Thomas Hillary (Patriarca)

Press

Thomas Hillary was a Patriarca Family Associate who became a Cooperating Witness in 1992.

Born in 1945 and grew up in Providence, Rhode Island.

Around 1957 met Raymond Patriarca Jr., son of Member (and Future Boss) Raymond Patriarca. Later testified: "We were dear friends, became very close...[Raymond Sr.] took me in like family. I lived with him. [Beginning around 1960] I took care of his wife. I drove his wife when she was sick. It was like family."

R. Patriarca
FBN Mafia Book

In the mid-1960s the elder Patriarca, now the Family's Boss, spent about a year living with Hillary in an apartment on Atwells Ave: "[Raymond Sr.] owns a building. He redecorated the apartment. And Junior wound up moving into the house that they used to live in, and we moved into the apartment."

By mid-to-late 1960s criminally associated with various other Patriarca Family Members and Associates: "Well, I mean, to the average person, you'd say, what did I do. I did anything. I mean, guys would come to us. We were connected. People would come to us, they had a problem, we'd straighten it out. Union problems, we straightened it out. Guys came to you because you had respect...I mean, we did hijackings, truck hijackings, shakedowns. It's like out of the movies...In the 60's I wasn't involved in narcotics or anything in that. It was just union labor racketeering stuff, scores. A guy comes over. He says, well, we can get a truckload of furs, we can get a truckload of booze. Those are what you call scores."

Activities included illegal gambling and shakedowns: ""[A] guy would have a place, we'd go into them, he'd have a few problems with guys going in, bothering him, he'd come to us. He would take care of us, whatever it may be moneywise, a week."

After Patriarca Sr. was imprisoned in the early 1970s Hillary moved to Las Vegas: "I had different jobs in the casino business...[Crimes included] Gambling. We cheated a few casinos. We had dealers there. We fixed a couple of shoes in time. So it was like -- it was a scam." Also involved in small scale drug dealing.

Around 1976 returned to Providence.

T. Hillary (L) and R. DeLuca (Oct. 1976)
Government Exhibit

On October 3, 1976 married at Rosecliff mansion in Rhode Island. Patriarca Associate (and Future Member / Captain) Robert DeLuca served as Best Man. Although Hillary was 'good friends' with DeLuca and the latter helped sell tickets to the bachelor party, his initial choice for Best Man was Raymond Patriarca Jr: "[Patriarca Jr.] knew that some people weren't going to get paid [and he] didn't want to be involved...[Actually] they were all connected, the caterers. [All] the booze, it was open bar. And half of that came off the side of a truck...I guess the only ones that didn't get paid was Rosecliff." (Robert and his brother Joseph DeLuca, also a made member, later cooperated as well.)

D. Lepore

By mid-to-late 1970s closely associated with Patriarca Associate Dennis 'Champagne' Lepore: "Dennis was a kid out of Boston at the time that I met through some guys out of Boston. I think I met him in Revere, early 70's. And he was my style. We hit it off, and I started doing business with him [meaning criminal] activities. Whatever came up we did it...You've got to realize everybody came to us. Guys, legitimate people. We did a lot of legitimate deals, too...[Criminal activity included] Everything. There was gambling. There's shaking down guys, dope deals, ripping off dope deals. I mean, everything that a street guy would do. It's pretty hard to say. Anything [including] Robberies."

Scores: "What I mean by a score, they [may] tell us there's 200,000 in a place and we've got a shot to get in there. We robbed the place. That's what we did."

Drug robberies: "[You'd] get a tip from someone and a guy would have a load of drugs with him. In them days it was small. This is the '70s. But it would be maybe 20,000, 15,000 in drugs in them days, which was a lot of money in them days. And we'd rob him. We'd stick him up and rob him. And most of the time the guy that steered us, we'd tie him up with them."

The pair might have also collaborated on drug deals during Hillary's time in Las Vegas.

Hillary specified that Lepore was not a member 'at that time' but was later inducted.

Around 1980 moved to Boston.

Family Boss Raymond Patriarca died July 11, 1984.

R. Patriarca Jr. (c. Late 1980s)

Hillary maintained a close relationship with Patriarca's son Raymond Jr., whom he identified as taking his father's place at the head of the Family: "[Our relationship] was like it always was. It was good."

Around 1985 moved to Palm Springs, California where he associated with unspecified Los Angeles Family Members / Associates.

During this time period involved in cocaine and marijuana sales through Colombian suppliers: "I'd have a guy come in. He'd bring in whatever he brought in, and then we would move it and I'd [get] a piece of it...I never moved it myself. [All] I did was handle the distribution."

By 1988 returned to Boston.

Around this time arrested in Framingham, Massachusetts for operating under the influence. Accused of intimidating the arresting officer: "[I] went to his house with a friend who knew him in the neighborhood, and I was in his Corvette with him. And I told the cop, listen, any time you need, you want to go to Vegas or something, I'll take care of you. Is that intimidating him? It may be trying to bribe him." Nonetheless pleaded guilty to the intimidation charge.

F. Salemme

The same year began associating with Frank Salemme:
"

[Dennis Lepore] and I went down to see [Raymond Patriarca] Junior on some other business, and he asked us to do us a favor [and] take care of [Salemme]. He just come out of the can and see what you can do for him, make some money with him.

...We talked to him the first time [in Braintree]. We talked about different things, and we told him what we were doing...This was the first time I met him. I think -- I'm not sure if Dennis had met him before, but that was the first time I met him. I knew that he was a nice fellow, that he did a lot of time, and that was it and to see if we can make money with him.

[We didn't collaborate] right away because he was in Providence. But after a while he came back...[Plan was to] start putting poker machines in all the bars. And we also came up with the idea that we should shake down all the bookmakers...For us, for me with Frankie, it was the western part of the state. It was like Worcester and up into Springfield, Framingham, all that area there.

"

By 1989 Salemme associates included Chuckie Flynn, Kevin Hanrahan, Thomas Hillary, Timothy Mello and Gordon O'Brien.

Salemme directed Hillary in the shakedowns, gambling and other crimes:
"

[I was with] him every day...Well, if I got to ask them, if it's something to do with their business or our business on the street. If it's a personal thing, I don't have to go to him for every time I go to the bathroom...When it came to mob shit, I went by the rules.

[Frankie] would tell me, grab this bookmaker, grab that bookmaker, or I would say there's this guy, who's he with, does he know anyone. And Frankie would tell me if he's with a nice fellow, or he's not a nice fellow because you don't shake down nice people. So Frankie knew where we were going...[Nice people meaning] connected with made guys...There were different guys that had guys there [in Framingham - Milford]. Howie Winters had guys there, this and that. So I'd go to Frankie, and Frankie would talk to them...[Steve Flemmi] might have had a few guys, of course.

[My] machines were Frankie's machines...We would take -- you owned a bar, we'd come up to you and we'd say, we want to put our machines in, because, you know, they got -- they're winning money out of this. So they got someone else with the machines in. We offer them a better deal. We put our machines in. And when you take it in a large spectrum of everything, it's a lot of money. It's a lot of money. It's volume.

"

Those involved with Hillary in the shakedowns included Butchie Grecco, John 'Jack' Snell and Steven DiSarro.

S. DiSarro
Government Exhibit

DiSarro was formerly an Associate of Patriarca (Former Colombo) Captain Nicholas Bianco: "I knew Nicky well...[Prior to 1989 DiSarro] was with Nicky for awhile...I knew he had business with him. I didn't know personally what it was. I know they had a place on Dean [Street]." Their business interests reportedly included land deals and real estate. (Nicholas Bianco [1932-1994] was inducted into the Patriarca Family in September 1963 and transferred to the Colombos two years later where he eventually rose to Captain. After the 1971 shooting of Boss Joseph Colombo he was demoted and then transferred back to the New England, where he was promoted to Captain around October 1974. Named the Family's Underboss by the summer of 1989, he was soon convicted on Federal racketeering charges and died while imprisoned in 1994.)

L to R: S. DiSarro, F. Salemme Jr., T. Hillary on Beacon St
Government Exhibit

Hillary had brought DiSarro into the Salemme crew: "Stevie was my friend [and] a good, good guy. I grew up with him. He was a young kid when he used to come around. When I was living with Raymond [Patriarca], Stevie was like a kid brother to me [and] I was friendly with the whole family...We were hanging out a lot. So I introduced him to Frankie. I knew Frankie was going to be the boss in case Stevie needed anything. Stevie was in the nightclub business. [I] introduced him, and he started coming around...We were trying to put some poker machines in these bars [and] Stevie had a connection in Florida to get the machines...We were waiting for one machine to come in. We never even got started." DiSarro and Salemme's son Frank Jr. subsequently became close associates and lived together for a time in Brookline: "They started hanging out all the time."

In June 1989 Frank Salemme was wounded in a shooting attempt orchestrated by members of a rival faction within the Family: "They shot Frankie...[Guys] from the east Boston crew...As a matter of fact, when he got shot I was waiting in Braintree. [Me and Dennis Lepore] were supposed to meet him that day [then] we heard the news, yeah." Salemme spent a year recuperating.

By mid-to-late 1989 the Salemmes, Lepore and Hillary were involved in a bribery scheme involving the Teamsters. Hillary later testified:
"

[We] had a guy [Robert Franchi] that supposedly had a producer out of California that was looking to make a movie. He's an Italian kid that used to be from the North End. He wound up in California. So Dennis asked me, let's talk to this kid, so forth and so on. I said, well, you haven't seen him in years, I said, what do we know he's doing.

Anyways, we talked to him. He come up with the idea -- they wanted to film in Boston and Rhode Island, and they didn't want to pay union wages. They didn't want to pay the union people. So we went to the Teamsters.

...Frankie's kid said to me they had a connection with the union [and so] we revived it...They brought these guys in [and] they were going to hook it up so [the] company, Rudder Productions, could film without paying the union and we'd get a kickback.

...[They] were going to give us so much money because we allowed them to film without paying the Teamsters so we could get scab help. What they would do, they'd pay us, and we'd whack it up amongst our guys who was involved in it.

"

The producer of Rudder Productions was an Undercover Agent who recorded multiple conversations of Hillary and others discussing the scheme. Hillary, Lepore and others were later indicted and Robert Franchi cooperated.

Around this time Hillary also participated in scamming drug deals: "It looks like - you have a little weed on there, you make it look good, and the guy thinks he's got -- the whole thing is 5 pounds, 10 pounds, 50 pounds, whatever it is, and it's all fertilizers...What's [the buyer] going to do, come after us? [He's] scared to death." Money from ripoffs not kicked up: "[I] wasn't supposed to be in the drug business."

F. Salemme, Paul Weadick
Government Exhibit

Frank Salemme Jr. and Associate Paul Weadick were later recalled by Hillary as having been involved in at least one of the scams. (Hillary also testified that Salemme Jr. and Weadick 'did robberies together' although he didn't know specifics.)

The Channel
Government Exhibit

By 1990 the Salemmes, Hillary and Steven DiSarro were involved in purchasing The Channel nightclub:
"

It was a big bar. It was a popular nightspot [and] a cash cow...I think they wanted 50,000 in front as a down payment. [So] we went to Frankie, beside whoever Stevie [DiSarro] had, to see if we could put this deal together. If we could put it together, we'd have a nightclub.

...We'd put up the money if we could get the money. [We] were trying to get someone to go to the front of it if we put it because Stevie was having problems at that time, I think, with the IRS. And we were trying to put a bank roll together to get the place, and then we would all be involved. Frankie would -- he's the boss, he's going to get the end, he'd get the lion's share, and then we'd whack up what we can. [Originally] it was me, Stevie, Frank. It became Frank Jr.

...I think it was the Booris brothers. [I] went down with Stevie. He wanted me to come down and talk to these guys [so] I went with Stevie on a couple of occasions. [Stevie] made an agreement he was going to manage the place until we could get up the rest of the money or get the money actually.

...[Stevie] would manage the place. That was his expertise. So he'd take it. [Salemme]'s son was going to go as a bartender. I don't know what the hell I was going to do. But [everybody] gets on the payroll. Everybody is taking a piece out of the place. [I'd work if] I had to, you know. But basically not.

...[There's] a lot of money you can hide. You know, if the place is going real good, you're making a hundred thousand a week, you're making 20. That's what you're going to tell them you're making. You can duck a lot of money out of that. It's like laundering money...So many things. I mean, you could take advantage of it because you got the club. You can do business -- actually if you're doing illegal business in something else, you could funnel the money through that...[If] you're getting on the payroll, you're not doing nothing, but you're on the payroll and you can show you've got money coming in every week.

"

An attempt to raise money through DiSarro acquaintance Henry Vara fell through, after which Salemme and Hillary planned to extort $30,000 from Vara with DiSarro's (unwilling?) participation.

The group also considered borrowing from Associate Peter Fiumara, loanshark and nightclub operator, and simply not paying it back.

Hillary soon found himself being excluded from The Channel deal: "I slowly got exited out of it. I got 86'd out of it. [Frank Salemme Jr.] moved me out of it...[He] was with Stevie [DiSarro] every day, and he had Stevie's ear and Stevie was horrified at him...[No] one said I was pushed out. It was just I could feel it. I knew it was coming."

By this time the Patriarca Family had been hit with Federal racketeering indictments: "Everybody went to jail..the whole crew, Vinnie [Ferrara], J.R. [Russo], Bobby [Carrozza], Dennis [Lepore]." (Robert Carrozza and Vincent 'The Animal' Ferrara were identified as Patriarca Captains by the late 1980s. Joseph 'J.R.' Russo [1931-1998] was in the Family's administration.)

Dennis Lepore became a fugitive for a time and was given money by Salemme through Hillary.

Late that summer Salemme summoned Hillary to meeting in Chinatown. Hillary was driven there with his brother as well as Steven DiSarro and possibly Butchie Grecco.
"

I didn't know I had a conflict [with Salemme], but I did...Things were going fine. Everything was going good. Me and Stevie were together. [They] were having a meeting down in Chinatown. So me, Stevie, my kid brother. I think we had another guy with us from Framingham.

...I go in the place and everything's fine. They're meeting these people. Whatever deal Frankie is putting through, they're in the other room. I walk in. I see Bobby DeLuca at the bar. Hey, Bobby, what's going on, boom, boom. He's a little cold to me.

...The next thing I know, I'm sitting there. I don't know. You know when you smell something? I smelled something was wrong here. I'm boxed in there with Frankie Jr., I've got DeLuca, I've got the whole crew there. And Frankie walks in, and the next thing I know [he's] got me by the throat.

...[Salemme] grabbed me by the throat, and I did not expect this. [You] listen to me. You're going to be out of this. I don't even know what the hell is going on. You've got me by the throat, what are you doing, I said, what are you doing? He's got me by the frigging throat.

..This was all peanuts, money. But anyways, anyways, I'm never used to this shit. We juggled money. I never had a boss do this stuff to me. He's got me by my throat, get out of this -- I don't want to swear over here, get out of this town. He says if I ever see you, I'll kill you myself personally.

Now, I know here [this] is serious. I says -- I can't believe, so I get out of there. [I] reached Stevie, I said, what is going on? [DiSarro] said this guy went out of his crazy -- he's going to kill us both.

...[Salemme had] accused me of taking some money. I didn't even know what he was talking about at the time. Believe me...I talked to Steven DiSarro the next day because he was with Frank all the time. I says what the -- is going on. He said, oh, it's over some shit money [from] Gillis or something. Crap money. I think it was 4,000, whatever the hell it was.

"

During testimony Hillary explained the money issue:
"

A girl I was seeing was a designer. We were trying to make a line to get into TJ Maxx and Marshalls. We wanted to open a little factory up outside of Framingham. That's all it was. And 4,000 I was going to give to her to get started.

...[This] money had nothing to do with mob stuff. 4,000 I took from a guy, I borrowed from him. They made a big issue out of it. 4,000 I borrowed from him. And I was going to take it off the top. I would have took it -- because I was supposed to have money coming in every month with the shaking down the bookmakers and everything. There was no big deal. It was $4,000. It was no big deal. Is that enough to grab a guy by the throat? Come on.

...[I had] borrowed money on my own. I didn't ask Frankie for it. I don't know where the hell everybody got pissed off for $4,000. Anyways it ruined my whole life for 4G's.

"

After the altercation Hillary and his brother left Boston for Florida. While there contacted Steven DiSarro: "I had no money. I called Steven up. I said, Stevie, I need some money. He said I can't give you anything, Tom. He says, this guy's going to kill me. He says [I] was told, if I give you anything, I'm going to get whacked, killed...I was shocked...This was the first time [he refused me money]." (DiSarro disappeared in May 1993. In 2018 Frank Salemme was convicted of his murder.)

On July 14, 1992 Hillary, Dennis Lepore, Frank Salemme Jr. and two others were indicted for the California Teamsters scheme.

On August 5, 1992 Hillary was apprehended after a traffic stop in Florida: "I got stopped. It was, I think, Treasure Island...They ran me through NCIS, and they had a federal warrant on me. And they arrested me."

After arrest spoke with an FBI Agent and agreed to cooperate. Remanded into FBI custody and put in a safehouse in the Boston area.

Subsequently pleaded guilty to bribery re Teamsters case as well as to cocaine charges in California: "[My] obligation was to tell the truth of what happened and what I did for a living and so forth and so on...[Government] said they would talk to the judge and see if it could help me."

Spent approximately one year in Federal prison then released on bail and placed in Witness Protection Program: "When I first went into the program, they give you subsistence. It's minimum wage. You get it at the end of the month...[That period] could take over a year. So meanwhile I'm not making any money. I'm barely living. And then when I got to work, they stop [subsistence]. And that's what you make, whatever you earn. It's not a free ride." (About $650,000 was ultimately spent on Hillary and his family during his time in the program.)

In December 1994 testified in Teamsters bribery case against James Moar and William Winn. On December 22 Winn was convicted and Moar acquitted.

On April 15-16, 1998 gave testimony in a failed attempt to link LIUNA International General President Arthur Coia to Former Boss Raymond Patriarca Jr.

On November 7, 2000 sentenced to time served.

On May 10, 2018 testified as prosecution witness in US District Court Boston trial of Frank Salemme and Paul Weadick.

Because the case centered on the 1993 disappearance murder of Steven DiSarro, the prosecution was limited in how much detail it could elicit in court on the Patriarca Family's structure and activities.

Hillary, at the time suffering from shingles, gave one day of testimony that briefly outlined his early relationship with Raymond Patriarca as well as his later activities as part of the crew under Frank Salemme.

His testimony became noticeably more animated when he recalled being manhandled and chased by Salemme back in 1990, and he argued with the defense more than once during cross-examination; at one point the judge had to step in and bring his repeated asides to a halt.

Asked about his long-time friend Steven DiSarro's 1993 disappearance: "I didn't even know he was missing. I was in the program [where] I got a different life. I go to work. I work like a legitimate guy. I mind my own business. I couldn't care what's going on...[Now] I live a complete different life, and it's a good life. I've got a great wife...I don't even like to watch [mob movies]."

Answering questions about life after cooperating he stated: "I had a car dealership, a small car dealership [that] was a friend of mine's. [He] gave me a shot. He would front me a few cars. Anyways, I made money to it. I sold cars. Right now I'm retired. 73 years old. Ask me if I got a lot of money, no...I didn't want to change [my life], but it happened. And it happened for the good. I just wish I kept some of the money I had."

Defendants Frank Salemme and Paul Weadick were both convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Salemme died behind bars in 2022.

More Patriarca Family posts can be found in the Index.

Update

L. Lampasi Jr.

New Posts
1. Lorenzo Lampasi Jr. (Colombo)

2. Robert Tarantino (Genovese)

Lorenzo Lampasi Jr. (Colombo)

Aug. 1961

Lorenzo 'Larry' Lampasi Jr. was a Soldier in the Colombo Family who was murdered in the early 1990s.

His father Lorenzo Lampasi (1887-1975) was a longtime Colombo member who sponsored Larry for membership in 1957.

Stepson John Aratico, a Colombo Associate, was murdered in 1982.

Larry was born December 13, 1925 in Manhattan to Lorenzo (38y) and Maria Lampasi (29y). Parents from Monreale comune of Palermo, Sicily.

Larry's father Lorenzo was likely already a made member by the late 1920s.

By April 1930 the family moved to California, residing at 315 W 95th St in the Green Meadows neighborhood of South Los Angeles. Uncle Michele lived further north in South Central.

By the mid-1930s the Lampasis had returned to New York, settling at 1719 W 10th St in Brooklyn's Gravesend neighborhood.

In 1939 father established Trenton Linen Supply Company at 4108 3rd Ave in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

Around 1940 left school.

By December 1943 employed with R. H. Macy & Co located at Broadway and 34th St in Midtown Manhattan.

On March 22, 1944 enlisted in US Navy.

On May 7, 1944 older brother Joseph Lampasi (20y), on active duty in US Army, seriously injured in Asam, India after a bomb exploded while being loaded onto a truck. Lampasi was blinded as a result and given an honorable discharge on Certificate of Disability.

On March 18/19, 1946 honorably discharged from US Navy.

By April 1950 listed occupation as concessionaire in Coney Island.

By mid-1950s involved in gambling.

In 1955 listed residence at 61-43 161st St in Pomonak, Queens.

By 1957 moved to 47 Lake St in Gravesend.

Early 1960s

Around mid-1957 Larry's father sponsored him for membership into the Colombo Family. The ceremony, presided over by Underboss Joseph Magliocco, was held inside the Magliocco home in Bath Beach, Brooklyn. Others present included Captains Harry Fontana, Calogero 'Charlie Sidge' LoCicero, Salvatore 'Sally the Sheik' Musacchio and John 'Johnny Bath Beach' Oddo. Those inducted included Leonard 'Big Lenny' Dello, Charles 'Lolly' DePierro, Lawrence Lampasi Jr., Joseph Magnasco and Anthony 'Tony Skee' Scianna.

At the time of induction the Family Boss was Joseph Profaci, who succeeded Salvatore DiBella around 1931. Joseph Magliocco and Joseph 'Peppino' Buffa served as Underboss and Consigliere respectively.

H. Fontana (1957)

As of 1960 the Lampasis both reported to Harry Fontana, a long-time member who headed a large crew based primarily in South Brooklyn.

Made members of Fontana's crew included:

1. Anthony 'Abbey' Abbatemarco
2. 'Little John' Capichano
3. James 'Jimmy Bat' Cardello
4. Joseph 'Joe Bat' Cardello
5. Aurelius 'Big Larry' Cirillo
6. John 'Mooney' Cutrone
7. Leonard Dello
8. Thomas DiBella [Son to Former Boss Salvatore]
9. Philip Fontana [Brother to Harry]
10. Salvatore John Fontana [Brother to Harry]
11. Nicholas 'Jiggs' Forlano
12. Aniello 'Allie LaMont' Giannattasio
13. Salvatore 'Westo' Imperiale
14. Lorenzo Lampasi
15. Lorenzo Lampasi Jr.
16. Joseph Magnasco
17. Salvatore 'Charlie Lemons' Mineo
18. Marco Morello
19. Carmine 'Junior' Persico
20. Anthony 'Tony Long' Ricciardi
21. Joseph 'Joe Yak' Yacovelli
22. John 'Johnny Zip' Zozzaro [Possible Member]

In late February 1961 Harry Fontana and other high-ranking Colombo members were kidnapped by the rebel Gallo faction. The group was released unharmed but the incident ultimately led to a shooting war that left several members and associates dead.

By Summer 1961 Larry resided at 42 Seneca Drive in Commack, Long Island. Employed with father's Trenton Linen Supply Company in Sunset Park. Brothers John (40y) and Joseph (36y) served as President and Officer in the company respectively.

On August 22, 1961 among thirteen arrested by NYPD's 76th Precinct in Brooklyn on consorting charge. (See top)

Co-defendants, all members and associates of the Gallo faction, were:

1. John Cutrone (Colombo Soldier)
2. Leonard Dello (Colombo Soldier)
3. Joseph Gallo (Colombo Soldier)
4. Vincent 'Vinny Sicilian' Gugliaro (Colombo Soldier)
5. Leonard Durso
6. Albert 'Blast' Gallo
7. Armando Illiano
8. Frank 'Punchy' Illiano
9. Salvatore 'Sally Boy' Mangiameli
10. Joseph 'Butch' Musumeci
11. Vincent Regina
12. Thomas Gibbons

The case against Lampasi Jr. was dismissed October 5, 1961.

The previous day Lampasi Jr.'s Captain Harry Fontana was target of another kidnapping, this time outside the College Restaurant at 224 4th Ave in Gowanus, Brooklyn. Gallo crew member Joseph Magnasco, a former Soldier under Fontana, was shot to death during the attempt by Harry's brother Salvatore. (Magnasco was made in the same ceremony as Lampasi Jr.)

On December 20, 1961 FBI CI and Colombo Soldier Gregory Scarpa reported that Boss Joseph Profaci had ordered a halt to the violence so that a peace could be negotiated. Lorenzo Lampasi, according to Scarpa and other sources, was one of the primary mediators acting on behalf of the Gallo faction. (The attempt ultimately failed and hostilities continued through the next year and into 1963.)

On March 20, 1962 FBI CI Scarpa reported: “[Scarpa] advised that he had heard that [redacted] the moratorium on violence which had been in existence between the Profaci and Gallo groups during the negotiations to reach a peace agreement had been extended for a two week period...He stated that he had heard from individuals closely associated with Charles LoCicero that an individual by the name of Lawrence (LNU) (Lorenzo Lampasi), who operates a barber supply business in the vicinity of Gallo’s headquarters, was acting as a messenger between the Gallos and LoCicero. He stated that individual, according to his information, is a very old man and is completely gray. [Scarpa] related that he had heard this individual visited LoCicero at LoCicero's home during the afternoon of 3/20/1962.”

L. Gallo

Six days later the FBI interviewed the rebel faction's leader, Colombo Soldier Lawrence Gallo: "[Gallo] stated, at this time, that he had purchased a 1960 Rambler sedan from Lawrence Lampasi Jr., the son of Lorenzo Lampasi, owner of Trenton Linen Supply Company. He added he is not employed by [Trenton] but has used this as his employment when registering the above vehicle solely for the purpose of obtaining insurance."

On May 4,1962 FBI CI reported: "...[CI] said further that Larry [Gallo]'s representatives have been meeting regularly with representatives of Joseph Profaci. These meetings seem to occur every four or five days. [CI] termed these meetings as 'progress reports', as apparently they have not as yet resulted in any conclusion of the Profaci - Gallo feud. [CI] added that Larry Gallo is represented at these meetings by 'Old Man Lorenzo' (Lorenzo Lampasi), Abbatemarco, 'Jimmy the Bat' (James Cardello), and [Redacted]. Also by 'The Blast' (Albert Gallo, Jr). Joseph Profaci is represented in these meetings by Charlie the Sidge (LoCicero). [CI] said that 'Old Man Lorenzo' sees Larry Gallo twice a day usually and Lampasi's son (Larry Lampasi) also sees Larry. [CI] said the younger Lampasi gave Larry Gallo a car recently."

On October 10, 1962 arrested during NYPD raid on a wireroom located at 2909 Ocean Ave in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Operation suspected controlled by Lawrence Gallo; knowing his association with the Gallos, officers charged Lampasi Jr. with vagrancy.

On April 23, 1963 CI Scarpa reported: “Photographs of the following persons were exhibited to [Scarpa], and he made comments concerning them as set forth below: Lawrence Lampasi Jr. – Scarpa advised that Larry is the son of (FNU) Lampasi Sr., who acted as the middle-man between the Gallo and Profaci factions when attempts were made to settle the feud. [Scarpa] advised that both the father and Larry Lampasi are ‘good fellows’ and both are in the regime of Harry Fontana.”

Aug. 1963

Publicity given the Gallo conflict brought the Lampasis onto law enforcement's radar. On August 23, 1963 Lorenzo and son Larry were interviewed at the Nassau County DA's Office. Larry provided only basic background information on himself. Father and son were both photographed during their appearance.

On September 9, 1963 Suffolk County Police Department reported: '"...The following information was obtained through members of the Brooklyn South Homicide Squad (Special Gallo Investigation Unit) and the Criminal Investigations Bureau, [NYPD]. Lorenzo (Larry) Lampasi [Jr. was] known to be associated with the Gallo Gang prior to their split with the Profaci Organization. Lampasi is known to be a gambler in Brooklyn Park Slope Section [and] was suspected of supplying money to the Gallos from the proceeds of this wire room operation. Subject's father, Lorenzo Sr., ([Redacted]) was considered to be close to Joseph Profaci, and after the Gallo split, Lorenzo Sr., attempted 'mediation' between Gallos and Profaci. It was during this period that an attempt was made to strangle Larry Gallo. Lampasi Sr. acquired a complete 'Amnesty' for Lampasi Jr. and he 'pulled' away from Gallos completely with a group of about ten other hoods. Lampasi Jr. is still felt to be close to Profaci (Magliocco) faction and is probably still carrying on gambling activities. Lampasi has a close association with [Redacted] suspected of being a subordinate of Joseph Magliocco."

As a possible result of the Gallo conflict, Lampasi Jr. left his Commack, Long Island residence in October 1963 and moved into his father's residence.

L. Lampasi (Aug. 1963)

On March 23, 1964 the elder Lampasi was interviewed by FBI at Trenton Linen Supply:
"

At the outset Lampasi reflected a belligerent attitude. He later become ostensibly cooperative, however, repeatedly declined knowledge of any hoodlum connections or activity...Lampasi readily admitted his identity and stated that although not an officer of [Trenton] he continued active participation in the company's affairs and was usually at the office between the hours of 11 AM and 2:30 PM in the afternoon. He furnished certain background information concerning himself and his immediate family.

A general discussion relative to underworld activities in Brooklyn was opened to Lampasi based on current newspaper stories. Lampasi although admittedly acquainted with some of the more prominent hoodlums denied any close personal relationship with any of them. Specifically, he stated that he was acquainted with the Gallo brothers but purely on a business basis since his company supplied Gallo with linens. As a result of this association as well as his son's activities as a salesman for Trenton Linen and Supply he has a passing acquaintance with others associated with the Gallos. He advised that at the present time the Gallos are indebted to him for a small amount of money for services rendered and he is currently attempting to collect.

"

On January 24, 1964 the FBI's New York Office reported: "[Lorenzo Lampasi Jr.] has been identified as a 'button' in the Profaci - Magliocco Family, and specifically was close to the Gallo group in Brooklyn."

On February 22, 1964 arrested by NYPD 62nd Pct Brooklyn on bookmaking charge.

On April 13, 1964 the FBI's New York Office reported: "[Lorenzo's] son, Lorenzo Lampasi Jr., is considered a member of the underworld element having been sponsored by Lampasi Sr. [whose] activities are apparently limited to that of an arbitrator of disputes within the Profaci - Magliocco Family and other than the information upon which this matter is predicated no further information relative to his activities has been developed to date."

Earlier that month Joseph Colombo was named the new Family Boss. Under his leadership the Gallos were brought back into the fold and further hostilities ceased.

Colombo also quickly began the process of re-organizing the Family by demoting some of the older Captains and appointing new ones.

N. Forlano (1961)

One of the first to be given a promotion was Nicholas Forlano, formerly a Soldier in the Fontana crew. He and Vincent Aloi were both named Captains around mid-May 1964.

Forlano was given several Soldiers who were also previously with Harry Fontana, who still remained active as a Captain but had his sizeable crew trimmed down over the following year.

Made members of Forlano's crew included John Capichano, Alphonse 'Funzi' D'Ambrosio, Leonard Dello, Aniello Giannattasio, Vincent 'Vinny Sicilian' Gugliaro, Salvatore Imperiale, Lorenzo Lampasi and George Tropiano. Possible additional crew members included Lorenzo Lampasi Jr. (Lampasi Jr. may have remained under Harry Fontana.)

On April 27, 1966 FBI CI reported: "[He] knows [Lampasi Jr.] who is not a 'made guy' and who had the reputation as being a 'lobby boy' for Carlo Gambino in his operation of the Arrow Linen Supply Company, 61st Street, Brooklyn. Informant stated at the present time Arrow Linen Supply is owned by John Magliocco, who also owns Peerless Liquors, Brooklyn. Informant stated John Magliocco is a 'made guy'." (The informant was incorrect on Lampasi Jr.'s membership status and he may have been confusing John Magliocco, a Colombo Associate, with Former Colombo Captain Ambrose Magliocco.)

By mid-1968 employed with Harry M. Stevens Catering Corporation.

In September 1968 included in the FBI's list of 83 identified Colombo Family members.

On September 26, 1968 FBI CI reported: “[Lampasi Jr.] has been observed taking his break at Aqueduct and Belmont Park Race Tracks from his duties with [catering company].”

On October 4, 1968 FBI CI reported: “[During] the past two weeks the afternoon meetings with Joe Colombo and his Family have continued on a heavy schedule. He stated most of these meetings are held in the late afternoon. He stated that the following have been in almost constant attendance on a daily basis: Harry Fontana, Lawrence Lampasi Jr., Rocky Miraglia, Nick Bianco, John Cutrone, Richard Zorzi, [Redacted].”

On October 25, 1968 FBI CI (Gambino Member) reported: "[CI] was shown photographs of various individuals who have been connected with Cosa Nostra and he commented as follows..Lawrence Lampasi - Not a member (B#493699)." (It's not clear why this informant, believed to be a Gambino member source, believed Lampasi Jr. was not made.)

On December 30, 1968 FBI CI reported Lampasi Jr.'s continued presence, along with many other Family members and associates, in the vicinity of Cantalupo Realty and Caplan Motors in Bensonhurst. He also noted Lampasi's attendance at a Christmas party hosted by Boss Joseph Colombo at Cantalupo Realty.

In November 1969 included in the FBI's list of 79 identified Colombo Family members.

On or around March 2, 1970 Unspecified Male interviewed by FBI: "[UM], Trenton Linen Supply, Inc., 41-08 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, advised [he] had been employed by Trenton for [redacted] years. The company was founded by Lorenzo Lampasi, Sr. with [Redacted]. After a short time [redacted] out of the business. At one time Larry Lampasi, Jr. worked as a salesman for Trenton. [John] Lampasi, a third son of Lorenzo died recently of cancer. [Colombo Soldier] Benjamin LoCicero worked for Trenton Linen as a salesman immediately after he got out of jail the last time. LoCicero brought in one or two accounts as a salesman. [UM] says help is hard to get in the linen supply business and he is [redacted]."

In October 1972 included in the FBI's list of 72 identified Colombo Family members.

By 1973 resided at 29-20 202nd St in Auburndale, Queens. Officer of Abco Bus Company located at 75 McDonald Ave in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn.

By May 1973 the Colombo Family was headed by Thomas DiBella, with Anthony Abbatemarco and Alphonse 'Allie Boy' Persico serving as Underboss and Consigliere respectively.

D. Scialo

Around this time the leadership promoted Dominick 'Mimi' Scialo to Captain of a new crew comprised mostly of former Fontana and Musacchio crew members.

Made members of Dominick Scialo's crew included Robert Barbieri, Paul D'Amico (noted as inactive), Harry Fontana, Philip Fontana, Salvatore John Fontana, Lawrence 'Larry' Lampasi Jr., Vincent 'Jimmy' Muce, Frank 'Frankie the Sheik' Musacchio, Salvatore 'Sammy' Peritore and Michael Savino.

Associates included Gaetano 'Tommy' Barbusca, John Coiro, Frank 'Frankie the Beast' Falanga, Albert 'Gooch' Mugnolo, Harry 'Junior' McGuire and Dominic 'Donnie' Somma.

F. Tieri

On August 24, 1973 CI Scarpa reported: “Scarpa gave the following characterizations of illegal activities of leading Colombo figures: Larry Lampasi: Has a piece of a private bus business controlled by Funzi Tieri, whose man, [Redacted], controls the Bus Drivers Union." (Frank 'Funzi' Tieri [1904-1981], then the Genovese Family's Acting Boss, was made official by late October of that year.)

In October 1973 included in the FBI's list of 71 identified Colombo Family members.

By late 1973 the Scialo crew was suspected of having carried out several unsanctioned hits, including the December 10 murder of bookmaker Miguel Cosme at a Coney Island social club. Two ski-masked gunmen lined the patrons up, singled out Cosme and opened fire, killing him with two shots to the back and one to the head. The victim was an on-record Associate of Larry Lampasi Jr., who was not consulted beforehand. He lodged a complaint with Colombo leadership.

Three days later, Lampasi was at a Brooklyn barbershop when a ski-masked gunman entered and shot him once in the chest. He was taken to Coney Island Hospital for treatment. Scialo crew Associate Dominick 'Donnie' Somma may have been the gunman.

On January 4, 1974 Lampasi Jr. was interviewed by FBI Agents:
"

[Lampasi Jr.] was contacted at his residence and questioned regarding the attempt recently made on his life while he was at Sparky's Hair Stylists, which is located on Bay 35th Street near the corner of 86th Street in Brooklyn.

Lampasi advised he was shot four times by an unknown assailant. Lampasi claimed this shooting must have been a case of mistaken identity because he had no idea who would want him killed.

Lampasi stated he went to the barber shop strictly for the purpose of getting a 'trim'. He had no plans to meet anyone there.

Lampasi refused to discuss his relationship with Dominick Scialo or Miguel Cosme.

Lampasi advised he is an officer of Abco Bus Company, 75 McDonald Avenue, Brooklyn and he also has interest in a service station located at that address.

"

Dominick Scialo disappeared three days later. Informant(s) later revealed he was strangled and buried in the basement of Otto's Social Athletic Club in Red Hook, Brooklyn. (His remains were uncovered in an FBI dig nine months later.)

On January 29, 1974 FBI CI Scarpa reported: "[Scarpa] advised that the word on the street is that 'Mimi' Scialo was 'hit' because he had become a liability to the Family...Scarpa advised that the older men of the Family were aware that Scialo was undergoing psychiatric treatment and they felt that he was too unpredictable. In addition, Scialo personally killed an individual named Miguel Cosmos, one of Larry Lampasi's bookmakers, whom Lampasi was to kill himself. When Lampasi complained, Scialo shot him. After Lampasi's shooting, Harry Fontana put a contract out to the Persico crew to 'hit' Scialo."

On February 1, 1974 the NYPD's Organized Crime Unit advised FBI: "[Detective] advised approximately one week after Larry Lampasi was shot, an off-duty police officer was eating dinner [in] Bonaparte Restaurant, 1613 Avenue M, Brooklyn and observed Carlo Gambino with several other unidentified males. [Det] advised that the off-duty police officer stated that Gambino was greeted by another older gentleman and there appeared to be some sort of meeting taking place. [Det] advised that he later interviewed the police officer and displayed photographs of both Gambino and Colombo Family members. [Det] advised that the police officer identified a photograph of Lorenzo Lampasi as the elderly gentleman who greeted Gambino and spoke with Gambino in a very serious manner. [Det] advised that he felt this meeting between Carlo Gambino and Lorenzo Lampasi could have had something to do with the recent attempt on Larry Lampasi's life by Dominick Scialo or one of his crew. [Det] advised that his department has received information Scialo may have been killed because of his unsuccessful attempt to 'hit' Larry Lampasi. [Det] advised Larry Lampasi was well thought of and his father, Lorenzo, of course has always been well-respected."

On February 6, 1974 FBI CI Scarpa reported: “[Scarpa] stated that Mimi Scialo was definitely killed on a contract given by Harry Fontana and the OK was given by Carmine Persico. Details were furnished in a prior contact with Scarpa reported earlier. Scarpa commented that the Lampasi incident was merely the straw which broke the camel’s back; other Families notably Carlo Gambino and Funzi Tieri had complained about Scialo's attitude and past activities also.”

On February 15, 1974 Unsub interviewed by FBI: "He is the sole owner of [barbershop where Lampasi Jr. shot]. He purchased the shop in 8/1973, from [Redacted] (ph). He viewed a photograph of Dominick Scialo whom he described as a regular customer. [UM] was unable to furnish any additional info concerning Scialo. Regarding Larry Lampasi, [UM] was not in the shop on the day Lampasi was shot; however, his employee, [Redacted], was working there alone."

V. Gugliaro

Around mid-May 1974 Vincent 'Vinny Sicilian' Gugliaro was promoted to Captain. Gugliaro had been a Soldier formerly under Nicholas Forlano, who was sidelined due to both legal issues and a drinking problem.

Made members of Gugliaro's crew included Lorenzo Lampasi, his son Lorenzo Jr., Frank 'Gandy' LoCicero, Salvatore Scarpa (brother of Greg) and George Tropiano.

Associates of interest included future Colombo Members Joseph 'Junior Lollipop' Carna, Joseph 'Joe T.' Tomasello and William 'Billy' Cutolo.

On June 1 the son of Colombo Associate Andrew 'Andy Mush' Russo was married, with the reception held at Holiday Inn in Hempstead, Long Island.

Attendees included Boss Thomas DiBella, Underboss Anthony Abbatemarco, Acting Consigliere Charles 'Charlie Moose' Panarella, four Captains and at least thirteen Soldiers including Larry Lampasi Jr.

On September 5, 1974 FBI CI reported: "[Lampasi Jr.] can be found at his Exxon Station on a daily basis, located near McDonald Avenue and Seeley Street, Brooklyn, near the cemetery."

On September 24, 1974 FBI CI reported: "[Vinny] Gugliaro is a Captain in the Colombo Family, with the following main guys in his crew: Frank LoCicero, Larry Lampasi, Frank Musacchio, George Tropiano. Informant advised there may be one or two more whom he will attempt to identify. Additionally, informant advised former Gallo associates Joseph Carna and his brother Larry Carna, although not made guys, are now with Vinny the Sicilian's crew." (Joseph Carna was inducted into the Colombo Family after the books opened in 1976.)

On November 7, 1974 FBI CI reported: “[CI] heard that Big George Tropiano and Lawrence Lampasi Jr. have been reassigned to Vinny Sicilian’s crew.”

In November 1974 included in the FBI's list of 74 identified Colombo Family members.

On February 28, 1975 FBI CI reported: "[He] understands Larry Lampasi continues to live in the Commack section of Suffolk and to be employed at various New York City stadiums and arenas by the Stevens Corporation as a manager. He said [Redacted; Lampasi Jr.?] likes to drink in various Brooklyn bars and when he does, he often 'shoots his mouth off'."

C. Franzese

On September 27 the daughter of Colombo Associate Carmine 'Turi' Franzese married, with the reception held at Queens Terrace Caterers in Woodside.

Attendees included Boss Thomas DiBella, Acting Boss Joseph 'Little Joey' Brancato, Underboss Anthony Abbatemarco, Consigliere Alphonse Persico, five Official / Acting Captains and at least thirteen Soldiers including Larry Lampasi Jr.

On October 4 a reception for Soldier Rocco 'Rocky' Miraglia's daughter was held at Shalimar Caterers in New Dorp, Staten Island. Lampasi Jr., his Captain Vincent Gugliaro and most of the others present at the Franzese reception were in attendance.

On October 8, 1975 FBI CI provided update on the Colombo Family structure. He identified Vincent Gugliaro as Captain and named seven made members of his crew: Robert Barbieri, Jerome 'Gene Magliocco' D'Agati, Lorenzo Lampasi Jr., Frank LoCicero, Frank Musacchio, Salvatore Scarpa and George Tropiano.

In early November a relative of Colombo Soldier Alphonse 'Funzi' D'Ambrosio married with the reception held at Manor East in Massapequa, Long Island. Attendees included Lampasi Jr., his Captain Vincent Gugliaro and at least eight other Family members.

In December 1975 included in the FBI's list of 73 identified Colombo Family members.

On December 5, 1975 FBI CI (Colombo Member) reported: "[He] heard two weeks ago on a Wednesday night, Vinny Gugliaro had a number of Teamster officials at the Georgetown Inn. Informant also heard that Sal Scarpa, Larry Lampasi, Lenny Dello and [Redacted] were observed at the Inn."

On December 2, 1976 FBI NY compiled an update on the Colombo Family's structure. The chart identified Vincent Gugliaro as a Captain and noted his crew members as including Lorenzo Lampasi Jr.

By that time the Family had divided into two camps. One side supported Boss Thomas DiBella and the Persicos. The other, headed by Joseph Yacovelli and Underboss Anthony Abbatemarco, felt that DiBella favored the Persicos too strongly and sought to remove him as Boss.

The Yacovelli - Abbatemarco faction had the support of Family Captains Joseph Brancato, James 'Jimmy Brown' Clemenza, Vincent Gugliaro and Salvatore 'Turi' Lombardino Jr.

The Commission was called in to resolve the dispute and sided with DiBella, leading to Abbatemarco and other dissidents being demoted and the Family undergoing a large scale reorganization.

The leadership reinstated Aniello Giannattasio as Captain with the understanding that, as one informant put it, 'he had conquered his drinking problem'. The CI noted: "If Allie's drinking problem resumes, it is understood that the crew will be taken away from him."

On February 8, 1977 FBI CI noted that one of the rebel Captains, Vincent Gugliaro, had been reassigned 'possibly temporarily' to Giannattasio.

On March 3, 1977 FBI CI provided an update on the new Family setup, naming Thomas DiBella and Alphonse Persico as Boss and Consigliere respectively. The Underboss position was vacant and would remain so until Carmine Persico was released from Federal prison in 1980.

Captains were Aniello Giannattasio, Gennaro 'Jerry Lang' Langella, Charles Panarella, Salvatore J. Profaci, Vincenzo Randazzo, Andrew Russo and Unassigned Florida Crew. Thomas DiBella also had a crew reporting directly to him.

A. Giannattasio

Made members under Giannattasio included Vincent 'Little Jimmy' Melia as well as former Gugliaro crew members Lawrence Lampasi Jr., Frank LoCicero, Frank Musacchio and Salvatore Scarpa. (Vincent Gugliaro himself was assigned to Persico loyalist Gennaro Langella by the summer.)

By September 1977 Giannattasio's crew expanded to include Soldiers Dominic 'Little Dom' Cataldo, Harry Fontana (Former Captain), Philip Fontana, Salvatore Fontana, Salvatore 'Sammy' Peritore and John 'Johnny Green' Scimone. (Cataldo was inducted earlier that year.)

By 1978 employed as manager of Colonial Bus Service located at 75 McDonald Ave in Windsor Terrace.

J. Tomasello

On January 10 of that year interviewed by FBI: "[Special Agent] contacted Larry Lampasi [re] Joseph Tomasello. Lampasi advised that Tomasello worked at the bus service for a period in 1977, but was presently on 'Leave of Absence'. Lampasi stated Tomasello was hired as a driver for the company and in a few months would possibly be returned in that capacity. Lampasi would offer no further information concerning Tomasello, but advised Tomasello who visits the bus service periodically, would be advised he should contact this Agent in regards to a possible interview." (Joseph Tomasello was inducted into the Colombos in late February 1977, promoted to Captain in August 1980 and served as Acting Boss during the final months of the early 1990s intra-Family War. It was Tomasello, according to cooperator info, who later authorized Lampasi Jr.'s murder.)

In June 1979 included in the FBI's list of 73 identified Colombo Family members.

By that time made members of Giannattasio's crew included Dominic Cataldo, Alphonse D'Ambrosio, Paul D'Amico, Philip Fontana, Philip 'Fat Foongi' Gambino, Joseph 'Joe Black' Gorgone, Lorenzo Lampasi Jr., Frank LoCicero, Frank Musacchio, Salvatore Scarpa and John Scimone.

Associates of interest included Future Lucchese Acting Boss Joseph 'Little Joe' DeFede. (DeFede was on record with Cataldo.)

Giannattasio died August 10, 1979 and was succeeded by Dominick 'Donnie Shacks' Montemarano.

On October 6, 1980 included in DEA list of 86 identified Colombo Family members.

On October 17, 1980 included in the FBI's list of 90 identified Colombo Family members.

An FBI chart compiled the same date noted that Captain Dominick Montemarano's crew consisted of made members Dominic Cataldo, Philip Fontana, Philip Gambino, Joseph Gorgone, Lawrence Lampasi Jr., Frank LoCicero, Frank Musacchio, Salvatore Scarpa and John Scimone.

On April 8, 1982, at 4:30 AM, Lampasi Jr.'s stepson John Aratico (22y), a Colombo Associate, was found shot to death near his residence at 21st Ave in Bensonhurst. Aratico had been shot five times in the chest with a .9mm automatic. CI Scarpa identified Colombo Soldier Nicholas 'Nicky Black' Grancio and Associate Joseph Tolino, Grancio's nephew, as the perpetrators. The murder was likely authorized by Boss Carmine 'Junior' Persico.

Lampasi Jr. is listed in the 1983 Senate Chart of Colombo Family membership.

Excerpt from Brooklyn District Attorney's Office Chart

In early May 1988 CI Scarpa reported Richard 'Richie Nerves' Fusco's recent promotion to Captain over a newly formed crew.

Made members under Fusco initially included Benjamin LoCicero, Ralph 'Ralphie Patches' Piccirillo and Joseph 'Lefty' SanGiorgio.

Within a few days it was reported that Lorenzo Lampasi Jr. had also been assigned to the crew.

By June 1991 made members of Fusco's crew included Benjamin 'Benji' Castellazzo, Frank Fusco, Salvatore 'Sally Buzzo' Fusco, Salvatore Fusco Jr., Lorenzo Lampasi Jr., Ernest 'Ernie Lap' LaPonzina and Joseph SanGiorgio. (Benjamin LoCicero and Ralph Piccirillo had since been transferred to Vincenzo Aloi and Nicholas Grancio respectively.)

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

Although his Captain Richard Fusco was an active Captain for the Persico side, available sources don't mention what role Lampasi Jr. played, if any.

By 1992 Lampasi Jr. resided at Caton Ave and E 2nd St in Windsor Terrace.

On May 22, 1992, at approximately 4:30 AM, he was preparing to leave for work at his bus company when a hit team gunned him down in the parking lot of his apartment building. Lampasi Jr. was hit multiple times in the chest and back and died at the scene.

G. Scarpa
Gang Land News

It was later revealed through cooperating witness testimony that Lampasi Jr. was not killed as a result of the Orena - Persico war, but instead because of a letter he wrote FBI CI Gregory Scarpa during a loansharking dispute between the two. In the letter, Lampasi Jr. (correctly) accused Scarpa of being an informant.

J. Tomasello
Gang Land News

An Acting Captain at the time, Scarpa brought the matter to Acting Boss Joseph Tomasello, who gave permission to carry out the hit.

Scarpa, along with Associates James 'Jimmy' Delmasto and Lawrence 'Larry' Mazza, set up outside Lampasi Jr.'s building and waited for him to leave for work. When Lampasi Jr. left his car to close the apartment's gate, Scarpa shot him in the back. The team then got out of their vehicle and fired several more shots into Lampasi Jr.'s body to ensure he was dead.

Buried in Green-Wood Cemetery located in Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn.

On May 14, 1993 Joseph Tomasello and ten others, including Lampasi Jr.'s former Captain Richard Fusco, were indicted by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York on Federal racketeering charges that included involvement in the Lampasi Jr. murder. (Tomasello became a fugitive but was apprehended a few years later and subsequently convicted.)

The same month Scarpa pleaded guilty in US District Court Brooklyn to Federal racketeering charges that included the murders of Lampasi Jr. and two others. His Associate Lawrence Mazza defected early the following year.

On June 8, 1994 Scarpa died of AIDS-related complications at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, New York.

More Colombo Family posts can be found in the Index.

Robert Tarantino (Genovese)

1931

Robert Tarantino was a Soldier in the Genovese Family.

Born and raised in South Brooklyn, he moved to Passaic, New Jersey in the 1930s and later became involved in union activity as part of the Family's Catena crew.

Born October 12, 1910 in Brooklyn to Giuseppe (37y) and Antoinette 'Anna' Dalia (30y). Parents from Province of Palermo, Sicily.

Over the next dozen or so years the Tarantinos resided first in South Brooklyn's Cobble Hill neighborhood (21 Cheever Place) and then at 221 Union -> 513 Clinton St in adjacent Carroll Gardens. Robert's father Giuseppe, who worked as a longshoreman, died in 1926; his mother had died three years previous.

Robert's first arrest of record was a rape charge on December 21, 1927. Discharged March 19 of the following year.

On June 28, 1928 arrested on grand larceny charge. On July 11 case dismissed.

On December 10, 1928 arrived at Port of New York from Marseilles, France aboard S.S. President Polk. Listed address at 112 Dean St in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.

On September 12, 1929 arrested with Edward Patalano (23y) by Rochester, New York Police Department on vagrancy charge. Tarantino used the alias Robert Costello and gave an address as 1013 63rd St in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. The charge was subsequently withdrawn and the pair was re-arrested for petit larceny (Dodge Auto). Both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to six months each in Monroe County Penitentiary. Rochester PD later advised FBI: "A notation on this record reflects 'phone call from New York City, Costello wanted there with Edward Mayo on a murder charge'." (No further details are given on the potential murder case. Patalano [1905-1966], who went by Edward Mayo, was born to parents from the Central Italian Province of Latina, Lazio. In Fall 1932 he was sent to Sing Sing Prison for carrying a revolver as a previously convicted felon. At the time he listed residence in Yonkers; by the early 1940s he was living in Canarsie, Brooklyn.)

On July 8, 1931 arrested by NYPD on robbery charge. Following day case dismissed. (See top)

On June 1, 1932 married Angela LaPlaca (22y) in Brooklyn. Marriage witnessed by Vincent Apuzzo and Anna Dantone.

The bride was a sister of Future Genovese Captain Peter LaPlaca. Their father Dominick (1869-1949) hailed from the comune of Castellana Sicula in Palermo; his wife Andrea Riotto was either from the same town or possibly from nearby Petralia Sottana.

The couple soon left Brooklyn for New Jersey and by April 1940 they were residing at 531 Gregory Ave in the city of Passaic. Robert worked as salesman for a linen supply company.

By April 1950 listed employment with collection agency.

On June 9, 1952 arrested by Clifton, NJ PD on charge of possessing lottery slips. On June 17 fined $1,000 and ordered to pay additional $3 court costs.

From about 1955 to 1959 served as officer in Local 1827 ILA.

By 1958 both he and his brother-in-law Peter LaPlaca were formally inducted members of the Genovese Family.

On June 7, 1962 visited LaPlaca at USP Atlanta, Georgia, where the latter was serving a sentence for bribing a juror. LaPlaca's son Dominick accompanied Tarantino on the trip.

Probably as a result of the visit, Tarantino was designated the subject of an FBI investigation that same month.

Tarantino was by then the President of IBT Local 418 Production, Maintenance and Allied Workers Union headquartered at 139 Van Winkle Ave in Garfield, New Jersey.

On December 19, 1962 he was arrested following indictment by the US Attorney's Office in Newark on an attempted extortion charge. FBI later reported: "[Tarantino] was reportedly involved in extorting $300 from the owner of a Northvale, New Jersey detergent plant to ensure labor peace." Arraigned before US Commissioner Theodore C. Kiscaras and released on $1,500 bond. On April 26, 1963 he pleaded not guilty and was continued on bond. (The case stalled for a couple years and the indictment was ultimately dismissed in May 1965.)

G. Catena (1960s)

By 1963 Tarantino was a member of the New Jersey based crew headed by Genovese Captain Eugene 'Gene' Catena. Younger brother to Family Underboss Gerard, Gene's crew included Soldiers Ralph Belvedere, Nicholas 'Bones' Bufanio, Don 'Fats' Ferraro, Michael 'Mickey Gerard' Geralle, Angelo Lapadura, Peter LaPlaca, John Lardiere, Dr. Philip Noto, Joseph 'Joe Peck' Pecora, Thomas 'Timmy Murphy' Pecora, Daniel Polidori, Anthony 'Tony Nino' Saita, Robert Tarantino and Frank Carmen 'Fat Todd' Toto.

A location Gene Catena used for meeting with his crew was bugged that year by the FBI.

In December 1963 Catena met at the location with an Unsub and was recorded referring to Tarantino as one of his 'people'.

On February 7, 1964 Catena was visited by Genovese Soldier John Lardiere. The FBI's Newark Office summarized: "[Catena] was contacted by John Lardiere who informed him of the death of Patsy [LNU]. Catena mentioned that Patsy was one of 'his people' and was about 73 years old. The informant noted that the information about Patsy had been given to Lardiere by Robert Tarantino."

On September 21, 1964 Catena met with members of his regime to discuss the recent upheaval within the Bonanno Family. FBI NK reported: "The foregoing indicates the gravity of the Bonanno situation and is also significant in that Catena personally met with all the known members of his regime. Catena at no time during this week mentioned telling anybody else of this situation. It is therefore suggested that outside of Peter LaPlaca, who is in Federal Prison, the members of Eugene Catena's regime are Daniel Polidori, Joseph Pecora, John Lardiere, Thomas Pecora, Angelo Lapadura, Ralph Belvedere, Robert Tarantino and Anthony Saita."

On October 5, 1964 Catena and Lardiere met. FBI NK summarized: "[Bug] advised that Lardiere told Catena he had seen Bobby (Robert Tarantino) and that Bobby had seen Rose LaPlaca about the location of the arms Dom LaPlaca had been holding for the Catena mob. According to [bug], Mrs. LaPlaca told Bobby that she did know where the weapons were and refuses to discuss the matter further with Tarantino."

Dec. 1964 Surveillance
Front two are A. Lapadura (L) and possibly A. Salvo

On December 17, 1964 Agents conducted photo surveillance on a Christmas Party hosted by Gene Catena at Olde Colonial Inn located in Newark. Establishment owned by Gene's younger brother Frank (1909-1971). Those observed included Captain Gene Catena as well as Soldiers Ralph Belvedere, Angelo Lapadura, John Lardiere and Robert Tarantino. Possible attendees included Bonanno Soldier Angelo Salvo. It was noted that Tarantino arrived in an auto registered to Local 418.

On January 7, 1965 FBI CI reported: "[Redacted], Belvedere and Lapadura are all prominent Bergen County rackets figures, who are part of the old Willie Moretti group. Informant has heard that the Catenas have absorbed the old Moretti organization. Informant also knows [Redacted], Lardiere and Tarantino are closely connected with the Catena group."

On September 16, 1965 Tarantino was (briefly?) interviewed by Newark Agents: "[He] still resides at his Passaic, New Jersey, residence, 531 Gregory Avenue; and works every day at [Local 418] where he is the president."

P. LaPlaca (1961)

On May 17, 1966 FBI NK reported: "[Tarantino's brother-in-law is] Peter Dominick LaPlaca, who resides at 478 Gregory Avenue, Passaic, New Jersey. It is noted that LaPlaca was sentenced [3/16/60 in USDC Newark] for bribing a Federal juror in the income tax evasion case of the late Abner 'Longie' Zwillman of Newark, New Jersey. LaPlaca served time from [3/31/60] to [9/17/65] and is reportedly now employed with the V. J. Bisconti Construction Company, Garfield, New Jersey." (478 Gregory Ave was about a block from Tarantino's own residence.)

In September-November 1966 FBI CI reported: "[Tarantino] is still associated with the Teamsters Production Maintenance and Allied Teamsters Local 418, Garfield, New Jersey. [CI] stated that the subject quite often [redacted]. [CI] advised that outside of occasionally being in the company of his in-law, Peter LaPlaca, Tarantino is not known to associate with any gamblers or criminal figures. [CI] stated he did not know subject to be a member of La Cosa Nostra nor is he known to be involved in any illegal activities."

On March 11, 1967 Tarantino suffered a brain hemorrhage at his residence and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Passaic General Hospital.

Buried in Saint Michael's Cemetery located in Lodi, New Jersey.

Tarantino's crew leader Gene Catena died of natural causes that August.

By early the following year it was being reported that Peter LaPlaca had succeeded Catena as Captain. He held the position until his own death in 1979.

Tarantino's sons Joseph Cross (1933-2003) and Robert (1940-2015) were later noted as having followed their father into the union.

On June 16, 1978 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that [redacted] Pete LaPlaca. [Redacted] according to source, resides in [redacted] and has a home telephone number [redacted]. Source further advised that [redacted paragraph]." (This report is believed referring to a possible relative or former associate of Tarantino's.)

Posthumously included in 1983 and 1988 membership lists.

More Genovese Family posts can be found in the Index.