SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A low-level Mafia member admitted Thursday that he shot and killed Springfield's regional mob boss in 2003 in exchange for $10,000 from the leader's rivals.
Frankie Roche, 35, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of murder in aid of racketeering Thursday in U.S. District Court in Springfield for the Nov. 23, 2003, shooting death of Adolfo "Big Al" Bruno.
Roche, of Westfield, agreed to testify against other alleged mob members charged with planning the killing and to provide information about others involved in the 57-year-old Bruno's death.
In exchange, prosecutors agreed not to pursue the death penalty against Roche. He faces a mandatory term of life in prison unless prosecutors petition the judge for a reduction based on Roche's level of cooperation.
Bruno was the local boss of the New York-based Genovese family — part of the La Cosa Nostra organized crime operation — when he was gunned down while leaving his regular Sunday night card game at a social club.
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His death was preceded by a summer of turmoil within the ranks of the local "Springfield Crew," according to federal authorities. They said the local mob specialized in loan sharking, illegal gaming and extorting businesses.
Authorities say Mafia leaders in New York grew unhappy with Bruno when they thought he'd grown lax at collecting enough money and paying "tributes" to them.
That's when others within the Springfield group decided to capitalize on the dispute, getting permission from New York leaders to kill Bruno and take power, Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse said.
Newhouse said Roche admitted that he approached Bruno in the social club's parking lot and exchanged greetings before shooting him six times with a .45-caliber handgun and fleeing.
Roche told the judge those facts were accurate. His attorney did not immediately return a message left Thursday.
Police apprehended Roche in Tampa, Fla. He was charged with murder in 2005 in Massachusetts state court, where his trial remains pending.
Roche was returned to state prison after entering his guilty plea in federal court. Hampden County District Attorney William Bennett said additional security measures were being taken to ensure Roche's safety.
Two other men, Fotios Geas of West Springfield and Brandon Croteau of Springfield, face state charges of helping plan and finance Bruno's killing. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Neither Bennett nor U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan would say whether Geas and Croteau also will face federal charges. They said they know others were involved, but would not say how many or offer other details.
"We are quite confident we will be able to identify all individuals involved in this crime and hold them accountable," Bennett said.
