Man who won wrongful conviction suit faces new organized crime charges
(Jim Davis/Globe Staff)
Limone waited this afternoon in the booking room at the State Police barracks in Danvers.
By Shelley Murphy, Jonathan Saltzman, and Kathy McCabe, Globe Staff
Peter Limone, one of the men who won millions last year in a lawsuit over their wrongful murder convictions decades ago, has been arrested on gambling and loan-sharking charges, law enforcement officials said.
Limone, who was arrested today at his Medford home, is accused of leading an organization that profited from gambling, loan-sharking, and extortion in the Greater Boston area, the Middlesex District Attorney's office said in a statement.
Prosecutors said another man was arrested and 18 others were indicted. More details were expected to be released at a 6:30 p.m. news conference.
A federal judge ruled last year that the government should pay $101.7 million in damages for the wrongful imprisonment of Limone and three other men. Limone had spent 33 years in prison before he was released. The federal government has filed an appeal; the award has not yet been made.
The four men were framed in 1968 for the 1965 mob-related slaying of Edward Deegan in a Chelsea alley.
FBI agents failed to release information to state prosecutors and defense lawyers that could have cleared the four men.
At the State Police barracks in Danvers late this afternoon, Limone could be seen from the front foyer seated in the booking room, wearing a jacket and an open-collared shirt, with his arms folded across his chest. He appeared to be saying little to the officers in the room.
Limone’s attorney, Juliane Balliro, said she had been in touch with law enforcement officials since a March search of Limone’s home and she had told them that he would turn himself in if he were indicted.
“This arrest is an outrageous example of grandstanding on the part of the Middlesex district attorney’s office and was completely unnecessary,” she said.
She said her client was innocent of the charges and had likely been targeted by the police because of his past.
“Because he’s Peter Limone, he’s an easy target,” she said. “This was completely unnecessary, and it’s just another example of subjecting this man, who has already been through a tremendous ordeal, to a completely unnecessary ordeal.”
A state judge overturned Limone's conviction in January 2001, allowing him to walk free. The judge also vacated the conviction of another man, who was paroled in 1997 after spending 30 years in jail.
The convictions of the two other men, who died while in prison, were later set aside posthumously.
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this should prove to be very interesting. On the face of it without having all the facts, it would appear that some retaliation might be going on.
ironic with connolly's sentencing today, eh?
I think this is absolutely ridiculous. Why would a man that has been wrongly convicted and spent 33 years in prison put himself in this predictament. Do you really think he would do this to his wife and family? I think that the state is upset that they have to pay him for WHAT THEY WRONGFULLY CONVITED HIM FOR IN THE PAST. Shame on the State!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What would you expect from cop's. We give them the authoriy to harrass and make up anything they want. They are no better then the people they are suppose to protect us from. Have you ever watched those cop shows if we did what they did in an arrest we would have felony charges. Thanks for validating my feelings on cops
can't believe it
take the the money and run not play
My guess is that his rates aren't as high as the rates some credit card companies charge some of their cardholders.
Sounds phony. The Feds owe this guy $100 million and they haven't paid up- they probably framed him again.
Well if its true, he had his chance and he blew it. He could have made the best out of what he got and if this is what he chose to do with his time and money then I say - "Throw the book at him".
this guy is a saint.. rediculous
This is exactly why people lose faith in gov't. Just because of a man's alledged past and his wrongful convictions, law enforcement automattically assumes he must be involved and of course has to go after him. I just don't understand it anymore. Meanwhile a child molester can go free the same day he's arrested...Anyone else see the flaws now?
He was far from being a Saint when he and Salvati were sent to jail 30+ years ago. He was a wise guy wanna-be and crooked as the day is long and he basked in the reputaion of being a hitman all these years. Since his release (and his cash windfall settlement) he has reverted to the only carrerr he has ever known. That of being a petty thief and bookie. true colors
It was about time. The Feds did not lead the investigation based on pulic reports. Middlesex county did. Limone thought he was untochable and got greedy. So he fell He made his bed now let him sleep in it.
He obviously hasn't learned his lesson. I hope spending the rest of his life behind bars puts in perspective what could have been. I have no tolerance for those that flaunt their mobster lifestyle and then claim they are being targeted unfairly. I take one look at his mug shot here and it is obvoius he is guilty of something. It's best to get him off the street now before him and his 18! hench men do any more danage to our society. Good Work Boys!!!
Isn't it interesting that the government finds a way to avoid their consequences for THEIR wrong doings when they INTENTIONALLY framed an innocent man? Does anyone else find it hard to believe that a man with more than 100 million dollars coming his way would have the need or desire to ochestrate a gambling ring? Frankly, the government is corrupt and they don't want to pay up. It's sickening how they are manipulating this man's life.
fine him the full amount we gave him last year and put him back where he belongs..
right...we can bring this guy downin a matter of a year, but the leaders of the gangs in roxbury, dorchester, and mattapan are free to reign. it is an absolute disgrace.
Good riddance. This guy belonged behind bars for life anyway.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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