BOSTON — The federal jury in the Frank Salemme murder trial heard about a taped secret meeting between the one time head of the New England mob and a captain from one of New York's crime families.
In December 1991, Frank Salemme was a powerful figure in New England mob circles.
That's when Boston FBI agents got word that Natale Richichi a Capo in the New York Gambino crime family was flying to Boston from Las Vegas, just to meet Salemme at the Logan Airport Hilton hotel.
At his federal mob trial in U.S. District Court in Boston, a retired FBI special agent testified he rented a room right next door to Salemme and recorded a conversation between Richichi and Salemme.
Time ran out before the tape could be played for the jury, but in opening statements, federal prosecutor Fred Wyshak revealed Salemme talked to Richichi about murder victim Steven DiSarro, calling him a snake and a sneak.
The feds believe Salemme ordered DiSarro's murder two years later, concerned DiSarro would flip on him.
On paper, Steven DiSarro was the owner of the Channel Nightclub in Boston.
But in a 1990 recording that is expected to be played to the jury, Salemme boasted to a cooperating witness, that the channel was really his.
According to a transcript in a court filing, Salemme said, "I just bought the biggest nightclub in the city. It's a famous rock and roll joint, like real heavy. You know, it's sickening but I mean it's a money maker."
Earlier in the day, Providence mobster Joseph DeLuca, wrapped up his testimony.
Wednesday he detailed how he helped bury DiSarro's body in Providence.
On the stand, DeLuca tried to explain why he gave different details two years ago to a grand jury.
He said a walk in the woods, helped restore his memory.
"I was out mushrooming," said DeLuca. "I sat down. I had time. I knew the trial was coming up. I wanted to refresh my memory. Everything started to come back."
Testimony resumes Friday morning, when we expect that secret surveillance tape of Frank Salemme talking about Steven DiSarro, will finally be played for the jury, nearly 27 years after it was recorded.
MORE TRIAL COVERAGE FROM BOSTON 25 NEWS:
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'
Cox Media Group
