testified that at one of their clandestine meetings, Salemme told him, "That Steve DiSarro, he's robbing us...scamming money and stuff (from The Channel)" and that "DiSarro was giving information, he was an informant."
 
 DeLuca said he told Salemme "get rid of him! We don't need him. Throw him out!"

DeLuca said the next day Salemme called him and said, "You and your brother be around tomorrow and make sure you got a hole dug and you got some lime. I'll be down with a package."

DeLuca testified he and his brother then buried DiSarro's lifeless body in an excavation site in North Providence...although it wouldn't be discovered for more than two decades.

Defense attorneys pointed out that DeLuca, considered to be the prosecution's star witness, has already lied under oath twice - and that he's cut a plea deal with the government, and will say or do anything to see his two young children as soon as possible.

Cross examination on DeLuca will resume Wednesday morning.

MORE TRIAL COVERAGE FROM BOSTON 25 NEWS:

FBI taped secret meeting with New York crime family
Fellow mobster testifies about burying the body
2nd day of testimony provides look inside life of a mobster
Lawyer: Ex-Mafia boss charged in 1993 slaying 'no angel'

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