Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Lawsuit: FBI’s negligence led to 1994 mob killing of man

BOSTON — The family of a Massachusetts man who was allegedly shot and killed by a mob associate who mistook him for another man more than two decades ago claims the FBI's negligence led to the victim's death.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed Friday against the U.S. government alleges 20-year-old Michael Romano Jr. was killed in 1994 by a man directed by reputed Mafia leader and FBI informant Mark Rossetti and former mob boss Francis "Cadillac Frank" Salemme.

The suit says the intended target was supposed to be killed as part of Rossetti and Salemme's plan to "seize control of organized crime" in Boston.

It says FBI agents failed to monitor Rossetti, who wasn't "suitable" to serve as an informant.

Romano's family seeks $60 million.

A message was left Saturday for the FBI.