Robert “Bobby” DeLuca a former captain in the New England mafia has pleaded guilty to three counts of lying to federal authorities in Boston and one count of murder conspiracy in Rhode Island.
The 71-year-old mobster has admitted that he lied to the feds about what he knew of the 1993 mafia hit on nightclub owner Steven DiSarro in 2011 after he became an informant. DeLuca was placed into the witness protection program after turning rat and was living in Florida for last five years until his recent arrest which will likely be sending him back to prison. As part of the plea agreement DeLuca has also agreed to return to Rhode Island to plead guilty to murder conspiracy for his role in the death of Patriarca crime family enforcer Kevin Hanrahan.
“Robert DeLuca”
Back in 1992 Hanrahan was shot in the head three times as he walked out of a Federal Hill restaurant and has been one of the biggest unsolved New England mob murders in recent history. The gunman in the mafia hit has never been identified and no one to date has been charged with the crime. The former Patriarca family capo won’t be charged with actually pulling the trigger but with a lesser conspiracy charge. The obstruction of justice charge comes with a possible 10-year sentence and each count of making false statements comes with a possible 5-year sentence. The murder conspiracy charge would also come with a possible 10-year sentence according to the R.I. Attorney General’s office.
According to the details of the plea agreement the Boston and Rhode Island sentences would be served at the same time. DeLuca’s attorney Carlos Dominguez was asked why his client decided to agree to a plea deal and avoid trial and he said “Because he’s guilty of it and he wants to accept responsibility and move on, he’s living in Florida has three children and wants to see if he can get on with his life and get back to it quicker than he would otherwise.” Sentencing has been scheduled for February 1st of next year in Boston but that could change depending on what happens in the case there and also in Rhode Island.
Now many are wondering if this new plea agreement from DeLuca could lead to more arrest in Rhode Island in connection with the Hanrahan hit and or other crimes from those in the Cosa Nostra family.
