Victor Garo was born and raised in Medford, Massachusetts, where he still resides and maintains his law office. He is a graduate of Medford High School, Boston University College of Business Administration, and the Boston University School of Law.

As an attorney with an active practice, Mr. Garo met Joseph Salvati in 1977, and agreed to take his case regarding a possible commutation. Mr. Salvati had been convicted in 1968 in a high profile murder case, and was serving a life sentence. During his representation of Mr. Salvati, Mr. Garo became convinced that Mr. Salvati was indeed wrongly convicted, and proceeded to prove his client's innocence. That process culminated in a dismissal of all charges against Mr. Salvati on January 30, 2001, when the Justice Task Force, which was investigating the FBI's mishandling of informants in Boston, handed over exculpatory evidence to the authorities.

Mr. Garo has worked pro-bono on this case for approximately 25 years, and has received many prestigious awards for his involvement in the Salvati case. His clients' dramatic story has been the subject of several segments on the 60 Minutes television program, as well as other national news reports. Mr. Garo had testified in Washington several times before the Congressional Committee on Government Reform concerning the miscarriage of justice in the Salvati matter.

Mr. Garo is an active member of several local Bar Associations, and he continues to work closely with the Boston University School of Law as a Lifetime Member of the Alumni Association. In 1985, he was honored as the recipient of the Silver Shingle Award for Distinguished Service to the Law School.

Last updated April 16, 2002