Lucchese crime family mobster Matthew “Matty” Madonna is being targeted by the feds for ordering the mafia hit on Michael Meldish back in 2013. Meldish is the former leader of the Purple Gang a violent criminal enterprise of drug dealers from East Harlem and The Bronx. The gang maintained close ties to the NY mob specifically the Genovese and Lucchese families working as enforcers. The 62 year old Meldish was a suspect in more the a dozen murders from the 1970’s to 1980’s as leader of the gang but was never charged. Feds believe a dispute between Madonna who at the time was serving as the Lucchese family street boss for acting boss Steven Crea and Meldish led to his murder.

“Matthew Madonna“

According to reports a few months before his death Meldish had voiced his disrespect for Madonna and was sent word from the aging mobster to smarten up. A law enforcement source said that Meldish was warned and he did not comply, telling the mobster to go screw himself and it cost him his life. The feds are looking to build a federal murder case which will include Madonna and two other Lucchese family mobster, soldier Christopher Londonio and mob associate Terrence Caldwell. All three me are currently behind bars as both Caldwell and Londonio were charges with state murder charges in June and Madonna is serving a 5 year state prison sentence for bookmaking.

“Michael Meldish“

A probe into the murder began back in May when Caldwell was arrested by the NYPD followed by the feds hitting Londonio with federal gun charges. The feds were using the gun charges as a reason to detain the NY mafia soldier until a Bronx Grand Jury could indict him on murder charges. The federal gun charges also mirror state weapons charges against Londonio according to an affidavit which have recently been dismissed. The case stalled of late at both state and federal level as the Bronx’s DA’s office is waiting for the feds to take over the current case.

Former Madonna defense attorney Robert Blossner when asked about the case said “What do they want from this old man, “It’s time for them to forget about him. He’s yesterday’s news, and he certainly didn’t have anything to do with any homicide.” The aging Lucchese mobster may be 80 years old, but he is still considered to be an influential member of the mafia according to the feds.

Vincent Asaro an alleged Bonanno crime family mobster has been found not guilty by a jury after a three week long trial. Asaro was charged with racketeering, which included claims he helped plan the 1978 Lufthansa Heist at Kennedy International Airport along with murder and extortion. He was found not guilty on all charges in Federal District Court in Brooklyn today. Prosecutors alleged that the third generation New York mafia member had committed murder, shakedowns, and robbery on behalf of the mafia.

“Vincent Asaro“

The prosecution claims were rejected by the jury dealing an unexpected blow to the Eastern District of New York’s United States attorney’s office. Even with what seemed to be damning testimony from Asaro’s cousin turned rat Gaspare Valenti prosecutors were unable to make their case stick. Valenti agreed to become an informant back in 2008 and wore a wire recording hundreds of hours of conversations with Asaro and other Bonanno family mobsters.

The trial also featured testimony from other NY mafia turncoats including former Bonanno family underboss Salvatore Vitale. Defense attorneys for Asaro seems to have been successful in discrediting the witnesses against their client by blasting them professional rats who testified in exchange for government cash.

Peter Lovaglia a reputed captain in the Bonanno crime family has been arrested for an attack on the owner of a local Japanese restaurant named Takayama Sushi Lounge. According to reports the man was standing near the restaurant when he heard someone call out his name and was blindsided by an attacker when he turned to see who it was. The attacker who smashed the owner in the face with a cocktail glass was later identified from a photo as Peter Lovaglia by NYPD’s Organized Crime Investigative Division. Sources reported that the reputed mobster had gotten into an argument earlier that night at the restaurant but it was unclear as to the reason for it and if it included the restaurants owner.

“Takayama Sushi Lounge“

The victim had to be taken to a local hospital after the brutal attack to get treatment for a sliced face and blinding in one eye. Reports say the victim has already had several surgeries on his face and is still in need of more to repair the damage. Lovaglia has a long history in the New York mafia and was just set free last March from federal prison after serving a two year sentence for a parole violation. He was caught by the feds meeting with high ranking Bonanno family members while on probation after an extortion conviction. He met with Florida based Bonanno captain Gerald Chilli and captain Anthony “Fat Tony” Rabito back in 2013.

Lovaglia is currently being held on a $25,000 bail according to the last reports.

Colombo crime family mobster Francis “BF” Guerra was indicted along with Michael Persico and Theodore “Skinny Teddy” Perisco for racketeering conspiracy which included two murders in a case which began back in 2012. While the Perisco’s both decided to cut plea deals Guerra took his chances in court and was acquitted of both 1990’s mob murders. The case began as a simple labor racketeering case against Michael and Theodore but after Colombo captain Anthony “Big Anthony” Russo turned rat murder charges were added against both Persico’s and Guerra. After his acquittal on the murder charges Guerra was convicted on drug charges for selling his prescription pain meds and was harshly sentenced to 14 years in prison by Brooklyn Federal Judge Sandra Townes.

“Colombo family mobsters Francis Guerra (left) and Anthony Russo (center)“

A plea for relief was filed by Guerra citing lower sentencing guidelines for federal drug convictions which went into effect last year and caught a break. Although it was two years less then his lawyer was seeking Townes did agree to knock 33 months of of her original sentence. Prosecutors urged Townes to retain the original 14 year sentence even though they agreed that the New York mafia associate was eligible for a lesser sentence. Townes said that even though she disagreed with the jury’s not guilty verdict in the mafia murder trial, she made clear she was sending him to prison for his drug conviction and not the acquitted conduct of his 2012 trial.

With the sentence reduction and an added 15% reduction that is built into the federal prison term BF’s new terms translates to a little under a 10 year sentence and is now slated for release in June of 2021. Teddy Persico was sentenced to 12 years behind bars after agreeing to a plea deal. Michael Persico agreed to a plea deal and then filed a motion to have it rescinded, which was ultimately denied by judge Townes in the soap opera like ending to this drawn out case. Michael is facing a maximum sentence of up to five years, althouh his plea agreement calls for a recommended sentence between 37-46 months. His sentencing was delayed in September as Townes took ill but the case has been transferred to a new judge and Persico now awaits a new sentencing date.

Genovese crime family mobsters who were convicted back in 2011 of the murder of former Springfield mafia boss Adolfo “Big Al” Bruno have filed fresh appeals to have their life sentences vacated. Bruno was killed back in 2003 gun downed in a parking lot by a gunman acting on the orders or former Genovese family boss Arthur “Artie” Nigro, who was making a power play to take control of area rackets according to the feds. The Springfield mafia crew operated under the Genovese family of the New York mafia and was decimated by the convictions which followed Bruno’s murder. Three men were convicted of multiple murders which included Bruno which included Nigro and brothers Fotios “Freddy” Geas and Ty Geas.

“John Bologna (left) and Adolfo Bruno (right)“

According to witnesses in the case Nigro gave the green light on the Bruno hit and was pulling the strings from New York. The feds with the aid of turncoat co-conspirators were able to make their case and all three men received life sentences. Now these new motions mainly the one filed on behalf of Nigro are calling into question both key witnesses, former mobster John Bologna and wealthy Springfield businessman James Santaniello and the previous defenses handling of them. Bologna was a mid level mobster and Nigro’s former right hand man who jumped between crime families while also acting as an informant for the FBI since 1996. Nigro’s new lawyer claims his previous counsel fell short in many areas in his clients defense, including failing to make more of Bologna’s cross-examination.

Bologna worked as an informant for 14 years before being disavowed by the feds only after his role in the Bruno murder came to light via other witnesses. In the latest appeal a lawyer for Nigro labeled Bologna as the FBI New York office’s Whitey Bulger stating the feds knew about his criminal dealings during his 14 years as an informant and even tipped him off to mob investigations in Springfield according to previous reports. Nigro’s new defense is arguing that Bologna had orchestrated various extortion schemes in Springfield and was the one who actually ordered the hit on Bruno and not Nigro. An FBI agent who testified at the Nigro trial claimed that Bologna simply hid information about his criminal activities during briefings.

These last ditch motions are seen as long shots to get their life sentences set aside.

The feds once again have John “Sonny” Franzese the former underboss of the Colombo crime family in their sights as they look to raid his prison commissary account. The account contains a little more than $10 thousand dollars and the feds want permission to seize it to pay off forfeitures owed by Franzese. The longtime New York mafia leader was convicted back in 2010 on racketeering charges which included the extortion of the Hustler strip club. He was sentenced to 96 months in prison and ordered to pay a forfeiture judgement of $116,500. To date not a nickel of the money toward the judgement has been paid and now the feds are tired of waiting.

“John (Sonny) Franzese“

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Mantell filled court documents in an effort to have the funds in the prison account seized, leaving the mobster with $250 in spending money. His son and former Colombo family mobster Michael Franzese was furious with the feds and said “The government should be as diligent fighting ISIS as they are trying to take food money from a 98-year-old inmate, Believe me, it really hurts him what they’re doing.” He also pointed out that the money in his dad’s account isn’t really his as it was sent by family members.

“Sonny Franzese in his younger days“

The younger Franzese said his father is broke and doesn’t have any money to pay back the judgement. The money is his account “He doesn’t have any money. He’s broke,” Michael Franzese said. “He uses the money to buy eye drops. He buys Cup-A-Soup, hygiene items. He doesn’t eat any junk food, but once in a while he eats ice cream. He can’t even make phone calls because they put a lien on the account. It’s unbelievable.” Franeze at age 98 is currently the oldest inmate currently doing time in the federal prison system, but that hasn’t stopped the feds from cutting him any kind of slack.

“Michael Franzese“

But prosecutors point out that the elder mobster didn’t make it this far without being tough and having a very violent past in the mafia. Prosecutors said that Sonny has committed so many murders that even he struggled to keep track of them and has continually engaged in brutal violence through the years. Sonny Franzese is scheduled to be released to a halfway house in February of 2017 right before he turns 100 years old. The family has filed for early released under the “compassionate release” policy to allow him to be released early, but have yet to an answer according to Michael.

Carmine Avellino a reputed captain in the Lucchese crime family is hoping to be aided in his latest legal battle by police corruption. Avellino and two New York mafia associates are facing extortion charges and possible prison sentences of twenty years each. Lawyers for the 71 year old mobster are hoping the recent arrest of police chief James Burke can be used as evidence of rampant police corruption in Suffolk County law enforcement in an effort to get their clients charges dismissed. It was Burke who supervised the investigation that led to the indictment against Avellino and his codefendants.

“Carmine Avellino“

Lawyers for Avellino in pretrial motions have also asked for records of two former law enforcement officials with alleged ties to organized crime. Police officer Robert Dino and detective John White were both arrested only three months after the time frame of the Avellino indictment as part of an investigation into suspected leaks of information to organized crime members. Defense attorney Scott Leemon said the case against his client seems “rife with corruption” and has asked a judge to subpoena records and witness statements relating to the arrests of Dito and White.

Prosecutors have not yet responded to the new court filings but its clear the feds will oppose the defenses requests. The feds replies and final pretrial motions are scheduled to be resolved some time next month and a tentative trial date has been set for March 7th. It seems unlikely these new motions will lead to any changes in the case against the Lucchese family mobsters.

It has once again been a very interesting year for the mafia also known as Cosa Nostra across the country. Some mafia families have begun to re-establish themselves with stable hierarchies in place while others continue on in a state of disarray. The American mafia has decreased in size over the last couple of decades, but the remaining families continue to run various rackets generating millions of dollars in illegal proceeds. Over the past year, many of the mob families have seen changes at the top of their respective hierarchies due to law enforcement efforts , death natural or otherwise, or movement in a new direction.

About the mafia has put together an up to date list of the 2016 mafia leaders for some of the organized crime families still in existence across the country. It lists the current mafia family bosses along with other alleged members which fill the ranks and help to run their respective families. The information found in a list comes from various sources, including both knowledgeable mob sources, law enforcement, and news reports among others. Although Cosa Nostra is not the secret society it once was these lists are not an exact science, but we strive to be as accurate as possible. Changes also happen during the year, which we try and keep our readers as informed about as possible on our Mafia Family Leadership Charts page.

GAMBINO CRIME FAMILY (NEW YORK)

Boss: Domenico “Italian Dom” Cefalu
Underboss: Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali
Consigliere: Bartolomeo “Bobby/Pepe” Vernace (IP Life)
New Jersey Crew Boss: Nicholas “Nicky Mita” Mitarotonda

LUCCHESE CRIME FAMILY (NEW YORK)

Boss: Steven “Stevie Wonder/Herbie” Crea
Underboss: “Unknown”
Consigliere: Joseph “Joe C.” Caridi
New Jersey Crew Boss: Ralph Vito Perna (UI)

GENOVESE CRIME FAMILY (NEW YORK)

Boss: Possible Ruling Panel (Liborio Bellomo , Daniel Leo , Ernie Muscarella , John Barbeto, Dominic Cirillo and Larry Dentico) (?)
Street Boss: Liborio “Barney” Bellomo
Underboss: Venero “Benny Eggs” Mangano
Consigliere: Dominick “Quiet Dom” Cirillo
New Jersey Crew Boss: “Unknown”

COLOMBO CRIME FAMILY (NEW YORK)

Boss: Carmine “Junior/The Snake” Persico (Life IP)
Street Boss: Andrew “Andy Mush” Russo (IP)
Acting Street Boss: “Unknown”
Underboss: John “Sonny” Franzese (IP)
Acting Underboss: Dominick “Donnie Shacks” Montemarano
Consigliere: “Unknown”
Acting Consigliere: Thomas “Tom Mix/Mr. T” Farese

BONANNO CRIME FAMILY (NEW YORK)

Boss: Michael “The Nose” Mancuso (IP)
Street Boss/Underboss: Thomas “Tommy D” DiFiore (UI)
Consigliere: “Unknown”
New Jersey Crew Boss: Joseph Sammartino Sr

PHILADELPHIA MAFIA FAMILY

Boss: Joey Merlino (?)
Acting Boss/Street Boss: Steve Mazzone
Underboss: John “Johnny Chang” Ciancaglini
Consigliere: Joseph “Uncle Joe” Ligambi/Joseph “Chickie” Ciangcaglini

DETROIT MAFIA FAMILY

Boss: Jack “Jackie the Kid” Giacalone
Underboss: Anthony (Chicago Tony) La Piana
Consigliere: Anthony (Tony Pal) Palazzolo
Street Boss: Peter (Specs) Tocco

NEW JERSEY MAFIA FAMILY (DeCAVALCANTE FAMILY)

Boss: Frank Guarraci/Charlie Majuri (?)
UnderBoss: “Unknown”
Consiglieri: Frank Nigro

NEW ENGLAND MAFIA FAMILY (PATRIARCA FAMILY)

Boss: Peter (The Crazy Horse) Limone (?)
Acting Boss: Anthony (Spucky) Spagnolo/Carmen (The Cheeseman) DiNunzio
UnderBoss: “Unknown”
Consiglieri: Anthony “Ponytail Tony” Parillo

CHICAGO MAFIA FAMILY (CHICAGO OUTFIT)

Acting Boss/Boss: Salavtore “Solly D” DeLaurentis
UnderBoss: Salvatore “Sammy Cards” Cataudella
Consigliere: Marco D’Amico

KANSAS CITY MAFIA FAMILY

Boss: John “Johnny Joe” Sciortino
UnderBoss: Peter “Las Vegas Pete” Simone
Consigliere: Vacant

CLEVELAND MAFIA FAMILY

Boss: Joseph “Joe Loose” Lacobacci (possibly retired)
Acting Boss: Russell “RJ” Papalardo
Underboss: “Unknown”
Consigliere: “Unknown”

BUFFALO MAFIA FAMILY

Boss: Robert “Bobby” Panaro
Underboss: “Unknown”
Consigliere: Victor Sansanese (?)

Gregory Scarpa Jr a reputed soldier in the Colombo crime family may be in for early release if a Brooklyn judge agrees to reduce his 40 year sentence. The son of an infamous New York mafia hit man and Colombo family captain Gregory Scarpa nicknamed the “Grim Reaper” was convicted on racketeering charges and sentenced to 40 years. Scarpa Jr has been fighting for two decades now in an effort to get his conviction overturned, which up to now have proven unsuccessful. The now 64 year old mobster is not scheduled to be released until 2035 but Federal Judge Edward Korman may be poised to chance that.

“Gregory Scarpa Jr“

Scarpa Jr supplied the feds with a tip that led to the recovery of explosives at the home of Terry Nichols a conspirator in the Oklahoma City bombing, according to sources. Nichols and Scarpa were cell mates in the Florence, Colorado Supermax prison back in 2005 when the NY mobster tipped off the feds to a secret cache of explosives. Nichols is serving a life sentence for planning the infamous bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal building which killed over 160 people. Scarpa supplied the feds with a coded note written by Nichols which he planned to decipher if he was granted a reduced sentence. The feds were skeptical of Scarpa’s tip and after he failed a lie detector test the feds decided that there would be no deal.

But as the 10th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing was looming Scarpa supplied a private investigator with information on the location of the explosives which were buried in the basement of Nichols home. The PI passed the information along to two congressmen who in turn informed the FBI and the explosives were recovered. Judge Korman acknowledged the fact that Scarpa had only supplied the feds with limited information, but he was under the impression the feds were holding a grudge against the defendant for embarrassing the bureau after it failed to immediately recover the explosives after Nichols arrest.

“Terry Nichols“

Judge Korman also noted that informants get credit only when the information they provide if truthful and the tip Scarpa supplied was on the money. The mob scion also worked for the feds as an undercover informant in prison, helping to get information from Ramzi Youssef an Al Qaeda terrorists in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The Judge has suggested that Scarpa may be eligible to receive credit for his undercover work that involved Nichols and asked prosecutors in the case to recommend how much of his sentence could be reduced without waiving their longstanding objection. Pareicia Notopoulos declined to come up with a number as she said “I frankly believe that Greg Scarpa has done nothing but attempt to, pardon the phrase, bastardize the system.”

Whether or not Scarpa will get some time knocked off of his sentence or perhaps even walk out of prison with time served is yet to be seen, but the chance of either comes at the chagrin of the feds. Does is efforts to help the feds in their fight against terrorism over shadow his crimes as a member of the mafia will soon be determined by judge Korman.

UPDATE:

Judge grants Scarpa Jr a 10 year reduction on his 40 year sentence for tipping off feds and he now has a release date of 2025. It may prove to be a hollow victory for the 64 year old New York mob soldier as court papers have indicated he is suffering from an aggressive form of “nasopharyngeal squamous cell cancer” which may kill him within the next five years. The judge noted that if Scarpa survives to reach his new release date he will still have served a maximum sentence for his conviction on a RICO conspiracy to commit murder which was the most serious offense that he was sentenced for.

Ralph V. Perna a reputed captain in the Lucchese crime family and his two sons also reputed Lucchese family mobsters were sentenced to between 8 and 10 years in prison as part of a plea agreement. Ralph now 69 was sentenced to 8 years behind bars and his sons, Joseph Perna and John Perna were each sentenced to 10 years in state prison. The trio of alleged mobsters plead guilty back in June and were among six major defendants in the 2010 indictment. Three other defendants also alleged high ranking New York mafia members which included Matthew Madonna, John Mangrella, and Martin Taccetta have all been previously sentenced.

“Ralph Perna“

In total 34 defendants were charged in the 2010 indictment, which uncovered an illegal gambling ring which, according to the feds transacted approximately $2.2 billion dollars in wagers in a 15 month period. The wagers placed were primarily on sporting events using a password protected web site along with a wire room in Costa Rica. According to court records the Perna’s managed the day to day operations of the gambling operation for the mafia under the supervision of Ralph Perna a former top capo for the Lucchese family operations in New Jersey.

The plea agreement called for all three Perna’s to receive “flat” sentences which would allow for possible early release and parole. But court officials acknowledged that all three defendants had lengthy prior criminal records which will delay any parole possibilities. A third Perna son Ralph M. Perna still has charges pending.

Joseph Corozzo Sr. also known as Jo Jo the former Gambino crime family consigliere has been released from a halfway house after serving over seven years behind bars. Corozzo was indicted back in 2008 as part of a massive investigation into the Gambino family called Operation Old Bridge. He agreed to plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges and was sentenced to 46 months behind bars. Five months before his release, he was indicted again along with over 100 alleged New York mafia members and hit with drug distribution charges which led to an added five year prison sentence.

Joseph “Jo Jo” Corozzo 

He was imprisoned at a low security institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey until last October when he was transferred to a Brooklyn reentry center. He was officially released from custody on January 5, 2016 and is now free to return to the streets of New York. According to the feds Corozzo a longtime powerful captain in the mafia family moved up in ranks and allegedly held the position of consigliere in the Gambino family for several years. It is unclear as to what his position in the Cosa Nostra family he will fall into upon his return to the streets. Changes within the Gambino family hierarchy took place while he was away, including a alleged change at consigliere according to various sources.

The current Gambino family leadership, including alleged boss Domenico “Italian Dom” Cefalu and underboss Frank Cali are believed to have appointed veteran mobster Bartolomeo “Bobby” Vernace to consigliere during Corozzo’s absence. Vernace would himself be indicted and is currently serving a prison sentence and it is unknown as to who currently holds the consigliere post for the family. If an acting consigliere was named, it may open the door for Corozzo to return to the family’s hierarchy and regain his post. Some sources believe it’s unlikely that Jo Jo returns to the number three spot in the mob family as more favorable options may have already been put into place by Cefalu and Cali.

The Corozzo’s have deep roots in the New York mob and the Gambino family. Joseph’s brother Nicholas “Little Nick” Corozzo allegedly served as boss of the family at one time and his other brothers Blaise Corozzo is an alleged Gambino soldier and Anthony Corozzo a Gambino associate.

The Bonanno crime family has allegedly anointed Joseph Cammarano Jr as the new street boss as the Cosa Nostra family tries to rebuild its ranks according to the feds. Law enforcement sources claim he is now the crime family’s highest ranking mobster on the streets and is also serving as acting Underboss. Jailed official boss Michael Mancuso gave his blessing to the promotion of Cammarano sources said, although it’s unclear exactly how much power and influence Mancuso actually still has within the crime family. His new role in the mafia family was revealed by prosecutors at a recent arraignment of three Bonanno family mobsters.

He is known on the streets as Joe C. Jr. and is the son of former Bonanno family Underboss Joseph Cammarano Sr. who passed away back in 2013 in prison on a murder rap. The crime family has been in disarray for over a decade since former boss Joseph Massino turned on the family becoming the highest ranking mafia rat in history. Since his defection the crime family has had a succession of what is believed to be more than six official and or acting bosses. But law enforcement sources say that even though they keep cutting off the head it has yet to kill the beast and its clear the mob family is once again trying to reorganize.

It may be a tough road for Cammarano Jr. as he tries to replenish the ranks of the beleaguered family as he already has a new FBI target on his back. Although he isn’t exactly a new face for the feds as he served as a capo in the crime family for some time and served a 27 month prison sentence for extortion after strong arming a Colombo family wiseguy back in 2007. Some of the other New York mafia families have seemingly reorganized and strengthened over the past few years establishing new and stable hierarchies. Despite all of the setbacks the Bonanno family has seen in recent years, perhaps Cammarano Jr will be able to produce similar results.

Michael Persico an alleged Colombo crime family associate continues to battle prosecutors over his 2012 plea deal before sentencing is handed down. Michael is the son of jailed Colombo family boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico and agreed to the plea deal after being charged with loan sharking. The deal called for the New York mafia scion to face sentencing guidelines of 37 to 46 months, but cleared him of his possible involvement in two mafia murders. Persico claims prosecutors tried to backdoor him and push for a stiffer term then agreed to by making mention of his alleged role in the killings at sentencing.

“Michael Persico“

His attempt to scrap his plea deal was shot down by Judge Sandra Towles and the deal was made permanent and sentencing was scheduled to proceed. But defense attorney Marc Fernich now want to block prosecutors from being allowed to mention other crimes, including the mob murders or Persico’s alleged role in them during sentencing. In a pre-sentencing hearing Persico and his attorney laid down a timeline to once again present their arguments. During the hearing, prosecutors pointed out their different position, and that they believed that Persico participated in ordering the hit on Joseph Scopo a mobbed up union official.

The plea deal seemed like a slam dunk for Persico and it was an odd piece of mafia news when he decided to try and yank it last year. As more details of the prosecutors plan to use the crimes as ammunition for a sentence beyond the plea deals recommended guidelines during the sentencing hearing it has begun to make a little more sense. If the New York mob prince is successful in his fight and is sentenced within the current plea deals guidelines it will have been worth the effort. A special pre-sentencing hearing may be set forth to hear arguments from both sides.

Joseph Cammarano Jr the new Underboss and acting street boss of the Bonanno crime family ended last year by throwing a lavish Christmas party at Bocelli’s restaurant in Staten Island. According to the feds the party included more than a dozen high ranking members of the Bonanno family along with many other mafia minions. Attendance at the party was mandatory so mobsters could pay homage to new family Underboss and acting street boss according to prosecutors. The feds and NYPD attended the party in their own way by collecting surveillance evidence including photographs and video recordings. Now this surveillance evidence is being used against three high ranking members of the New York mafia family.

“Bonanno family Christmas Party surveillance photo“

A federal judge has ruled that alleged Bonanno family mobsters which include Joseph Desimone, Anthony Pipitone, and Ronald Giallanzo violated the terms of their federal release by attending the party. All three mobsters were prohibited from associating with anyone known to be involved in criminal activities and had signed agreements specifically baring them from contact with anyone associated with the Bonanno family. Prosecutors laid out evidence collected from the party showing the mobsters regularly meeting with members of the New York mob family and claimed all three had resumed their leadership roles. Federal judge Nicholas Garaufis denied bail for all three defendants and they are now guest of the government.

“Bonanno family Christmas Party surveillance photo“

Judge Garaufis has presided over multiple prosecutions of Bonanno family mobsters over the years didn’t seem to be surprised by the event and said “In the words of the great Yogi Berra, it’s déjà vu all over again.”

The Genovese crime family often referred to as the Ivy League of organized crime has been one of the more low key New York mafia families for decades. Who exactly has been in control of the Cosa Nostra powerhouse has been a topic of debate for some time. According to multiple sources quoted by Jerry Capeci and ganglandnews, including those in law enforcement circles Liborio “Barney” Bellomo is allegedly the current Genovese family boss. The 59 year old mobster has been calling the shots and sitting atop the ranks of the family very quietly for the last few years according to reports. Bellomo has been a powerful member of he family for years and was appointed as acting boss in the late 1980’s by then boss Vincent Gigante.

“Barney Bellomo“

According to the report Bellomo learned a lot from former boss Gigante and is using a street boss to relay orders to the family’s capos and soldiers. Long time capo Peter “Petey Red” DiChiara now allegedly serves as the families “street boss” or in somewhat of an acting boss capacity for Bellomo. The infamous Gigante used a similar arrangement years ago in his heyday electing Fat Tony Salerno to serve as an upfront boss helping to keep him under law enforcement’s radar. But one source claimed it was clear Bellomo was the boss and it was one reason why mobsters from both the Bronx and Brooklyn have been making their way to a social club owned by Petey Red in lower Manhattan.

Bellomo has been on the feds radar for years and his seven year reign as acting boss for Gigante from 1989-96 ended in an indictment. He was sent to prison for 12 years after copping a plea on two racketeering indictments in which he was accused or ordering multiple mob hits. He was able to skate around the murder charges by pleading guilty to extortion and served his time from 1996 to 2008. He has been extremely low key and squeaky clean since his 2008 release, which included three years of supervised release. But law enforcement sources claim even though it hasn’t been proven that he has committed a crime since then there is no doubt he is the Genovese family boss.

Nicholas “Nicky Mouth” Santora a reputed captain and former underboss in the Bonanno crime family and members of his alleged mafia crew are on trial in Manhattan. Santora is charged with overseeing an illegal online gambling operation, loansharking, and the sale of prescription drug from 2010 to 2012. Prosecutors told jurors in the opening remarks that the New York mafia is still thriving and the Bonanno family was alive and well per the NY Post report. The old guard was training the new mob members to take the reins, according to ADA David Stuart as he laid out the case against Santora and his co-defendants.

“Nicky Santora“

Santora inspired the character played by Bruno Kirby in the mob film Donnie Brasco back in 1997. But Stuart remarked that this was not Hollywood and the crimes against the reputed mobsters were real and the mob in New York was far from dormant. He also cautioned jurors to not be fooled by the 73 year old mobsters appearance as he sat in his wheelchair at the defense table. One defense attorney claimed that Santora and his co-defendants, which include Anthony “Skinny” Santoro, Vito Badamo, and Ernest Aiello are nothing more than close friends that grew up together. He said his client was involved in a gambling operation that had nothing to do with the Bonanno family even though the idea of the mafia is sexy.

“Left to Right: Vito Badamo, Ernest Aiello, Anthony Santoro, Nicky Santora“

The defense also attacked the credibility of James Tartaglione a key cooperating witness for prosecutors in the case claiming he killed seven people. It was also noted by Santora’s lawyer that even though prosecutors claim the alleged mob capo was running a crew there was no physical evidence being put forward that linked him to such a crime. The state of the Bonanno crime family has been in question over the last few years after crushing blows by law enforcement to the Cosa Nostra family’s leadership aided by the cooperation of former high ranking members. But these claims of the family being alive and well coincide with the appointment of alleged new acting boss Joseph Cammarano Jr so perhaps the family is in better shape than it seemed or is at least ready to try and rebuild its ranks.

Thomas McLaughlin was a loyal member of the Colombo crime family until he turned on his fellow mobsters to beat a murder conspiracy rap. As a teen McLaughlin was drawn to the mob and found a role model in Colombo family captain Greg Scarpa although he had other close New York mafia connections. His cousin Thomas Gioeli was captain of a Colombo crew and his mother was dating Tommy “Karate” Pitera a Bonanno family hit man. But he found a home in the Scarpa crew and according to sources the mafia captain liked the kid because he was a lot like him cold-blooded and tough. But one of the Colombo family’s most loyal associates would eventually become one of their most damaging turncoats.

He was arrested back in 1992 facing multiple charges including racketeering, drug trafficking, and extortion, but he refused to cooperate and plead guilty to drug trafficking and tax evasion. He was sentenced to 14 years behind bars which ran with a 9 year sentence he received from state charges. He would serve 16 years behind bars, earning him respect on the streets and the trust of his mafia pals for keeping his mouth shut. But as he was released in 2008 the feds were once again waiting and alerted him to new conspiracy charges for helping plan three mob hits that could put him away for life. Facing the option of going right back to prison for rest of his life he decided to become a turncoat against his fellow wiseguys.

His mentor Greg Scarpa had died in 1994 while he was in prison and his relationship with Scarpa’s daughter Linda had fallen apart which seemingly impacted his decision. McLaughlin would wear a wire and record over 200 conversations between 2009 and 2011 helping the feds make 39 arrests and get two convictions. He would even testify against his own cousin Tommy Gioeli in 2012 taking the stand and fingering him for his role in a mob hit. The now 46 year old McLaughlin was awarded for his cooperation and was sentenced to time served and heralded for his cooperation and bravery by the judge. Prosecutors called his cooperation against the mafia with the feds historic and he was applauded for his efforts.

Today the former mobster is a family man and holds down a steady job, according to his defense attorney and the court. McLaughlin said he wanted to apologize for his past and looked forward to continuing his future as a husband and a father when addressing the court. The judge labeled him as someone who he believed had gone straight and would stay straight.

James “Louie” Tartaglione a former captain in the Bonanno crime family who turned rat took the stand in the ongoing New York mafia trial. The now 78 year old mobster is testifying against his former Bonanno family pals which include Nicholas Santora, Vito Badamo, Ernest Aiello, and Anthony Santoro charged with drug trafficking, loansharking, and running illegal gambling operations. Tartaglione the prosecution’s key witness gave some in depth insight into the inner working of the New York mob family along with describing his former relationships to the mobsters on trial. The former mobster has been cooperating with the feds since 2003 after the arrest of underboss Salvatore Vitale who he thought may rat him out.

But defense lawyers claim the prosecution’s key snitch is an unreliable witness and was responsible for seven murders during his time in the mafia, including the 1994 killing of Cesare Bonventre and the infamous 1981 three capos murders. But when asked by the Manhattan Assistant District Attorney if he ever committed the act of killing he shot down the claims, saying “No, I was there, that’s it.” Tartaglione claimed he simply asked the Bonanno family bosses to “whack” his fellow mobsters but never actually pulled the trigger. He explained his role in some of these mob murders, including the hit on his former mob pal Russell Mauro, whom he led to a social club in 1991 to be murdered by another mobster.

While on the stand he also explained his part in the “Three Capos murders” admitting he helped former Underboss Sal Vitale clean up after the hit. He said “I walked in with Sal and he said, ‘Do me a favor, help me remove the shells on the floor,” as he explained the scene of the murder and continued saying “There were three bodies. The last body was being tied up and canvased, it was already wrapped. We put it in the trunk, and I took it to Woodhaven Boulevard.” But even if attempts by the defense to undermine his credibility because of his links to these mob hits is less then successful, he did admit on the stand that he had no direct knowledge of any crimes in which the defendants were charged with.

We get a lot of requests asking for recommendations as to the best single Mafia book to purchase usually about the New York Mafia. When it comes to books about the Mafia opinions can vary greatly and everyone seems to have their own personal favorites as there are so many options available esp when it comes to the NY Mafia. Many enthusiasts end up with vast libraries of mob books covering many aspects of Cosa Nostra from the past to the present, but not everyone has the resources to amass such a collection. Narrowing it down to a single book is difficult and we understand that no matter which recommendation we make there will be other options who many feel are just as substantial and fitting. That being said, we feel that one of the better overall books on the New York Mafia to date is Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires.

The book Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires by Selwyn Raab covers many aspects of New York Mafia history right up to some of the more modern day stuff. It gets into the origins of the Mafia and how the mob took over New York and how the powerful organized crime empire began to lose its powerful grip in the 1980’s and 90’s. It contains various interviews with Mafia members, law enforcement officials, mob informants, and other providing an inside look into the inner workings of the mob.

The mob book has been called “the gold standard” of nonfiction organized crime writing and gives an outstanding look into the history or the Mafia in New York. Sure many can come up with various other options which can be compared to this book as great reads, but all things considered, for the enthusiasts looking to make a single purchase and get a lot of bang for their buck this is a great choice. The Five Families book can be purchased for a great price and in many formats on Amazon.

Prosecutors continue their case against alleged members of the Bonanno crime family charged with running what was labeled as old school mafia rackets. Nicholas Santora, Anthony “Skinny” Santoro, Vito Badamo, and Ernest Aiello are all charged with enterprise corruption including loansharking and illegal gambling. According to prosecutors Santora a Bonanno family captain and former underboss headed the mafia crew, in which the defendants were part of. They were busted back in 2013 during an investigation aimed at dismantling the nine man Bonanno family crew. The trial began in February and prosecutors have continued to build their case which includes previous busts and the testimony of mob turncoats.

“Left to Right: Vito Badamo, Ernest Aiello, Anthony Santoro, Nicky Santora“

Prosecutors laid out details of a previous bust, which took place at the home of alleged mobster Anthony Santoro, which they claim connects him to the New York mafia family. According to the report back in 2012 police busted in on Santoro and his girlfriend at home recovering over a dozen guns, wads of cash, and drugs. But the defense claimed the residence and a car that was searched actually belonged to Santoro’s girlfriend and the evidence found belonged to others who resided in the home. None of the guns found could be traced back to any crimes and the defense brought attention to the lack of any DNA evidence or fingerprint testing done with the recovered weapons.

Prosecution witness and self proclaimed mob associate Anthony Zoccolillo made his way to the stand ratting on his former wiseguy pal Ernest Aiello. Zoccolillo testified to the details of his lifestyle as a mob associate before he decided to become an informant for the feds after being busted for drugs back in 2013. He claims that Aiello, who he hung around and was friends with when they lived in the Bronx was a made man in the New York mob and particularly the Bonanno family. He also testified that he and Aiello managed multiple illegal betting sheets and it was Aielli and identified him on audio recordings discussing the illegal gambling rackets. Zoccolillo wore a wire for the feds before being relocated into the witness protection program. But the defense attacked his credibility calling him a wannabe.

The trial has already seen testimony from mob snitch James “Louie” Tartaglione one of the prosecutor’s key witnesses along with that of Zoccolillo. The trial is expected to last until at least April as the prosecution continues to try and make its case and secure convictions across the board.