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c. 1970s
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Joseph Abate was a Captain in the Lucchese Family.
Born July 8, 1902 in Marsala comune of Trapani, Sicily to Giuseppe and Catherine Misso. Father from Vita, Trapani.
Relative Onofrio Abate was a suspected Sicilian Member who may have transferred to the Lucchese Family.
Another relative, Trapani Boss Salvatore 'Toto' Minore, spent some time in the United States before returning to Sicily, where he was murdered in 1982.
By mid-to-late 1930s Joseph was involved in a ladies clothing manufacturing business at 86-11 101st St in Ozone Park, Queens.
He is believed to have already been a member of the Lucchese Family. (He may have instead been with the Newark Family until its disbandment around the late 1930s.)
In mid-April 1938 among several arrested by the Alcohol Tax Unit following indictment by the US Attorney's Office in Trenton on Federal bootlegging (unregistered still) charges. Others indicted included Future Genovese Member John Lardiere.
Abate, using the aliases Joseph Pernatto / Pignati, gave an address on Arctic Ave in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
On July 1, 1938 Abate, Lardiere and co-defendant Anthony LaManna were sentenced by USDC NJ Judge J. Boyd Avis to one year one year Federal imprisonment.
In June 1939 the US Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Abate's conviction. Press of Atlantic City reported: "[Abate] and a group of other men were convicted of manufacturing alcohol on farms on outskirts of Atlantic City, and distributing it to the 'retail trade' from two garage."
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At Lewisburg (5/40)
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By early May 1940 he was incarcerated at USP Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
By February 1942 took up residence in the Penn-Atlantic Hotel in Atlantic City. Self-employed from the same address.
By the following year operated the Abate Clothing Company at 9 North Carolina Ave.
In 1946 the company moved to 227 North New Hampshire Ave.
By 1948 he and wife Carolyn Fiore were living at 303 Pitney Rd in Absecon, a town located about six miles north of AC.
By July of that same year the couple moved to 8905 Atlantic Ave in Margate.
As a member of the Lucchese Family, Abate may have initially reported to Captain Joseph 'Joe Palisades' Rosato. (CW Valachi later named one 'Don Abate' as reporting to Rosato at some point prior to the late 1950s. Rosato was Family Boss Thomas Lucchese's brother-in-law.)
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c. 1960
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By 1960 Abate served as Captain of the Lucchese Family's New Jersey crew.
Made members of Abate's crew included Anthony 'Ham' Dolasco, Biagio 'Benny' Pizzolato, Leonard Pizzolato and Vito Pizzolato.
Probable crew members included Onofrio Abate and Settimo 'Big Sam' Accardi.
Known crew members were all from Vita with the exception of Dolasco (Gagliano Castelferrato, Enna).
At the time Abate and his wife were President and Secretary - Treasurer respectively of the Atlantic Coat Company at 440 Willow Ave in Long Branch, New Jersey, with an additional location at 21 North Florida Ave in AC.
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A. Dolasco (1950s)
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Around this time an FBI bug active in New Jersey received the following: “[Bug] advised La Cosa Nostra member Anthony ‘Ham’ Dolasco was then attempting to intervene in a teamsters union problem. He indicated that he had to work through his ‘Capo’ and immediately placed a telephone call to Joseph Abate at the Atlantic City Coat Company. Abate was not in. [Bug] could not establish whether Abate was Dolasco’s ‘Capo’ or merely someone through whom Dolasco could contact his ‘Capo’. Subsequently [bug] advised that he had determined from (Genovese Captain) Gene Catena Dolasco’s ‘Capo’ was ‘Benuch’. Dolasco was clearly established to be a member of the Lucchese Family of the LCN.” ('Benuch' and its alternate spellings were originally believed by Agents to be references to Biagio Pizzolato, who died in 1964. Information picked up on an FBI bug ten years later led the Bureau to conclude that the nickname was in fact referring to Abate.)
'Ham' Dolasco, who died in 1963, led a group of Associates that included Anthony 'Tumac' Accetturo.
As detailed in Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America's Most Powerful Mafia Families (Selwyn Raab, 2005), Accetturo's role as an Associate entailed collecting extortion payments and loanshark debts as well as helping to oversee the crew's numbers business.
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L. Pizzolato
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The book describes an incident where Accetturo, tasked with delivering the crew's monthly kick up, met Joseph Abate for the first time and made the mistake of telling the Captain 'how honored he was to be in his presence'. Abate ordered him out of the car and drove off, after which crew member Leonardo Pizzolato 'blisteringly reprimanded' Accetturo, stating that he had no right to talk to Abate. Pizzolato warned Accetturo never to mention Abate's name and to speak only when addressed if he wanted to 'stay alive'.
On May 11, 1965 DeCavalcante Underboss Frank Majuri visited with Family Boss Samuel DeCavalcante at the latter's place of business in Kenilworth, New Jersey. The FBI's Newark Field Office summarized: “
...Sam told Frank of some trouble he’s been having with Vito (LNU) who has been working in Elizabeth. He has sent for Vito but Vito is ignoring the summons, so now Sam has sent for Benutz (ph). Although vague, it appears this matter involves the continuing effort by Sam to make sure all the ‘amigo nostra’ are employed on construction jobs which he can influence through Joe Sferra. Some of those employed belong to Carlo Gambino, and Sam has felt a special responsibility toward them. He is, however, becoming annoyed at their complaints and lack of gratitude. From Frank’s remarks, it could be deduced Benutz (ph) occupies a higher rank than Vito, who wanted authorization before negotiating anything with Sam. It will be recalled the late Anthony (Ham) Dolasco was responsible to an individual whose named sounded like Benutz (ph), and who was never identified.” (Vito likely refers to Abate crew member Vito Pizzolato.)
On May 10, 1969 the Abate Importing Company was incorporated at 26 North Kennedy Ave in Atlantic City. Abate served as President with 70% holdings.
On January 29, 1970 interviewed by FBI in Atlantic City:
“
Abate advised he came to the US from Marsala, Sicily, in 1924. He operated a clothing factory on Long Island from 1942 to about 1944, at which time he returned to Atlantic City, NJ, and opened a factory on North New Hampshire Ave. He subsequently moved the operation to North Kentucky Ave. He also operates a factory at Long Branch, NJ, and is engaged in both civilian clothing production and blouses for the US Air Force.
He was arrested by the Federal Government about 1932, and charged with bootlegging. He received one year and one day in the Federal Prison at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He served four months of this time.
"
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B. Pizzolato
1939 Naturalization Doc |
Agents questioned Abate about various Jersey-based LCN figures:
"
He said he has known Anthony ‘Ham’ Dolasco for many years and his relatives. He was questioned concerning the identity of anyone or himself known as Benuch or Penooks or any likeness in Italian thereof. He said he has no nicknames, but there is a name called Benuzzo, and pronounced similar to ‘Benucho’, which is Italian for Benny. He said the only Benny that readily comes to mind is one Benny Pizzolato, who used to work for him during the mid to late 1950’s. He knew Benny’s relatives prior to this, and believed Benny himself was from the old country, meaning Sicily. Benny worked as a foreman for him in his factory at Atlantic City, having come to Abate when he was broke and needed a job. Benny was a gambler and played the horses heavily, but was not known to take action himself. Benny has a brother, Leonard, who currently resides in Newark, as do other relatives, and as of three or four years ago, Leonard was in the clothing business in the Newark area.
He did not believe Benny worked for him too long when he left and returned to Newark, occupation there unknown. Subsequently, Benny left the Newark area and moved to Florida where he opened an Italian restaurant on the outskirts of Miami, in the vicinity of 89th and United States 1. Several years ago he, Abate, was in Miami, and stopped in to eat at Benny’s place, but had no other contact with him. He believed Benny died some five to seven years ago in Florida, and was buried in Newark.
He could not say for sure whether Benny introduced Anthony ‘Ham’ Dolasco to him, but it is his recollection that is probably how he met Dolasco. He said Dolasco is also dead. He did not know if Benny was a member of LCN or not, but said it was certainly possible. He pointed out anyone who is a member certainly will not say if they are a member no matter how good of a friend you are of this person. He had not heard any of Benny’s relatives in Sicily were members of LCN, but said Benny had come from the same general area he had come from.
He was asked if he knew Jerry Catena, and replied he did not personally know Catena, but knew whom the Agent was talking about, having read about him in the newspapers. He denied profusely he had any connection with this organization, stating he had spent all of his life engaged in hard work, with the exception of the time he was arrested for bootlegging, which happened while he was a young man ‘fooling around’ with the wrong crowd.
He could not recall having ever received any telephone calls from Anthony Dolasco in North Jersey, but did not preclude this possibility. He said it would be quite possible Benny might have received calls from Dolasco, and he, Abate, would not have known anything about the calls even if they had been received at the factory. Invariably, Benny always came to Abate when he was down and out, and he would do whatever he could to help him since they both came from the old country, and Abate’s relatives knew Benny’s relatives in Sicily. He again reiterated he had no connection with LCN. Abate stated he resides in Margate, NJ, and was born 7/8/1902, in Marsala, Sicily. He is married and has two children. He has no other arrests.
”
By the early 1970s the Abate crew included several Associates who would go on to become influential figures, including Anthony Accetturo, the Pernas, Thomas Ricciardi and the Taccettas. The group was involved in a variety of crimes ranging from gambling to drug ripoffs and also carried out multiple murders.
In July 1971 Abate's relative Antonino 'Toto' Minore was arrested in Toms River, NJ on CPW charge. Address and phone book seized. Entries included Joseph Abate, Gaspare Catalanotti (Detroit), Thomas Borgese, Onofrio Milazzo and Antonio Mule. FBI later reported: "Investigation [reflects] virtually all [entries] are OC connected or are identified members of LCN...Many of the remaining [entries] have been identified as pizzeria operations or persons who operate them, all of whom are Sicilian aliens."
In 1973 FBI CI reported: "Joe Abate owner of the Atlantic Coat Company is the cousin of Leonard Pizzolato, [redacted] Pizzolato. Joe [redacted] Abate come from the same town in Sicily. Joe Abate is reportedly a Lucchese Capo."
Beginning in the mid-1970s Abate was the subject of multiple FBI surveillances.
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J. Abate in Midtown (1970s)
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On June 4, 1974 Agents observed him meeting with two Unspecified Males in the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 8th Ave and W 40th St in Midtown, Manhattan.
On January 3, 1975 FBI NK reported: "Recent investigation has determined Abate has incorporated a new company, Abate Importing Company, 28 North Kentucky Ave, Atlantic City, NJ which address is also the location of his principal business, Atlantic City Coat Co Inc. Business operations for Abate Importing Co however center around Building 201, Held Warehouse, Port Newark, NJ. During the course of previous investigation, it was learned Abate was planning to start a business importing wine from Sicily. it is believed Abate Importing Co is engaged in that business."
On January 28, 1975 FBI CI reported: "[CI] provided the following list of people he believes to have a 'button' and they Family they belong to...Joseph Abate - Unknown."
On February 20, 1975 US Customs Philadelphia advised FBI: "[USC] advised Joseph Abate, according to records submitted for license to import liquor, plans to import red and white wines from Italy. Point from which importation will occur is the Contain Sociale, a cooperative in Marsala, Sicily."
On March 3, 1975 FBI NK reported: "[Newark Office] has been unable to identify [Joseph Abate] as a member of La Cosa Nostra to date, however, investigation indicates he is undoubtedly an LCN member who exercises considerable control over operations of the New Jersey faction of the Lucchese LCN Family. The subject is also believed to be the boss of [Redacted; Anthony Accetturo], a top hoodlum of the New York and Miami Divisions whose organized crime operations and connections are regarded as major in both divisions."
On March 18, 1975 attended funeral for Antonia Ciotola Pastore, widow of Joseph Pastore, held at Gormley Funeral Home on Atlantic Ave.
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Abate (1) in Midtown (1970s)
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On April 18, 1975 FBI NK reported: "
During surveillance of Abate, on occasions when he has travelled to NYC, he has parked his car at the Kinney Parking Lot, W 40th St, opposite the Port Authority Bus Terminal and has thereafter walked to the Miller Building, where he has been observed to enter the Garment Carriers Easterly Store, Second Floor. Abate remains at Garment Carriers for only five or ten minutes and thereafter walks to the Port Authority Bus Terminal where he remains in the vicinity of the Coach and Post Restaurant until the person or persons meeting him that day appear. He, thereafter, either has lunch with these individuals or spends his time with them walking around the Bus Terminal concourse or walking on the city streets, while conversing. Abate thereafter returns to his car and drives to Atlantic City."
Through 1975 Abate was observed over a dozen times meeting with various individuals in Midtown.
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L. Pizzolato (L) and J. Abate (R)
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On April 29, 1975 Agents photographed Abate meeting with Lucchese Soldier Leonard Pizzolato.
On May 20, 1975 Abate and Lucchese Associate Anthony Accetturo were observed.
On June 17, 1975 Abate and Alexander Tambe were observed.
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S. Accardi (1975)
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On June 24, 1975 an FBI photo surveillance set up on the Atlantic City Coat Company caught Abate meeting with Suspected Lucchese Member Settimo Accardi, Leonard Pizzolato and others.
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O. Abate
FBN Mafia Book
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On June 27, 1975 FBI reported: "It should be noted Onofrio Abate from New Jersey [is] suspected of being an importer of illegal Sicilian aliens [and] has been in telephone contact with Philip Navarra from St. Nicholas St, Brooklyn, a Bonanno Family associate. [File review] reveals Onofrio Abate of West Orange, NJ is a relative of Giuseppe (Joseph) Abate, 8905 Atlantic Ave, Margate...Giuseppe Abate has previously been in contact with Charles Matranga who is the brother-in-law of Joseph LoPiccolo who is reportedly a front for Mafia Boss Joseph Bonanno. It has also been determined Joseph Abate has been in telephone contact with [Redacted], reportedly a button man in the Bonanno Family of LCN. It should also be noted that Onofrio Abate of West Orange, NJ is married to [redacted] Settimo Accardi, and [Redacted] has previously been convicted of violating the Federal Narcotics Laws. It should also be noted Joseph Abate previously was employed from 1943 to 1948 at Abate Sports Wear, Ozone Park, and in 1954, he worked for [Redacted]."
On July 29, 1975 Abate, Suspected Lucchese Member Settimo Accardi, Leonard Pizzolato and Lucchese Associate John 'Johnny Trim' Trimigliozzi were observed.
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Abate (L) and J. Trimigliozzi (R)
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On August 5, 1975 Abate met with Lucchese Associates Anthony Accetturo and John Trimigliozzi.
On September 16, 1975 Abate and Lucchese Soldier Leonard Pizzolato were observed.
On October 1, 1975 FBI NK reported: "
During investigation into the activities of several high ranking members of LCN in the Newark Division over the past 10 or 12 years, the name [Benuchs]
or variations of it, have come up in monitored conversations and have consistently identified this individual as a Caporegima in the Lucchese Family. Informants of the Newark, New York, [redacted]
. As a result of investigation to identify [Benuchs]
, it was generally believed it was a nickname for Benny Pizzolato, a member of the Lucchese Family in Newark. Current investigation of Abate, however, identifies him as [Benuchs]
. The above related conversation on 4/10/75 represents the first time the name [Benuchs]
has come up for about 10 years. This conversation eliminates Benny Pizzolato [as Benuchs]
because Pizzolato died 9/4/64. The 4/10/75 conversation firmly establishes [Benuchs]
is currently living in Atlantic City."
On October 7, 1975 Abate's surveillance team reported: "
From 12:30 PM to 1:02 PM, Abate spent his time walking on 9th Ave, window shopping at the various meat and fish and produce stores on that avenue. It appeared he may have been awaiting a rendezvous, since on several instances he stood at the curb studying the oncoming traffic."
On November 17, 1975 Abate was photographed in Midtown with Lucchese Soldier Leonard Pizzolato, Lucchese Associate John Trimigliozzi and an Unsub (possibly Lucchese Associate Anthony Accetturo).
On November 19, 1975 Abate, Alexander Tambe and Unsub surveilled inside Cliff Restaurant located in Union City, New Jersey. The Unsub utilized a vehicle registered to one LoRusso.
In June 1976 Abate crew member Anthony Accetturo was
inducted into the Lucchese Family in a ceremony presided over by Acting Boss Antonio 'Tony Ducks' Corallo. Abate was present as Accetturo's sponsor.
Accetturo later reported that the ceremony was carried out in an abbreviated fashion. He was instructed to burn the image of a saint, absent a drop of his blood, while reciting the verbal oath.
On July 6, 1976 FBI CI reported: "[CI]
advised [Redacted]
was recently made into the Lucchese Family of LCN. Source stated [Redacted]
reports to LCN member Joseph Abate, who controls OC activities in Atlantic City, NJ." (This is believed referring to Accetturo.)
On December 29, 1976 FBI CI reported on new Gambino Boss Paul Castellano. The informant noted: "
...[CI]
believes the Gambino people will work in concert with Lucchese and other Families to solidify business ventures in Atlantic City. In that regard, one inference which might be drawn from the statement in captioned teletype (12/27/76)
, that no Capo is to handle the AC area, without prior clearance, that there is already a man of considerable 'strength' in the area. That man would be Joseph Abate of the Lucchese Family."
Abate suffered his first arrest in nearly forty years on July 20, 1977, when a Monmouth County Grand Jury indicted him on various charges stemming from the November 1976 arson of his clothing business in Long Branch.
On August 18, 1977 arraigned in Monmouth County Court, where he pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail.
Around Fall 1977 Abate crew members Michael Perna, Martin Taccetta and Michael Taccetta were
inducted into the Lucchese Family.
On February 5, 1978 an FBI Member Source in Newark identified Abate as a Lucchese Member.
On March 3, 1978 the FBI's New York Office advised FBI NK: "
...Carmine Tramunti took over as Boss [of the Lucchese Family]
after Lucchese's death [in 1967]
. Tramunti is presently serving a sentence in Federal prison. The Boss of the Family is Antonio 'Tony Ducks' Corallo, who operates out of NYC. A review of the available info reveals [Family's NJ faction]
is involved in gambling, loansharking, fencing securities, extortion and infiltration of legitimate businesses. The Lucchese Family today reside in the NYC area in such diverse locations as the North Shore of Long Island, Lower Manhattan, The Bronx, Staten Island and Westchester. A few members of this Family now reside in [NJ]
, and over the past few years some have been moving to Florida, and now a half dozen reside in the Sunshine State, apparently in the status of semi-retired. The following individuals in NJ have been identified as members of the Lucchese Family: [List includes Joseph Abate, Anthony Accetturo, Leonard Pizzolato and Giacomo Reina]
."
In July 1978 included in FBI's list of approximately 70 identified Lucchese Family members. An additional twelve individuals listed as suspected members.
On October 20, 1978 FBI conducted file review re Lucchese Boss Antonio Corallo: "
...Corallo was reported as of 2/24/78, to be appearing at a secret location in East Harlem where the various Capos report to him on a twice weekly basis at 1:00 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays."
By 1979 made members of the New Jersey crew included:
- Anthony 'Tumac' Accetturo (40y)
- Michael Perna (36y)
- Martin Taccetta (27y)
- Michael Taccetta (31y)
- Leonard Pizzolato (74y)
- Vito Pizzolato (68y) (IP?)
Associates of Interest / Possible Members included:
- Carmine Accardi (38y) (Son to Settimo)
- Michael Angelo Contino (36y)
- John 'Sonny' Giglio (39y)
- Joseph LaMorte (49y)
- Andrew Licari (49y) (Nephew to L. Pizzolato)
- Thomas Ricciardi (26y)
- Frank Suppa (38y)
- Angelo Taccetta (57y) (Father to Martin / Michael)
By 1980 Abate is believed to have stepped down as Captain of the Jersey crew.
He was succeeded by Anthony Accetturo.
In June 1983 identified as Lucchese Soldier in
Senate Chart of Lucchese Family membership.
Named as a Captain in
1985 and
1988 Federal charts.
During the April 1988 hearing noted above, the New Jersey Commission of Investigations entered a detailed
statement concerning local LCN activity. The Lucchese section notes: "
Criminal operations in New Jersey are under the supervision of Anthony Accetturo and Joseph Abate, both caporegimes, and soldier Michael Taccetta."
That same year tensions between Lucchese Boss Vittorio 'Vic' Amuso and the Jersey crew resulted in hits being ordered on Anthony Accetturo and several of his men.
Accetturo crew member Joseph LaMorte was shot and wounded in November 1989.
Several other murder plots were ultimately unsuccessful after the subjects could not be located.
The situation was mostly resolved after a meeting between three Lucchese Captains and Accetturo crew member Michael Perna. (Anthony Accetturo and Acting Captain Thomas Ricciardi subsequently cooperated.)
One of the mediators, Lucchese Captain Alfonso D'Arco, had been given temporary control over the Jersey crew during the conflict. Years later he testified: "[Accetturo crew members included]
Mike Perna, Sonny Giglio, there was Marty Taccetta, Michael Taccetta, another guy named Lenny Pizzalatti (sic)
and his nephew, I forgot his nephew's name. Those were some of the men. The original guy was (Former Lucchese Soldier)
Joe Schiavo's compadre, original of that before Tumac, by the name Nunzi." [Pizzolato's nephew was Andrew Licari.]
It's not clear what role, if any, Joseph Abate played during the conflict.
He died November 28, 1996 and was buried in Atlantic City's Holy Cross Cemetery and Chapel Mausoleum.
