Feds: Revere man torched his own restaurant

REVERE-Federal prosecutors have charged a Revere man with torching a restaurant in Boston’s North End in 2002 as part of an insurance scam in which his brother was killed.Albert L. Giorgio, 54, stands accused of arson resulting in death, arson conspiracy, mail fraud and use of fire to committee mail fraud.On March 8, 2002, a two-alarm fire destroyed his restaurant on Salem Street. The defendant’s brother, Steven Giorgio, was found dead inside the building, near the front door, apparently trying to escape after dousing the place with gasoline.Shortly after the fire, Giorgio corresponded with his insurance company, attempting to collect a settlement for the property losses.A published report stated that Steven Giorgio had an extensive criminal record, ties to organized crime and heavy gambling debts. Quoting unnamed federal law enforcement sources, the report asserted the late Giorgio forfeited the property deed to his restaurant on Endicott Street in Boston’s North End to Carmen “Big Cheese” DiNunzio, reputed head of organized crime in New England, in order to square his gambling debts.DiNunzio is on trial for extortion and gaming in Salem Superior Court.If convicted in the arson case, Albert Giorgio faces a mandatory 17 years in prison, five years of supervised release and fines up to $1.5 million.