Mob Figure in Movie Sting Pleads Guilty

One of three New England mob figures caught in the FBI’s elaborate Los Angeles-based movie sting--designed to ferret out organized crime influence over film unions--pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy charges.

Dennis D. (Champagne) Lepore, 47, who is serving a 14-year sentence for racketeering, is expected to face one additional year behind bars as part of a plea bargain disclosed in federal court in Boston. Sentencing is scheduled Sept. 21 by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Keeton.

Lepore, identified by federal authorities as a sworn member of the Patriarca Mafia family, was captured on videotape collecting the first $5,000 bribe from an FBI agent who posed as a movie producer and sought guarantees that he would be able to use non-union workers while filming in various locations around the nation. The agent eventually paid $60,000 to Lepore and two associates during 1989 and 1990 to ensure that New England’s largest Teamsters local would not object to such a “sweetheart” contract in their territory.

Under the sting dubbed Dramex, for drama expose, the FBI agent drove a Rolls Royce and set up “David Rudder Productions” offices in Santa Monica, with a camera hidden in the ceiling to document meetings there.

One of the other organized crime figures snared in the trap, Thomas L. Hillary--who had been raised almost like an adopted son by Raymond L. S. Patriarca, the late New England mob boss--earlier pleaded guilty and agreed to testify for the government.

Still facing trial are Francis P. Salemme Jr.--whose father, (Cadillac) Frank Salemme, is reputed to now run the mob clan--and two former Teamsters officials.

From 1988 to 1990, the three organized crime figures--Lepore, Hillary and Salemme Jr.--spent considerable time in Southern California pursuing a wide range of ventures, from movie-making to a series of alleged swindles. Their movements were closely watched by the FBI, however, and hundreds of their conversations were recorded by a prized federal informant, Robert Franchi, who often escorted them.

Lepore, who earned his “Champagne” nickname through his affinity for fine food and drink, still has to return to Los Angeles to face state robbery and drug charges.

With the Boston case settled, Lepore is expected to plead guilty to the California charges as well, prosecutors said in court Tuesday.