Lombardi’s Pizza obtained a permit back in 2016 to open up a restaurant in Pennsylvania’s Parx Casino last December.

But a recent investigation uncovered alleged ties to the Mafia leading State gaming regulators to revoke the legendary pizzeria’s permit. According to investigators, the Mafia was allegedly attempting to get a toehold in Pennsylvania casinos through Lombardi’s. The famous pizzeria was founded back in 1905 in New York’s Little Italy and claims to be the first pizzeria in America. Investigators claim owner Michael Giammarino has ties to the Philadelphia mafia family and two New York Mafia families.

Giammarino’s stepfather John Brescio is a reputed captain in New York’s Genovese crime family according to law enforcement. He has a criminal history dating back to the 1970s and was once the public face of Lombardi’s. Even though Brescio had disavowed any ownership interest in the pizzeria the relationship was problematic according to Pa. Gaming Control Board. Investigators also identified two intermediaries who introduced Giammarino to officials at Parx as Mafia associates according to a recent report.

Giammarino rejected any knowledge of his stepfather’s ties to the NY Mafia or that of the intermediaries whom he said he barely knew. He said in an interview “Everybody’s going to make the assumption that I’m mobbed up, and it’s not true.” But Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted yesterday to reject the recommendation from a hearing examiner who believed that investigators had failed to prove their claims. Giammarino told the board told the board “I just don’t understand how all these people’s misdeeds got basically tattooed on me.”

Giammarino’s lawyer said “The bottom line is that the investigative and prosecutorial arm of the board failed to establish a single fact which might indicate that Michael Giammarino has done anything wrong in connection with his efforts to establish a Lombardi’s at Parx,” and they will appeal the decision. The board was given recommendations from investigators to reject any casino suppliers with even a trace of ties to organized crime invoking a zero-tolerance policy.

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Hamilton mobster Domenico Violi was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking.

The three-year-long police operation dubbed “Project OTremens” penetrated the highest levels of organized crime according to Canadian authorities. During Project OTremens the FBI in New York was conducting a parallel but separate probe leading to the takedown of alleged mobsters on both sides of the border. During the investigation, a co-operating turncoat mobster was able to record a ceremony held in Canada which led to him becoming a made man in the Bonanno crime family. The investigation also produced multiple recorded conversations from 2015-2017 about mafia business and internal affairs. Among the wiretapped conversation transcripts were some interesting claims about the current status of the Buffalo Mafia and the NY Mafia’s ruling panel.

“Domenico Violi”

In one of the informants recorded conversations Violi allegedly claimed to have been promoted to underboss of the Todaro crime family – the No. 2 man in charge of the whole thing. He claimed to have beaten out 30 other people for the high ranking position. The conversation also included claims that the powerful ruling body known as the Mafia Commission much like the Cosa Nostra family in Buffalo may still be active and functioning. According to the transcripts Violi said he was hand-picked by the alleged boss of the Buffalo family Joseph Todaro Jr. at an October 2017 meeting in Florida just before he was busted in Project OTremens. Todaro has long denied any ties to the Mafia and was not captured on any of the wiretaps or charged with any crimes.

In this new role, he was to “assume control over the operations of the Luppino-Violi crime family and solidify his power base with further and greater collaboration with the New York-based Mafia families.” Violi was allegedly recorded telling the turncoat mobster the following story:

“Domenic, you know you made history,” Violi said the alleged boss of the Buffalo Mafia family told him in 2017 after Violi was promoted to the position of Underboss, according to a wiretap summary tendered in court.

Violi asked what he meant.

Nobody in Canada has ever held such a high position, Violi said he was told, according to his own recounting caught on an RCMP recording.

It was such a unique situation that the Buffalo boss had consulted “the Commission” about it, the conversation continued. The opinion, he said, was that as long as someone is a member of the Mafia he is entitled to hold leadership positions within that family.

 

These new claims are extremely interesting considering the Mafia in Buffalo has reportedly been all but dead for several years. The aging crime family had fallen on hard times and had seemingly shown very little signs of life for years now. But authorities believe the resurgence of the organized crime family may have begun in and around 2014 according to this new evidence. This allegedly included the appointing of captains to run mob crews including one based in Hamilton. There were even taped discussion involving Domenico’s younger brother Giuseppe “Joey” Violi as to whether or not he would have to choose between being a made man in the Buffalo family like his brother or in the Bonanno family like his dad according to transcripts.

The court documents also suggest that soon after Violi was named underboss three of the other New York Mafia families had been told. Leaders of the Bonanno, Colombo, and Genovese families had all been notified. This would indicate clear and open lines of communication between not only the five families in New York but also between them and the Buffalo organization. This information has yet to be independently corroborated by any other sources and a representative from the FBI office in Buffalo said they could not confirm nor deny the allegations.

There are historical links between the New York and Canadian Mafia families. Domenico Violi is the son of former Montreal Mafia boss Paolo Violi and the grandson of former Hamilton mobster Giacomo Luppino. Paolo controlled the Bonanno crime families faction in Montreal until he was assassinated by rival Rizzuto family mobsters. Luppino like Violi was considered to be a part of the Ndrangheta in Canada and an associate of the New York Bonanno family. During the time he was the boss in Hamilton in the 60s and 70s he is believed to have helped form an alliance between mobsters from the then powerful Buffalo crime family and those in Hamilton.

This information is sure to open up new discussions and produce new questions as to the strength and status of the Buffalo Mafia. Along with just how strong the remaining ties are between the NY Mafia families and their Canadian counterparts.

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Lucchese crime family scion Steven Crea Jr. wants to be tried separately from four other co-defendants including his dad in an upcoming mafia trial.

The 46-year-old alleged mob captain is the son of Lucchese family underboss Steven “Wonder Boy” Crea. Both father and son have been charged in the 2013 murder of former Purple Gang leader Michael Meldish and with plotting to kill Bonanno family associate Carl Ulzheimer. They were busted back in May of 2017 along with 17 other members and associates of the New York Mafia family. Crea Jr spent 14 months behind bars before being released on bail and placed under house arrest back in August.

“Steven Crea Jr”

During a bail hearing, last January White Plains Federal Judge Cathy Siebel suggested that prosecutors would have to link Crea Jr. to the actual crimes and not just to the Cosa Nostra family. At the hearing, she stated that “The defendant didn’t rise to the rank of Mafia capo without understanding what mobsters do. But your status as a mobster is not enough to detain you on grounds of dangerousness.” Crea’s defense team successfully argued that the evidence against him wasn’t strong enough to keep him behind bars.

The judge agreed to approve Crea’s August release stating that the evidence against the alleged mobster was not as solid as prosecutors had promised. The judge said “It would be an understatement to say that I am disappointed on how this has played out on the government’s part. Their case for detention is certainly weaker than I was led to believe.” She even called cooperating witness Frank Pasqua truth-challenged and tarnished since he had previously fingered his own father for Meldish’s murder.

His defense team took the judges words as a sign of optimism. They said, “In our view, the court’s comments reflect the inescapable conclusion that the government’s case against Mr. Crea is weak.” According to a recent NY Daily News report, they have now gone a step further having Crea Jr take a polygraph test administered last month by retired FBI agent Jeremiah Hanafin in which he reportedly passed. According to court documents, Crea’s polygraph responses were “not indicative of deception” when it came to his involvement in either murder case. The defense now hopes to use this as leverage in an attempt at severing his trial from his fathers and other co-defendants.

His defense lawyers said “In a multidefendant trial, the government can throw dirt in the air and hope that some of it sticks to everyone. “We want to ensure that any case against Mr. Crea is based solely on evidence that pertains directly to him.” They want to keep the sins of the father and other mafia associates from tainting the son. The elder Crea remains behind bars in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting trial which is set to begin in March of next year.

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Bonanno crime family soldier Frank “Frankie Boy” Salerno has been sentenced to 60 months behind bars for racketeering conspiracy.

He was busted back in 2017 along with acting Gambino family capo John “Johnny Boy” Ambrosio and five other alleged Mafia associates. They were charged with racketeering conspiracy, including predicate acts of drug trafficking, loan sharking, gambling and obstruction of justice as part of a 13 count indictment. According to prosecutors, Salerno made collections from 2014-2017 for a massive illegal gambling and loan sharking operation controlled by Ambrosio. All of the Cosa Nostra mobsters involved in the indictment have now been convicted.

“John Ambrosio and Frank Salerno”

Ambrosio and Gambino family associate Anthony Saladino was sentenced last week on racketeering conspiracy charges. The 74-year-old Ambrosio got 51 months behind bars while 67-year-old Saladino was hit with a 63-month sentence. During a conversation with an informant, Saladino said Salerno “has got that thing,” pointing to a button on his shirt indicating that he was a made guy in the New York Mafia. New York FBI Assistant Director William Sweeney said the sentences “demonstrate that the shirt button of a ‘made man’ is no match for a badge.”

According to court records the feds also obtained several other recorded conversation between the mobsters discussing illegal gambling and loan sharking. In one conversation Saladino and an associate discussed unpaid gambling debts, during which Saladino said he would give the debtor “something to be scared about.” During another intercepted conversation Saladino recounted for Ambrosio a collection effort in which he threatened an individual, saying “when I get my hands around your your f—–g neck, everything is going to pop out of your ears.”

United States Attorney Donoghue said “With these sentences, each of the seven defendants has now been punished for continuing organized crime’s corrosive influence on Long Island. There should be no doubt that putting a stop to the criminal activities of La Cosa Nostra continues to be a priority of this Office and our law enforcement partners.” With Frank Salerno headed to prison, it closes the books on a very successful operation to take down organized crime.

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Once again we kick the new year off with our annual look at the current Leaders for each of the remaining Mafia families in America.

The present-day Mob families across the country have proven over the years to be both cunning and resilient. They have found a way to remain viable and continue to generate millions of dollars from various rackets both old and new. The various crime families have outlasted the countless stories of their demise that we have seen over the years. About The Mafia has covered a wide range of mafia news over the past year including major indictments, deaths natural or otherwise, changes in leadership, and much more.

We have compiled a list of the current Mafia bosses and hierarchies for the families which remain active and organized heading into the new year. While lists such as these are far from an exact science we have used various sources in an effort to be as accurate as possible. When it comes to organized crime and especially Cosa Nostra the landscape is constantly changing for a multitude of reasons and there is always room for debate. We try and keep our readers as up to date as possible with all the latest news and developments throughout the year. So here is our list of the 2019 Mafia Family Leaders! If you want an even more in-depth look at the different Mafia families be sure to check out our Mafia Family Charts page.

GAMBINO CRIME FAMILY (NY)

Boss: Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali/Domenico “Italian Dom” Cefalu
Underboss: Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali (?)
Consigliere: Lorenzo Mannino (?)

LUCCHESE CRIME FAMILY (NY)

Boss: Vittorio “Vic” Amuso
Acting/Street Boss: Matthew Madonna
Underboss: Steven Crea
Consigliere: Joseph DiNapoli

GENOVESE CRIME FAMILY (NY)

Boss: Liborio “Barney” Bellomo
Underboss/Street Boss: “Unknown”
Consigliere: “Unknown”

COLOMBO CRIME FAMILY (NY)

Boss: Carmine “Junior/The Snake” Persico
Street Boss: Andrew “Andy Mush” Russo
Underboss: Benjamin “The Little Guy” Castellazo
Acting Underboss: Dominick “Donnie Shacks” Montemarano (?)
Consigliere: “Unknown”
Acting Consigliere: Thomas “Mr. T” Farese

BONANNO CRIME FAMILY (NY)

Boss: Michael “The Nose” Mancuso
Acting Boss: Joseph Cammarano Jr.
Consigliere: John “Porky” Zanocchio (?)

PHILADELPHIA MAFIA FAMILY

Boss: Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino
Acting Boss/Street Boss: Michael “Mikey Lance” Lancelotti
Underboss: “Unknown”
Consigliere: Joseph Ciangcaglini/Joe Ligambi/Francis “Faffy” Iannarella (?)

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

DeCAVALCANTE FAMILY (New Jersey Mafia Family)

Boss: Charles Majuri (?)
UnderBoss: “Unknown”
Consiglieri: Frank “Shipe” Nigro

PATRIARCA FAMILY (New England Mafia Family)

Boss/Acting Boss: Carmen (The Cheeseman) DiNunzio
UnderBoss: Matthew Guglielmetti
Consiglieri: Joseph (Joe the Bishop) Achille

CHICAGO MAFIA FAMILY (CHICAGO OUTFIT)

Acting Boss/Boss: Salvatore “Solly D” DeLaurentis
Underboss: Salvatore “Sammy Cards” Cataudella
Street Boss: Albert Vena
Consigliere: Marco D’Amico

BUFFALO MAFIA FAMILY

Boss: Joseph Todaro Jr. (?)
Underboss: Domenico Violi (?)
Consigliere:  Victor Sansanese (?)

KANSAS CITY MAFIA FAMILY

Boss: John “Johnny Joe” Sciortino
UnderBoss: Peter “Las Vegas Pete” Simone
Consigliere: Frank DeLuna (?)

CLEVELAND MAFIA FAMILY

Boss: Russell “RJ” Papalardo
Underboss: “Unknown”
Consigliere: “Unknown”

For the latest Mafia news and information, you can follow us on Twitter!

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Former Bonanno crime family leader Nicholas (Nicky Cigars) Santora has passed away while awaiting a re-trial.

The 76-year-old mobster was wheelchair bound and has been in declining health for some time now according to reports. After being released on bail back in 2016 the generic wiseguy took a nasty fall adding to his already troubling health problems. Santora was indicted back in 2013 with eight other Bonanno family mobsters on various charges including racketeering. According to prosecutors he controlled old school rackets like loansharking, gambling, among others for the New York Mafia family.

“Nicholas Santora”

The veteran Cosa Nostra wiseguy was caught on a wiretap berating a younger Mafia associate for acting like a clown. He was telling Vito Badamo that he was set to “take over the neighborhood” and he needed to conduct himself a certain way. He went on to say “You gotta act like you’re supposed to act. You understand?” Prosecutors used the recording at trial in an effort to prove Santora’s role within the crime family. But after deliberating for eight days the jury had a problem and the case came to a halt.

A hearing-impaired juror reported that he was having problems hearing some of the audio evidence and complained other jurors who had already settled on a guilty verdict were ganging up on him. There was supposed to be a re-trial scheduled but the mobster’s health problems caused further delays. Santora ultimately beat out his potential racketeering wrap by passing away on October 27th according to the NY Daily News report. Santora’s case was officially closed when his death certificate was presented to the court by prosecutors.

The rest of his Bonanno family co-defended ended up agreeing to plea deals with most of them getting multiple years behind bars. Prosecutor Gary Galperin said, “The judgments of conviction against the other eight defendants shall stand for all time, an official testament to how old-school mobsters were overcome by old-time justice.” Nicholas Santora was an old-school mobster and they don’t make many like that anymore. Santora was portrayed as “Nicky” in the hit 1997 Mafia movie Donnie Brasco. He made his way through the ranks of the organized crime family all way into one of the families top spots.

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Bonanno family acting captain Damiano Zummo has agreed to plead guilty as part of a plea agreement with the feds according to reports.

Zummo presided over a videotaped 2015 NY Mafia induction ceremony for mobster turned informant Vincent (Enzo) Morena that took place in Canada. Morena’s Mob pals at the time were unaware that Italian born Brooklyn mobster had been working with the feds for more than three years. During the ceremony, Zummo tells Morena “From this day forward you’re gonna be an official member of the Bonanno family.” Zummo was officially charged with conspiring to smuggle large amounts of cocaine into the U.S. and money laundering. The joint US-Canadian operation led to arrests of mobsters from both the U.S. and Canada.

As part of his plea deal, he agreed to plead guilty to selling a kilogram of cocaine back in 2017. In exchange for his guilty plea prosecutors agreed to drop the rest of the charges and not seek a prison term of more than five years. The judge will still have the final say at sentencing which should occur sometime later this year. His lone drug charge has a recommended sentence of between 37-46 months so it’s unlikely that the judge would try to expand beyond the five-year agreement. It seems like he got an offer he couldn’t refuse since before the plea deal he was facing life behind bars if convicted.

It’s still unclear as to whether or not the feds plan to release the videotaped NY Mafia induction ceremony. It wasn’t part of the plea agreement between Damiano Zummo and the feds and wasn’t mentioned in court when the deal was announced. The feds made a big deal of Zummo’s role in the induction ceremony last year during a bail hearing. The recording was the first of it’s kind and was described as an extraordinary achievement for law enforcement and a blow to Cosa Nostra so it’s surprising that the star of that ceremony would get what seems to be a rather light plea deal.

The joint US-Canadian operation also generated more questions about the ongoing links between mafia families in the U.S. and Canada. Not only did a New York Mafia induction ceremony take place in Canada but alleged members of Buffalo Mafia in Hamilton were arrested. The Mafia in Buffalo also known as the Todaro crime family has been considered by many to have been all but defunct.  If you want to read more about Project OTremens you can do so here. For more information on the current state of the Buffalo mob and its potential connections to the Bonanno family and Canada check out our previous article here

.

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John Zancocchio the reputed consigliere of the Bonanno crime family makes a last ditch effort to avoid going to trial.

He is facing bookmaking and loan sharking charges which could put him behind bars for several years if convicted. The 60-year-old mobster claims the mafia rat set to testify against him had too cozy of a relationship with his NYPD handlers. In newly filed court papers he claims that federal prosecutors improperly supplied New York Mafia turncoat Peter Lovaglio with evidence. According to a NY Daily News report Zancocchio’s lawyer John Meringolo claims that he planned to use communications between Lovaglio and his handlers to challenge the turncoat’s credibility.

“John (Porky) Zancocchio”

But prosecutors gave Lovaglio all the recordings of phone calls and texts with his handlers damaging his ability to do so. He called those actions an abomination that amounted to prosecutorial misconduct. He claims the recordings were under a protective order but prosecutors insisted that they followed protocol and there was nothing improper about handing over the recordings. The communications were given to Lovaglio last year after he filed a civil lawsuit against the feds after their relationship ended.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Swergold said the evidence or facts given to Lovaglio was nothing he didn’t already know. He said that it followed proper protocol and there was nothing improper about a witness reviewing his own statements before testifying. Peter who’s also known as Pug has been used as a cooperating witness by the feds for some time including taking the stand against Philly Mafia boss Joey Merlino. He is currently serving an eight-year sentence for a 2015 assault.

But Meringolo said, “It is beyond defense counsel’s comprehension as to why prosecutors flagrantly handed materials to (Lovaglio) that are so critical to the defense and the impeachment of this witness at trial.” According to court documents, Lovaglio can be heard on one of the recordings telling an agent he wouldn’t supply information unless he got money in return saying “Without the money don’t bother.” In another recording, he claims “They’re trying to get my sentence vacated. So we’re working on it.”

In what seems like a long shot Zancocchio wants all the charges against him dismissed because of the feds comfy relationship with Lovaglio. He is set to go on trial next month if his efforts to get the charges thrown out are unsuccessful. Zancocchio is currently out on bail after convincing a judge that prison food was so bad for him that he needed to be let out while awaiting trial.  The Bonanno family has definitely had its share of hits from the feds over the year due to the help of various turncoats.  The elder Cosa Nostra leader hopes to avoid adding to that total.

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Colombo crime family soldier Ilario Sessa has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison for a parole violation.

According to prosecutors the 52-year-old mobster also known as “Fat Larry” had made contact with some of his old mafia associates while working as a used car salesman in Brooklyn. According to his lawyer, James Froccaro said: “His old friends were trying to help him make legitimate money and a living in the used car business.” But the feds noted his use of numerous burner phones to make contact with at least two of his old Colombo family associates from 2017-18.

“Ilario (Fat Larry) Sessa”

This was a direct violation of his parole and when sentencing him the judge said “When someone goes through extraordinary lengths by using six disposable phones there’s an obvious attempt to evade the probation departments condition” according to the NY Daily News report. This is the second time he has been sent back to jail for violating his parole restrictions. He previously served five months behind bars for a similar violation.

Sessa did 87 months in the can after pleading guilty to racketeering charges back in 2012. He was also sentenced to serve a three-year term of supervised release. After yet another violation the judge said: “It is a concern that there is a seeming lack of understanding or appreciation or respect for the law.” The defense asked that Ilario Sessa be sentenced to time served because of various health problems which cause him to have multiple hospital stays and constant medical attention.

The Colombo family wiseguy suffers from multiple medical problems including morbid obesity, lupus, diabetes, heart disease, and spinal stenosis. He has been forced to use a walker and is said to be awaiting surgery to repair blockage to his heart along with a spinal procedure needed to help increase his mobility. The New York Mafia soldier did get a bit of a break with the 1-day addition to his sentence making his eligible for time off due to good behavior.

According to reports Sessa was initiated into the Colombo family by acting boss Andrew (Mush) Russo back in 2011 while behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center. Now he can’t seem to find a way to keep himself out.

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Joseph Cammarano Jr. the alleged acting boss of the Bonanno crime family and consigliere John Zancocchio are now on trial in Manhattan Federal Court for various charges including racketeering conspiracy.

According to the feds Cammarano took over as acting boss of the NY Mafia family back in 2015. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina Castellano said prosecutors will prove that Cammarano and Zancocchio led “a sophisticated crime organization that took whatever they wanted from whoever they wanted.” Prosecutors have owners and employees from various companies that the mobsters had allegedly shaken down along with a pair of mafia rats lined up to testify. Cammarano’s lawyer Jennifer Louis-Jeune said, “Just because accused Bonanno crime boss Joseph Cammarano Jr. looks like he stepped out of central casting for a mob movie doesn’t mean he’s actually in the mafia” according to the NY Daily News report.

She went on to say that once upon a time in a land far away there was a mafia but not now. She urged jurors not to believe what she called fanciful tales being told by prosecutors about the mafia. But the people who were being shaken down and extorted will certainly have a different story to tell when they are on the stand. So will mob turncoats Peter Lovaglio and Steven Sabella although they may not prove to be the most reliable witnesses of all time. The defense has attempted unsuccessfully to have to case dismissed due to what they considered to be inappropriate interactions with the snitches.

Lovaglio’s nickname is “Petey BS” because of how frequently he stretches the truth and has a lengthy criminal record. The defense teams claimed that the prosecutors improperly shared information with Lovaglio and allowed Sabella to post menacing messages on the Facebook page of a Zancocchio family member. When talking about an altercation between Zancocchio and Sabella the defense lawyer said “I understand some of you may say he shouldn’t have slapped the guy around a few times. But that’s not a crime in aid of racketeering!”  He said the defendant didn’t do it on behalf of the Bonanno family but on behalf of his own family.

The now 59-year-old Cammarano also known as “Joe C” and the 61-year-old Zancocchio also known as “Porky” could be in for an extended stay behind bars if convicted. It would be another blow to an already beleaguered New York Mafia family!

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Bonanno crime family snitches have both taken the stand in the racketeering trial of alleged acting boss Joseph Cammarano Jr. and alleged consiglieri John Zancocchio.

Former Bonanno captain Peter Lovaglio and associate Steven Sabella are key figures in the feds case against the supposed New York Mafia leaders. Assistant US Attorney Gina Castellano described both defendants as violent mobsters who loan shark and extort people and are guilty of multiple crimes. She also said in her opening statement to the jury that “These two men led a sophisticated criminal organization that took whatever they wanted from whoever they wanted through intimidation, through threats and violence.”

“Peter (Pug) Lovaglio”

While on the stand Lovaglio described a meeting that took place back in 2015 where he claims Cammarano also known as “Joe C” was elected as acting boss of the Cosa Nostra family. Prosecutors showed the jury photo’s of Bonanno family members entering a garage and Lovaglio followed saying “That was the day we had the meeting to vote Joe in.” According to reports Lovaglio successfully caught Cammarano on tape talking about his role as current head of the NY Mafia family along with the families rising status under his leadership. He also discussed the structure of the family under him along with a dispute that has taken place between the Bonanno’s and the Gambino family.

The defense attacked Lovaglio’s character including the fact that he was deactivated as a confidential informant by the feds for withholding information about crimes he had committed. Lovaglio also described an assault that took place at a Staten Island Sushi restaurant which included him striking the owner in the face with a glass ultimately blinding him in one eye. It was a glimpse into a long criminal history in organized crime which has led to Lovaglio having spent multiple years in prison including an eight-year stretch he is currently in for.

“Steven Sabella”

Sabella took the stand in Manhattan Federal Court and told the jury about his business and personal dealings with Zancocchio. He claimed that he, Zancocchio and other mafia associates co-owned and operated Pulse Gentlemen’s Club starting back in 2000. He told the jury that Zancocchio had taken a hefty cut of the profits from the club. He went on to give details of an assault at the hands of Zancocchio that took place in the back room of the club back in 2014.

According to Sabella the two men rarely got along saying that tensions had simmered between them for years. He said an unfounded rumor at the time (Zancocchio reportedly believed that Sabella had acted inappropriately with his daughter) enraged the alleged wiseguy leading to the altercation. A meeting took place in the fall of 2014 in the clubs back room between himself, Zancocchio, Joseph (Joe Valet) Sabella and Jerry Chili. Porky seemed angry but introduced him to Joe Valet but after the exchange of pleasantries, Zancocchio punched him in the face.

Sabella testified that “He continued to punch and kick me, I just tried to fend off the blows. The beating stopped when Chili yelled “Enough!” He said that he sustained various injuries including a busted nose and a back eye but being involved in organized crime you don’t go to the police. When asked how he felt about Porky now by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Swergold he said: “I can’t stand the guy.” After the incident, Sabella said he was frozen out of his legit and mob-linked rackets including gambling, loan sharking and strip clubs.

He claims he lost approximately 2 million dollars in earnings almost instantly causing him to go into financial ruin. His marriage would eventually fall apart and last year he decided to switch teams and started cooperating with the feds. The defense also attacked Sabella’s character noting that he has once told investigators that he had a $400 dollar a week cocaine habit. Zancocchio’s attorney also noted what he described as racist and homophobic posts made by Sabella on a social media site belonging Porky’s granddaughter. The posts were made after Sabella had signed his cooperation agreement and he was asked if making those post had gotten his deal ripped up for which he said no.

Sabella also has his own legal problems at hand as he is facing 25 years behind bars for racketeering conspiracy and illegal gambling. Both Cammarano and Zancocchio are also facing extended sentences if convicted on the racketeering conspiracy charges.

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According to reports Carmine Persico the official boss of the Colombo crime family passed away at Duke University Medical Center.

The cause of death is still unknown although he had reportedly been in poor health of late suffering from various ailments including emphysema. He was currently housed at a medium security federal prison in Butner, N.C. The 85-year-old New York Mafia boss reportedly took control of the family back in the 1970s. He rose through the ranks of the Cosa Nostra family after being recruited into the mafia by Profaci crime family captain Frank Abbatemarco. The Profaci family was the forerunner to today’s Colombo crime family. His historical rise through the ranks of organized crime has been well documented.

“Carmine Persico”

Persico wasn’t nicknamed “The Snake” by accident his pension for treachery and deceit pushed the Persico family into power. After the murder of former boss, Joseph Colombo in 1971 Carmine orchestrated the murder of rival mobster Joey Gallo.  He had turned on the Gallo brothers years before during an internal family war meant to take down boss Joe Profaci. This paved the way for the Persico’s to take control of the NY Mafia family. He was now the boss of a powerful organized crime family which only made him a bigger target for law enforcement and he would spend more time behind bars than he did on the streets.

Carmine relied on family ties to maintain his grip on the Colombo family during his time as a guest of the government. His brothers Alphonse and Theodore held down leadership positions in the family in the 70s and 80s while Carmine was away. In 1984 he and most of the Colombo family hierarchy were indicted on racketeering charges. After going into hiding he was eventually taken into custody in 1985 and while he was in prison was indicted again. This time it was along with several of the other alleged bosses of the Mafia in New York in what came to be known as the Mafia Commission case.

Carmine decided to serve as his own lawyer which ended in disaster and he was found guilty in both the Colombo and Commission trials. He was sentenced to a staggering 139 years behind bars. Even though he was clearly going to spend the rest of his life in prison his hold on the Colombo family continued. He would name multiple acting bosses including his brother Allie Boy and his son Little Allie Boy keeping the family in the hands of the Persico faction.

The Colombo family would once again find itself at war as an internal beef broke out between rival factions. One faction was loyal to Persico and another to rival mobster Victor “Little Vic” Orena whom Persico had installed as acting boss. Orena made a move to wrestle control of the family from the Perisco clan which led to multiple murders on both sides. It also attracted the attention of law enforcement which led to over 60 indictments and 50 convictions severely crippling the crime family.

Alphonse “Allie Boy” Persico would eventually be sent to prison for life just like his father after being found guilty for the murder of William Cutolo. The Persico family reign was slowly weakening although it seemed clear the beleaguered crime family wouldn’t be completely out from under until Carmine Persico was gone. With fewer and fewer family members and allies on the streets, the Persico families control seemed to be nearing the finish line. Now the NY Mob family finds itself without an official boss for the first time in many years and in search of new leadership and direction.

There will undoubtedly be plenty of speculation as to who is next in line to take the reigns as the organization moves into a new era. It seems as though current acting boss Andrew “Andy Mush” Russo may be the right man for the job. He seems to be well respected on the streets and could step in as the new official boss of the family in what would seem to be a fairly smooth transition. Although there may be other candidates that emerge once the dust has settled.

The Colombo family is still the weakest of New York’s five families but they have steadied the ship some in recent years. They are believed to still have anywhere from 50-70 made mobsters and are still a very viable organized crime family with reports of their demise being a bit premature.

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Michael Mancuso the alleged boss of the Bonanno crime family was released from a halfway house in Brooklyn Yesterday March 12th according to his official release date.

Mancuso also known as “The Nose or Mikey Nose” was sentenced to 15 years behind bar’s back in 2008. According to the indictment he and former acting boss Vincent Basciano ordered the 2004 murder of Bonanno associate Randolph Pizzolo. The veteran mobster would eventually plead guilty and become a guest of the government. Mikey Nose had reportedly been bumped up to acting underboss by Basciano back in 2004. He would allegedly become the Cosa Nostra families acting boss later that year after Basciano was sent to prison for life.

“Michael ‘Mikey Nose’ Mancuso”

According to reports Mancuso became the crime families new official boss around 2013 while he was behind bars. A law enforcement source at the time was quoted as saying “Mancuso’s the boss and he’s running the family from jail.” He is the first wiseguy to hold that title in the Bonanno family since former boss Joseph Massino who flipped and became a government witness back in 2005. He has allegedly been calling the shots from prison with the help of his Bronx-based associates along with various acting bosses that included Thomas DiFiore and most recently Joseph Cammarano Jr. who is currently on trial.

Mikey Nose’s history in organized crime dates all the way back to the 1980s when he was an associate of the infamous Purple Gang. He shot and killed his own wife in 1984 which landed him in prison for ten years after pleading guilty to manslaughter. His violent nature and criminal past worked to his advantage and he fell in with a Bronx-based Bonanno family capo shortly after his release. He worked his way through the ranks becoming a made man in the New York Mafia by the late 1990s.

Now that the Bonanno family has an official boss on the streets for the first time in years the question is how long will it last. He will undoubtedly be a high priority target for the feds added to his track record of being unable to avoid the can it could make for a bad combination. The Mafia family has certainly had its share of up and downs since the Massino fiasco and it will be interesting to see if Mancuso still holds sway with the families current factions outside of the Bronx and if so can he get the beleaguered Borgata back on track.

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Prosecutors accused Joseph Cammarano Jr and John Zancocchio of being leaders in New York’s Bonanno crime family.

They were indicted on racketeering and conspiracy to commit extortion charges. After a two week trial, both alleged mobsters were found not guilty by a jury in Manhattan federal court. Prosecutors claimed that Cammarano also known as “Joe C” was the acting boss of the Bonanno family and that Zancocchio also known as “Porky” was the current consigliere but were unable to make their case. Lead prosecutor Gina Castellano said in her opening statement that these men “worked together and with other members of the mob to commit crime after crime — extortion, loan-sharking, drug dealing, assault, and fraud.” She described the defendants as violent mobsters “who took whatever they wanted from whoever they wanted through intimidation, through threats and violence.”

“Joseph Cammarano Jr and John Zancocchio”

The defense claimed that their clients were unfairly profiled because they were Italian and that the Mafia no longer existed. Joe C’s lawyer said her client merely looked like he stepped out of central casting in a mob movie but that didn’t make him an actual wiseguy. Prosecutors presented evidence to the contrary which they believed proved that Cammarano and Zancocchio profited from the Cosa Nostra families rackets that included loan sharking, extortion, and much more.

Prosecutors were also armed with testimony from two Bonanno mobsters turned rat former captain Peter Lovaglio and associate Steven Sabella. But in the end, it wasn’t enough to convince a jury that either defendant was guilty of the crimes they were being charged with or that they were members of the New York Mafia. Another of Joe C’s lawyers said “the verdict is apparently the result of the government bringing a case without any credible evidence. We believe this is a just verdict and the jury was one of the most attentive juries that I’ve ever seen. From the opening and to the summation, they took very diligent notes, and we’re just very satisfied.”

This was definitely another setback for the feds in their fight against organized crime in New York. With alleged Bonanno family boss, Michael Mancuso back on the streets which was (detailed in a separate article here) the family seemingly has its complete hierarchy on the streets for the first time in years.

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Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali was shot and killed outside of his home in Staten Island according to reports.

The 53-year-old mobster was a high ranking member of New York’s Gambino crime family. Cali was reportedly shot several times in the torso just after nine last night. According to a police source, a witness that called 911 was said to have heard at least six shots. He was rushed to Staten Island University Hospital North and was pronounced dead. We will update as more details become available.

“Frank Cali”

An investigation is ongoing and police are reportedly looking for a suspect who drove away in a blue pickup truck. It’s still unclear as to the motive behind the attack on Cali and as to whether or not it was a mafia related hit. Frank Cali was a quiet low key old school wiseguy and was considered by many to be a rising star in the New York Mafia for several years now. There have been several reports that Cali had taken over as the Gambino family acting boss replacing aging Mafiosi Domenico Cefalu.

While many of those reports are still unconfirmed as to Cali’s official rank he was no doubt a leading figure within the Cosa Nostra family. Cali has long-standing ties to Italy’s Sicilian Mafia and deep roots back to the old country which made him a leading voice among the Gambino families Sicilian faction. Over the last few years, the Gambino’s zip faction has helped the family to re-emerge as one of the more powerful of New York’s five families.

Frank Cali is the highest-ranking member of the American Mafia to be murdered in New York since Paul Castellano back in 1985.

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According to reports, the murder of alleged Gambino crime family leader Frank Cali was captured on a security camera outside his home.

The 53-year-old mobster was shot to death outside of his Staten Island home around 9 PM on Wednesday. The video of the Frank Cali murder reportedly shows him emerging from his home apparently responding to his Cadillac SUV being rammed into by a pickup truck. After exiting the home he makes his way down the driveway where he speaks with the individual in the pickup according to the NYPD Chief of Detectives.

According to one report, the assassin picks up the license plate which had been dislodged from the SUV in the collision and hands it to Cali. Frank then steps over to the rear of his vehicle to put the license plate into a compartment turning his back to the pickup truck driver. This is when the driver pulled out a 9-millimeter handgun firing over a dozen shots six of which are believed to have hit Cali as he tries to escape by crawling under his vehicle. The gunman reportedly stood over Cali firing multiple shots into him in an effort to make certain he was killed before returning to the pickup and driving away.

The shooter was wearing a hoodie and a baseball cap and its unclear as to whether or not authorities will be able to get any kind of identification from the footage. The investigation into the murder is still ongoing and it is still too early to tell if the New York Mafia leader was the victim of a mob hit or not. Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali was considered to be a rising star in the Mafia over the last decade.

The Sicilian born wiseguy had deep ties within the Gambino family along with Italy’s Cosa Nostra or Sicilian Mafia. His wife was the niece for powerful Gambino captain John Gambino who passed away back in 2017.  He had other relatives including his brother in law Peter Inzerillo that were also alleged members of the Gambino family. Cali’s links back to the Sicilian Inzerillo mafia clan helped make him a leading voice among the Gambino’s powerful Zip faction. There has been plenty of speculation as to who may have been behind the hit on Cali and why but for now we are left with more questions than answers.

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According to reports, the NYPD has a suspect in custody in connection with the murder of Gambino crime family leader Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali.

The New York Mafia leader was shot and killed in front of his Staten Island home last Wednesday night around 9 PM. The suspect is a 24-year-old Staten Island resident named Anthony Comello according to multiple reports. Although the murder was captured on security camera footage (Frank Cali murder captured on security camera video) it was the suspect’s fingerprints which appear to have led authorities to him. He was reportedly picked up in New Jersey by U.S. Marshals this morning.

“Francesco ‘Franky Boy’ Cali”

The fingerprint was allegedly found on the license plate of Cali’s silver Cadillac Escalade SUV. According to sources familiar with the video footage, the suspect picked up the license plate which was dislodged from Cali’s vehicle after it was smashed into and handed it to him. Cali then turned to put the license plate into the rear compartment of his SUV the suspect then pulled out a weapon and fired several shots at least six of which are believed to have struck Cali leading to his death.

The brazen hit was carried out in the open within the lavish Todt Hill neighborhood with Cali’s family inside his home. Some sources have signaled that the Frank Cali murder may not have been tied to organized crime.  The motive for the gruesome murder is still unclear although uncorroborated sources have claimed it may have been linked to a personal dispute. The story is still unfolding and updates will continue as more information become available.

UPDATE:  The suspect has been identified as Anthony Comello. According to Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea, the investigation is still in its early stages and multiples angle are still being explored. Sources close to the case believe the dispute may be tied to a woman in Cali’s family. Shea said police have recovered the truck but have not recovered the gun used in the murder.  Comello will be extradited from New Jersey to New York to face charges according to the report.

The suspect has “crossed paths in some limited circumstances with the NYPD” according to Shea. He also stated that “We are well aware of Mr. Cali’s past. That will be a part of this investigation as we determine what was the motive for the incident on Wednesday evening.”  As of now, no links between the suspect and organized have been mentioned or made public. 

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Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali an alleged leader in the Gambino crime family has been laid to rest after being gunned down in front of his home in Staten Island.

The murder of the 53-year-old wiseguy was not believed to be mafia related and the suspected shooter Anthony Comello is now in custody. Cali was a rising star within the New York Mafia who was known for his old school low key way of doing things. He had strong ties to both the Gambino’s as well as Italy’s Sicilian Mafia. His death is no doubt a huge loss for the Gambino family who now has to move on and replace a key member of their hierarchy. Exactly where Cali ranked within the crime families administration is somewhat unclear although there is already plenty of speculation as to who could fill his shoes including veteran mobsters like Lorenzo Mannino.

“Frank Cali and Lorenzo Mannino”

According to some unconfirmed reports Cali took over as acting boss for Domenico “Italian Dom” Cefalù back in 2015. Cefalu and Cali are both part of the families powerful “Zip” or Sicilian faction. But various other sources believe that Cali could have remained underboss or even held the rank of consigliere. The new low key approach by the Gambino family leadership has been successful of late at keeping most everyone guessing as to exactly who holds what post. Regardless of official rank, he was certainly one of their most respected leaders and an important part of the families future.

Among the names being tossed about that could step in and fill Cali’s shoes as mentioned above is Lorenzo Mannino and for good reason. He is a member of the families Sicilian faction once working under now-deceased mobster John Gambino. While some believe Mannino may already be part of the families hierarchy according to information from “Project OTremens” Mannino is identified as a highly respected captain of what is believed to be a Brooklyn crew. With the Sicilian faction seemingly still calling the shots, he would seem to be a prime candidate so his status may soon change officially.

Another popular name amongst the recent conjecture has been Gene Gotti who was recently released from prison after doing 29 years on drug charges. What would a Gambino family rumor mill be like without a Gotti being tossed into the mix? While there is no doubt that Gene is highly respected it’s still unclear as to whether or not he is even still involved and not simply happily retired at age 71 enjoying life with his family. Added to the fact that he is still on paper and the feds are most certainly watching his every move. So it seems extremely unlikely that he would be in a position to take on this kind of role and he may not even want to.

Dominick Cefalu the brother of Domenico and an alleged captain in the family could also be a possibility. His name is seldom seen as he like his brother keeps a very low profile but he would seem to be respected enough for a more prominent role and his family ties to the top couldn’t hurt. Sometimes guys getting bumped up into administration roles has more to do with factions and family harmony as it does anything else. Maybe the Sicilians aren’t still in the position of power that they seem to be. If so than perhaps someone from the non-Sicilian faction gets moved up the ladder.

If so perhaps the Corozzo’s will once again play a role in the Cosa Nostra families leadership structure. Former acting boss Nicholas “Little Nick” Corozzo is scheduled to be released from prison in March of next year. His brother Joseph “Jo Jo” Corozzo who once held the position of consigliere could also be in the mix although its unclear as to what either’s current status is today. They would most certainly have the backing of some captains like Leonard “Lenny” DiMaria. It could also be possible that DiMaria who has been a close associate of Little Nick’s for years could himself get moved up out of respect for his standing.

There may also be some new blood among the ranks that we are still unaware of poised to take a leap. I am sure there will be other names included as various other sources and mafia experts weigh in. It will interesting to see not only how the void gets filled but also the effect if any that may arise from the loss of Frank Cali.

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Paul Semplice an alleged soldier in the Gambino crime family has been sentenced to 20 months behind bars for loan sharking conspiracy.

The 55-year-old mobster pleaded guilty to running a mafia linked loan-sharking operation that included an exorbitant annual 54% interest rate. He also admitted to assaulting two borrowers identified in the indictment as (John Doe No. 1 and No. 2) one a needy businessman and the other a gambling addict in an effort to collect late payments. Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced Semplice’s sentence in a Department of Justice release. During the Brooklyn Federal Court, hearing Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Rolle said “The defendant preyed on crimes of opportunity. One of those was a needy businessman, and the other was a desperate gambler, in the defendant’s words, who said, ‘You’re gonna make me die.’ And he did die. That’s who Paul Semplice has chosen to be — even as a man in his 50s.”

Semplice was captured on wiretap conversations with a cooperating witness (Vincent Morena) talking about his loan sharking scheme. He told Morena about the $200,000 loan he made to “John Doe No. 1” saying he collected $9,000 per month in interest or 54% and that he personally pocketed 8k of it. He referred to the arrangement with the victim “a beautiful thing.” In another conversation, he talked about abusing “John Doe No. 2” saying “I started abusing him, right. He was in his forties…. Once I – I had to smack him. I go, ‘What?’ Bang! I go, ‘I’ll smack you again.’ He goes, ‘Why?’ ‘Cause I shouldn’t have to come to see you.’ ”

In yet another recorded conversation Semplice boasted to the Morena that he had a “very special relationship,” “like brothers,” with Lorenzo Mannino a high ranking Gambino family captain in the family and “answer[ed] to nobody but him.” According to the feds they also learned from the wiretapped conversations that Semplice introduced Morena to members of an Italian crime family described as “the Gambino boys.” Semplice is believed to be part of a Brooklyn crew led by Mannino that is part of the New York Mafia families Sicilian faction.

Brooklyn Federal Judge Pamela K. Chen noted that even though this was Semplice’s first arrest his Cosa Nostra ties belie any claims of a clean past. She said “He is a made member of the Gambino crime family. That is not something I can ignore. This isn’t the garden club. You cannot be a made member in the Gambino crime family as well as commit this crime … and still, see yourself correctly as a good person.” She also made note of the relationship with Mannino that he made reference to during the recorded conversations. Chen also said about the meeting with the Italian crime family members that “Introductions like that can only be made by inducted members of the Gambino family.”

Friends and family wrote letters to the court urging for a reduction of the recommended federal sentencing guidelines of 34-months. Paul Semplice said that from the bottom of his heart he deeply regretted his actions and it was not what he wanted people to remember him for. He said he accepted his punishment with the confidence that he was putting it all behind him according to a NY Daily News report. Along with the 28-month sentence, the judge also sentenced him to two years of post-release supervision. He is set to begin his federal prison term on May 31.

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Alfonso D’Arco the former acting boss of the Lucchese crime family and the first mafia boss to become a government witness passed away at the age of 86 according to reports.

D’Arco became a made guy in 1982 and began to make his way up the ranks of organized crime before deciding to become a turncoat and flip on his mafia pals. Lucchese family leadership shifted in the mid-1980s opening the door for D’Arco to move up to captain. New boss Victor Amuso appointed D’Arco to be a part of the families construction panel and help oversee all union and construction rackets. There were joint deals made between the Lucchese’s and the other New York Mafia families making it one of the mob’s most lucrative businesses.

Back in early 1991 Amuso and underboss Anthony Casso had gone into hiding after being tipped off about an upcoming indictment. They choose D’Arco to be the Cosa Nostra families acting boss in their absence. Both Amuso and Casso had gained a reputation for being overly violent and extremely paranoid which created lots of internal problems within the crime family. The Lucchese family leaders had ordered dozens of murders during their reign under the idea that they were potential informants all the while it was more about taking out potential rivals in an attempt to strengthen their position atop the family.

Just months after D’Arco’s promotion they had already switched gears demoting him from acting boss and placing him into a ruling panel that would oversee the families day to day operations. During his time as acting boss, he was ordered by Amuso and Casso to have several wiseguys aligned with the Lucchese family killed. One of the hits on family soldier Pete Chiodo who was incorrectly identified as a turncoat went bad and he figured his bosses would blame him for the screwup. His demotion was probably a sign that the murderous duo had lost their faith in him. He began to fear for his life and the life of his wife and kids and at a Lucchese family meeting in 1991, he became convinced that two Lucchese capos and a soldier were planning to kill him.

His next move was to seek help from federal authorities by agreeing to become a government witness. He would prove to be a wealth of mafia information giving the feds details about mafia controlled unions, construction payoffs, loansharking, along with a detailed list of leaders from all of New York’s five families. He would first take the stand as a key witness in the takedown of his former boss Vic Amuso. He would continue to take the stand and help take down Colombo family leader Victor “Little Vic” Orena, Bonanno family leader Anthony Spero, and legendary Genovese family boss Vincent Gigante.

Alphonse “Little Al” D’Arco would eventually be credited by the feds for helping to take down over 50 mobsters. His defection was one of the biggest blows to the American Mafia to date. He and his family were placed into the witness protection program as part of his agreement with the feds. When asked by a prosecutor at a previous trial if his previous life in the mafia was worth it he said: “No, I’m 65 years old. What has it gotten me? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Yes, I have my wife and I have my son. But I was the one who got my son into the Mafia. And what did I accomplish by doing that? My son is a drug dealer. No, I’ve got nothing to show for it. What a waste of my life.”

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