Mobster 'The Saint' faces judge

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Appearing via video-teleconference, reputed Patriarca crime family mafia captain Anthony “The Saint” St. Laurent made an initial court appearance in a federal extortion case.

Delayed by technical problems, the 68-year-old mobster’s image eventually flickered on court television screens after technicians fixed the problem. The image showed the health-plagued mobster slumped over in a wheelchair, napping before the proceeding.

The hearing, a routine and increasingly common event for St. Laurent, was simply to allow Federal Magistrate Judge Lincoln Almond to read the latest charges facing “The Saint.”

St. Laurent was charged along with his wife and son earlier this month. The family trio is accused of extorting protection money from Taunton, Massachusetts bookmakers from 1988 to February 2009.

Anthony St. Laurent Jr., pleaded not guilty and is free on electronic monitoring. His mother, Dorothy St. Laurent also pleaded not guilty and is free on personal recognizance. Both were arraigned earlier this month.

St. Laurent, Sr. is currently in a Massachusetts Federal Prison, serving time for a separate extortion case. He is due to be released in June 2010.

At times, St. Laurent, who is no stranger to the federal court system, seemed bored by the proceeding. When asked by a judge if he wanted to waive his right to a preliminary hearing, St. Laurent responded: “Whatever my lawyer wants is OK with me.”

St. Laurent is represented by public defender Olin Thompson.

Today marked St. Laurent’s third federal case in just 4 years.

In March 2006, St. Laurent was charged in an extortion case. Investigators said St. Laurent ordered associates to try and collect a debt from a pizza shop owner and bookmaker in Taunton. He gave the green light to resort to violence if necessary. The attempt failed but earned St. Laurent five years in prison.

In January 2009, St. Laurent was charged in a murder-for-hire case. Federal investigators say St. Laurent attempted to hire hitmen on three occasions, to gun down rival capo regime and current mob family underboss Robert “Bobby” DeLuca. St. Laurent, according to court documents, offered the would-be hitmen $20,000 for the gangland slaying which was to go down at DeLuca’s workplace, Providence restaurant Sidebar and Grille.

• Hear the FBI wiretaps from the murder-for-hire sting

DeLuca was scooped up by State Police for his protection, but an attempt was never made on his life.

That case is still winding its way through the legal system.

The latest charge comes with up to 20 years behind bars.

twhite@wpri.com