Update

New Posts

1. Francesco Oliveri Murder (Gambino): 1988 murder carried out on behalf of Gambino Family's Sicilian crew. Removed the picture labeled as Oliveri; going by a Find-a-Grave entry posted by motorfab on the forum, it may actually be a photo of Oliveri's victim Giuseppe Gambino.

2. Paul Lamonge (Cleveland): Suspected Member active in Warren and Trumbull counties.

Full list of posts here.

Francesco Oliveri Murder (Gambino)

Francesco Oliveri was murdered by members and associates of the Gambino Family in May 1988.

Born March 17, 1932 in Torretta comune of Palermo, Sicily to Rosario and Francesca Gambino.

By 1988 immigrated to the US and lived with his family, including two sons, in ground-floor apartment at 41-15 35th Ave in Astoria, Queens.

Francesco worked at Ronzoni macaroni factory located down the block from his residence.

One of his sons was partners with an FNU DiMaria in a local barbershop.

Neighbors of the Oliveris included relative Giuseppe Gambino, a made member in the Gambino Family's Sicilian crew then headed by John Gambino (1940-2017).

G. Gambino Murder

In the early morning hours of February 22, 1988 Giuseppe Gambino was found severely beaten outside the 35th Ave apartment building. $1,600 cash and jewelry still on person. Taken to Elmhurst Hospital where pronounced dead.

At the hospital Gambino's wife, in the company of several relatives including Gambino's cousin Filippo Badalamenti, interviewed by NYPD. She claimed that the large amount of cash found in her husband's possession was intended to pay their mortgage

Questioned about a possible motive, the wife reported that the victim had recently been accused of slashing the tires of an Alfa Romeo belonging to one of Francesco Oliveri's sons. (The auto with its flat tires can actually be seen in photos taken at the scene of Gambino's beating.)

The NYPD officer who interviewed her later testified that she also talked of 'marital problems' leading up to the murder: "[Wife] said [sister] married one of the members of the Oliveri family in Italy and that they are having troubles there, which led to bad feeling here on both sides'."

Two days later Giuseppe's brother John Gambino (not to be confused with the Gambino Captain) was interviewed. He also claimed the murder resulted from the tire slashing and stated there were three participants in the fatal beating, namely Francesco Oliveri and his two sons.

Canvassing of the neighborhood also revealed that the year prior to Gambino's murder, the Oliveris had caught another individual flattening tires and assaulted him, resulting in one of the Oliveri son's being arrested.

G. Gambino Wake + Permission to Retaliate

J. Gotti (1989)

By February 1988 John Gotti was Boss of the Gambino Family. Frank 'Frankie Loc' LoCascio and Salvatore 'Sammy Bull' Gravano served as Acting Underboss and official Consigliere respectively.

Gotti's headquarters at the time was the Ravenite Social Club located on Mulberry St in Manhattan's Little Italy.

J. Gambino

John Gambino, appointed Captain a few months after Gotti took over the Family, typically reported to the Boss at the Ravenite a few times a month.

It was at the club that Gambino brought Giuseppe Gambino's murder to the Family's attention.

S. Gravano

Salvatore Gravano, who became a cooperating witness in 1991, later testified: "We were down at the Ravenite Social Club, Johnny Gambino who is a Captain in our family, came down and told us that his cousin, Giuseppe Gambino [who] was a made member in his crew, was killed and that he was going to go to the [wake] and would we attend the [wake]."

Wake held February 26 at Quinn Funeral Home located at 350-20 Broadway in Astoria. Attendees included Gambino Boss John Gotti, Acting Underboss Frank LoCascio, Consigliere Salvatore Gravano, Captains Joseph 'Joe Butch' Corrao, Jack D'Amico, James 'Jimmy Brown' Failla, John Gambino and Louis 'Big Lou' Vallario as well as Gambino Soldier Peter Gotti.

At the wake John Gambino approached Gotti, Gravano and others. Gravano: "He told us that Giuseppe Gambino was savagely beaten to death. He asked permission to investigate the death, and to retaliate. [Gotti said to] investigate it. Retaliate. Get back to us."

On March 2 Gambino reported at the Ravenite. Gravano: "Johnny Gambino and them found out who did the murder. It was Oliveri and his sons. John [Gotti] gave them permission to retaliate and take them out, kill them...[This] Oliveri and his two sons -- there was an argument or a fight, he said that the entire neighborhood knew what had happened and that they did it and that he was going to retaliate."

On April 14 Gambino returned and asked for assistance with the hit. Gravano: "Some time went by, a couple of weeks, four, five weeks went by, and [John Gambino] came back in to John Gotti and he told John Gotti that he was obviously handicapped [from a stroke], he had his brother and Lorenzo and he asked the boss for help from the family."

Hit Team

Gravano was tasked with supervising the murder and also served as a backup shooter.

Gravano:
"

...[John Gotti] called me on the side, spoke with me, told me the situation, and I had answered John Gotti. He [Gambino] had the manpower. He had the people. Let him do it. John Gotti said he had his reasons that he wanted to get involved. He told me to go on the hit, take it over, supervise it, make sure it gets done. He wanted me to use Bobby Cabert as the shooter. He specifically said he wanted him to be the shooter. He said [Cabert] was a ballsy guy, for me to report back his actions.

[Gotti] told me that Joe Gambino and Lorenzo were already on it, had a wealth of information about it, at this time there was a guy named Ossie [Stantini] who was an associate of our family. He was a proposed person to become a made member, he was close with Frankie DeCicco, who was very close with me.

After Frankie died, I knew Frankie's wishes were for [Stantini] to become a made member in the family. I thought this would be a good opportunity to use him as far as going on the work as well. I told John, if I needed Ossie, could I take Ossie with me. He thought the idea was a good idea and he said take control of it and do exactly what you have to do to get it done.

[Later on a different day] I met with everyone. I met with Joe Gambino and Lorenzo. I met with Bobby Cabert. I sent for Ossie when I was back in Brooklyn...I was with [Bisaccia] down in the Ravenite Club. I believe John already spoke with him. I told him that he was going to go on a piece of work, which he was aware of. I told him not to tell his captain. It was to be held just between us. That [it] was on record with [Gotti]. I told Ossie the same thing, that he was about to go on a piece of work with the family, not to tell Georgie DeCicco.

...[Joe Gambino and Lorenzo] had put together that Oliveri lived in an apartment house in Astoria, Queens. He worked in a macaroni factory. He parked his car in front of the building, and came out early in the morning and moved it. He walked from the macaroni factory after work. They told me that his sons owned a haircutting shop in that area, and they just seemed to have all information on the father and the two sons...I suggested that we go out there and look at everything and take a dry run.

"

R. Bisaccia

Designated shooter Robert 'Bobby Cabert' Bisaccia (1935-2008) was Acting Captain of Michael Mandaglio's crew in New Jersey.

Joe Gambino (L) and L. Mannino

John Gambino's brother Giuseppe aka 'Joe' Gambino (1946-) and Lorenzo Mannino (1958-), Associates in John's crew, were to serve as drivers and, in Mannino's case, spotter.

O. Stantini
Gang Land News

Gambino Associate Orazio 'Ozzie' Stantini (1945-2017) was to be a backup shooter.

April 19 - Dry Run

The dry run for the murder was carried out Tuesday, April 19.

FGA Foods Inc.

Govt Photo

At 6:00 that morning Lorenzo Mannino placed a call to FGA Foods, Inc. owned by Filippo Badalamenti and his brother Giovan Battista.

A residence linked to the Badalamentis located on 43rd St a couple of blocks from Oliveri's building would be used to switch cars before and after the murder.

Oliveri Apt Building
Victim was shot on May 3 after exiting black door

Around 9 or 10 a.m. the five members of the hit team, unarmed, arrived at the scene in a single vehicle.

Gravano: "We went out to the area. We got there about nine, ten o'clock. We saw the building where he lived. Approximately where he parked his car. It was not there. It was already moved. We looked at the entire neighborhood. If we did it there, how to getaway, what blocks to take, where there were lights, which streets to take, where to park, where to set up."

Barbershop (Arrow) and Florist
Govt Photo

"

From there we walked to the haircutting place. We parked the car. We walked in the neighborhood. We walked down the block of the haircutting place. It was just opening. There was a florist...I told the team to continue walking. I walked into the haircutting place. There was two young Italian guys in there. I believe [Oliveri's] sons. I asked them where the [florist] was. They told me there was one down the block. I walked out. I caught up to them down the block. I told them that [I] would have been able to kill the two on them right in the shop, right then and there.

At that time Lorenzo and Joe Gambino told us they weren't 100 percent sure about the kids on the murder of [Giuseppe Gambino] but they were 100 percent sure of the father. We turned our attentions to the father, back to the father, and the [apartment] building. We went there. We set up on it, and when we had the man down pat. We left to come back the following week to do it.

"

At 12:31 PM Lorenzo Mannino placed a call to Captain John Gambino's company G & G Concrete.

April 21

Mannino placed multiple calls to G & G Concrete.

Several calls also made from G & G Concrete's mobile number, used by John's brother Joe Gambino, to Safe Auto Sales operated by FNU Manfredi. Manfredi later testified that he often provided cars off the books to the Gambino brothers.

Additional calls placed that evening to John Gambino's residence.

April 22

John Gambino, his brother Joe and Lorenzo Mannino surveilled meeting with Boss John Gotti at the latter's Bergen Hunt and Fish Club in Ozone Park, Queens.

April 26 - First Attempt

The night before (Apr. 25) the group convened at the Ravenite Social Club and was recorded by FBI video surveillance going on a twenty-five minute walk and talk outside the club. Gravano later testified: "We went through it again briefly. We left off that Bobby and Ossie would pick me up from the house in the morning. We would go in to Brooklyn. Meet Lorenzo and Joe, which we did. They had the guns, the walkie-talkies, the stolen cars. We went to Astoria, Queens." (Govt noted this was the only time these particular individuals were surveilled meeting together as a group.)

Guns, cars and possibly walkie-talkies provided by Joe Gambino and Lorenzo. Gravano: "Joe Gambino and Lorenzo, it was their hit. We were just assisting in it."

The group arrived at the scene earlier than their dry run the previous week but still 'left slightly late' and failed to catch Oliveri outside the building. It was decided to try again the next week.

Same night Gravano touched base on the hit with John Gotti at the Ravenite.

April 28

Lorenzo Mannino called FGA Deli, then a couple of hours later placed a call to John Gambino. (This was the second of only two calls Mannino made to the deli during this period.)

May 2

At approximately 12:30 p.m. Joe Gambino called Safe Auto Sales. Two minutes later he placed a call to Caffe Giardino, a Sicilian crew hangout on 18th Ave in Bensonhurst.

From 1:12 to 1:50 p.m. Joe Gambino and Lorenzo Mannino met at the cafe. Bug inside establishment recorded pair having conversation in Italian. Topics included the need to obtain a car from Safe Auto's FNU Manfredi.

Translated excerpt:
"

Mannino: We have to go to Manfredi with Dino. We have to pick up the car.

...

Mannino: Yeah, yeah, I know, but Joe, we got to bring the car there tonight.

...

Mannino: Anyway, Joe, it's simple. Tonight, when I see them, I'll say, go get the car. All right...We'll meet tomorrow. That's all. The good one, I'll look for someone and he'll bring it tonight. It's just that I didn't want to see who it is.

"

From approximately 6 to 7 p.m. some members of the hit team present at the Ravenite. Gravano: "[Joe Gambino] came down to the Ravenite. Bobby was there. We really didn't have a meeting, but it was -- we took a walk-talk with John Gotti, with Joe Gambino and myself, he gave some messages from his brother with the company, with G & G [Concrete]. We [just] touched very, very briefly, John [Gotti], that we were going again."

May 3 - Oliveri Murder

Around 1:20 AM Joe Gambino and Lorenzo Mannino in contact by phone.

Around 4:52 AM Mannino called residence of one Gaetano Gallo located on E 7th St in Brooklyn. (This was the only logged call Mannino made to this address.)

Around this time one of the cars used in Oliveri's murder was stolen off the same street.

Later that morning Salvatore Gravano picked up at his Staten Island residence by Bisaccia and Stantini. According to Gravano, Stantini directed Bisaccia who 'didn't know the Staten Island area that well'.

Trio drove to apartment / stashhouse maintained by Sicilian crew located around 21st Ave in Bensonhurst.

Gravano:
"

Ossie and Bobby picked me up at my house, went in to Brooklyn. We met Joe Gambino, Lorenzo. Me, Bobby, and Lorenzo got into a legitimate car, drove -- Joe Gambino drove one of the stolen cars and Ossie drove the other stolen car, it was really -- it was dark. We drove to Astoria, Queens.

...[Near Badalamenti address on 43rd St in Astoria] me and Lorenzo got into one of the stolen cars. And the other three, Ossie, Bobby and Joe Gambino got in the other stolen car. Joe was the driver. Bobby was sitting up front and Ossie was sitting in the back.

"

Oliveri Apt Building
Bisaccia auto was parked where white car present (No. 1)
Oliveri shot and fell against tree (2)
Gravano and Mannino parked in vicinity 41st and 35th (3)
Gravano: "[If] in any way he would have saw this or been able to get away or run down here, he runs right into me."

"

...We came to the spot, the car was still there, it was not moved yet. We got into position. We had the walkie-talkies. They had one, I had one. We were all armed. We all knew what had to be done. Some time passed, it became lighter. People were going to work. I remember a police car had passed. Shortly after that Lorenzo told me that Oliveri had just came out of the building. He had on tan clothing. He had on a pea cap. He was walking toward the car.

I got on the walkie-talkie and told them to move. I watched the area. I watched Oliveri walking toward the car. I put the walkie-talkie down. I took my gun out to get ready. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Bobby Cabert running over to him, he shot him once.

Oliveri saw what was going on. Bobby slipped, shot him a few more times. He went back into the car. The car came shooting around the corner. [We] came right up bumper to bumper on it. They made a quick left where we were supposed to go. We went down a few blocks, we pulled over, we got out of the stolen cars. We got into a legitimate car, and we left and headed back to Brooklyn.

We got back to Brooklyn, we went to [21st Ave apartment]. Bobby washed up. We dropped the weapons off, the walkie-talkies off and everything else off. I told them to get rid of the weapons and to tell Johnny Gambino what happened and not to come down to Ravenite. I told Bobby not to come down Ravenite, and not to tell Mike Mandaglio. I told Ossie not to come down to the Ravenite and not to tell [George] DeCicco. We will [get back with] them.

And I was dropped off at my office. I took a shower in my office and changed my clothes, and I stayed in my office the balance of the day.

"

Also testified re shooting: "He got hit when he got his first shot. He fell down and landed and hung right on to the bottom branches of this tree." (See above)

Escape route used by hit team
Group took a left on 43rd St and drove a couple blocks north to vicinity of Badalamenti address where abandoned stolen cars and entered switch car

Around 10:25 a.m. one of the stolen cars used in the murder was recovered where the team left it. (As defense attorneys would later point out, only one of the two cars claimed to have been used in the murder was recovered.)

From 10:10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. multiple calls placed by Joe Gambino and Lorenzo Mannino to John Gambino's residence and business, as well as to NYU Medical Center where John was undergoing physical therapy.

A couple of hours later Joe Gambino called Safe Auto Sales, then placed another call to his brother John.

That night Gravano met with Gotti at the Ravenite:
"

I talked to him in the Ravenite slightly. I had an eye contact with him, I told him that -- I believe I said that the problem was solved. He says I think we should watch the news. It was on television, on the news.

Before or after, I'm not a hundred percent sure, I took a very, very short walk-talk with John Gotti. I reported to him that everybody did exactly what they were told, what they were supposed to do. They were all good men, acted that way, Bobby was very, very efficient in what he did. Lorenzo, who sat next to me, was calm and cool. I was reporting how they conducted themselves according to our lifestyle, how we would be interested. They all conducted themselves well.

We talked very, very limited about it. We went on to further conversations before we even got back. We got back and there was basically no conversation about it other than the fact that I had told John Gotti they weren't a hundred percent sure that the kids were involved, I didn't want to participate with the murder with the kids. We -- he was going to tell Johnny Gambino that we felt it was up to him if we were even, if he wanted to continue and take the kids out he would have to do that with his crew alone without me and without further help. It was open to his decision. I don't believe the kids were ever taken out, and it ended that way.

"

Gravano told Gotti that Bisaccia acted like a 'man's man' and Stantini 'performed well'.

Aftermath - Inductions + Promotions

Both Stantini and Joe Gambino were made into the Gambino Family within a few months. Gravano was present but couldn't remember when exactly the inductions took place. He also didn't clarify whether the two were made together or in separate ceremonies, only that others not named were made with Gambino.

J. Corrao

Following induction Stantini was transferred from George DeCicco to Gambino Captain Joseph Corrao's crew. Gravano: "When [Stantini] was proposed John Gotti didn't want to beef up Georgie DeCicco's crew, he had a dislike for Georgie DeCicco. We talked about it, I says, this should not hold back Orazio. We came to a plan. I had told John Gotti, I said, use the excuse that you want to beef up Joe Butch's crew, take him out of Georgie's crew. That was a good plan as far as John was concerned. That is what we did." (Stantini began showing up at the Ravenite with Corrao instead of DeCicco around August 1988.)

Bisaccia remained Michael Mandaglio's Acting Captain and took over the NJ crew officially after the latter's death in 1990.

Re Lorenzo Mannino Gravano testified:
"

[John Gambino] proposed the two of them [Mannino and Joe Gambino] at the same time. When we made a list to make people we told him that we were going to give his decine just one slot at that particular time, and we were going to make fellows in different decines, and at that point he recommended his brother to be first, and at a further date Lorenzo would be made.

...[Lorenzo] was on the list to be made. He wasn't made because he got arrested and he never got the opportunity, but he was proposed to become a made member in our family. Just didn't happen.

"

(Mannino was inducted after his release from Federal prison in 2004.)

Trials

In November 1991 Salvatore Gravano, now the Family's official Underboss, became a cooperating witness.

His testimony helped secure the life sentences given to Boss John Gotti and Acting Consigliere Frank LoCascio in June 1992.

In April 1993 he provided testimony against the Gambino brothers and Lorenzo Mannino.

The defense noted that during prior testimony about the Oliveri murder, Gravano had omitted Stantini's involvement, and continued to do so until a few months after John Gotti's conviction in 1992.

Gravano: "It was sometime while I was in prison, an FBI agent [called] me in prison and asked me if Ozzi knew [anything] about the homicide...I told him I would think about it. I hung up. I immediately remembered that I forgot that this guy was involved. I got in touch with the [prosecutor and] told him at that time that Ozzi was on the hit...It was something I remembered [when I] was asked a question if he knew about the homicide. He jogged my memory, I remembered it, I called up the U.S. Attorney and told him I forgot. The guy is a low-key guy. I don't know how I did it but I did, I completely forgot it."

The case ended in a hung jury on most counts including those related to the Oliveri murder. Early the following year all three pleaded guilty to the charges.

In November 1993 Gravano testified against Bisaccia and Stantini. Both convicted and given heavy sentences; Bisaccia died behind bars in 2008 and Stantini a few months after being released in 2017.

John Gambino remained an influential Captain and around early 2008 was named as part of a Family ruling panel. He also died in 2017.

Joe Gambino was released from Federal prison in October 2005 and in recent years was identified by Lucchese Soldier turned Cooperating Witness John Pennisi as a Family Captain.

Lorenzo Mannino was inducted after his release in November 2004 and has more recently been reported as part of the Family's administration.

More Gambino Family posts can be found in the Index.

Edit1: Removed picture labeled as Oliveri; photo appears to actually be that of Oliveri's victim Giuseppe Gambino going by Gambino's Find-a-Grave entry posted on the forum.

Paul Lamonge (Cleveland)

Dec. 1963

Paul Lamonge was a suspected member of the Cleveland Family active in Warren and Trumbull counties.

Stepbrother Angelo 'Andy' Perna (1910-1979) was a Cleveland Member.

Born October 14, 1913 in Youngstown, Ohio to Paul (49y) and Catherine Martino (37y). Father from Bellona comune of Caserta, Campania.

In 1914 the elder Paul died and Catherine later married Vincenzo Perna, whose first wife died in 1915.

Vincenzo, from Termini Imerese in Palermo, was the father of Future Cleveland Member Angelo Perna.

By April 1920 the family resided at 308 Grant St in Niles, Ohio located in Trumbull County, about eight miles from Youngstown. Vincenzo owned grocery.

By 1946 Lamonge resided at 415 North Cedar Ave in Niles and worked as bartender.

On May 3 of that year married Mary Kozup (25y).

By April 1950 the couple and their three children were living at 869 John St in Niles. Paul listed occupation as horsebetter.

By the late 1950s both Lamonge and his stepbrother Angelo Perna involved in criminal activity.

On October 2, 1958 FBI's Cleveland Field Office described Lamonge as 'known fence and racketeer from Niles'.

A. Perna

Perna, by then believed to be a made member of the Cleveland Family, was a noted associate of Detroit Member Anthony 'Whitey' Besase in Toledo's numbers racket. (Besase is believed to have been an in-law of Perna and Lamonge; like Perna, his father was from Termini Imerese.)

Lamonge may himself have been an inducted member by this time.

By 1961 he operated Capri nightclub located on Highway 422 in McKinley Heights, Ohio. Liquor license held by wife.

Around September 23, 1961 appeared under subpoena before Trumbull County Grand Jury investigating local sewage contracting project.

The Plain Dealer (10/4/61)

On October 2, 1961 among seven indicted by County Grand Jury re $283,000 extortion scheme involving local contractors and 'city business transactions'. Others indicted included Possible Cleveland Member James 'Bananas' Matash (1911-1977), also of Niles, as well as Trumbull County Democratic Party Chairman Frank Cickelli (51y) and City Councilman Raymond Little (49y).

Lamonge, specifically charged with extortion and witness intimidation, surrendered October 3.

On December 21, 1961 Capri nightclub destroyed by fire causing damage estimated at $75,000 (nearly $1 million today's value).

On February 5, 1962 began standing trial in Common Pleas Court. United Press International reported: "Lamonge is charged with threatening to kill two officials of contracting firms working on [sewer] project, larceny of $10,000 by trick and attempting to corrupt a witness."

On February 11, 1962 convicted on extortion and larceny charges. Acquitted on attempted extortion count and witness corruption charge dismissed prior to jury deliberations.

On February 16, 1962 sentenced by Common Pleas Judge G. H. Birrell to six to thirty-seven years imprisonment Ohio Penitentiary. Released on $10,000 bond pending appeal.

On or around November 5, 1962 Fourth District Court of Appeals affirmed conviction.

On May 15, 1963 Ohio Supreme Court upheld Court of Appeals' decision.

By late December 1963 serving sentence. (See top)

On June 15, 1964 identified by FBI Cleveland as Warren-based LCN member. Report noted Lamonge still incarcerated. (At least one other individual listed, John Nardi, is confirmed not to have been made.)

Further sections of report noted:
"

Paul Lamonge, date of birth unknown, is a resident of Niles, Ohio, alleged member of La Cosa Nostra, and has attended meetings with other individuals suspected of being in that organization. He is the half brother of Angelo Perna who resides in Toledo and who appears to be an underling of Anthony 'Whitey' Besase, who is reported to be a lieutenant of Jack White [James Licavoli] of Cleveland. Presently, Lamonge is serving a term at Ohio State Penitentiary in connection with an extortion plan to shake basic contractors for City of Warren, Ohio, sewage disposal plant. Lamonge attempted to bomb the home of the Niles Chief of Police John Ross and is responsible for a bombing at the C & S Club in Liberty Township, Ohio, several years ago. He formerly operated the Capri Night Club, Highway 422, near Niles, Ohio, which was destroyed by fire allegedly set by Lamonge. He was also in the bonding business in the Niles-Warren area.

...[Wife] of Paul Lamonge [advised] she had no positive information that her husband belonged to the 'organization' or 'syndicate', but that in conversation with her husband he often referred to 'organization' members as Anthony Delsanter of Warren, Ohio, James Licavoli of Cleveland, and Leo Moceri, Ernie LaSalle, and James LaFatch of Akron, Ohio. Other associates of her husband whom she would consider members would be 'Whitey' Besase and Angelo Perna, her husband's half brother, both of Toledo, Ohio.

"

(James LaFatch [1911-1993] was a Cleveland Member. James Licavoli [1904-1985], Calogero 'Leo' Moceri [1907-1976] and Ernest 'Ernie LaSalle' Fusco [1903-1974] were Detroit Members. Licavoli took over the Cleveland Family upon John Scalish's death in 1976, after which Moceri and Anthony Delsanter [1911-1977] became his first Underboss and Consigliere respectively.)

Same report noted: "[Sources] identified the following individuals as members of the 'Sicilian organization' in the Youngstown area which is under the control of the Cleveland 'Sicilian organization', probably operating under the jurisdiction of James Licavoli...Paul Lamonge."

C. Moceri
The Akron Beacon Journal

On February 9, 1965 Lamonge, still incarcerated at Ohio Penitentiary, called to testify at tax fraud trial of Detroit Member Calogero Moceri. The Cleveland Press reported: "[Lamonge and others] testified that Moceri purchased a string of automobiles during a four-year period when he claimed he had no income." The Plain Dealer reported: "Lamonge said that in November, 1960, Moceri instructed him to buy a Cadillac for $4,300 in Lamonge's name. He said Moceri gave him the cash to buy the car from a man who had won it in a raffle. He said he did not know why Moceri wanted him to buy the car in that manner." (Moceri received a directed verdict of acquittal the following month. In 1976 he disappeared as a result of a feud with Cleveland Associate John Nardi, noted above, and Irish gangster Danny Greene.)

On August 14, 1968 FBI CI reported: "...[CI] was shown photographs of the following Cleveland hoodlums but did not recognize them by name or photo: [Group includes Lamonge]."

On August 26, 1968 among 14 listed by FBI as suspected LCN members residing in Cleveland Division.

On April 6, 1969 among 3 arrested by Youngstown PD on possessing burglar tools charge. Others held were Joseph D. Rizzo and James Hardwick. Trio sitting in parked auto at 1531 Belmont Ave when confronted. The Plain Dealer later reported: "A search of the car revealed tools used in burglaries and loot stolen earlier in the night from the Chamber of Commerce office in Girard."

One week later arrested by US Secret Service on charges of possessing and attempting to sell $50,000 worth of counterfeit $100 bills. Lamonge, giving occupation as antique furniture finisher, remanded to Cuyahoga County Jail pending further hearing.

On May 12, 1969 Lamonge and four others, including Youngstown LCN affiliate Mario Guerrieri (37), indicted by US Attorney's Office in Cleveland on distribution and conspiracy charges re counterfeit bills. (Guerrieri [1931-2011] remained active into the late 1990s when convicted in an arson case.)

Around November 5, 1969 Lamonge and Joseph D. Rizzo each sentenced by Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge to one-to-five years Ohio Penitentiary following conviction on burglar tools charge re April 1969 arrest.

By May 1971 counterfeiting case co-defendants pleaded guilty and Lamonge stood trial alone in US District Court Cleveland.

On May 13 Former USSS Agent testified in case. The Plain Dealer reported: "Motto testified [that] agents arrested [Lamonge] after he had delivered a package of counterfeit $100 bills at 3 in the morning at the Holiday Inn on Ohio 8 in Boston Heights. Motto had contacted Lamonge in the evening at the motel bar, he said. He was introduced to the defendant by Charles DeMoss, an informer. Defense lawyer John R. Spain said DeMoss may be dead."

Five days later convicted. The Plain Dealer noted: "His was the first case to be prosecuted at trial by the strike force against organized crime here."

On June 16, 1971 sentenced by Judge Ben C. Green to five years per each of three counts to run concurrently. Released on $10,000 bond pending appeal.

Absent from a Federal chart of Cleveland membership compiled in 1985.

Little else is available on Lamonge.

He died August 12, 1999 in Warren.

More Cleveland Family posts can be found in the Index.

Joseph Giddio (Bonanno)

Apr. 1989

Joseph Giddio was a member of the Bonanno Family active in Lower Manhattan and Staten Island.

Affiliated with the Family's Chilli crew by the 1980s, he is believed to have been inducted sometime after the Bonanno defections of the early-to-mid 2000s.

Born August 9, 1927 in Manhattan to Frank (21y), a plumber, and Mary Arena (21y).

Both parents were Sicilian, with the father from Resuttano, Caltanissetta and the mother's family from comune of Augusta, Syracuse.

Other Lower Manhattan Bonanno members with Caltanissetta roots included Captain Angelo 'Moe' Prisinzano (1908-1979), believed to have sponsored the Chilli brothers for membership in the 1970s, and Angelo's older brother Frank (1902-1970).

Bonanno members from Syracuse Province included Captain Michael 'Mikey Pip' Consolo (1903-1968), Captain Matteo 'Matty' Valvo (1909-1985) and Matty's younger brother Benjamin 'Coney Island Benny' Valvo (1916-1981). (Consolo, murdered in the 1960s intra-Family war, came up in the same neighborhood as Giddio and family).

By 1930 the Giddios were living at 31 Monroe St in the Two Bridges - Lower East Side section.

Within a few years they had moved a couple doors over to 53 Market St.

By 1978 Giddio left Manhattan for Staten Island, residing at 40 Signs Rd in the Bulls Head section.

On March 15 of that year arrested by NYPD's Manhattan South Public Morals Squad on promoting gambling and possessing gambling records charges following evening raid at 34 Peck Slip in Lower Manhattan's Fulton Fish Market. $1,220 cash, several hundred betting slips and two telephones seized.

G. Chilli (L) and J. Chilli

By 1980s affiliated with brothers Joseph aka 'Junior' and Gerald aka 'Gerry' Chilli, both made members of the Bonanno Family from Lower Manhattan, whose activities included gambling and loansharking at the Fish Market.

Joseph Chilli had previously served as Acting Captain for Angelo Prisinzano noted above.

In July 1983 daughter married in Bulls Head. Staten Island Advance article noted that among the ushers and bridesmaids were members of the Chilli and Caiazzo families. (The Caiazzos may have been related to fellow SI resident and Gambino Captain Michael 'Mike Tali' Caiazzo [1912-1994]).

A. Spero

By 1985 the Chilli brothers both believed members of crew headed by Captain Anthony Spero (1929-2008). (Reports and charts from the early-to-mid 1980s instead identify Joseph Chilli as already being a Captain himself.)

Around April 1987 Spero was elected Consigliere, and the following month member source Gregory Scarpa, a Colombo Soldier, reported that Joseph Chilli had taken over Spero's crew.

Apr. 1989

On April 5, 1989 among 9 indicted by US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York on Federal racketeering charges related to Chilli crew activities. New York Daily News reported: "[Group charged] with using threats, violence and sophisticated electronic equipment to commit fraud, loansharking, and murder conspiracy."

Those indicted included:

Joseph Chilli (Bonanno Captain)

Gerald Chilli (Soldier)
Joseph Chilli III (Soldier) [Junior's son]

Robert Gangi (Associate)
Joseph Giddio (Associate)
Joseph 'Macky' Macaluso (Associate)
Alan Taglianetti (Associate)

On December 19, 1989 Giddio and seven others, including Joseph Chilli and his son, pleaded guilty in US District Court Manhattan. (Charges against Gerald Chilli were dismissed.)

On July 2, 1990 SDNY Judge Robert Patterson sentenced Giddio to five years imprisonment and $50,000 fine. Joseph Chilli and his son given fifteen years each and fined $250,000 and $150,000 respectively. Staten Island Advance reported: "[Trio] charged with gambling and being a part of an ongoing criminal enterprise that made loans at high rates of interest. It was estimated that some of the outstanding loans had an interest rate of 150 percent."

On April 6, 1993 released from Federal prison.

F. Lino
Gang Land News

From July 2000 to January 2002 Bonanno Captain Frank 'Curly' Lino was incarcerated at Nassau County Jail in East Meadow, Long Island. During that time Giddio visited Lino twenty-one times.

On a visit in October 2001 Giddio deposited $100 into Lino's inmate account.

On January 8, 2002 Lino was released and subsequently transferred to FCI McKean, Pennsylvania.

In October-November of that year Giddio and Bonanno Associates Joseph Amedure and Arthur Tarzia visited Lino at the facility.

The following April Frank Lino became a cooperating witness.

Joseph Amedure was sponsored for membership in the early 2000s but doesn't appear to have been inducted.

Tarzia was later made and by the mid-to-late 2010s served as a Captain.

By that time Giddio was also a made member, although he is absent from a 2014 government-compiled membership list.

J. Sabella (2015)

On January 3, 2013 Bonanno Captain Gerald Chilli subject of US Probation Office surveillance initiated at his residence, also in Bulls Head. Chilli was picked up by Giddio and driven to Bella Mama Rose located at 260 Morningstar Rd in Mariners Harbor, SI. Others observed at location included Bonanno Acting (?) Captain Joseph 'Joe Valet' Sabella. (Gerald's brother Joseph Chilli had since died.)

Dec. 2015

On December 16, 2015 Giddio attended a Family Christmas party held at Bocelli's Restaurant located at 1250 Hylan Blvd in the Arrochar section. Event subject of LE photo and video surveillance.

Those present included:

Joseph 'Joe C.' Cammarano Jr. (Bonanno Acting Boss)
Anthony Rabito (Consigliere)

Gerald Chilli (Captain)
'Big John' Contello (Captain)
Vito Grimaldi (Captain)
Peter Lovaglio (Captain)
Anthony Pipitone (Captain)
Joseph Sabella (Captain)
John 'Johnny Mulberry' Sciremammano (Captain)
John 'Porky' Zancocchio (Captain)

Albert 'Al Muscles' Armetta (Acting Captain for Lovaglio)
Anthony Fasitta (Acting Captain)
Ronald Giallanzo (Acting [Official?] Captain)
Vincenzo Masi (Acting Captain)
Natale Mule (Acting Captain for J. Grimaldi)
Michael Padavona (Acting Captain)

Stephen DeSimone (Soldier)
Joseph Giddio (Soldier)

Little else is available on Giddio.

He died September 25, 2021 in Staten Island.

More Bonanno Family posts can be found in the Index.

Frank Leto (Colombo)

F. Leto
Gang Land News

Frank 'Chickie' Leto was a Colombo Soldier active in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.

Affiliated with the Family since at least the 1970s, he was an inducted member by late 1989 and aligned with the Orena faction during the early 1990s Colombo war.

Following the war he reported to Captain Frank Melia and subsequently to Ralph Lombardo in Long Island.

Son Angelo Leto has been identified in multiple FBI reports and associated documents as also being a Colombo member.

Born June 26, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York to Angelo (30y) and Maria Selvaggio (34y). Father from Borgetto comune of Palermo, Sicily. Mother from Province of Bari, Puglia (possibly Palo del Colle).

Other New York LCN members from Borgetto included Colombo Soldier Salvatore Cammarata (1918-2008), Genovese Soldier Gaspare Lupo (1923-1989) and Lucchese Captain Paolo 'Paulie the Zip' LoDuca (1940-).

Prior to Frank's birth the Letos resided at 411 E 63rd St in Lenox Hill, Manhattan.

By the early 1930s the family had moved to Brooklyn, living at 623 Lincoln Ave in the East New York neighborhood. They remained at this address over the next two decades.

On November 20, 1935 father filed Petition for Naturalization in US District Court Brooklyn. Witnesses were (stepson?) Anthony Cassano and Mary Cassano. Naturalized following month.

By April 1940 father listed occupation as ice man (route delivery).

By April 1950 Frank worked as a building contractor's helper. Father Angelo partner in fuel oil company.

On December 7, 1951 enlisted in the US Marine Corps.

On December 4, 1953 discharged.

During 1966 spent time as member of Local 37 Hod Carriers' Union in Brooklyn.

By Summer 1968 moved to 88-28 195th Place in Hollis, Queens. Owned Party Time liquor store at 2518 Linden Blvd in East New York.

Press

On June 12, 1968 called to testify before State Investigation Commission Hearing regarding LCN influence with the hod carriers. New York Daily News reported:
"

Charges of threats came from [Leto who] was driven from the hod carriers' ranks, he testified.

Leto said he was a member of Local 37 Brooklyn. He said he wanted to reform things.

'When I tried to run for assistant delegate, I heard men talking that they had to pay to work,' he testified. 'I would hear payoffs had to be made to a shop steward or a delegate, that a shop steward had to pay a delegate $1,000 for the post.'

...He said former local Secretary-Treasurer Thomas Falletta had asked him to run with him because he wanted 'somebody honest'. Leto's post, had he won, would have paid $300 to $350 a week.

Leto said he and his wife received phone threats.

"

Associated Press, describing Leto as a 'hesitant' witness, reported: "Leto started his testimony by saying he 'never heard nothing' about rackets in the union. But he told about his candidacy and other things after testimony he had given at a closed session of the commission was read to him." Leto was quoted as testifying: "I was told they would blow my (obscenity) head off if I ran."

Thomas Falletta was blackballed from the union for the attempt and Leto was forced out of the race on a legal technicality; a friend, Joseph A. Ferrara, had forged documents to ensure Leto met the requirements to run for the position.

E. Fanelli

By May 1976 involved in bribery of Green Haven Prison guards on behalf of Colombo Associate Edward Fanelli.

Fanelli, a childhood friend of Leto's, was then serving a twenty-to-life NYS sentence for murder.

The New York State Commission of Investigation later summarized the scheme in a report titled Corruption and Abuses in the Correctional System: The Green Haven Correctional Facility.

On the morning of May 26, 1976, Fanelli escorted from Green Haven to visit ailing sister at Goldwater Memorial Hospital located on Manhattan's Roosevelt Island. NYS CoI report stated:
"

At the hospital they were met by Fanelli's friends and constant visitors, Frank and Fay Leto, who had been advised in advance of his scheduled visit. The Letos' presence did not bother the officers because of their frequent visits to the prison and the friendships they had developed with the guards at [prison].

After the visit, Fanelli, the two officers and the Letos stopped at Frank Leto's liquor store, Party Time Liquors, in Brooklyn. They all ate together at a Chinese restaurant and then proceeded to the Letos' home in Queens. Fanelli and Fay Leto drove off in the Letos' car. The two officers and Frank Leto headed for Manhattan in the state car [and visited] an apartment in a building on Twelfth Street which serves as a house of prostitution.

...The officers returned in the state car to the Letos' home to meet Fay Leto and Fanelli and noticed that the Letos' car had been in a minor accident. Edward Fanelli and the officers returned to Green Haven at about 8:15 p.m. approximately twelve hours after they had left.

[Report further noted] officers discovered that, reportedly while Fanelli had been driving, the Leto's car had been involved in a minor [accident]. Fanelli had switched seats with Fay Leto and paid the other driver not to report the incident.

"

On May 30, 1976 Fanelli seriously injured in an altercation with other inmates at Green Haven.

Some time after the incident Fanelli escorted from Green Haven to hospital where met by Frank Leto and Leto's wife. Commission Report noted: "After the doctor completed the treatment, Fanelli, the officers and the Letos went to a nearby restaurant. They enjoyed a lengthy dinner, including liquor and wine, seated at a large, center table in the well appointed restaurant." Group then visited Leto residence before Fanelli returned to prison.

On June 5, 1976 Fanelli escorted from the prison to attend sister's funeral held from Romanelli Funeral Home at 89-01 Rockaway Blvd in Ozone Park, Queens. Fanelli was instead dropped off at Leto's residence; Leto gave the officers $200 and arranged for a visit to a Manhattan brothel. Hours later the officers rendezvoused with Fanelli, Leto and Leto's wife at the funeral home. Afterwards the group ate at an Italian restaurant in Queens before Fanelli transported to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York.

(The report noted Leto figured into at least one additional case involving special treatment received by a prisoner.)

Edward Fanelli was paroled from Green Haven on December 1, 1976 and released to the Leto residence in Queens.

By 1979 Fanelli was an inducted member of the Colombo Family and reporting to Captain Gennaro 'Jerry Lang' Langella.

Leto was probably an on-record Associate of Fanelli's at the time.

(In April 1980 Fanelli, convicted on Federal conspiracy and counterfeiting charges, could not be located and a warrant was issued. It's possible he was murdered for getting involved in counterfeiting. By 1991 CI Gregory Scarpa told Agents that Fanelli was deceased. Scarpa provided no approximate date of death, but several of the others he identified as deceased in the same report had already been dead for up to a decade.)

On December 17, 1980 shot and wounded Shamrock Gamble (19y) and Jerome Lilly (23y) as the pair attempted to rob a fish and chips store his family owned in East New York. Business located adjacent to Leto's liquor store at 2518 Linden Blvd. New York Daily News reported: "[Leto] was working inside his liquor store [when] he heard a rapping on the wall. He put his ear to the wall. 'Dad,' he heard his 19-year-old son, Angelo, whisper, 'we're being robbed.' Police said today that Leto, 49, then took a .38-caliber pistol that he is licensed to carry and rushed from his store." Leto fired three shots in total; Gamble hit once each in leg and head and Lilly hit once in throat. Robbers taken to Kings County Hospital in serious but stable condition. (Five years later Lilly was charged with committing a murder during a home invasion.)

In May 1981 NYS Commission of Investigation published the report on Green Haven Prison corruption. Report noted:
"

Another inmate with generous friends on the outside was Edward Fanelli. Fanelli's boyhood friend and constant visitors were Frank Leto and Frank's wife Fay. Frank Leto is the owner of a liquor store in Brooklyn. The store, Party Time Liquors, was a regular stop on some of Fanelli's outside trips and officers would often be given free liquor. Fanelli once complained to another inmate about the free liquor and cash payments being given to officers:

...'But I know they went down to the liquor store that Eddie Fanelli's partner Chick, his name is Chick, owned.'

...'Eddie [Fanelli] told me about it. He said, these bastards are going down there to get whiskey, another bottle here, another bottle there, a few dollars here and there.'

On one occasion Leto gave an officer four wristwatches, each worth $150 or more...All the gifts were given with the understanding that Leto's friend Fanelli would receive special treatment.

"

On August 3, 1981 indictment charging one of the prison guards with multiple felonies was dismissed in Dutchess County Court for improper jurisdiction. Poughkeepsie Journal reported: "[Guard] was named in the report for allegedly leaving Fanelli unguarded in New York City on several occasions, once in exchange for $200 paid by Frank Leto. After each excursion, Fanelli returned to the guards and was escorted back to prison, according to the report."

A. Rotondo

Leto was an inducted member of the Colombo Family by the late 1980s, when he was formally introduced by Gambino Boss John Gotti to DeCav Captain (?) Anthony Rotondo outside Gotti's Bergen Hunt and Fish Club in Ozone Park, Queens.

Gotti told Rotondo that Leto was 'with Vic Orena', presumably placing the introduction after Orena's elevation to Acting Boss around April 1988. (Leto may also have reported to Orena during the latter's time as Captain.)

B. Aloi
Gang Land News

Around mid-1988 daughter of Colombo Acting Underboss Benedetto 'Benny' Aloi married. Those who attended the event included Lucchese Captain Salvatore Avellino, Lucchese Captain Anthony 'Bowat' Baratta, Lucchese Captain Alfonso 'Little Al' D'Arco, DeCav Captain Anthony Rotondo, Lucchese Soldier Carmine Avellino, Lucchese Soldier Domenico 'Danny' Cutaia, Colombo Soldier Frank Leto, Lucchese Soldier Joseph Massaro and many others.

Per court testimony from one of the co-conspirators, Frank and his son Angelo were involved in the November 13, 1989 murder of Colombo Soldier Thomas Ocera.

On the day of the murder, Colombo Associates Harry Bonfiglio and Michael Maffatore were at a local diner when they encountered the Letos. Maffatore later testified: "We were having breakfast when we saw Angelo and Frankie Leto coming in looking for the Town House Diner...We were in the Bedford Townhouse [about] three miles away...They left. They found [where] the right one was."

The Letos were en route to meet with Colombo Soldier Gioachino 'Jack' Leale, Bonfiglio and Maffatore's immediate superior and the individual responsible for overseeing the hit.

Later that morning Thomas Ocera was strangled inside the Merrick, Long Island residence of Colombo Captain Pasquale 'Pat' Amato. Jack Leale enlisted Maffatore and others to bury the body in a Queens park.

(Angelo Leto was inducted into the Colombo Family by the end of 1991, possibly as a result of his participation in the Ocera hit. Leale was shot to death on Halloween of the same year, punishment for the discovery of Ocera's remains brought about by Maffatore's recent defection.)

P. Gotti

Around 1989 daughter of Gambino Acting Captain Peter Gotti married, with reception held at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach, Queens. Attendees included Gambino Boss John Gotti (Peter's brother), DeCav Underboss John D'Amato, DeCav Captain Philip Abramo, Gambino Captain Anthony 'Sonny' Ciccone, Bonanno Acting Captain John 'Johnny Green' Faraci, Gambino Captain John 'Jack' Giordano, DeCav Captain Anthony Rotondo, Bonanno Captain Salvatore Vitale, Gambino Soldier Bartholomew 'Bobby' Borriello, Gambino Soldier Jerome 'Jerry' Brancato, Gambino Soldier John Gotti Jr. and Colombo Soldier Frank Leto.

By early 1990s believed resided on Lodi Ct in Glen Cove, Long Island.

J. Scopo

In early 1990s sitdown between Colombo and DeCavalcante Families held over unspecified dice game in New York. Attendees included DeCav Captain Anthony Rotondo, Colombo Captain (Acting Underboss?) Joseph Scopo, Colombo Soldier Frank Leto and a fourth individual, possibly DeCav Captain Vincent 'Vinny Ocean' Palermo. Colombos won the sitdown and took over the dice game.

By May 1991 reported to Captain Victor Orena Jr., son of Acting Boss 'Little Vic' Orena.

Made members of Orena Jr.'s predominantly Long Island-based crew included Joseph 'Chubby' Audino, Paul 'Paulie Guns' Bevacqua, Frank 'Frankie Camp' Campione, Angelo Leto, Frank Leto, Frank Politi and Frank 'Frankie the Bug' Sciortino.

By late 1991 hostilities broke out between a faction loyal to the imprisoned Boss Carmine 'Junior' Persico and those loyal to Acting Boss Vic Orena.

Aside from their general membership in the Orena faction, available sources don't specify what role the Letos played, if any, in the actual conflict.

Numerous arrests and subsequent defections brought the hostilities to a cease by the middle of 1992. (Exception being Orena's Acting Underboss Joseph Scopo who was shot to death in October 1993.)

By 1993 Colombo Associates Robert Falvo Jr. and Louis Fenza, formerly on-record with Colombo Soldier Frank Campione, transferred to Leto.

Falvo Jr., a Brooklyn bookmaker, was the son of Colombo Soldier Saverio 'Bobby Green' Falvo (1925-2010). Fenza owned a successful limousine business with contracts throughout the city. Both men, later described as earners, formerly reported to Colombo Captain John 'Sonny' Franzese.

Leto was later recorded stating re Fenza: "The Boss [Vic Orena] gave me Louie. This guy Louie, I was supposed to go there and service him. I went back and told Vic. Vic [said] Chickie take this guy and do what the fuck you want with him. And that's what the fuck I did."

In December 1993 Vic Orena Jr. was indicted on Federal racketeering charges and ultimately convicted.

By 1996 Leto was subject of an FBI investigation. A team of Agents typically surveilled him one to three times a week over the next couple of years.

J. Franzese (L) and L. Fenza
Fenza: Gang Land News

Around 1996 Colombo Family sitdown held at unspecified diner. Those present included Colombo Captain (?) John Franzese, Colombo Captain Ralph Lombardo and Colombo Soldier Frank Leto. Franzese driven to meeting by his son, Colombo Associate John Franzese Jr.

Franzese Jr., who began cooperating in 2004, later testified:
"

[Leto] was a fellow that [had] been a captain but he sided with Vic Orena's faction and he no longer was a captain at this point. I could be off on that point but [meeting] was to see Leto.

...Louie Fenza was originally an associate of my brother Michael's back in the seventies and eighties...Louie Fenza was originally part of our crew and he was supposed to be with my father now that my brother [Michael Franzese] was no longer around and [meeting called to see] how Chicky [Leto] ended up with him...Chicky had no right because Louie Fenza had been put on record with us back in the seventies. So at some point Louie Fenza had done business with Chicky and [as result of Colombo war] they kind of claimed Louie for that time being.

"

During the sitdown an altercation nearly broke out after Leto told Franzese, "Why don't you worry about your son Michael? He is a rat."

In early November 1996 Franzese was remanded for parole violation.

Following his imprisonment he met with Colombo Acting Boss Andrew 'Andy Mush' Russo and Former Acting Boss Vic Orena, either through phone calls or in person at FCI Petersburg, Virginia. Franzese later claimed it was agreed at the meeting that his former Associates should be given back to him upon his release.

In Summer 1997 Eliot Hurdy, one of the partners in the Huntington Town House catering hall located in Long Island, was approached by an associate of Leto, who worked out an agreement for the Town House to take on Colombo Associate Louis Fenza's limousine company. The Town House had recently come under new ownership; the prosecutor in the resulting extortion case against Leto later claimed that Leto sought to 'get in on the ground floor' and 'shake that business down.'

In September of that year the Town House used the limousine company to provide transportation for a concert. Expecting a bill ranging from $6,000 to $8,000, the owners were instead charged $25,000. They refused to pay and Hurdy began receiving phone calls threatening the lives of not just the owners but also their families.

L. Fenza (L) and A. Leto
Gang Land News

In response Hurdy began making regular payments, usually weekly or every three weeks, to Fenza and Leto. This continued until March 1999, and throughout that period Leto and Fenza assisted the Town House in various financial and business disputes with customers. On one occasion Leto retrieved Hurdy from a drug den on E 96th St dividing Manhattan's Upper East Side and East Harlem neighborhoods.

By 1998 Leto and son Angelo both reporting to Colombo Captain Frank Melia (1946-2001).

Melia, whose deceased father and grandfather were also members, was placed in charge of the Family's union interests by early 2000.

Associates of interest in the Melia crew included Robert Falvo Jr., Louis Fenza and Michael 'Mickey' Souza.

(After Melia's death in 2001 Souza was placed with Dino Calabro and within a few years became a made member under Calabro's sponsorship. By 2010 both Calabro and Souza were cooperating witnesses.)

On October 6, 1998 Leto and Louis Fenza surveilled by FBI meeting in parking lot in Glen Cove, Long Island.

J. Sclafani
Gang Land News

Around December 1998 Leto and his Captain Frank Melia attempted to collect a $350,000 - $400,000 debt owed to Madison Oil by Barr Industries. After the pair visited company owner Anthony Marcantonio, he reached out to the DeCavalcante Family and the matter was referred to DeCav Captain Anthony Rotondo. DeCav Soldier Joseph 'Tin Ear' Sclafani was dispatched to intercede on behalf of Marcantonio, who Rotondo later testified was shaken up and 'afraid for his life.'

A sitdown between the Families was held at a Queens diner. Representing the Colombos were Captain Frank Melia, Acting Captain (?) Paul 'Paulie Guns' Bevacqua, Soldier Frank Leto and Associates Louis Fenza and 'John the Painter' Fricchione. DeCavs present were Captain Anthony Rotondo, Soldier Joseph Sclafani and Associates Ralph Guarino and William 'Billy' Perrotta.

Introductions between the various attendees was made by Gambino (Acting?) Captain Salvatore Franco.

Sclafani was soon ordered to cease all association with Leto due to the latter's refusal to return to the Persico side; the dispute then moved to the legitimate court system, although for a time Marcantonio kicked up weekly payments to the DeCavs for their trouble. Eventually Sclafani sought to give Marcantonio a hospital beating and the company owner fled to Florida.

(Ralph Guarino, on-record with Sclafani, was also a wired-up CI at the time of the sitdown; evidence obtained through his cooperation resulted in indictments against Melia, Leto and several DeCavalcante members, ultimately leading to the DeCav defections and widespread convictions of the early 2000s.)

On January 29 and February 11, 1999 Leto surveilled visiting Huntington Town House. On the latter occasion he was first observed stopping at Phoenix Interior, a business connected to Captain Frank Melia. 

F. Giovanelli

In late October 1999 DeCav Captain Anthony Rotondo met with Genovese Captain Federico 'Fritzy' Giovanelli and Genovese Soldier Frank 'Punchy' Illiano inside Helen's Restaurant located on Court St in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Rotondo traveled to meeting in company of Genovese Associate Richard 'Ricky' DiMatteo. Others present inside restaurant included Genovese Associate Alex Conigliaro.

Purpose of meeting for Giovanelli to pass along hand-written list of those to be named in an impending Southern District of New York Federal racketeering indictment. List included several high-ranking DeCav Members as well as members of the Colombo and Gambino Families including Frank Melia and Frank Leto. (In 2004 Giovanelli was convicted on Federal racketeering charges that included obstruction of justice counts related to this incident.)

On December 2, 1999 Rotondo, Melia and Leto were among forty-three indicted by USAO SDNY. Charges against Leto related to Barr Industries dispute.

Gang Land News

By Summer 2000 Leto and his son Angelo reported to Captain Ralph Lombardo.

Made members under Lombardo believed included Vincent 'Schwartzie' Cascio Jr., Luca DiMatteo, the Letos and possibly Ralph's younger brother Charles Lombardo.

F. Campione
Gang Land News

By early July 2000 the FBI had received information that Leto and Colombo Soldier Frank Campione, now a member of Captain Thomas 'Tommy Shots' Gioeli's crew, were using Glen Cove High School's baseball field for meetings. Permission to bug the location was soon granted. The sworn affidavit in support of the surveillance noted: "In early 2000 after a meeting of all five LCN Families, the Orena faction members were told to either join the Family or not exist. As such, Frank Leto and Campione returned to the Colombo Family."

From July to October 2000 Leto and Campione were picked up least three times meeting at the ballfield.

The recorded discussions between the pair, typically centering around general happenings within the Colombos, also reveal still-simmering resentment over the early 1990s war.

Gang Land News

On July 30 Campione and Leto discussed various developments within the Family as well as Leto's pending case for extorting Barr Industries. Leto expressed unhappiness with his Captain Ralph Lombardo, whom he referred to as 'Peg Leg' and the 'guy who walks funny', but displayed particular venom toward Paul Bevacqua, then the Acting Captain for Thomas Gioeli. Snippets from the conversation were played in court:
"

Leto: This Joe Waverly [Cacace]. I don't like him...This fucking Paulie Brown [Bevacqua]. He is the biggest fucking scumbag. He sold us out, and I'm going to tell him to his fucking face. When the time comes, I'm going to tell him, you sold us out. You sold us out. You lied to us. That's my beef with him. And when the time comes and my son is gonna tell him too. We're going to wait. We'll wait. Right now I got my case. [I'm] gonna wait a few years. I got my case...Frankie, my beef is, Frankie, I told him -- my beef is forget about it. I don't want you. I don't do nothing for you...Frank look, I gotta tell you like it is, if worse comes to worse, I'm gonna retire. Okay? Frankie I got it in for this fucking Paulie and this fucking Frankie [Wheels]. They lied. That's bad, Frankie. They'll never be forgiven.

...

Campione: I met with Joe Waverly. I met with Jackie DeRoss. And the c-------- Gioeli, whatever his name is.

...

[On meeting with attorney's investigator re 1998 Barr Industries dispute]

Leto: [We're] sitting there, you know, talking about how this all came about, how the Barr Industries situation came about. I said look. I said it was a legitimate thing. I said I swear. I'll tell you exactly how it happened. I said, a friend of mine owns, a friend of mine is a salesman, I said. He works for an oil company and he gave this guy credit. I said for deals and fuel from this guy, this Barr Industries, and he was paying him and then the checks started bouncing. And before you know it there was a tab of $350,000. Yeah.

Campione: That's with Anthony, what's his name.

Leto: Yeah. I said this, this friend of mine came to me. He's a salesman and he asked me, Chickie, he says, maybe you know this guy and can help me out. Could you go there and talk to the guy. Because if he don't start paying my boss, I'm going to lose my job.

...I went to talk to the guy. So, I says, I don't threaten people. I don't threaten people. I said, I went there, said I went to the guy's office and I said, I told the guy in a nice way. I said, You people, I says, you took the diesel fuel. I said, now you got the salesman, the guys in trouble. He's going to lose his job...I says, you know, why don't you be a nice guy and pay the money. In the interim he got a little scared probably.

Campione: That's the kid Anthony, what's his name.

Leto: Anthony Marcantonio. Yeah, he got a little scared and ran to this Jo Jo [and] this guy Jo Jo put out some feelers because he must have inquired about me. So he called me up. That's how the whole thing happened. I said, it was legitimate money. Listen what happened, in the interim [Marcantonio] went to -- he was either looking for help through this guy Sclafani, Joe Sclafani. He must have thought about it because they started shaking him down...[The] DeCavalcante Family, they were getting 800 a week off him. Went down to 600 a week. Then 400 a week. Then to 200 a week. It's all in the papers. I gave you the papers didn't I? I got the papers in my car. I'm gonna give them to you now.

...I said this guy Sclafani called me up. He beeped me. I gave him my beeper number. I said it was a legitimate deal...That is exactly how it happened. I'm saying in the interim this guy called me up and told me that he couldn't have lunch with me. So what I says, What's wrong with that? I said, Well while all this was going on I said, I said the guy that took the oil [calls] up.

Campione: The oil company.

Leto: They called up Madison Oil with his lawyer, and they had a three way conference. They made the deal legal. Signed the papers and he started paying the money. So what's the problem?

"

On September 20, 2000 Leto and Campione met again at the ballfield:
"

Leto: Frankie, you're a friend now. You don't have to be taking this bullshit. This Tommy Gioeli tells you, look to me, these guys have been doing nothing but fucking me around. I wanna be left alone. They ain't gonna use me. They ain't gonna use me, Frankie. They pat you on the back and they stab you in the back. They're all scumbags. They sold us out, Frankie.

...

Leto: That's what I did at Frankie Melia's mother's wake. I didn't go near them. I ain't showing them no respect.

Campione: How could you go to the guy's wedding, Paulie's wedding and not talk to them?

Leto: Say hello and goodbye. Hello and goodbye. Listen to me, he lied between you and me. This fucking Frankie Wheels should be planted someplace.

Campione: Do you recall the article about Carmine Sessa a few weeks ago?

Leto: Yeah. That's what's going on today. That's why I don't even go to the club over there by [Colombo Soldier Vincent Cascio Jr.]. I ain't going.

?Campione: I used to go there once in awhile. No more.

Leto: I ain't going nowhere. I ain't talking to nobody. I ain't seeing nobody. Cause Frankie, we're all going to end up in jail. I'm telling you, all of us, Frankie, all of us. This life is finito. This life is finished.

"

Pair also discussed the dispute between John Franzese and Leto over Franzese's former Associates:
"

Leto: He ain't gonna get Louie [Fenza] back.

Campione: You want to hear something else?

Leto: And hey, if Louie [Fenza] had to go back there --

Campione: And this only --

Leto:  If Louis had to go back there, Lou would tell all of them...

Campione: You want to hear something else?

Leto: ...'Hey, go fuck yourself.'

Campione: You want to hear something else? Hey, do you remember you telling me you wanted to do something to Louis [meaning propose for membership]?

Leto: Yes.

Campione: And what did I say to you? Remember what I told you?

Leto: I ain't doing it. I ain't doing it.

Campione: But listen to me. Listen.

Leto: After Sonny dies, I'll do it.

Campione: Listen to me. What did I say to you? What did I tell you? Remember what I told you?

Leto: Yeah.

Campione: I said Chick, he's going to put up such a holler. And you said to me well, I'll wait for him to die. And I said Chick, he's older than you and me.

Leto: No, he ain't.

Campione: No? You want to hear what he told [Campione's son]?

Leto: Yes.

Campione: I hear that Chickie wants to put Louis up.

Leto: Yeah?

Campione: Yeah. Where the fuck did he find this out from?

Leto: I don't know.

Campione: You didn't tell anybody?

Leto: No.

Campione: You never said nothing to nobody. Well, where --

Leto: No.

Campione: Where did he hear it from?

Leto: No. He's just surmising then. He's just surmising things.

"

S. Fusco

During one of the conversations Leto also mentioned having met with Colombo Acting Boss Salvatore 'Sally' Fusco over the issue: "And I said I spoke to Sally. Sally agreed with me, if a guy goes to jail for, say, eight, ten, seven, six years and one of our friends is servicing him [they keep him]." (Salvatore Fusco, son of Former Captain Frank aka 'Dickie' [1904-1992] and older brother of Former Consigliere Richard aka 'Richie Nerves' [1936-2013], died in early July 2000.)

On October 24, 2000 Leto and Campione met again at the ballfield and talked about the problem with Franzese. Campione related a conversation between Franzese and Campione's son: "[Your] father didn't have to release Louis...[So] my son says, Uncle Sonny, didn't you go over this with my father when you first saw him, when you both came home in '97? And Sonny says, yeah, but your father lies."

Leto also referred to the Barr industries dispute: "[I] said, the guy who came to my restaurant, he ate my food. I said, now he don't wanna pay. So he said, well, maybe the food's no good. I said the food's no good, then why did he eat it?...I said he is paying for the fucking oil, the fucking diesel fuel." Also stated: "If I don't get a statement from the kid [company owner Anthony Marcantonio], I'm going to shoot the fucking father."

Other parts of the tapes were summarized in court by the prosecutor trying Leto's case in the mid-2000s:
"

They talk about who they think are rats. Chickie Leto thinks that maybe Joe Waverly is a rat. Chickie Leto thinks that maybe [deceased Former Captain] Patty Catalano is a rat. And you know what he thinks about Michael Franzese: that he is a rat, and if the Colombo crime family had done things the way he thinks they should be done, they wouldn't be in the problems they're in now. The family wouldn't have to go [underground].

Because what should happen to guys like Michael Franzese? He should be planted. He should be killed. His mother should be killed. Sonny Franzese should have been killed. And if it weren't for people like Michael Franzese, the mafia as it once existed wouldn't be crumbling.

And Chickie Leto is pissed about it. It's clear on those tapes, they should be handling guys like this more seriously. And they are not.

"

Leto pleaded guilty to extortion and on September 13, 2002 was sentenced by SDNY Judge Lawrence J. McKenna to eighteen months Federal imprisonment.

Around October 2002 surrendered at FMC Devens, Massachusetts to begin serving sentence.

c. Early 2000s
Gang Land News

On August 14, 2003 indicted, along with Associate Louis Fenza, on additional Federal racketeering charges stemming from involvement in the Huntington Town House negotiations. Long Island Newsday reported: "Leto, who is serving time for a previous conviction at a federal prison in Massachusetts, was being transported to Long Island yesterday for arraignment." Leto was also hit with additional charges relating to the Barr Industries extortion that he had already pleaded guilty to.

Around September 19 arraigned and remanded without bail at Nassau County Jail.

On June 14, 2004 released on house arrest pending trial.

On June 13, 2005 Colombo Associate John Franzese Jr., now an active CI, met with his father John Franzese and Colombo Soldier Frank Campione. Conversation surreptitiously recorded by Franzese Jr. Topics included the mid-1990s sitdown between Franzese and Leto over Louis Fenza's crew affiliation.

On March 7, 2007 Federal house arrest conditions lifted.

In February 2008 Leto and Fenza began standing trial in USDC Central Islip, Long Island.

Witnesses included Former DeCav Captain Anthony Rotondo, who defected in 2001, and (former?) Huntington Town House partner Eliot Hurdy.

Hurdy, under subpoena to appear, testified he felt the weekly payments he was making to Leto and Fenza wasn't extortion. He also stated that he wanted them out of the business but didn't ask because he was 'afraid of Chickie'.

In what the prosecutor later described as 'Something unusual. Something I haven't really seen,' upon entering the courtroom and taking the witness stand, Anthony Rotondo was greeted by both Fenza, who waved, and Leto, who stood up and said, 'Hey, Anthony.'

Rotondo, describing Fenza as a childhood friend, testified on general LCN matters and his encounters with Leto over the years.

During summations Leto's attorney emphasized the indictment's expansive date range, which covered 1986 to 2003 despite the charged crimes all occurring in the late 1990s, as well as the uncertainty surrounding Leto's status within the Colombos during the same time period. She argued that Leto couldn't have been kicking up to the Family leadership due to his refusal to return under the Persicos and, therefore, he wasn't guilty of the RICO crimes as described in the indictment.

The attorney also pointed out that only Leto and Campione knew about the ballfield meeting place, and more specifically where they would be sitting in relation to the bug. She suggested that someone close to Campione, or Campione himself, must have supplied the information to the Feds: "[On the tapes] it is Mr. Campione who is doing probably 75 percent of the talking. It is Mr. Campione who seems to be trying to pull Mr. Leto into various conversations." (The defense attorney noted the prosecution objected every time the topic was raised, although this is typically done as a matter of course regardless of a theory's validity.)

On March 20, 2008 both defendants convicted. Associated Press later reported: "[Leto] apparently discussed illicit business on the Glen Cove High School ballfield to avoid investigators. But according to trial testimony, FBI agents bugged it and recorded hours of conversation."

In February 2009 sentenced by EDNY Judge Arthur Spatt to three years probation.

On March 27, 2009 Louis Fenza given eighteen months imprisonment.

A. Russo

In 2010 FBI received source information that Colombo Acting Boss Andrew 'Andy Mush' Russo was interested in having Frank's son Angelo Leto 'come in' and resume activity with the Family. A union report published in 2021 stated: "[Russo interested] in part because Leto resided close to Russo and could drive Russo around. The confidential source providing the information believed that Leto may not want anything to do with the Colombo Family because Leto felt that Vic Orena never did anything for him."

Frank Leto died December 30, 2016.

More Colombo Family posts can be found in the Index.