Update

J. Stanfa

New Posts
1. Philadelphia Ceremonies (Early 1990s)

2. Frank Correnti (Rockford)

3. Tino Fiumara (Genovese) [Mostly a photo post with some info from the 1960s - 1970s]

 

Updated Post

1. Genovese Family Ceremonies (1970s) - Added mugshots of Fiumara and John DiGilio to the early 1976 group.

In skimming through recent material on Stanfa and the associated cases from the mid-1990s Ronald Turchi's name hasn't come up at all. There's also been only a single passing mention so far of Felix Bocchino, who is believed to have held some position of importance during the early months of Stanfa's time as Boss. The trials were heavily focused on the factional violence and not much attention is given to the Family's actual structure. (Bocchino's murder was also discussed in the Ralph Natale post.)

Full list of posts here.

Frank Correnti (Rockford)

Aug. 1962

Frank Correnti was a member of the Rockford Family inducted in 1965.

Born October 28, 1911 in Rockford, Illinois to Alfio (Mechanic; 54y) and Concetta (40y). Family from Linguaglossa comune of Catania, Sicily.

Over the next couple of decades the Correntis resided on Corbin St in Rockford. Frank's father worked as a mechanic and later at a foundry.

By the fall of 1940 Frank married and was living at 968 North Main St. He worked as a car salesman with Herb + Bussey Motors on North Madison St.

On August 3, 1962 arrested by Rockford PD. (See top)

Inducted into the Rockford Family at fifty-three years old on or around January 15, 1965.

Others made in the same ceremony were Sebastian 'Knobby' Gulotta (34y) and Joseph Maggio (28y). (In April 1980 Maggio was found shot to death; he is the last known Rockford member to be murdered and the only confirmed member of the Family to die violently after the 1930s.)

At the time of Correnti's induction the Rockford Family was believed to number around twenty members.

Almost the entire confirmed membership was Sicilian, primarily from Agrigento and Palermo provinces.(The one exception is Joseph 'Gramps' Marinelli, whose family was from Frosinone in Lazio.)

Known members circa January 1966 included:

1. Boss: Joseph Zammuto (1896-1990) [Aragona, Agrigento]
2. Underboss: Frank Buscemi (1911-1987) [Aragona]
3. Consigliere: Joseph 'Diamond Joe' Zito (1906-1981) [San Giuseppe Jato, Palermo]
4. Captain: Lorenzo Buttice (1892-1967) [Aragona]
5. Anthony Basile (1908-1977) [San Giuseppe Jato]
6. Filippo Caltagerone (1895-1971) [Aragona]
7. Philip Cannella (1914-1971) [Villafranca Sicula, Agrigento]
8. Al Cicero (1906-1994) [Sambuca di Sicilia, Agrigento]
9. Frank Correnti (1911-1985) [Linguaglossa, Catania]
10. Philip 'The Tailor' Emordeno (1911-1981) [San Giuseppe Jato]
11. Sebastian Gulotta (1930-2000) [Sambuca di Sicilia]
12. Joseph Maggio (1936-1980) [Sambuca di Sicilia]
13. Joseph Marinelli (1918-1980) [Frosinone, Lazio]
14. Salvatore 'Sam' Oliveri (1895-1969) [Corleone, Palermo]
15. Philip Priola (1907-1987) [Ficarazzi, Palermo]
16. Charles Vince (1907-1994) [Camporeale, Palermo]

On August 31, 1967 included in the FBI's list of 17 identified Rockford Family members. 6 deceased members also identified. (Jasper Calo, included in the list of living members, is believed to have transferred to a Family in Sicily by this time.)

On December 17, 1968 FBI CI (Milwaukee Member) reported: "[TE] advised he had received information from friends in Rockford, Illinois that the members of the Rockford LCN Family had received subpoenas to testify before a Federal Grand Jury at Freeport, Illinois. Receipt of these subpoenas has the Rockford LCN Family 'shook up'. TE expects to visit Rockford over weekend. Any information developed by TE will be forwarded."

On December 20, 1968 among nine who appeared before the FGJ. Those called to testify in addition to Correnti were Boss Joseph Zammuto, Underboss Frank Buscemi, Captain Charles Vince and Soldiers Philip Cannella, Al Cicero, Joseph Maggio, Joseph Marinelli and Philip Priola.

F. Buscemi

In September 1972 FBI CI reported: "[If] Joe Zammuto steps down from his position as Capo of the Rockford Family there is no doubt that Frank Buscemi will take over. He said in his opinion when Buscemi becomes Capo, any member of the Family who is looking for some action will be able to get it and he would expect that Joe Maggio, Frank Correnti, Knobby Gulotta and Charlie Vince would fall into that category."

On May 18, 1973 FBI CI reported: "Informant advised that on or about April 21, Charles Vince, Frank Correnti, Phil Emordeno, Knobby Gulotta, Joe Maggio and Phil Priola were together. Vince advised that the Madison, Wisconsin LCN Family had disbanded by vote of the membership. He did not say specifically when, but informant assumes that it was shortly before Vince so advised them. He said Vince stated two members voted to keep the Family alive and when the others voted to disband it was agreed these two would 'throw in' with the Milwaukee Family. Informant said since Vince is the Capodecina of the Rockford LCN Family, the members present took his statement as one of fact and not gossip." (By the spring of 1973 the Madison Family, headed by Carlo Caputo, numbered seven confirmed members.)

Oct. 1973

On October 1, 1973 issued Firearm Owners ID.

In January 1976 FBI reported: "The Rockford Family of the LCN continues as a separate entity with closer ties to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Springfield, Illinois than Chicago. The Chicago Family has virtually no influence in Rockford. Joseph Zammuto continues as Boss with Frank J. Buscemi as Underboss. This Family is relatively inactive having a membership of about fourteen persons. They exert little, if any, influence on the political, judicial or economic affairs in Rockford. There is some involvement with gambling activities in the area, however, this Family has elected to remain passive and uninvolved, being content to avoid publicity and exposure." (This was repeated verbatim in a report the following year.)

Correnti died January 7, 1985 in Loves Park, Illinois.

Tino Fiumara (Genovese)

Jul. 1964

1964 Newark PD mugshot of Future Genovese Capodecina Tino Fiumara (1941-2010) following an arrest for atrocious assault and battery (knife).

Born August 11, 1941 in Newark to John (45y), from Ali Superiore comune of Messina, Sicily, and Tessie Forte from Campobasso, Molise.

At the time of arrest Fiumara resided at 190 Elm St in Newark's Ironbound section and listed his occupation as strapper.

On April 10, 1965 picked up in a State Police raid on an East Newark crap game.

The following month FBI CI reported: "[Fiumara] has the reputation of being an enforcer for the Manna group in the Jersey City - Hoboken area." (Genovese Soldier Louis 'Bobby' Manna [1929-] later served as the Family's Consigliere.)

Over the following couple of years Fiumara is believed to have participated in several murders, including an October 1967 triple homicide inside Club 309 in Ironbound.

Jan. 1968

On January 25, 1968 arrested again by Newark PD.

C. Toto (c. 1970)

On March 21, 1974 FBI CI reported: "Informant advised that until recently, no one could understand how Tino Fiumara was managing to gain control of the illegal activities at Port Newark, New Jersey in view of his previous problems within the LCN for killing the Colucci brothers [in 10/67]. Informant continued that recently he heard Fiumara's power at the Port comes from the fact he is Carmine Toto's nephew." (Frank Carmen 'Fat Todd' Toto [1904-1981], family from Isernia Province of Molise, was a Genovese Soldier under Peter LaPlaca [1902-1979].)

In early 1976 the New York Families opened the books and inductions resumed. Each Family was initially allowed ten new members. In early February Fiumara was made as part of the Genovese's initial group, likely under Peter LaPlaca's sponsorship.

Members of the Genovese Family's first wave of new inductees
L to R: DeVingo, DiGilio, Fiumara, Mangano, Russo

Others inducted in the first wave included Anthony DeVingo, John DiGilio, Venero 'Benny Eggs' Mangano and John 'Johnny Mumbles' Russo.

The first available informant report confirming the inductions took place came five days later on February 10.

P. LaPlaca

By early February 1976 made members of Peter LaPlaca's crew included relative Nicholas 'Joe Bones' Bufanio, Tino Fiumara, Michael 'Mickey Gerard' Geralle, John 'Johnny Coca-Cola' Lardiere, Ernest Lazzara, Dr. Philip Noto, Joseph 'Joe Pech' Pecora, Thomas 'Timmy Murphy' Pecora, Anthony 'Tony Nino' Saita and Carmen Toto. (Bufanio was another of Toto's nephews.)

On February 9, 1976 FBI CI reported: "[Tino] Fiumara now controls illegal activities at Port Newark, NJ."

On February 19, 1976 FBI CI reported: "During 2/1976 many promotions in the LCN have been given out to the members. This was done in order to groom the most promising members to replace the older leaders who will retire or die off in the next few years...[Tino] Fiumara is being groomed to take over the eventual place of Peter LaPlaca."

On February 28, 1976 FBI CI reported: "[Tino] Fiumara is making regular stops at a bar formerly owned by the late Lou Luciano, a made member of the Lucchese Family." (Dominick 'Lou' Luciano [1924-1971], father also believed from Campobasso, was shot to death February 1971 in an unsanctioned killing carried out by Newark's Campisi crew.)

On April 12, 1976 FBI CI reported: "[Top Echelon Source] advised that since he furnished info on 3/28/1976 regarding the 'making' of five new LCN members, he has learned of further individuals having been 'made'. TE advised John DiGilio of Hudson County, NJ and Tino Fiumara of Bergen County, NJ, were also recently 'made' in the LCN as well as a total of eight unknown individuals 'with' Carmine 'Lilo' Galante of NY, not four as he previously reported. TE stated he has been told Fiumara has allegedly been given the Port Newark, NJ operations previously overseen by Genovese Family member John Lardiere, aka 'Johnny Coke', who is presently incarcerated for contempt for refusing to testify before the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation, despite a grant of immunity." (Fellow LaPlaca crew member John Lardiere [1909-1977] was shot to death while on a furlough the following April; Fiumara was a suspected on-scene participant.)

On June 30, 1976 FBI CI reported: "Bergen County, NJ has long been under the overall control of Pete LaPlaca, who is a Caporegime in the Genovese Family. Directly under LaPlaca is Tino Fiumara, who was recently 'made' and is considered a Lieutenant in the Genovese Family. Fiumara is being groomed to take over LaPlaca's place in the Family. Fiumara has two 'made' uncles, one from Newark, NJ and one from New York City, who have helped Fiumara rise within the Genovese Family. Directly under Fiumara is [Redacted] who controls much of [redacted] for Fiumara. LaPlaca's and Fiumara's overall illegal operations stem from Lodi, NJ."

A. Caponigro (No. 1) (1979)

On October 13, 1976 FBI CI reported: "Informant advised Tino Fiumara had been [recently made due] to a 'beef' with Antonio Rocco Caponigro, Newark. Further, [Redacted] and [Redacted], who were formerly associated with Fiumara in [redacted] NJ, were now assigned to Caponigro's group." (Antonio 'Tony Bananas' Caponigro [1912-1980] was then a Soldier in Philadelphia's Bruno Family; he soon replaced Joseph 'Joe the Boss' Rugnetta as that Family's Consigliere following the latter's death and, in March 1980, orchestrated the unsanctioned murder of his Boss Angelo Bruno. In retaliation both he and his brother-in-law were killed by members of the Genovese Family.)

Fiumara was a suspected participant in several additional murders that took place in the mid-to-late 1970s.

A labor racketeering conviction in 1980 resulted in a twenty-five year sentence.

While incarcerated he nonetheless remained a figure of influence and is listed as a Captain in one Federal chart from 1985.

c. 2000s

Following his release in 1994, and in between stints for parole violation, Fiumara remained an active Captain and reportedly helped run the Family as part of a three-man ruling panel shortly before his death in September 2010. (Information on this ruling panel was originally posted on the forum.)

More Genovese Family posts can be found in the Index.

Philadelphia Ceremonies (Early 1990s)

Brief descriptions, in chronological order, of Bruno Family induction ceremonies held during John Stanfa's reign in the early 1990s.

The majority of this information was obtained from the Bruno CWs of the 1990s.

Dates given are approximate.

===

November 1991

Attendees:
- John Stanfa (50y) (Boss) [IPL 1996]
- Others?

L to R: Ciancaglini Jr., Tripodi, Turchi
Tripodi: Press

Members Inducted:
- Joseph Ciancaglini Jr. (33y) [Disabled 1993]

Luigi 'Gino' Tripodi (53y) and Ronald Turchi (53y) were also believed to have been made around this time, possibly in the same ceremony as Ciancaglini Jr.

Tripodi could have been inducted before Ciancaglini Jr.; Stanfa told CW Battaglia that Tripodi was his first choice as Underboss but, due to the need for a 'bridge' between Stanfa and the younger members, Ciancaglini Jr. was given the position. Battaglia: "[Gino] stepped back and John made him a soldier."

===

September 1992

Attendees:
- John Stanfa (51y) (Boss) [IPL 1996]
- Others

L to R: Ciancaglini, Lucibello, Massimino, Merlino

Members Inducted:
- Biagio Adornetto (24y) [Flipped 1993]
- Michael 'Mikey Chang' Ciancaglini (29y) [Murdered 1993]
- Gaeton Lucibello (39y)
- Joseph 'Mousie' Massimino (42y)
- Joseph 'Skinny Joey' Merlino (30y)

===

c. May 1993

Location: Apartment / Condo (Gibbstown, New Jersey)

Attendees:
- John Stanfa (52y) (Boss) [IPL 1996]

L to R: Battaglia, Esposito, Martines
Martines: Press

Members Inducted:
- Sergio Battaglia (26y) [Flipped 1996]
- Raymond Esposito (50y) [Died 1999]
- Frank Martines (38y) [IPL 1996]

Battaglia:
"

[On that day] I picked up Frank Martines and John Stanfa in Medford, New Jersey...Frankie told me and John told me that, you know, we were going to be straightened out, we were going to be made that [day].

...[When] I picked them up, we headed southbound on 295. We went to the Dutch Inn near Raymond Esposito's house. I pulled into the Dutch Inn. We met Raymond Esposito there [and] Raymond was driving a Cougar, a two-door, like a light tan Cougar. Me, Raymond, John Stanfa and Frank Martines got in the car and we drove out to -- not that far away from the Dutch Inn was Raymond Esposito's daughter's condo or apartment. We went in there and that's where the ceremony was conducted.

...When we got there, John started explaining the rules, why we were there. You know, he was starting a new family. He was restructuring the whole family. He told us that he made Michael Ciancaglini, Gaeton Lucibello, Joseph Merlino, Biagio Adornetto and Joseph Massimino in September of '92.

He says, they're no longer recognized as a made member. Each individual is marked for death. When we get a chance, we're going to kill them. It could be a day, it could be a month, it could be a year. When the opportunity occurs, we're killing them. He says, I already talked to the other members of the families. They are not recognized and they are marked for death. I said, all right.

He told us the rules of the family. No prostitution, no drugs, no counterfeit money. He says -- let's see, -- [interrupted by prosecutor].

...I was sitting closest to John. And, you know, he said to me, you know why you're here? I said, no. You're supposed to say that. If you say you know why you're there, you get killed. So, you say, no, I don't know why I'm here. But, you know because you were told before you were getting straightened out.

He says -- there was a gun and knife on the table. He says, would you use this [for] anybody in the family? I said, yes. He says, you got a pin? Hit my finger -- my trigger finger, blood came out. Got a saint and wiped it. I [cupped] my hands, put the saint and lit it. He said, repeat after me. He says, if you betray anybody in the family with me, you burn like the saint in your hand. I did the same -- what he told me, I repeated after him. I put it out. He kissed me and wished me luck. After he finished with me, he got Frankie Martines. After Frankie, it was Raymond Esposito's turn.

"

Stanfa presided over the ceremony alone: "John Stanfa said that he -- Biagio Adornetto went bad, cooperated with the Government, and told them [who] was made at a ceremony. And, he had [shown] agents who were made members [and] who were players in the mob. He identified people. And, [Stanfa] didn't want to do that no more. He says, look, whenever I make somebody, it's going to be a couple guys. So, if somebody goes, it's his word against everybody else's and there's not going to [be] a lot of people. You know, I thought it made sense because after Biagio went, he implicated five guys being made that day with him, you know, and he exposed a lot of people."

Immediately after being made Frank Martines was appointed Acting Underboss: "[Stanfa] welcomed me for, like, being loyal, generating money, doing whatever had to be done for the family, and that's why I was being made. Frankie Martines was being made for the murder of Rod Colombo. And, Raymond Esposito was being congratulated and being made for [murder of] Mario Riccobene. At this meeting there was [restructuring] of the family. Me and Raymond Esposito would be soldiers. Frankie Martines would be acting [Underboss]. [If] Joseph Ciancaglini would get healthier and better and capable of maintaining his position [as official Underboss]. He would -- Frankie would step down and be a [Captain] of the family."

A. Piccolo

Shortly after being inducted Stanfa introduced Battaglia to Consigliere Anthony 'Tony Buck' Piccolo at Attorney Salvatore Avena's office in Camden, New Jersey: "When we walked in Anthony Piccolo was talking to Nicky Scarfo, Jr. John Stanfa walked over to Tony; can I talk to you for a minute. He excused himself. We walked into [a] rear bathroom. Mr, Stanfa and Piccolo went in there. Stanfa turned on the water [to] break up the sound, and he introduced me to Tony Piccolo as a friend of ours. Tony kissed me and wished me luck. John told us that, Sergio, you can learn a lot from this man. He's been around a long time. He's the consigliere of the family. Any advice we get from him is okay."

===

c. Mid-to-Late September 1993

Location: Basement of John Stanfa Residence (Medford, NJ)

Attendees:
- John Stanfa (52y) (Boss) [IPL 1996]
- Frank Martines (39y) (Acting Underboss) [IPL 1996]

- Sergio Battaglia (26y) (Soldier) [Flipped 1996]

Pagano (L) and Stanfa (R)
Press

Members Inducted:
- Vincent 'Al Pajamas' Pagano (63y) [IPL 1996] [Died 2019]
- Joseph Stanfa (23y)

Battaglia:
"

Me, Frankie [Martines] and John Stanfa, we met over at John Stanfa's residence [on] Church Street, Medford, New Jersey. And we told Al [Pagano] to come over at 8:00 later that night. We discussed that we were going to make Al Pagano first, induct him into the family, and we were going to do it in John Stanfa's house, in his basement, because his house was gutted and he [had] swept for bugs and it was clean. There was no bugs, he felt safe downstairs. It was all opened up. So we went downstairs when Al got there, and we inducted him. After we inducted Al, we called Joe Stanfa down.

...[We] told Al the rules, you know, basically the same thing that was told to me. Then we called Joe down, and the reason why we didn't make him at the same time, have them both in the same room is because we wanted to make everybody believe that Al was a member long before anybody else being that he was older, making like -- he's a made member the same day as Joe Stanfa? So we made it look like he was a made member before Joe. We called Joe Stanfa down, and we did the same thing, and the reason why he was inducted, John Stanfa feared if he ever got locked up, he could communicate with other members through his son. So we inducted Joe Stanfa into La Cosa Nostra.

"

The ceremony followed the traditional blood and fire method using a saint's card.

===

c. Late September - October 1993

Location: Penn Tower Hotel (West Philadelphia)

Attendees:
- John Stanfa (52y) (Boss) [IPL 1996]
- Frank Martines (39y) (Acting Underboss) [IPL 1996]

- Vincent 'Al Pajamas' Pagano (63y) (Captain?) [IPL 1996] [Died 2019]

- Sergio Battaglia (26y) (Soldier) [Flipped 1996]

Filipelli (L) and Veasey (R)
Press

Members Inducted:
- Vincent 'Big Vince' Filipelli (40y)
- John Veasey (26y) [Flipped 1994]

Veasey:
"

I was picked up in the morning about 8:00, 8:30 from Sergio Battaglia at my house. I was driven to the Northeast to a place called Spinelli's [and] I met a few different people there. I met John Stanfa there, [Bufalino Boss] Billy D'Elia, Alphonse Pajamas [Pagano], Vince Filipelli, Frank Martines, Sergio was with me, a few guys named Frank, Billy's driver.

...We're at Spinelli's. We're all sitting around and, you know, we're talking. John [Stanfa]'s gotta climb over a fence to leave out the back [and the meeting broke up because] cops was supposed to be there and some FBI agents.

...[John] Stanfa and Sergio Battaglia went over a fence in the back. We went out the front door, me, Martines and Vincent Filipelli, and we went [south] on 95. We stopped, we bought some wine. And then we had to stop and get a corkscrew. Then we went to a hotel room across the street from the University of Pennsylvania [Penn Tower].

...[I] met John Stanfa, Sergio Battaglia and Al Pajamas in the room...At that time the rules -- he asked me if I knew why I was there and things like that. And then the rules were explained to me of the family.

...I had a piece of paper put in my hand and asked like if I [would] burn like this piece of paper before I betray this family...They used toilet paper right off the roll.

...[Frank Martines pricked my finger after] about seven or eight tries. I don't know how many tries. He was poking away then finally I squeezed it and got some blood into the front and then he poked it again.

"

Afterwards Stanfa explained the rules:
"

Well, rule number one was stay away from his daughter, which is Sarah. That was a off the limit situation. And after that was, you know, you can't fight with nobody that's made. You can't fight with other made guys. You will be introduced only through another made guy to another made guy as a friend of ours, not a friend of mine. So if I was to go out with [prosecutor] or something and meet youse and say he's a friend of mine, that would mean, you know, he's just my friend, he's not a member of La Cosa Nostra. If I say he's a friend of ours, it's like a international thing, then he would be a friend of La Cosa Nostra, meaning he would be a made member.

...[The] money situation was to give it all to the boss and, you know, he was buying weapons for the war [with Merlino faction], and we would give him all the money, he would pay us $300 a week. At that time I was getting 500 a week.

...[Regarding structure] Joseph Ciancaglini was shot sometime in March...He was the underboss and he couldn't lose that position because he was shot. So Frank Martines was the acting underboss but he couldn't fulfill that position either unless, you know, Joey stepped down or whatever. And [Stanfa] was the boss, you know, things like that.

"

Veasey placed the ceremony a 'few weeks' after the September 17 murder of Frank Baldino.

Battaglia: "It was right after the Frank Baldino murder. Joe Stanfa went for a checkup [re August 31 shooting injury]. While he was getting checked up, we went across the street and inducted the two other individuals." (Battaglia also specified that Veasey's ceremony was the second of the last three ceremonies conducted by Stanfa, all of which occurred after Baldino was killed.)

Battaglia's account of the ceremony: "I picked up John Veasey at his house and told him today was his day; today he was going to be inducted into the mob. I drove over to Penn Towers where Al Pagano had a room arranged, and John Stanfa, Frank Martines, and Vince Filipelli were already upstairs. I met Al in the lobby. Me, John Veasey and Al Pagano went upstairs and met the other individuals. When we got up there, John Stanfa told John Veasey and Vince Filipelli the rules of the family just like he did at my ceremony and Al Pagano's ceremony, told them who -- what was Frankie's position, what was Al's position, the rules, would he use a gun or not for anybody in the family. And then after that, we proceeded with the ceremonies."

According to Battaglia, Veasey was already marked for death at the time of his induction: "We were going to make Veasey do all the work still, use him like a prostitute, and get him closer, make him feel happy because at this time, he's like, I made my bones; why ain't I being made? So we said we're going to make him, and once we made him, we were going to get [Associate Philip] Colletti and say, look, you made your bones too; we're going to make you; and have them both in the ceremony and [kill] both individuals."

That December Veasey, not yet facing charges, was convinced by his brother William to reach out to the FBI.

He initially remained on the street as a wired source and recorded two conversations before, on January 14, he was lured to a South Philadelphia numbers spot and shot by Frank Martines, with Vincent Pagano present. Veasey fought off his attackers and was taken into Federal custody.

Three months later Associate Philip Colletti also defected.

In early October 1995, shortly before John Veasey testified against Stanfa, his brother William was shot to death in South Philly.

===

c. November 1993

Location: Royce Hotel (near Langhorne in Middletown Township, PA)

Attendees:
- John Stanfa (52y) (Boss) [IPL 1996]
- Frank Martines (39y) (Acting Underboss) [IPL 1996]

- Vincent 'Al Pajamas' Pagano (63y) (Captain) [IPL 1996] [Died 2019]
- Luigi 'Gino' Tripodi (Captain?) (55y)

Scafidi

Members Inducted:
- Giuseppe Gallara (25y) [IPL 1996]
- Gaetano 'Tommy Horsehead' Scafidi (29y) [Flipped 2000]

Gallara, who also went by Joe Stanfa, was Boss John Stanfa's nephew.

Battaglia: "[Stanfa] said, the reason we're making Giuseppe Gallara, because [he's] loyal to us, the work, and for the murder of Frank Baldino. Tommy Scafidi, for the murder of Louie Irish." (Louis 'Louie Irish' DeLuca was shot to death May 24, 1990 in South Philly.)

Veasey testified that he was unhappy with the decision to make Scafidi, who was until recently a member of the rival Merlino faction:
"

John Stanfa called me and Sergio Battaglia, Frank Martines, Al Pajamas and Vince Filipelli...We went down to Continental Food Express. We were downstairs. It's like a warehouse area. And he said do you know why we're here? We're gonna make this -- you know, the kid, meaning Giuseppe Gallara, and the other kid was Tommy Horsehead, and he asked if anybody had objections to it, you know, speak your mind. Nobody said nothing because he was the boss, you don't second-guess him. I [said] something to Martines about it, but it was on the side.

...[I told Martines] I was kind of shocked that they were making Horsehead because he was on the other side trying to kill us just a few weeks prior to that and now here we go, we're gonna make this guy on, you know, our side of the family. I didn't understand that...I didn't tell it to Stanfa. Not at that time anyway.

"

Rather than the Royce Inn, Veasey recalled the location of the ceremony as being the Sheraton Inn in Northeast Philadelphia.

Battaglia and Veasey didn't attend but were instead parked outside the hotel as lookouts.

Battaglia: "John Stanfa wanted me and Veasey outside because he thought the law was following, and I had a car phone, and they had a room upstairs. If the law was in the area, I was supposed to beep Frank Martines, and they would depart the ceremony."

Veasey: "[I didn't attend] I just brought the wine."

Afterward the group had dinner at Sal & Gerry's pizzeria in or near Newtown, PA, where the new inductees were formally introduced.

Those present included Boss John Stanfa, Acting Underboss Frank Martines, Captain Vincent Pagano, Captain (?) Luigi Tripodi, Soldiers Sergio Battaglia, Raymond Esposito, Vincent Filipelli, John Veasey and an Unsub described by Veasey as: "[An] unidentified Italian male. I don't know, he spoke Italian."

Battaglia recalled an 'individual named Nino' being present at the dinner; this was probably the same person as the Unsub noted by Veasey, and may have been Bruno Soldier Antonino 'Nino' Sciglitano (1927-2005).

Veasey: "[John Stanfa introduced Gallara as] a friend of ours and then he proceeded to walk around the table getting hugs and kisses from the people that were there...[Scafidi was introduced the same and he] came around to hug and kiss everybody. I didn't hug and kiss him, I just shook his hand. There was a argument between, you know, John [Stanfa] said hug the guy. I said I'm not gonna hug him, you know, and I just shook his hand."

This was the last known ceremony conducted by Stanfa. He and most of his supporters were indicted on Federal racketeering charges in March 1994. Stanfa was ultimately convicted and given multiple life sentences.

John Stanfa (Philadelphia)

J. Stanfa (L), S. Battaglia
Press

In May 1993 Sergio Battaglia was inducted into Philadelphia's Bruno Family by Boss John Stanfa.

Within a few days of being made he was invited to Stanfa's home, where the two held a discussion near the bocce court located behind the residence.

Battaglia later testified that during the talk Stanfa gave a summary of his own history in Philadelphia:

"

Well, we started discussing about the family, the crime family. John Stanfa, you know, he was happy that I was a made member at such a young age. He had high expectations for me, maybe one day be a [Capo], underboss, maybe one day I'll have my own family. I don't know. He was happy, and he told me about how young he was when he was in Palermo, Italy, Sicily when he was made and how he became involved with the Philadelphia mob. He came over from Sicily to New York, and New York told him to work for Angelo Bruno, appointed Bruno to watch over him. Stanfa and his family is very -- has strong ties to the Sicilian mafia. His nephew over there is boss of [a] crime family, and his connections are very strong.

"

A. Bruno
Press

"

When [Stanfa] came over here in 1969, I believe he said it was [then or] '66, he said he was working for Angelo Bruno. He was the boss of [the] crime family back then. He said he was a small contractor on the side, and he would do illegal activities with the [Bruno] crime family. He says Bruno was a good guy. He learned a lot from him, respected him like a father. And, he -- then it got into the night. He got killed. Stanfa was doing construction at Cous Little Italy that evening, and Tommy DelGiorno owned the place at that time. And, Stanfa went to go pick up a check for the work he did on the second floor of the restaurant. See, when he got there Tommy Del said to him, you know, Bruno's here, why don't you go say hello to him. I'm [not] really sure if he said John just came back from Italy or John said that Bruno just came back from Italy, and they haven't seen each other in a couple months. John walked over. They sat down. You know, how are you [doing].

[Bruno Associate] Mario Riccobene was there that evening [and he] was driving Bruno. And, he said, Mario, you drive my friend home. John you drive me home. We'll catch up on some talking. He said all right. John said he drove him home that evening. He said he pulled up to 10th & Snyder. He said they were bullshitting in front of the house. He said next to [Angelo] Bruno's house they were doing construction at a Wawa store, and he says there was a truck there, like a bread truck, and you couldn't see nothing, you know. So, while they were talking he says Bruno, you were smoking a cigar. He was, like, blowing smoke, and John was getting gagged. So, John said I just happened to roll down the window a crack to throw the cigar out. As soon as he threw the cigar out a man appeared with a shotgun and pointed it in the back of Bruno's head and blew his head off. He said his mouth opened up like a spigot. He said he got sprayed with the pellets on his arm, but he had a leather coat on. He said the sound was so loud he was deaf.

He said he jumped out of the car for cover. The guy was gone by the time he jumped out. And, he said Mrs. Bruno heard the -- [interrupted by prosecutor].

[Stanfa] said he jumped out of the car. He says by the time -- the sound was so loud, Mrs. Bruno -- Angelo Bruno's wife was at the door, and she came out, and she seen Angelo Bruno dead in the car, and she started panicking. John went up to her and comforted her and brought her back in the house.

So then after that he was taken to the hospital for the wounds that he received from the pellets. And, the feds were, like, all over him; who did it, you know. He didn't know nothing. He said they were breaking -- breaking them for him the following day. The following day he said he drove to New York to meet mob figures, and he said they were following him there, and they had a picture. And, two -- he got eight years for two questions. He lied. He perjured himself. He said two questions got me eight years.

"

J. Gotti (L), N. Scarfo
Scarfo: Press

"

[Eight years] in the federal institution, jail. He said when he came out there was a contract on his life by Nicodemo Scarfo. He was the guy who took over Angelo Bruno's spot as boss. Everybody who had anything to do with Angelo Bruno's murder was killed. The only one who survived was John Stanfa. And, Nicodemo Scarfo believed that John had something to do with it. When John Stanfa came out Nicky Scarfo was in jail, him and his crew. So, John came out and went to New York to see his friends, the Gambinos. The Gambinos were -- were part of a John Gotti crew. John Gotti okayed for Stanfa to come back to Philadelphia, and nobody would be touched, and the contract would be lifted off him.

When he came back he was minding [his] business. He said, you know, he was working with his son. He opened [Stanfa] Construction. Him and his son Joseph started building homes, gutting out homes, making an honest living, but he still knew who figures were in South Philly's mob. It was in disarray. People were trying to make something out of it.

"

A. Piccolo

"

He said [Anthony] Piccolo was the -- at the time was the acting underboss. Nicky put him there because they were cousins. [Stanfa] says that one day [he] was walking across the street from his house. Went to 18th & Passyunk and he got approached by Salvatore Avena and Anthony Piccolo, also known as Tony Buck, and they asked him to become the mob boss, take over the Philly mob. He said Piccolo was not in the position. He was ill. He was under constant surveillance. He had gambling charges coming down or he did have gambling charges. He had house [arrest]. He was having problems. And, John -- Salvatore Avena said we'll talk to our friends, meaning the Gambinos, they'll back you and everything's going to be okay. John said, well, you know, arrange a meeting. Set up what you have to set up. I'll do my homework. I'll check it out my way and you check it out your way. And, he says, and here I am, mob boss. He says and -- problems after problems. I never had no good luck. Headache after headache every day.

"

Early the following year Stanfa, Battaglia and twenty-two others were indicted on Federal racketeering charges.

By the time of indictment Battaglia, feeling betrayed by the Boss, had entered into a conspiracy with several Family Associates to have Stanfa murdered.

Both Stanfa and Battaglia were convicted at trial in November 1995; two months later Battaglia became a cooperating witness.

In July 1996 Stanfa was sentenced to five consecutive life terms and, as of May 2026, is incarcerated at FCI Danbury, Connecticut.

In September 1997 Battaglia was given a ten year sentence and fined $2,000.

Antonio Corallo (Lucchese)

Sep. 1935

Albany, New York PD mugshot of Future Lucchese Boss Antonio 'Tony Ducks' Corallo (1914-2000) following an arrest for consorting.

Born in East Harlem to parents from Paterno comune of Catania, Sicily, twenty-one-year-old Corallo was picked up by Narcotics Squad Detectives in the company of David Cohen and Joseph Stallon.

Arrest report noted: "[All] of these men were picked up at the corner of Madison Ave., and Fulton St., 9/28/35."

Two days later pleaded not guilty and remanded to the local jail.

On October 5 changed plea to guilty, given six month suspended sentence and ordered to leave town.

At the time of arrest Corallo, listing residence at 335 E 100th St in East Harlem, was using a Ford Coupe registered to John Gazzola of 312 E 105th.

John may have been the younger brother of Joseph 'Dogs' Gazzola (1904-1991) who, in July 1931, was shot and wounded while driving an auto with license plates registered to Corallo. When questioned by police Corallo claimed he had been swimming at the time of the shooting.

Corallo was an inducted member of the Lucchese Family by the 1950s and a Captain by the end of that decade.

He was demoted for a time in the mid-1960s before regaining the title.

In the mid-1970s he served as Acting Boss for the imprisoned Carmine 'Gribbs' Tramunti and was later elected official Boss following Tramunti's death in 1978.

Facing conviction in the Commission case, he voluntarily stepped down in the fall of 1986 and was replaced by Vittorio 'Vic' Amuso.

He died August 23, 2000 while serving his one-hundred year sentence, received as a result of that case, at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri.

More Lucchese Family posts can be found in the Index.

Maurice Longo (Genovese)

Maurice 'Chubby' Longo was a Brooklyn-based Genovese Soldier and a member of the Family's Generoso crew.

Nephew Nino Martini was murdered by the DeMeo crew in 1978.

Born September 18, 1929 in Brooklyn to Mariano (45y) and Maria Vernazzaro (39y). Father from Acuto comune of Frosinone, Lazio. Mother believed from Mainland Italy, possibly Lazio as well.

At the time of Maurice's birth the family resided at 95 North Oxford St in the Forte Greene neighborhood. Mariano worked as an electrician and later as a WPA laborer.

By April 1942 the family moved to 2122 W 9th St in Gravesend, Brooklyn. Father employed with Howard Clothes on Jay St.

By April 1950 family resided at 1359 63rd St in Dyker Heights. Father listed occupation as church sexton.

By 1958 formally inducted member of Genovese Family.

Nothing is yet available on Longo's early activities or crew alignment but he may have already been reporting to Vincenzo 'Jimmy Dimino' Generoso.

In November 1969 included in the FBI's list of 216 identified Genovese Family members.

The same year designated subject of FBI anti-racketeering investigation.

N. Marcone
Press

On September 25, 1972 among approximately 250 attendees of an Italian-American Civil Rights League meeting held at Hollywood Terrace in Bensonhurst. Others present included Colombo Associates Joseph Colombo Jr., Natale Marcone, 'Fat Cesare' Vitale and possibly Philip 'Chubby' Rossillo. NYPD advised FBI: "[His] unit covered the meeting from inside the premises [and said] a dais was set up and rows of chairs, auditorium fashion, to accommodate the audience...Nat Marcone, who was the primary spokesman, talked about $160,000 which was collected to pay off all monies owed in connection with Camp Unity and its purchase. Marcone also spoke about his arrest on bank fraud and stated this was another example of harassment strictly because he is Italian and connected with the [IACRL]." (The IACRL was spearheaded by Colombo Boss Joseph Colombo, who was shot and disabled during the previous year's League-sponsored Italian Unity Day.)

In October 1972 included in the FBI's list of 198 identified Genovese Family members.

In October 1973 included in the FBI's list of 190 identified Genovese Family members.

V. Generoso

That same month the FBI provided an outline of the Genovese Family hierarchy, naming Frank Tieri as the Boss and listing Vincenzo Generoso and thirteen other Captains. Identified Generoso crew members included John 'Buster' Ardito, Lawrence 'Larry Black' Centore, Tobia DeMicco, Maurice Longo, Nicholas Rattenni and Eugene 'Gene the Tailor' Uricola.

S. Scala

On January 16, 1974 Unsub (Former NYPD) provided the FBI's New York Office with background on the burglary crew headed by recently murdered Colombo Captain Dominick 'Mimi' Scialo:
"

[UM] working burglary matters currently employed as an investigator with Holmes Protective Service [advised] Dominick Scialo, a Captain in the Colombo LCN Family, is in charge of a large burglary crew responsible for probably every major safe job committed in the New York City area...He stated [NYPD] investigations had shown that Scialo's present burglary crew consists of two groups known as the 'Scala Group' aka 'The Avenue U Gang' and the '1717 Club Group'.

The 'Scala Group' was originally responsible to Chubby Longo, who may now be operating as a fence and shylock out of Jay's II Lounge on 86th Street in Brooklyn. This group consists of the following: 1. [Redacted]: He is considered the leader of the group and the primary safe expert. He was released from prison about three weeks ago after serving an approximate three year sentence. 2. Salvatore Scala: He is second in command. He owns a car service on Kings Highway near W 7th or 8th Street in Brooklyn. [Thirteen Additional Names].

"

Salvatore 'Fat Sally' Scala was by the mid-to-late 1970s part of a crew of Gambino Associates reporting directly to Underboss Aniello 'Neil' Dellacroce. Others in the crew included Edward Lino and Ciro Riccardi, who were likely among the thirteen redacted members of the 'Scala Group' named above.

Scala participated as a shooter in the December 16, 1985 murder of Gambino Boss Paul Castellano and was inducted early the following year by Castellano's successor John Gotti. He later reported to Captain Peter Gotti, John's older brother, and took over the crew when Peter succeeded his brother in the early 2000s. (Scala's associate Edward Lino was also a shooter in the Castellano murder and is believed to have been inducted along with Scala and others in the same 1986 ceremony. In November 1990 Lino was himself shot to death in an unsanctioned killing orchestrated by the Lucchese Family. Ciro Riccardi, who at least one source later described as a made member, was murdered in 1980.)

M. Generoso

By April 1974 Vincenzo Generoso had retired and was officially replaced by his son Michele.

Made members of Generoso's crew included Peter 'Patty Shark' Bivona, Dominick 'Buddy' Cappolla, Cosmo 'Collie' DiPietro, Salvatore Lauro, Ernest Lazzara, Maurice Longo and Eugene Uricola. (Federal reports from both before and after this time period instead place Lazzara with the LaPlaca crew in New Jersey.)

By 1975 resided at 1170 Ocean Parkway in Midwood, Brooklyn.

On January 14, 1976 FBI CI reported: "[Chubby] Longo is usually available at the Jays II Lounge, 86th Street and Stillwell Avenue, Monday through Friday nights. Informant also stated that Longo is active in installing pinball machines locally through the Eagle Vending Machine Company of Long Island."

A February 1974 report described Jays Lounge as 'a drop to collect usury payments' and a place used 'for sitdowns and arbitration between hoodlums'.

On February 13, 1976 FBI CI reported: "[The] word on the street is that Chubby Longo's friend, Jimmy DiBartolo aka Jimmy the Bart, a W/M, approximately 34y, 5'3" - 5'4", 160 lbs, black hair, [redacted], Staten Island, has disappeared. Informant has heard in approximately November or December 1975, Jimmy the Bart, who allegedly was a karate expert, worked over Joseph Colombo LCN [Redacted]. As a result, informant has heard [Redacted] DiBartolo 'whacked out'. Informant has also heard [Redacted] might know something about Jimmy DiBartolo's disappearance." (DiBartolo was another member of the Gravesend crowd that included Salvatore Scala, Edward Lino and others. His family is believed to have hailed from Caltagirone in Catania, Sicily.)

In January 1977 included in the FBI's list of 198 identified Genovese Family members.

Maurice Longo died February 7, 1978.

On February 9-10 waked at the Colombo-affiliated Prospero Funeral Home located at 2444 86th St in Bensonhurst.

Late the following month nephew Nino Martini (38y) and Michael 'Twipp' Mandelino (37y) were found shot to death in the trunk of a car left abandoned in Brooklyn's East New York neighborhood. Victims, bound and wrapped in plastic, had each been shot multiple times in the head.

R. DeMeo (1981)

The murders were carried out by the Gambino Family's DeMeo crew as retaliation for the robbery of Peter LaFroscia. At the time Mandelino and possibly Martini were believed to be Associates in the Lucchese Family's Paul Vario crew.

In late January 1979 an FBI CI (Member Source?) identified Angelo Defendis as a Lucchese Soldier and noted: "Source claims Defendis used to be associated with the late Chubby Longo. Source advised Angelo Defendis was 'made' approximately one year ago in the Lucchese Family after being sponsored for membership by [Redacted; probably Lucchese Captain Chris Furnari]."

More Genovese Family posts can be found in the Index.