Update

A. Polizzi

New Posts:

1. Angelo Polizzi (Los Angeles) : Captain during the 1960s and 1970s.

2. Bonanno Family Hierarchy (1989): Covers an early December 1989 FBI CI report naming the Admin and Captains at the time.

3. Charles Lombardo (Colombo): Obscure member and the younger brother of Captain-Acting Consigliere Ralph Lombardo. (Post since updated with a few additional details from the mid-1990s.)

Updated Posts:

A. Embarrato

1. Alfred Embarrato Crew (Mid-1987): Added info from November 1989 CI report stating that Embarrato had recently been 'knocked down' from Captain due to age.

2. Salvatore Tozzi (Bonanno): Added details given in a December 1991 debriefing of a Cooperating Witness (believed to be Former Lucchese Acting Boss Alfonso D'Arco).

3. Robert Amuso (Lucchese): Added info from a June 1987 CI report identifying Amuso's rank and suspected activity. (Additional information from this same contact also resulted in the FBI officially recognizing Frank Lastorino as an LCN member.)

Full list of posts here.

Angelo Polizzi (Los Angeles)

1971

Angelo Polizzi (1913-1988) was a Captain in the Los Angeles Family during the 1960s and 1970s.

Originally affiliated with the Magaddino Family in Buffalo, New York, by the early 1950s he had moved to Glendale, California, where he participated in multiple murders on behalf of local Boss Jack Dragna.

His father-in-law Jaspere Joe Matranga (1898-1971) was also a member in Los Angeles by the early 1950s; a transplant like Polizzi, Matranga had started out in Chicago.

Angelo was born May 17, 1913 in Buffalo to Charles (27y) and Josephine DiFrancesco, both believed from Sicily.

At the time of his birth the family was living at 119 Efner St in the city's Lower West Side.

By April 1920 they resided at 410 Allen St in Jamestown, located about fifty miles south of Buffalo. Angelo's father worked as a stonemason.

Within a few years they had returned to the Lower West Side, residing first at 237 Maryland St and, by April 1930, at 41 18th St in the Front Park section. Angelo then listed his occupation as laborer (odd jobs).

On July 17, 1932 entered the US from Canada and gave occupation as waiter.

By Fall 1935 moved a few blocks south of Front Park to 165 16th St in the adjacent neighborhood of Bryant.

On November 19, 1935, at approximately 11:00 AM, armed robbery committed on a barbershop located nearby at 301 Bryant St. Assailants stole $114 from cash register and from the shop owner, who was able to write down their license plate number before they fled the scene. Police located the auto outside an address located just a couple of blocks north of Polizzi's own residence.

Arrested in the ensuing raid were Polizzi, Daniel Sansanese (27y) and Joseph Gatti (28y). The Buffalo News reported: "...While the patrolmen surrounded the house, the two lieutenants entered the place with drawn guns and went directly to the second floor. Throwing open a door, they said they found [Sansanese], who immediately fainted. The lieutenant said they searched him and found an automatic pistol in his overcoat pocket. The raid leaders then rushed into another room and confronted Polizzi, forcing him to raise his hands. However, he bolted back into the room police said, and attempted to hide an automatic pistol. The squad later found a gun under a chair."

Daniel Sansanese (1908-1975), along with at least two immediate relatives, was later identified as a made member in the Magaddino Family. The gun found in his possession matched a bullet from the November 1931 murder of one Faulkner Vandenburg; Sansanese claimed he got the gun from Polizzi, who in turn named another man as the source of the weapon.

Trio pleaded not guilty before City Court Judge Peter Maul and remanded pending hearing scheduled for December 4.

Polizzi and Sansanese were both convicted of 1st degree robbery the following March. The Buffalo News reported: "Two squads from the Franklin street station and two details from the Auto bureau were unable to quell the loud shouts of disapproval that greeted the verdict, nor to determine from whom the threats of revenge came. No arrests were made."

Later that month Polizzi, who the press noted had previously been convicted of assault, was sentenced to ten-to-fifteen years in New York State Prison. Sansanese received thirty years, although he was out by the late 1940s and a made member in Buffalo by the 1960s.

Mar. 1936

Following day received at unspecified facility to begin sentence.

By April 1940 incarcerated at Wallkill State Prison in Shawangunk, NY. His family had since moved to 17 19th St in Front Park.

Released around 1942.

Later that year listed employment with Connecticut Fire Brick Company on Tonawanda St.

Served in US Army from February 5, 1943 to May 11, 1945.

Living in California by late 1950, when he acted as shooter in the December 11 murder of Samuel Rummel, an attorney and close associate of Mickey Cohen.

Murder ordered by Los Angeles Boss Jack Dragna and supervised by Family members Aladena 'Jimmy the Weasel' Fratianno and Nicolo 'Nick' Licata.

S. Rummel (R) with M. Cohen
Press

Polizzi fired a double-barreled, sawed-off shotgun into Rummel's back outside the victim's residence on Laurel Canyon Boulevard.

Nick Licata's son Carlo acted as driver.

A. Brancato (L) and A. Trombino

On August 6, 1951 Polizzi acted as driver in the Family-ordered double murder of former Kansas City residents Anthony Brancato (37y) and Anthony Trombino (33y), shot to death on Hollywood Boulevard by Fratianno and Los Angeles Associate Charles 'Charlie Batts' Battaglia. (Fratianno later claimed Battaglia only fired a single shot after the victims were dead.)

Oct. 1951

On October 28, 1951 Polizzi was picked up at his residence, 519 E Windsor Rd in Glendale, and held for questioning in the Brancato-Trombino case.

Two days later testified before County Grand Jury. The Los Angeles Times reported: "[Polizzi] gave only his name, his address [and] his emphatic denial that he had anything to do with the demise of the two Tonys...He told [Detective] he had returned to Los Angeles 10 days ago - two days after the grand jury had recessed its investigation of the murders. 'I left for my health, I was sick,' he explained to the officers but would not say where he had been in the intervening 11 weeks."

In early 1952 among six formally inducted into Los Angeles Family. Ceremony presided over by Boss Jack Dragna and held at vineyard owned by members of the Dippolito family. Other present included Soldiers Aladena Fratianno and Nicolo Licata.

1952 Inductees (L to R): J. Adamo, C. Battaglia, J. Dippolito, C. Licata, J. LiMandri, A. Polizzi
Battaglia and LiMandri Photos: FBN Mafia Book

Those inducted were:

1. Joseph Adamo (49y) (Died 1998)
2. Charles Battaglia (34y) (Died 1983)
3. Joseph Dippolito (37y) (Died 1974)
4. Carlo Licata (27y) (Suicide [?] 1981)
5. Joseph LiMandri (38y) (Died 1988)
6. Angelo Polizzi (38y) (Died 1988)

(Dippolito was later appointed the Family's Underboss. Adamo and Polizzi both rose to Captain.)

Fratianno was promoted to Captain after the inductions were complete.

In late July of the same year Angelo married Concetta Matranga (27y) in San Bernardino, CA. Bride daughter of Los Angeles Member Jaspere Joe Matranga of Piana dei Greci, Palermo.

Both Polizzi and his father-in-law were present for the April 16, 1953 garrotting of 'Russian Louie' Strauss (48y). Murder ordered by Boss Jack Dragna and included among its participants members of both the Los Angeles and Chicago Families.

June 1955

On June 8, 1955 arrested by Los Angeles PD on unspecified charge.

J. Delmont

On June 4, 1960 James Delmont (43y) found bludgeoned to death, body lying in field near Ontario, California. FBI later reported: "His death had resulted from 10 - 12 blows in the head from a blunt instrument, such as a tire iron or a blunt bladed hatchet. Identification of the body was through fingerprints however all identifying marks on his clothing had been removed."

Information from an FBI member source in 1963 and from Jimmy Fratianno's 1980 book The Last Mafioso identified Angelo Polizzi as a participant in the murder, which was carried out by the Los Angeles on behalf of the Magaddinos in Buffalo. Fratianno's book claims the victim was set up by John 'Peanuts' Tronolone, who went on to serve as Cleveland's Boss in the mid-1980s.

F. DeSimone

By mid-to-late 1963 Polizzi had been promoted to Captain by Frank DeSimone, who took over the Los Angeles Family after Jack Dragna's death in 1956.

1960s

Made members of Polizzi's crew included Anthony 'Nino' Mangione, James 'Danny Wilson' Iannone, Salvatore Piscopo and Dominic 'Mimi' Tripoli.

A. Mangione (L) and A. Veneziano

Nino Mangione (1900-1979), from Siculiana in Agrigento, Sicily, was previously a member of Cleveland and then Kansas City before transferring to Los Angeles. By 1963 he was partners with Possible Member Alfonso Veneziano in Joe and Nino's Pizza Place located on W 8th St in Central LA.

S. Piscopo
FBN Mafia Book

Salvatore Piscopo, inducted in 1948, had recently become a confidential informant, providing much of the information currently available on the crew in the 1960s.

Polizzi used the Villa Capri Restaurant, Hollywood Park Race Track and Hollywood-Roosevelt Hotel as locations where his men could reach him.

On December 13, 1963 identified in FBI Los Angeles Field Office report as Captain. Report noted: "[Polizzi] was born [5/17/13] at Buffalo, New York. At the present time, he resides with his wife in Glendale, California, and during the past several months, along with Frank DeSimone, has been hiding out, according to [CI Piscopo], to avoid the possible service of a subpoena regarding La Cosa Nostra activities."

Same report noted Polizzi's involvement in the 1960 Delmont murder: "According to [CI Piscopo], this incident represents a typical activity by the Brugads. Such a contract from Buffalo would have to be cleared with both 'Bosses', in this instance Frank DeSimone and Steve Magaddino. Source advised Polizzi, in discussing this contract [with Piscopo], had violated one of the firm rules of the La Cosa Nostra."

On December 30, 1963 FBI's Buffalo Field Office reported: "..It is noted during the course of another investigation Angelo Polizzi was interviewed by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department and is considered a suspect in the murder of James Delmont, who was formerly employed by the Madison Taxi Company."

G. Giammona

By 1967 Giuseppe 'Joe' Giammona (1900-1977), described a few years prior as being semi-retired and with no Soldiers under him, had stepped down and was also reporting to Polizzi.

Giammona, born in Palermo, previously operated a restaurant in Hollywood.

On January 21, 1967 FBI CI reported on the Family hierarchy, identifying Frank DeSimone as Boss and naming Joseph Dippolito, Tommy Palermo and Angelo Polizzi as Captains. (Tommy Palermo [1903-1977] is identified by other sources as being DeSimone's Consigliere.)

Frank DeSimone died that August.

Salvatore Piscopo provided Agents with frequent updates on the process of choosing a successor.

On August 30 he reported:
"

Informant advised [to] his knowledge, no change in leadership has yet occurred. Subsequent to the death of DeSimone, informant has maintained contact with various other Los Angeles LCN 'members' and none of them are yet aware nor have they been contacted relative to a change in leadership.

Informant and former LCN 'Capo' Joseph Giammona have had several discussions recently relative to the new leadership. Giammona stated he is certain 'Under-Boss' Nick Licata will attempt to line up support to have himself (Licata) appointed 'Boss', Giammona is opposed to Licata but would support 'Capo' Joseph Dippolito for this position. Another possible candidate mentioned by Giammona, as well as by LCN 'member' Dominick 'Mimi' Tripoli, is Louis Tom Dragna, nephew of former Los Angeles LCN 'Boss' Jack Dragna (deceased 1956) and son of former Los Angeles LCN 'Consigliere' Thomas F. Dragna. Dragna has some scattered support in Los Angeles 'Brugad', according to [Piscopo, but he] doubted that such support was adequate.

Giammona told informant on night of 8/29/67 that 'Under-Boss' Nick Licata had been in recent contact with 'Capos' Angelo Polizzi, Joseph Dippolito and Joseph Adamo. Giammona then noted that Licata holds considerable influence over 'Capo' Angelo Polizzi. Giammona then speculated that Licata would attempt to line up support of Polizzi in his bid for leadership. Giammona stated he would not go along with Polizzi in such event.

Informant advised that neither Giammona, Tripoli or informant have been in contact with 'Capo' Angelo Polizzi during about past ten days. Polizzi has not been to Villa Capri Restaurant, Hollywood Park Race Track or Hollywood - Roosevelt Hotel during this period -- places he frequents and where contacts are made with him.

"

On September 4, 1967, with a successor not yet elected, FBI LA reported on the low opinion held by some members towards the previous Boss:
"

..According to information furnished by [multiple CIs, the] practice of [Frank] DeSimone to isolate and insulate himself from direct contact with other Los Angeles LCN 'members' led to considerable dissatisfaction and criticism by other 'members'.

[CI] advised, for example, that on the night of [6/3/67], Los Angeles 'Capo' Angelo Polizzi was in contact with Charles Battaglia. Battaglia is an LCN 'member' of the Joseph Bonanno 'Brugad'. At this time, Battaglia criticized DeSimone for isolating himself from 'Capos' and 'members'.

Battaglia pointed out to Polizzi that the practice of an LCN 'Boss' isolating himself from his 'Capos', making only occasional contact with them and using the 'Under-Boss' to relay instructions is a practice not followed by other LCN 'Brugads'. Battaglia pointed out to Polizzi that as a 'Capo' he had a right to meet directly with the 'Boss' whenever he desired to discuss an LCN matter with him.

"

(As detailed below, Bonanno Member Charles Battaglia [1917-1983], who had transferred to that Family during DeSimone's reign, sought to return to Los Angeles after the Boss's death.)

In same report it was noted that Polizzi had 'sporadic employment as a bartender'.

Four days later CI Piscopo reported:
"

[He] was in contact with Los Angeles LCN 'Members' Joseph Giammona and Dominick Tripoli [same date]. Neither Giammona, Tripoli or informant have yet been contacted relative to selection of new leadership of Los Angeles LCN Family and are not presently aware of any plans for voting by September Fifteen next for new 'Boss' of Los Angeles LCN 'Family'.

In addition, present whereabouts of Los Angeles LCN 'Capo' Angelo Polizzi and his family are unknown to Giammona, Tripoli or [CI]. Believed by these individuals that Polizzi is presently on vacation with family away from Los Angeles. Giammona, Tripoli and [CI] state no selection of new Los Angeles 'Boss' will be made until Polizzi's return.

"

On the night of September 17 Piscopo arranged a meeting between Polizzi and Bonanno Member Charles Battaglia so that Battaglia could discuss his 'desire to transfer' back to Los Angeles now that DeSimone was gone.

On October 4, 1967 FBI Los Angeles reported:
"

...Since [9/19/67 CI Piscopo] has been unable to contact Polizzi. Since then informant has been in virtually daily contact with LCN 'members' Joseph Giammona, Dominic 'Mimi' Tripoli and Anthony Mangione, all 'members' of Polizzi's LCN 'regime'. None of these individuals knew of Polizzi's whereabouts and advised informant that Polizzi had not yet contacted them relative to the new Los Angeles Boss.

On 9/30/67, informant advised that Polizzi had telephonically contacted him the night of 9/29/67. Polizzi stated that he had suffered a stroke and had been hospitalized for about the past 10 days. Informant met Polizzi in Polizzi's room at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles, California on the night of 9/29/67. Polizzi stated that he is recovering from this stroke and expects to be discharged from the hospital in several days.

At this time Polizzi asked informant if informant had made his choice relative to the new Los Angeles LCN 'Boss'. Informant stated that his preference would be Nick Licata, but that he would support Polizzi and would vote for the individual who was the choice of Polizzi.

Polizzi stated that his choice would be Licata as Polizzi felt that this was no time for any change in the Los Angeles LCN leadership. Polizzi indicated that continued pressure from law enforcement would make it difficult to meet and to reorganize at the present time.

Polizzi stated that to date there had been no opposition to Licata. Polizzi stated that except for informant he had not had a chance as yet to poll other 'members' of his 'Regime', but felt that there would be a general agreement to Licata's selection.

Polizzi requested informant to contact Dominic 'Mimi' Tripoli, Joseph Giammona and Anthony Mangione and advise them of his illness and that he would be in contact with them when he was able.

...Informant advised on 10/4/67, that he had contacted [Polizzi crew members] Tripoli, Giammona and Mangione and advised them of Polizzi's condition.

Informant stated that in view of the fact Polizzi was 'Capo' of the largest 'Regime' in Los Angeles and in view of 'Capo' Joseph Adamo's support, Nick Licata would be the new 'Boss' and additional polling of 'members' would be a mere formality.

"

N. Licata

That month Nicolo Licata was elected Boss. He appointed Joseph Dippolito as his Underboss. Tommy Palermo remained Consigliere.

On November 17, 1967 FBI LA reported: "[CI Piscopo] previously advised that LA LCN 'Capo' Angelo Polizzi had recently been hospitalized as a result of a cardiac condition. On night of [11/15], informant in telephonic contact with Polizzi. Polizzi at this time told informant that he had suffered a stroke within past ten days and was presently confined to his home under his physician's care."

F. Bompensiero

In early April 1968 FBI CI and Los Angeles Soldier Frank Bompensiero reported:
"

..2. Angelo Polizzi

Angelo Polizzi is a Capo in the Los Angeles LCN Family and in the past meetings with informant he described him as being a sick man with heart trouble.

At [recent] meeting informant believed Polizzi's health was improving. He stated he had heard recently Polizzi was working again for short periods of time. He believed he was working in some delicatessen providing or packaging take-out sandwiches. His father-in-law LCN member Jaspere Matranga (deported and now residing in Tijuana, Mexico after a narcotics conviction) is [redacted]. He stated in his day Jaspere Matranga was worth at least two million dollars from his narcotics activities but he is now broke. He lost his money gambling on horses. He [redacted] but learned nothing as Matranga felt so badly he left early.

...At this time the informant had no information concerning any racket activity on the part of Angelo Polizzi. As noted he believed his health was improving but not his financial status.

"

Bompensiero also reported on a planned Family meeting to be held 'sometime after Easter' and speculated that Polizzi would be among the attendees.

A meeting, possibly the one referred to in April, was held May 19 at the San Diego residence of Captain Joseph Adamo's daughter.

CI Bompensiero, who reported that the purpose of the gathering was to formalize the Los Angeles administration's 'cutting back into' a jukebox company operated by Soldier Liborio Dia, noted Polizzi's absence as the result of 'another stroke'.

In 1975 FBI CI reported:
"

[The Los Angeles] LCN Family, which also includes San Diego, had the following changes in Leadership due to the imprisonment of LCN members on Federal charges:

Boss - Louis Thomas Dragna
Former Boss - Dominick Philip Brooklier

Underboss - Aladena T. Fratianno
Former Underboss - Samuel Orlando Sciortino

Consigliere - Frank Bompensiero

Capodecina - Angelo Polizzi

Former Capodecina - Peter John Milano

Capodecina (San Diego) - Joseph Adamo

"

Little else is available on Polizzi's role within the Family post-1960s.

The Last Mafioso has Fratianno describing Polizzi as the 'only guy' in the Family who was 'capable' of carrying out murders as of the mid-1970s, however, Polizzi was rumored to have 'gone a little screwy' and was avoiding other members.

In early February 1977 Frank Bompensiero was shot to death in San Diego for, among other reasons, the Family's correct suspicion that he was informing. He had originally been elevated to Consigliere to put him at ease.

Polizzi crew member Joseph Giammona died of natural causes on September 20, 1977.

Salvatore Piscopo, the FBI's source within the crew for most of the 1960s, died that December.

Crew member Anthony Mangione died October 24, 1979.

Absent from 1985 Federal chart. A report from June of that year described him as 'totally inactive'.

The Family was then headed by Peter John Milano (1925-2012), note above in the circa 1975 chart as a Former Capodecina.

Angelo Polizzi died June 6, 1988 in San Bernardino and was buried in Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, CA.

In June 1993 he was posthumously included in the FBI's list of 17 identified Los Angeles Family members.

More Los Angeles Family posts can be found in the Index.

Bonanno Family Hierarchy (1989)

Top: Admin Members J. Massino, S. Vitale, A. Spero
Middle: Captains F. Coppa, G. Chilli, A. Graziano, F. Lino
Bottom: Captains C. Musillo, L. Restivo, J. Tartaglione, S. Vitale
Spero, Graziano and Tartaglione Photos: Gang Land News

Layout of Bonanno Family as reported by FBI source in early December 1989:
"
Source identified the structure of the Bonanno Crime Family as follows:

Boss - Joseph Massino (incarcerated)
Underboss - Salvatore Vitale (Massino's brother-in-law)

Consigliere - Anthony Spero

Source stated the Bonanno Crime Family has nine (9) Capodecinas. Source identified them as:

1. Frank Coppa
2. Jerry Chilli
3. Anthony Graziano
4. Frank Lino
5. Charles Musillo - handles NJ faction
6. James Tartaglione aka Louie
7. Louis Restivo
8. Sal Vitale (holds both positions - Underboss / Capo)
9. T.J. - described as a white male, 35-40 years old, 250 lbs., black hair.

"

Notes

Three days before this report another FBI informant, Colombo Soldier Gregory Scarpa, also reported Massino as having recently been named the Family's official Boss.

Massino, at the time serving a ten-year sentence at FCI Talladega, Alabama, later testified that he was only elected Boss after Philip Rastelli's death in June 1991.

Salvatore Vitale testified that during this period he was a Captain helping run the Family, and that it wasn't until after Massino's release from prison in November 1992 that he was appointed official Underboss.

Frank Coppa and Gerald 'Jerry' Chilli are believed to have been Acting Captains for James 'Big Lou' Tartaglione and Joseph 'Junior' Chilli respectively.

'Little Charlie' Musillo had crew members in New York in addition to Jersey; about a year later he sponsored Bronx Associate Vincent Basciano for membership.

One missing Captain is Louis 'Louie Ha-Ha' Attanasio, who took over Cesare Bonventre's crew following Bonventre's murder in 1984.

Another Captain, Alfred 'Al Walker' Embarrato, had only recently been demoted.

More Bonanno Family posts can be found in the Index.

Charles Lombardo (Colombo)

1985

Charles Lombardo was an obscure Colombo member active in Long Island and Florida.

A member of Vincenzo Aloi's crew by the early 1990s, he was the younger brother of the better-known 'Ralphie' Lombardo, a Colombo Captain who also served as the Family's Acting Consigliere for a time.

Born June 25, 1938 in Brooklyn to Dominick (33y), a handyman, and Stella Tavernise (27y).

Both parents were Calabrian, with the father from Grotteria in Reggio Calabria and the mother's family likely from Cosenza or from Reggio Calabria as well.

Grew up in the Canarsie neighborhood, where the Lombardos resided at 640 E 89th St.

By the fall of 1965 brother Ralph (35y) was associated with the Colombo Family crew headed by Vincenzo Aloi.

V. Aloi

Aloi, born 1933 to Sicilian parents, had been named a Captain soon after Joseph Colombo took over the Family in April 1964.

By October 1976 Charles listed residence at 1910 NW 47th Ave in Lauderhill, Florida.

Early that month surrendered to the local PD on multiple counts related to stolen credit cards. Held on $1,000 bond. The Miami Herald reported: "[Lombardo is] one of two men charged with operating a statewide stolen credit card ring...State Attorney investigators and law enforcement agencies were searching [for] Paul (Red) Stingo, an organizer of the ring who peddles merchandise purchased with the stolen credit cards at South Florida flea markets." Herald later reported: "Between March 1975 and February 1976, the shoppers amassed as much as $1 million in merchandise by making purchases of less than $50 at a time so that stores would not question the transactions, investigators said. The household appliances, cameras, radios and fishing rods they bought were loaded into cars and trailers and sold at flea markets, officials said."

Paul 'Red' Stingo (1936-2021), born in Brooklyn to a father from Trapani, Sicily, was then residing in Fort Lauderdale.

Lombardo subsequently pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years probation; press noted: "If [Lombardo] completes his probation successfully, his record will be cleared."

By mid-1980s resided at 3700 Bayview St in Seaford, Long Island.

SCPD Arrest (Jul. 1985)

On July 25, 1985 indicted with Colombo Soldier and Future Acting Boss 'Little Vic' Orena and three others by Suffolk County District Attorney's Office on loansharking charges. New York Daily News reported: "The ring, according to [Suffolk DA], has been operating in Suffolk, Nassau and Queens for the last several years, charging businessmen astronomical interest on illegal loans averaging between 130% to 156% annually. The [indictment] and the seizure of voluminous records, $60,000 in cash, two cars and a pistol were cited by [DA] as 'effectively crippling loansharking operations on Long Island.'"

Others indicted were:

• Oscar Albenga (54y): Father from Piedmont, Northern Italy. Indicted in a Federal loansharking case the previous year with, among others, DeCavalcante Captain Vincent 'Jimmy' Rotondo, Gambino Soldier Leonard DiMaria, and DeCavalcante Associate Anthony Capo. Died 2023.
• Robert 'Bobby' Ross (48y): Described as a collector for the ring.
• Philip Yovanovich (44): Defected and acted as a witness against Lombardo's brother Ralph. Died three years later.

Gambino Associate John Ambrosio (42y) was also reported as being sought in the investigation.

Defendants arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice George F. X. McInerney; bail for Orena and Lombardo set at $75,000 and $20,000 respectively.

R. Lombardo (1985)

On August 19, 1985 brother Ralph Lombardo pleaded not guilty to perjury 1st degree and contempt of grand jury charges. Newsday reported: "[Lombardo] is accused of lying and of refusing to answer other questions to a grand jury that later handed up loan-shark indictments of five Long Islanders including his brother, Charles, also of [Seaford]."

Ralph, by then believed to be a formally inducted Colombo Member, was subsequently convicted and given a sentence to run concurrently with one already being served as a result of his own loansharking case in Nassau County.

Charles may have already been made by that time as well.

V. Aloi

By May 1991 he was a confirmed member reporting to Captain Vincenzo Aloi.

Made members of Aloi's crew included Pasquale 'Patty' Catalano, 'Fat Dennis' DeLuca, Dennis Guzzardo, Benjamin 'Benny Sidge' LoCicero, Frank 'Gandy' LoCicero, Charles Lombardo and Ralph Scopo Jr.

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, who named Vincenzo Aloi his Consigliere.

Charles likely joined his brother Ralph in supporting Orena.

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.)

In November 1996 the Lombardos were designated the subject of an FBI investigation: "[Detailed] information is currently being provided by [two] sources, concerning [the Lombardo brothers] who are influential members of the Colombo LCN Family. Based on this source information and on initial investigation, captioned subjects are extremely active in Long Island in various criminal activities including loansharking, gambling, extortion and money laundering."

Charles was noted as residing on Knob Hill Drive in Smithtown, Long Island, with an additional address on Palisade Ave in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Around this time Ralph Lombardo was promoted to Captain; he also served as the Family's Acting Consigliere for a time beginning around the spring of 2001.

Charles died April 14, 2004.

More Colombo Family posts can be found in the Index.

Gambino Members (1984)

Information on certain figures named in an FBI membership list of the Gambino Family from early November 1984.

The majority of the list is similar to those presented in the Senate Hearings from 1983 and 1988.

A total of 181 members and 83 'unverified' members are listed.

Members

1. Michael Caiazzo Jr.

The son of Michael 'Mike Tali' Caiazzo (1912-1994), who is included in the 1984 list as a Captain, Caiazzo Jr. was born September 1940 in Manhattan.

His father, a native of Angri comune of Salerno, Campania, took over Aniello 'Neil' Dellacroce's crew after Dellacroce was made the Family's official Underboss in the late 1960s. The pair's relationship went back at least to the late 1930s, when Dellacroce witnessed the elder Caiazzo's marriage to Adelina Stefanelli.

In June 1985 Caiazzo Sr. was demoted and shelved after appointing an Acting Captain without first consulting the ailing Dellacroce, who died a few months later.

2. Angelo Frank Calanna (1927-1986)

Born May 1927 in Brooklyn to a family probably from Gallina, Reggio Calabria, Calanna was a nephew of Gambino Member Dominick 'Mimi London' Lagana (1903-1977).

Grew up in South Brooklyn and worked for Dorothy & Lynn ship rigging company as a young man before opening a restaurant at 303 Court St in the Cobble Hill neighborhood.

In 1973 among several indicted and subsequently acquitted on charges relating to fixed horse races.

Codefendants included Bruno Facciolo and Peter 'Rugsy' Vario, Lucchese Associates who were both inducted into that Family in the late 1970s. (Rugsy was the son of Lucchese Captain Paul Vario.)

Calanna was himself likely made into the Gambino Family around the same time.

Shortly before Dominick Lagana's death in March 1977, an FBI informant reported that Calanna 'runs the gambling business for his uncle' from his restaurant.

Died March 25, 1986 in Broward, Florida and waked at Raccuglia Funeral Home in South Brooklyn's Carroll Gardens neighborhood.

3. Louis 'Gene' Rucci (1921-2010)

Born June 1921 to a father from Vasto comune of Chieti, Abruzzo, Rucci grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

In October 1948 he married the daughter of Constantino Castellano (1900-1968), a Palermo-born Gambino Member and uncle of the Family's Future Boss 'Big Paul' Castellano (1915-1985).

Caught up in a mid-1970s loansharking-perjury case, Rucci pleaded guilty and was sentenced in early 1976 to three years NYS imprisonment. He is also believed to have additionally served Federal time; his Bureau of Prisons entry notes a August 29, 1980 release date.

Died in August 2010.

'Unverified' Members

The large majority of the unverified section consists of names taken from an NYPD list that was shown as part of the Senate Hearings in 1983.

A few notable exceptions are the following, all of whom were likely included in this category after being named by only one FBI source. (By this time the Bureau typically required identification from at least two verifiable sources before labeling an individual a made member.)

1. Carmello Richard 'Bass' Basciano (1925-2017)

Born in Baltimore to a father from Castel Frentano in Chieti, Abruzzo, by the early 1980s Basciano resided in New York and was affiliated with Show World, an x-rated business headquartered on 42nd St in Times Square.

Others involved in the business were Gambino Soldier Robert 'D.B.' DiBernardo and Gus Kalevas, an Associate of the Gambino Family's DeMeo crew; at least one DeMeo victim was actually killed and dismembered in Show World's eleventh-floor office in 1981.

Kalevas was among those indicted in the DeMeo crew case of the 1980s. He pleaded guilty and, following his release in May 1988, was convicted on unrelated heroin charges and incarcerated until 1995.

Within a few years Basciano sold the Times Square property for approximately $14 million.

He died May 2017 in New York.

2. John Bianco

No date of birth or other identifying details provided for this entry.

Possibly related to the John Bianco affiliated with B & B Jewelers in Manhattan's Diamond District, who was described in the 1960s as an associate of Gambino Soldier John Rizzo (1919-1988).

3. Frank Busteriano

No date of birth or other identifying details provided for this entry.

4. Filippo Casamento (1926-2016)

F. Casamento
Gang Land News

A member of the Sicilian Mafia, Casamento possibly transferred to the Gambino Family by the mid-1980s, when he was convicted in the Pizza Connection case and given thirty years.

Deported after serving approximately two-thirds of the sentence, Casamento was convicted in 2008 for sneaking back into the country and sentenced to ten months imprisonment and fourteen months home arrest, after which he was again deported.

Died January 2016 in Palermo.

5. Bruno Clemente

No date of birth or other identifying details provided for this entry.

6. George DeCicco (1929-2014)

G. DeCicco

Confirmed member who succeeded his nephew Frank DeCicco (1935-1986) as Captain in early 1986 and held the position for the next two decades.

Full bio here.

7. Paul 'Legs' DiCocco (1924-1989)

P. DiCocco

Born June 1924 in Schenectady, New York to a family from Fontechiari comune of Frosinone, Lazio, DiCocco was a made member of the Bonanno Family and was identified as such in an FBI report from August 1982.

He died July 1989 in Phoenix, Arizona; his name was subsequently included in the deceased column of a Bonanno induction list about two years later, a copy of which was seized in a 1997 law enforcement search. (See here for the breakdown of another list recovered at the same time, this one for the Genovese Family.)

8. Johnny Drago

No date of birth or other identifying details provided for this entry.

Probably the John Drago involved in the private carting industry and identified in at least one document as a Gambino Associate.

9. Ralph Figliola

No date of birth or other identifying details provided for this entry.

10. Dominick Fratacci

No date of birth or other identifying details provided for this entry.

11. Michele 'Mike' Lanza (1916-1992)

Born February 16 in New York to a father from Ottaviano, Naples and a mother from Guardiagrele in Chieti, Abruzzo, by the 1960s Mike owned Lanza's Restaurant located on First Ave in Manhattan's East Village.

J. Armone (M) outside Lanza's with crew member Thomas Agro (L) and Associate Paul Principe (Feb. 28, 1981)

The location was a hangout for members of the Gambino Family crew headed by Captain Charles Dongarra (1896-1973) and later by Dongarra's successor Joseph 'Piney' Armone (1917-1992). In 1979 one informant noted that Armone could be contacted at the restaurant daily.

Lanza died May 1992.

12. Anthony 'Shorty' Mascuzzio (1944-1988)

A. Mascuzzio (L) with Gambino Soldier Robert DiBernardo in South Brooklyn (1980s)

Born November 1944, Mascuzzio came up in South Brooklyn and was affiliated with Gambino Underboss Aniello Dellacroce by the mid-to-late 1970s.

A couple of months before his inclusion in this list, Mascuzzio was indicted in Brooklyn for attempting to extort a shop owner at gunpoint and assaulting both the owner and others inside the store.

In June 1985 surveilled at Dellacroce's residence in Concord, Staten Island.

By 1987 Mascuzzio, now a confirmed member, operated a social club at Court and Sackett Sts in Carroll Gardens. An informant described the location as being frequented by individuals involved in gambling and loansharking, as well as 'dealing some cocaine at or near the club'. He also held a financial interest in Montana's discotheque in Hewlett, Long Island.

In July 1988 shot to death in the basement of a Midtown Manhattan club owned by David Fisher, who confessed to firing the shots and claimed he was being extorted by Mascuzzio.

13. Antonino Napoli (1926-2012)

Born October 1926 in Palermo, Napoli is believed to have been a member of the Gambino Family by the late 1970s.

Possibly reported to Captain John Gambino in the mid-to-late 1980s.

Died November 2002.

14. Salvatore Saladino

No date of birth or other identifying details provided for this entry.

More Gambino Family posts can be found in the Index.

Gambino Family Bronx Crews (1980)

L to R: J. Gambino, R. Pipolo and J. Zingaro

Information on Gambino Family Bronx crews supplied by an FBI member source in late November 1980:

Captain: Joseph Gambino (1930-2004) (incarcerated)

J. Gambino

No apparent relation to Former Boss Carlo Gambino, Palermo-native Joseph entered the United States as a stowaway in January 1958. (See edit at bottom.)

Within a month he was in New York, residing first in Bath Beach, Brooklyn before moving to The Bronx.

In late February 1967 announced as a new Captain during a Family meeting held in Brooklyn and chaired by newly appointed Acting Boss Paul Castellano.

Gambino was one of those responsible for handling the carting industry in The Bronx and the surrounding Rockland and Westchester counties.

His crew included members active in those areas as well as a few additional members from Brooklyn.

In summer 1977 convicted on labor racketeering charges and sentenced to ten years Federal imprisonment.

Released in November 1983 and, by late 1985, had stepped down or been demoted as Captain and was replaced by Thomas Gambino (1929-2023), son of the Former Boss.

In August 1992 indicted with Thomas Gambino and former crew member Philip LoScalzo on racketeering charges. Thomas Gambino was convicted; Joseph Gambino received an acquittal and LoScalzo was severed prior to trial due to health.

By 1997 Gambino appears to have taken over a separate crew formerly headed by Captain Anthony 'Little Tony / Tony C.' Carminati.

He may have continued in that position until his death in April 2004; he was included in a circa June 2002 Federal hierarchy chart, although FBI CI John Bologna reported in July 2001 that the 'Gambinos 'chased' Joe Gambino out'.

Crew members:

1. Nicola 'Nicky Nelson' Melillo (1918-1981) - Acting Capo

N. Melillo
Press

Born July 1918 in East Harlem, Manhattan to a father from Corleto Monforte comune of Salerno, Campania, Melillo was an inducted member of the Gambino Family by 1958.

Came up as part of the Squillante-Zingaro crews and was involved with carting companies in Mount Vernon, New York.

Served approximately three years for perjury during the early-mid 1970s.

Appointed Acting Captain for the imprisoned Joseph Gambino by the summer of 1980.

That June it was reported that Melillo was planning to sponsor an Unsub (name redacted) for membership.

In mid-January 1981 a second FBI source noted that Gambino was 'upset with the way Nick Melillo was handling things' while Gambino was in jail. In a partially redacted statement, the informant implied that upon completion of his sentence Gambino was planning to meet with Family Boss Paul Castellano about Melillo, who died of natural causes that October. (Gambino was released from Federal prison in November 1983.)

2. Philip 'Skinny Phil' LoScalzo (1915-1993) - Soldier

P. LoScalzo (1970s)

Born March 1915 in The Bronx to a Calabrian father shot to death about two months after his son's birth, LoScalzo was an inducted member by 1958.

Closely associated with Captain David 'Papa Dave' Amodeo (1893-1984) and probably reported to him before Joseph Gambino's promotion in 1967; in the mid-1970s LoScalzo was described by informant(s) as Gambino's 'main soldier' and his primary 'money handler'.

Around May 1976 LoScalzo was accused of stealing $250,000 of Gambino's money and had to reach out to Consigliere Joseph N. Gallo to avoid being hit.

By 1986 reporting to Gambino's successor Thomas Gambino and operating Cafe Cappuccino located on Morris Ave in The Bronx.

Associates included Albanians Nardino Colotti and Alex Rudaj, who headed their own criminal group in the borough.

Indicted along with both his current and former Captains in 1992, LoScalzo was severed due to ill health and died in late October 1993.

3. Salvatore Spatola (1932-2025) - Soldier

S. Spatola (R) (1976)
Gang Land News

Born February 1932 in Brooklyn to Sicilian parents, Spatola was inducted into the Gambino Family under Joseph Gambino's sponsorship in 1976.

The pair operated Joe and Sal's Italian Restaurant in Nyack, New York.

Around 1985 he followed LoScalzo into Thomas Gambino's crew, but was back under Joseph Gambino after the latter took over for Carminati in the mid-to-late 1990s.

Died April 2025.

4. "[Redacted] (LNU), Paul Gambino's [redacted] - Soldier"

Probably referring to one of Former Captain Paolo Gambino's sons-in-law: Carlo Darpa (1939-1983) or Frank Ferro.

5-6. "Unsubs (2) from Brooklyn who are originally from Sicily"

Captain: Rudolph 'Rudy' Pipolo (1926-1983)

R. Pipolo

Born December 1926 to a father from Piaggine comune of Salerno, Campania, Pipolo was inducted into the Gambino Family around 1957 and was named Captain of the former John Angelone crew a couple of months before this report.

As Captain, Pipolo was involved in numbers and sports betting and ran a gambling operation out of the Sons of Italy Fusco Lodge in The Bronx. He also held a financial interest in Hollows discotheque in New Rochelle, Westchester County and in Sous Rendezvous, the latter of which he inherited from the deceased Angelone.

In June 1981 an informant noted that Pipolo and Joseph Zingaro (below) were two Captains who reported direct to Consigliere Joseph N. Gallo.

By January 1982 his crew was holding weekly meetings at the Twilight Lounge, located in the vicinity of Gun Hill Rd in the Pelham Gardens section.

That month it was reported an Unsub (name redacted) was being proposed for membership by a member of Pipolo's crew.

Pipolo died July 1, 1983, after which members of his crew are believed to have been dispersed among other Captains.

Crew members:

1. "Frank Angelone - Soldier (old and retired)"

Possibilities include Frank Angelo (1909-1995), older brother of Peter Angelo (1915-1985), who in turn may be identical with the 'Pietro Angelo' identified in 1990 as a deceased former member of Thomas Gambino's crew.

2. "[Redacted] - Soldier from New Jersey"

3. Rocco Mazzie (1916-1986), aka Rogie - Soldier

R. Mazzie
FBN Mafia Book

Born February 1916 in Lucerne, Pennsylvania to a father from Roscigno, Salerno, Mazzie grew up in East Harlem and was a Captain by the mid-1950s.

Following a conviction on Federal narcotics charges his crew was broken up between David Amodeo and Arthur Leo.

By August 1966 he was reporting to the now-deceased Leo's successor, Anthony 'Tony Baker' Napolitano.

As a member of Pipolo's crew Mazzie continued involvement in what one informant called 'one of the largest policy operations in the Bronx', overseeing the business from an office at Hobart and Westchester Aves in Pelham Bay.

Following Pipolo's death Mazzie was reported as a member of Joseph Zingaro's crew.

He died in August 1986.

4. [Redacted] - Soldier

5. John DeMatteo (1916-2006), aka Johnny Pie - Soldier

J. DeMatteo

Born October 1916 in Brooklyn to parents from Naples, Campania, DeMatteo was a made member by the late 1950s.

As of 1965 both he and his father Albert DeMatteo (1891-1965), also a Gambino Soldier, were in David Amodeo's crew.

By the mid-1970s reported to John Angelone and subsequently to Pipolo.

Under Pipolo, DeMatteo was involved in union activity and, per informant reports, handled a small loansharking business from a Bronx social club located on Beaumont Ave.

Following Pipolo's death DeMatteo may have been with Anthony Carminati; by 2000 he was listed under Joseph Gambino, who took over Carminati's crew a few years prior. (According to a May 2000 Govt chart posted on the forum. The FBI listed 'Tony Pie' among Carminati's nicknames.)

Full bio here.

Captain: Joe Zingaro (1912-1993)

J. Zingaro

Born October 1912 in Melrose, The Bronx to family believed from Avellino, Campania.

By the mid-to-late 1950s he was a formally inducted member in the crew of Vincent 'Jimmy Jerome' Squillante, who disappeared in 1960.

A couple of years later Zingaro was identified by FBI CI and Gambino Soldier Alfred Santantonio as a Captain with approximately twenty made men under him. (Santantonio was murdered July 1963 after his informant status became known.)

He is believed to have remained an influential figure right up to his death thirty years later in July 1993.

Crew members:

1. Gennaro 'Jerry' Mancuso (1926-2012) - Soldier

Born October 1926 in Manhattan to a father from Campania, Gennaro was the older brother of Aniello (below); by the late 1950s the brothers are believed to have been reporting to their uncle, Captain Vincent Squillante.

Under Zingaro, Mancuso resided in Astoria, Queens and held membership in IBT Local 875 industrial workers union.

One informant noted that Zingaro and Mancuso were seen together at one of the crew's local social clubs 'on a daily basis'.

By 2000 the Mancuso brothers were reporting to Captain Salvatore 'Tore' LoCascio, the son of Former Gambino Acting Consigliere Frank LoCascio (1932-2021) (below).

FBI CI and Gambino Associate John Bologna reported to the FBI that both Gennaro and his brother were Captains by 2002. (Bologna was known to have occasionally given his handlers incorrect information, although Aniello at least was a confirmed Captain according to CW and Former Gambino Captain Michael DiLeonardo.)

Died April 2012.

2. Aniello 'Wahoo' Mancuso (1930-2009) - Soldier

A. Mancuso

Gennaro's younger brother, Aniello was born January 1930 in Manhattan and grew up on E 106th St in the East Harlem neighborhood.

Under Zingaro, Aniello was active in the carting business on Long Island; an FBI summary report from 1980 described him as a 'force behind the private sanitation industry association of Nassau and Suffolk Counties'.

In March 1985 arrested by NYPD Manhattan after pulling a gun and issuing threats over a $30 bar tab (see above photo).

Believed to be an Acting Captain by 1995, a position confirmed on the 2000 Govt chart listing him as Acting for Salvatore LoCascio.

By 2002 he was an official Captain per reports from CI John Bologna and court testimony of CW Michael DiLeonardo.

Died February 2009.

3. Frank 'F.F.' Fiumara (1913-2000) - Soldier

Born June 1913 to a father from Francavilla Angitola comune of Catanzaro, Calabria, Fiumara was a made member of Zingaro's crew by 1963.

Under Zingaro, Fiumara carried out 'small time' extortion and bookmaking and at one point held a job with a supermarket chain; in 1967 an informant noted he was 'one of the few 'made' guys who has a regular employment'.

By the late 1970s he resided in New Rochelle and operated a local card game.

In January 1981 FBI CI reported that Fiumara used two social clubs in that city as 'gambling spots' and as a location from which to shylock customers using money supplied by Zingaro.

By 2000 reporting to Salvatore LoCascio.

Died in June of that year.

4. Frank 'Frankie Loc' LoCascio (1932-2021) - Soldier

F. LoCascio

Born September 1932 in The Bronx to a father from Baucina, Palermo, LoCascio was inducted around 1955 and reported to Joseph Zingaro by the late 1970s.

Around that time designated a subject in one of the FBI's large-scale gambling investigations.

According to Former Gambino Underboss turned CW Salvatore Gravano, LoCascio was promoted to Captain sometime after Boss John Gotti's acquittal on Federal racketeering charges in the spring of 1987.

Around January of the following year Gotti appointed LoCascio the Family's Acting Underboss.

One year later Salvatore Gravano was made the official Underboss and LoCascio was shifted to Acting Consigliere.

Gravano's testimony aided in the April 1992 convictions of LoCascio and Gotti on Federal racketeering charges; both were sentenced to life and died behind bars, LoCascio in October 2021.

5. 'Big John' DeGregorio (1910-1983) - Soldier

J. DeGregorio (Late 1970s)

Born June 1910 in Gallina frazione of Reggio Calabria, DeGregorio grew up in Port Chester, Westchester County and was a made member by the late 1950s.

Older brother Anello (1899-1985) was also a member, though possibly with a separate crew (under Captain Joseph 'Joe the Cat' LaForte by 1983.)

By the late 1970s 'Big John' supervised 'a large scale gambling operation' dealing in numbers and sports bets from the Westchester Circle Luncheonette in Port Chester.

He was observed on multiple occasions with various Gambino members, including Captain John Angelone and Acting Captain Nicola Melillo, at the New Rochelle Social Club on Crescent Ave in The Bronx's Belmont neighborhood.

In April 1982 an informant noted that DeGregorio was 'still on the mob hit list' for suspected skimming of gambling profits.

He died one year later in early April 1983.

Other

A. Mascia (Late 1970s)

As part of the same November 1980 report, the member source noted that Former Captain Angelo Mascia (1909-1986) was 'an active Soldier under a Capo named [Redacted] (LNU) from New Jersey'.

R. Mosca (L) and A. Napolitano

Source also noted that Ralph 'Ralphie Bones' Mosca (1910-1999) was a Captain and Anthony 'Tony Baker' Napolitano (1900-1992) an Acting Captain.

In mid-January 1981 a second informant was shown the list and added two additional Soldiers, both names redacted.

Known crew members not named by the informant included Soldiers Robert 'Sonny' Guippone (1930-1993), Frank 'Rummy' Mastroiacova (1914-1983) and Anthony 'Porky' Porcelli (1929-2009), all under Zingaro.

More Gambino Family posts can be found in the Index.

Edit: Corrected Gambino's (lack of) relation to Carlo Gambino as pointed out on the forum; FBI research into the Gambinos' families found no relation going back several generations.