'The Saint' looking for new lawyer

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - In a sometimes bizarre hearing before federal Judge William E. Smith, reputed mobster Anthony “The Saint” St. Laurent is asking the courts for more time to find a new lawyer.

Last month, St. Laurent filed a hand-written motion, stating he can no longer work with his counsel, Providence attorney Victor Beretta.

• See St. Laurent's hand-written note

Beretta told the judge he hasn’t spoken to his client in months.

“There was clearly a breakdown,” Beretta said in court. “He wanted to pursue a strategy I thought was ill advised. I don’t think I can adequately represent him.”

Federal prosecutor Scott Lawson said the government is concerned St. Laurent is merely trying to delay the trial from going forward.

Last year, St. Laurent was charged in a murder-for-hire plot to gun down his mafia rival, Robert “Bobby” DeLuca.

• Hear the secret FBI wiretaps from St. Laurent case

“I’m not trying to delay anything,” St. Laurent said. “I want to get it over quicker than you do, your honor.”

During the proceeding, which was via video teleconference from Fort Devens Federal Prison in Massachusetts, it was revealed St. Laurent was being disciplined for, as he said, getting caught on another floor of the prison with a role of stamps. The disciplinary action is preventing him from using a phone to try and find a new lawyer.

Neither Mr. Beretta nor the U.S. Attorney’s office had any details on the disciplinary action by the Bureau of Prisons.

Judge Smith gave The Saint two weeks to find a new attorney, if he fails, the court will appoint a public defender.

Beretta told the court he was paid with money St. Laurent’s daughter received in a personal injury settlement, but the bill was never settled.

St. Laurent, who has a history of chewing through attorneys, will move onto his third lawyer for this case alone.

As Target 12 first reported last January, St. Laurent was caught on FBI wiretap trying to hire two hit-men to gun down DeLuca at his workplace, Sidebar and Grille in Providence. The hit was never successful.

The case is scheduled for trial in March.