Boston University School of Law

July 26, 2007

BU Alumni Victorious In Record-Setting Civil Suit

After providing pro bono legal aide to Joseph Salvati for over 30 years, Victor Garo (’65) finally received the just verdict he felt his client deserved. Today, U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Gertner ordered the federal government to pay over $101 million for its role in the wrongful convictions of Joseph Salvati, Peter Limone, Louis Greco and Henry Tameleo – four men who spent decades behind bars for a crime the F.B.I. knew they did not commit. Both Greco and Tameleo died in jail; only Limone and Salvati were on hand to hear the verdict delivered today.

Victor Garo, the lead attorney for Joseph Salvati, tenaciously searched for information that would prove not only that his client was innocent but also that the F.B.I. knew he was innocent and conspired to frame Salvati and the others. The men had been wrongfully convicted based on the uncorroborated testimony of mob hit man, Joseph “The Animal” Barboza, a valuable FBI informant. Salvati and Limone were eventually released from prison and charges against them were dropped.

BU Alumni and Dean O'Rourke discuss record-breaking judgment outside federal courthouse in Boston. From left: Joseph B. Burns ( '82), Austin J. McGuigan ('72), Dean Maureen O'Rourke, Victor Garo ('65) and Dan Rea ('74).

Photo Credit: Sara Gelston

Garo was assisted in the case by Austin J. McGuigan (’72) and Joseph B. Burns (BU ‘82), both of Rome, McGuigan, P.C. in Hartford, Connecticut. All along the way, WBZ-TV reporter Dan Rea (’74) reported the story and kept a spotlight on the case. Greco’s family was represented by Dan Deutsch (’86).

Almost 30 years to the day since the men were convicted, Judge Gertner delivered an eloquent and passionate speech summarizing the verdict. Gertner criticized the Boston bureau of the FBI for the way in which four innocent men were treated as “collateral damage,” in order to protect the FBI’s “poster-boy for the witness protection program,” Joseph “The Animal” Barboza.

Judge Gertner found no legal ground in the defense offered by the government: "The government's position is, in a word, absurd." The U.S. Attorney had argued that the F.B.I. had no duty to disclose exculpatory information to state prosecutors or defense attorneys in the murder trial. She confirmed that Garo and the other attorneys had conclusively proved malicious prosecution, negligence, conspiracy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Joseph Salvati

Photo Credit: Sara Gelston

The landmark decision reached by Judge Gertner today is record breaking; no judge had ordered the federal government to pay such a large sum of money under the Federal Tort Claims Act before today’s decision.

At an impromptu press conference held after Judge Gertner read her decision, Salvati, Limone and Garo all exhibited a sense of muted excitement as they answered questions from the press and posed for pictures. Garo stated that although he was pleased by the verdict, no amount of money could ever compensate an individual for 30 years of wrongful imprisonment. He took an extra few minutes to thank the press for diligently covering developments in the case for over 20 years, while mentioning the important role one reporter, Dan Rea, played in uncovering the truth from the start. He then thanked the team of lawyers responsible for the decision, especially attorneys Austin McGuigan and Joseph Burns.

After congratulating individual members of the Salvati family, Garo took a few minutes to talk to the people who had come out to support him including BU Law Dean Maureen O’Rourke. O’Rourke, who had been following the trial, said: “We’re very proud of our alumni. They fought hard and long to win justice for their client. Their efforts show how important pro bono work can be and what a difference it can make in people’s lives. They are great role models for the legal community and especially for our students at BU Law.”

Prior to leaving the courthouse, Garo asked to be photographed with his assistant of 29 years, Clair Newnan. Garo praised her for her constant support and dedication throughout the case.

On July 26, 2007, Vincent Garo will be discussing the case, in depth, with Dan Rea from 8-10 p.m. on WBZ 1030.

BU Alumni Victorious In Record-Setting Civil Suit

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