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| c. 1980 |
Anthony 'Wango' Capizzi was a member of the Pittsburgh Family involved in sportsbetting, gambling junkets and the nightclub scene during the 1960s and 1970s.
Born November 22, 1926 in Hoboken, New Jersey to Pasquale 'Patsy' (27y) and Antoinette Russo (26y). Father from Sessa Aurunca comune of Salerno, Campania. (This matches the 2007 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette obit.)
On February 18, 1960 married in Winchester, Virginia.
Capizzi was by then residing on Dundee Way in Pittsburgh and listed his occupation as salesman.
During the summer of 1962 worked at Jockey Club in Chester, West Virginia.
Born November 22, 1926 in Hoboken, New Jersey to Pasquale 'Patsy' (27y) and Antoinette Russo (26y). Father from Sessa Aurunca comune of Salerno, Campania. (This matches the 2007 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette obit.)
On February 18, 1960 married in Winchester, Virginia.
Capizzi was by then residing on Dundee Way in Pittsburgh and listed his occupation as salesman.
During the summer of 1962 worked at Jockey Club in Chester, West Virginia.
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| J. Pecora (c. 1960) |
On August 6 of that year FBI CI reported: "[During] a conversation with Mike Genovese he was advised that Joseph Pecora managed the Jockey Club at Chester, W. Va., during the absence of Charles Teemer. He was also advised that Pecora is definitely the Mannarino organization's 'boy', and is considered the lieutenant of Gabriel Mannarino. The informant said that one [Anthony] Capizzi is also employed at the Jockey Club and is known to associates as 'Wango'. According to the informant, this individual is an understudy for Pecora and is considered his strong-arm man." (Joseph 'Jo Jo' Pecora [1919-1987], father from San Rufo in Salerno, was later identified as the Family's Underboss.)
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| M. Genovese |
[CI1] has advised that Anthony Capizzi, aka 'Wango', has taken over DiLeo's Restaurant on Broad Street in Pittsburgh, and that there is reason to believe that some of the money utilized to purchase the restaurant was provided to 'Wango' by the Genovese brothers, Mike and Felix. He stated that this was simply an opinion on his part, and that he thinks this way because the brothers have used 'Wango' as a 'front' man in the past in other legitimate businesses.
[CI2] has advised that Anthony Capizzi has opened a cocktail lounge in the Larimer Avenue section of Pittsburgh and is no longer employed in any capacity at the Jockey Club at Chester, W. Va. He understands that Capizzi devotes his full attention to the operation of the cocktail lounge.
[CI2] has advised that Anthony Capizzi has opened a cocktail lounge in the Larimer Avenue section of Pittsburgh and is no longer employed in any capacity at the Jockey Club at Chester, W. Va. He understands that Capizzi devotes his full attention to the operation of the cocktail lounge.
"
On November 1, 1963 FBI CI reported: "[The] biggest football pool set up in the Pittsburgh area is presently located in the East Liberty Section of Pittsburgh. He advised that the main headquarters for the football pool is at Frenchie's Restaurant and is run by Anthony Capizzi. He advised that the big man behind this operation is Joseph Pecora of East Liberty, Pittsburgh, Pa."
On July 23, 1964 FBI PG reported: "[CI] advised that the main headquarters for the football pool in the East Liberty Section is located at Frenchie's Restaurant and is run by Anthony Capizzi. He advised that the big man behind this operation is Jo Jo Pecora and that Capizzi is a former employee of the Jockey Club which was managed by Joseph Pecora."
By Fall 1967 resided at 6336 Stanton Ave in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
On November 4, 1967 among twenty arrested for failing to pay the Federal wagering tax. Others arrested included Pittsburgh Associates Albert 'Boots' Bellini (53y), Eugene L. Chiarelli (42y), Agostino 'Augie' Ferrone (40y) and Paul Scolieri (41y). Approximately $10,000 in cash and numbers paraphernalia seized. Group arraigned before US Commissioner Donnell B. Reed and believed held pending hearing. Case later dismissed after Federal wagering tax stamp declared unconstitutional.
On November 4, 1967 among twenty arrested for failing to pay the Federal wagering tax. Others arrested included Pittsburgh Associates Albert 'Boots' Bellini (53y), Eugene L. Chiarelli (42y), Agostino 'Augie' Ferrone (40y) and Paul Scolieri (41y). Approximately $10,000 in cash and numbers paraphernalia seized. Group arraigned before US Commissioner Donnell B. Reed and believed held pending hearing. Case later dismissed after Federal wagering tax stamp declared unconstitutional.
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| J. Fontana (c. 1960) |
On December 5, 1967 FBI CI reported: "Recently, when John Fontana was leaving one of the East Liberty Clubs in Pittsburgh, a University of Pittsburgh student, who is the nephew of the doorman at this club, made the half-drunken remark, 'that guy and his friends look like the Mafia'. Fontana had to be restrained from taking violent physical action against the boy who made the remark and immediately complained to 'Sonny' Ciancutti of New Kensington. Ciancutti took the gripe to Gabriel Mannarino, who cautioned 'Wango' Capizzi, who operates the club, not to let anything like this happen to Fontana again." (John Fontana [1917-1984] was a Pittsburgh Member with roots in Cosenza, Calabria. Thomas 'Sonny' Ciancutti [1929-2021] was later identified as a Family Captain.)
On December 19, 1967 a meeting between the Pittsburgh PD, Pennsylvania State Police and FBI was held at the latter's Pittsburgh Field Office. During the meeting the PASP requested fingerprints of Capizzi and Associate Paul Scolieri re December 13 murder of Alphonse Marano.
On August 21, 1968 included in the FBI's list of 4 suspected Pittsburgh Family members. 21 listed as confirmed members.
The same year convicted in Fort Lauderdale, Florida of shoplifting and fined $125.
On March 3, 1969 Capizzi, Joseph Pecora and Chuck Dinardo flew to Miami. Four days later the FBI's Miami Field Office reported: "Pecora known to have home somewhere in vicinity Key West and Pittsburgh informant states these individuals go to Key West for fishing trips in early March every year. Pittsburgh conducted investigation which reflected that no reservations had been made under names or aliases of Michael Genovese or John Fontana."
On December 19, 1967 a meeting between the Pittsburgh PD, Pennsylvania State Police and FBI was held at the latter's Pittsburgh Field Office. During the meeting the PASP requested fingerprints of Capizzi and Associate Paul Scolieri re December 13 murder of Alphonse Marano.
On August 21, 1968 included in the FBI's list of 4 suspected Pittsburgh Family members. 21 listed as confirmed members.
The same year convicted in Fort Lauderdale, Florida of shoplifting and fined $125.
On March 3, 1969 Capizzi, Joseph Pecora and Chuck Dinardo flew to Miami. Four days later the FBI's Miami Field Office reported: "Pecora known to have home somewhere in vicinity Key West and Pittsburgh informant states these individuals go to Key West for fishing trips in early March every year. Pittsburgh conducted investigation which reflected that no reservations had been made under names or aliases of Michael Genovese or John Fontana."
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| G. Mannarino FBN Mafia Book |
On January 7, 1971 FBI CI reported: "On that date, Kelly Mannarino stated that his son-in-law would be going on a junket to Las Vegas, Nevada, for four days, commencing January 10, 1971, and returning January 14, 1971. He said his son-in-law, Dr. Russell Bufalino, has never been to Las Vegas before, and because of that fact, he was sending Sonny Ciancutti along on the trip. It will be Ciancutti's responsibility to see to it that Dr. Bufalino does not get into any trouble and does not lose too much money. Mannarino said this junket had been organized by Wango Capizzi." (Pittsburgh Captain Gabriel 'Kelly' Mannarino's son-in-law was a nephew of Pittston Boss Russell Bufalino.)
By 1972 suspected financial interest in New Frontier Club (formerly Aloysius Section Number Two Club). (Per 1980 Pennsylvania Crime Commission Report.)
By November 1973 Capizzi, along with Richard 'Inky' Alberts, was a suspected financial backer of the Fantastic Plastic nightclub located in the Shadyside section of Pittsburgh.
By 1974 he and Associate Paul Scolieri organized gambling junkets through Las Vegas Travel Agency operating out of the Carlton House hotel. Pennsylvania Crime Commission later reported: "Capizzi's assistants were Scolieri, Kenneth Ferris and Joseph N. 'Jo Jo' Pecora, a member of the LaRocca crime organization who had operated illegal casinos near Chester, West Virginia."
By 1972 suspected financial interest in New Frontier Club (formerly Aloysius Section Number Two Club). (Per 1980 Pennsylvania Crime Commission Report.)
By November 1973 Capizzi, along with Richard 'Inky' Alberts, was a suspected financial backer of the Fantastic Plastic nightclub located in the Shadyside section of Pittsburgh.
By 1974 he and Associate Paul Scolieri organized gambling junkets through Las Vegas Travel Agency operating out of the Carlton House hotel. Pennsylvania Crime Commission later reported: "Capizzi's assistants were Scolieri, Kenneth Ferris and Joseph N. 'Jo Jo' Pecora, a member of the LaRocca crime organization who had operated illegal casinos near Chester, West Virginia."
On June 23, 1975 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported:
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[Capizzi] is the subject of an intensive investigation by federal authorities, who are centering their inquiries into the operations of the Las Vegas Travel Club, which Capizzi runs with Joseph N. Pecora, better known to his friends and to law enforcement officials as Jo-Jo...It is also in connection with gambling junkets conducted by the travel club, originally for the Dunes Hotel and lately for the Aladdin Hotel, that the Nevada Gaming Control Board has been investigating Capizzi. Among the 1,000 or so junket operators registered with the gaming board only about a score have undergone investigations as intensive as the one into Capizzi's background. It is still continuing, but so far no steps have been taken to ban Capizzi from the state. 'The ones we really look into are the ones with the greatest potential to create problems and embarrass the state of Nevada,' a top gaming board investigator said.
Not just anyone can go on one of Capizzi's junkets. Typically, members of the Las Vegas Travel Club are recommended by other members. Mostly high rollers, they undergo a thorough credit check before they are accepted because the club extends members a line of credit to pay off the debts they incur in Las Vegas. The club's income comes both from providing the steady flow of gamblers to the hotels and from its service as a collection agent for the debts.
Not just anyone can go on one of Capizzi's junkets. Typically, members of the Las Vegas Travel Club are recommended by other members. Mostly high rollers, they undergo a thorough credit check before they are accepted because the club extends members a line of credit to pay off the debts they incur in Las Vegas. The club's income comes both from providing the steady flow of gamblers to the hotels and from its service as a collection agent for the debts.
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Same article noted: "The Pennsylvania Crime Commission took note of Capizzi in its 1970 report on organized crime in connection with the murder of Alphonse Morano, a fringe hanger-on at the Aloysius Club and other East Liberty racket hangouts. Morano was found murdered Dec. 13, 1967, with three bullet holes in his head only a few weeks after Capizzi and two associates were arrested on federal gambling charges. Morano unwittingly had introduced an Internal Revenue Service undercover operative to the Aloysius Club crowd."
On August 12, 1975 two priests contacted FBI PG and reported vaguely threatening phone calls requesting an end to their opposition of the Fantastic Plastic club. The callers were identified as Anthony Capizzi and club manager Ralph Palmieri. (By 1978 the club closed down as a result of local pressure.)
On December 5, 1975 arrested by local PD on charges unlawful taking, theft by deception, theft of local property and receiving stolen property re theft of county-owned snow plow. Five days later case dismissed for lack of evidence.
Capizzi was then residing at 4451 Middle Rd in Hampton, PA.
On June 2, 1976 FBI CI reported:
"
Same article noted: "The Pennsylvania Crime Commission took note of Capizzi in its 1970 report on organized crime in connection with the murder of Alphonse Morano, a fringe hanger-on at the Aloysius Club and other East Liberty racket hangouts. Morano was found murdered Dec. 13, 1967, with three bullet holes in his head only a few weeks after Capizzi and two associates were arrested on federal gambling charges. Morano unwittingly had introduced an Internal Revenue Service undercover operative to the Aloysius Club crowd."
On August 12, 1975 two priests contacted FBI PG and reported vaguely threatening phone calls requesting an end to their opposition of the Fantastic Plastic club. The callers were identified as Anthony Capizzi and club manager Ralph Palmieri. (By 1978 the club closed down as a result of local pressure.)
On December 5, 1975 arrested by local PD on charges unlawful taking, theft by deception, theft of local property and receiving stolen property re theft of county-owned snow plow. Five days later case dismissed for lack of evidence.
Capizzi was then residing at 4451 Middle Rd in Hampton, PA.
On June 2, 1976 FBI CI reported:
"
[The] numbers book which covers the Bloomfield, Garfield and Lawrenceville sections of the City of Pittsburgh is run by John Collinger who owns and operated the Pleasure Bar at Liberty and Cedarville Avenues. For years, this was part of the Mike Genovese numbers organization, which generally covered the eastern part of Pittsburgh and the area north of the Allegheny River.
...The 'overseer' for the numbers operation is 'Wango' Capizzi and his associate, Paul Scolieri, who work directly for [Thomas] Ciancutti. Capizzi and Scolieri operate on a daily basis out of Fantastic Plastic Nightclub in East Liberty. [Gary] Marini operates under the supervision of Capizzi. Source stated Marini is 'Wango's man'. Source stated that any large or unusual hit on a numbers play has to be personally cleared for payoff with Capizzi or Scolieri, at Fantastic Plastic. The routine is that the 'runner' who owes the money goes to the Fantastic Plastic between 10:00 AM and 12:00 noon on the day he needs the money and personally sees Capizzi or Scolieri, who gives them the money.
...The 'overseer' for the numbers operation is 'Wango' Capizzi and his associate, Paul Scolieri, who work directly for [Thomas] Ciancutti. Capizzi and Scolieri operate on a daily basis out of Fantastic Plastic Nightclub in East Liberty. [Gary] Marini operates under the supervision of Capizzi. Source stated Marini is 'Wango's man'. Source stated that any large or unusual hit on a numbers play has to be personally cleared for payoff with Capizzi or Scolieri, at Fantastic Plastic. The routine is that the 'runner' who owes the money goes to the Fantastic Plastic between 10:00 AM and 12:00 noon on the day he needs the money and personally sees Capizzi or Scolieri, who gives them the money.
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| M. Genovese (1980) |
He named John LaRocca and Louis Volpe as Boss and Underboss respectively and identified Michael Genovese, Gabriel Mannarino, Joseph Regino and Antonio Ripepi as crew leaders.
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| J. Pecora (L) and A. Capizzi Pennsylvania Crime Commission Report (1980) |
Joseph Pecora was described as Genovese's 'Lieutenant' and Capizzi as a 'Soldier' in the same crew. (A 1985 chart shows Genovese and his former 'Lieutenant' Pecora as having risen to Acting Boss and Underboss respectively.)
On February 15, 1977 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette identified Capizzi and Paul Scolieri as associates 'in gambling and numbers' at the Aloysius Club in East Liberty.
By Fall 1979 wife owned Hu Ke Lau restaurant located on McKnight Rd in the North Hills section of Pittsburgh.
On October 19, 1979 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published article "Two Boyhood Friends Go Separate Ways." Article noted: "The kids who played billiards together in Larimer Avenue neighborhood pool halls in the years immediately before World War II are playing different games today. One of them, John Danzilli is director of public protection for Allegheny County. The other is Anthony A. 'Wango' Capizzi, who for years was known by police as a numbers and after-hours club operator and who recently has emerged as a prominent North Hills restaurateur. The two men maintain a casual relationship, renewing old acquaintances when Danzilli has dinner at the Hu Ke Lau on McKnight Road, a restaurant whose principal owner is Capizzi's wife." (This seems at odds with the bio details of the Capizzi noted by the Post-Gazette as dying in March 2007.)
On February 15, 1977 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette identified Capizzi and Paul Scolieri as associates 'in gambling and numbers' at the Aloysius Club in East Liberty.
By Fall 1979 wife owned Hu Ke Lau restaurant located on McKnight Rd in the North Hills section of Pittsburgh.
On October 19, 1979 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published article "Two Boyhood Friends Go Separate Ways." Article noted: "The kids who played billiards together in Larimer Avenue neighborhood pool halls in the years immediately before World War II are playing different games today. One of them, John Danzilli is director of public protection for Allegheny County. The other is Anthony A. 'Wango' Capizzi, who for years was known by police as a numbers and after-hours club operator and who recently has emerged as a prominent North Hills restaurateur. The two men maintain a casual relationship, renewing old acquaintances when Danzilli has dinner at the Hu Ke Lau on McKnight Road, a restaurant whose principal owner is Capizzi's wife." (This seems at odds with the bio details of the Capizzi noted by the Post-Gazette as dying in March 2007.)
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| J. DeMarco |
On October 11, 1979 Joseph DeMarco (54y) disappeared. Last seen leaving residence en route to meeting with suspected drug dealer Herman Johnson (49y). Three days later DeMarco's auto was found abandoned in the parking lot of Eastland Shopping Mall in North Versailles Township. On October 22, at approximately 10:00 PM, found shot to death in the trunk of Herman Johnson's Cadillac left at the Greater Pittsburgh Airport. He had been shot multiple times in the torso and head. It was noted that Johnson himself was also missing. (Johnson was a former employee of the Capizzi-backed Fantastic Plastic club. DeMarco was a former co-defendant of Pittsburgh Member John Bazzano Jr.)
Around April-June 1980 surveilled and photographed visiting the Allegheny Car Wash.
In September 1980 the Pennsylvania Crime Commission published its A Decade of Organized Crime report. Section titled 'Payoffs and Extortion in Western Pennsylvania' noted: "Joseph Nicholas 'Jo Jo' Pecora has been identified as a possible successor to John LaRocca, the Cosa Nostra boss in Western [PA]...Pecora controlled gambling in the 'panhandle' district of West Virginia, which includes the cities of Weirton and Chester, for the LaRocca crime family. Pecora has also been associated with Anthony 'Wango' Capizzi in the gambling junket business."
Section covering gambling noted: "In 1979, a party, held at Fanucci's Inn [in Swiftwater, PA], was attended by Anthony 'Wango' Capizzi, an associate of LaRocca family member 'Jo Jo' Pecora, where the development of Las Vegas gambling junkets was discussed. Capizzi, according to [PCC] investigations, is a frequent visitor to the Scranton / Wilkes-Barre area and is seen in [Theodore] Fanucci's company. Capizzi has run gambling junkets with Fanucci."
On December 15, 1981 Frank J. Bilotta, maintenance director with the county housing authority, arrested by FBI in Etna, Pennsylvania after receiving a second $5,000 payoff. Bilotta driven to location by Capizzi. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later reported: "Both payoffs, under the surveillance of and recorded by FBI agents, were made by John Ladesic. Ladesic is a former authority inspector whose low bid to replace windows at an authority project in Sharpsburg was rejected, along with all other bids, last July 13. Ladesic's bid was then approved on Aug. 10, three days after Ladesic paid Bilotta the first $5,000."
On October 28, 1982 son arrested by Pittsburgh PD on charges of conspiracy, extortion and kidnapping.
On November 2 the son was hit with additional extortion charges.
On November 24, 1983 The Associated Press reported: "A man called before investigating grand jury has challenged the constitutionality of the state law giving grand juries the power to force witnesses to testify in return for immunity from prosecution. A petition asking the state Supreme Court to strike down the law was filed on Tuesday on behalf of Anthony A. Capizzi Sr. If Capizzi is successful, the ruling could weaken the investigating grand jury system and affect other governmental bodies that conduct investigations, said Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Leo Dillon, who supervises the county grand jury. Defense lawyer John L. Doherty raised the co constitutional issue after Capizzi was subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury Nov. 2. Doherty said the law has never been tested. Capizzi's son, Anthony was arrested last month after the grand jury accused him of trying convince three men to collect debts for Northview Motors Inc. by, breaking the arms and legs debtors. The elder Capizzi was listed in the grand jury presentment against his son as the lease fleet manager for Northview."
Absent from 1985 Federal chart.
In April 1988 U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee published 25 Years After Valachi report. Section covering Pennsylvania noted: "Members and associates of the LaRocca family, including Gabriel Mannarino and Anthony 'Wango' Capizzi, have also been seen visiting the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton area. Capizzi also has arranged gambling 'junkets' to Las Vegas for Bufalino family members and their associates."
Around mid-April 1989 Pennsylvania Crime Commission published its annual report. Those identified as Pittsburgh Members included Anthony Capizzi (62y). Report noted: "The control exercised by this LCN Family can be seen in the Erie, PA, gambling market. [Robert] Iannielli, a close associate of LCN Family member Anthony 'Wango' Capizzi, 63, collected Erie layoff gambling money from Alfred DelSandro until DelSandro's death in July 1988. At DelSandro's funeral, however, Iannielli purposely avoided contact with DelSandro's successor, John 'Jack' Miller, 59, 5449 Pepperwood Circle, Erie. Miller had in excess of 35 numbers writers grossing $125,000 weekly in sports and numbers 'action' at that time and, until late 1988, was considered the largest bookmaker in Erie. Since then, Miller's organization has declined and is now ranked third." (Aside from his identification as a member and his inclusion on a Family hierarchy chart, this is the report's only mention of Capizzi. Robert 'Bobby I' Iannelli [1930-2025] was a Pittsburgh Associate whose father hailed from Forli del Sannio in Campobasso, Molise.)
On November 5, 2000 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published article on current status of Pittsburgh Family. Article noted: "In the end, [FBI Special Agent Greenberg] says, the Pittsburgh mob was done in by RICO and its members' greed for profits from the drug trade. It hasn't recovered. These days, no more than a handful of members remain, all of them old men. None are under 70. [Thomas] Ciancutti, recently arrested on gambling charges, is 70. Two other longtime members, Frank Amato Jr. of East McKeesport and John Bazzano Jr. of McMurray, are well into their 70s. And although [Michael] Genovese has a pacemaker that has rejuvenated his bad heart, he's older than all of them."
By 2008 resided in Davie, Florida.
Died March 21, 2007.
On March 25 an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette stated: "According to records from the 1990 federal Mafia trial in Pittsburgh and the former Pennsylvania Crime Commission, Mr. Capizzi frequently visited with Mr. LaRocca and other mobsters at various mob hangouts throughout the 1980s...In the early 1980s, according to the reports, he tried to become a licensed junketeer but was unable to get a license because of a credit scam he ran at the Tropicana Casino in Las Vegas."
On March 26-27 wake held at Kyper Funeral Home at 2702 Mt Royal Blvd in Glenshaw, PA. Buried in Allegheny County Memorial Park.
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| c. 1980 |
In September 1980 the Pennsylvania Crime Commission published its A Decade of Organized Crime report. Section titled 'Payoffs and Extortion in Western Pennsylvania' noted: "Joseph Nicholas 'Jo Jo' Pecora has been identified as a possible successor to John LaRocca, the Cosa Nostra boss in Western [PA]...Pecora controlled gambling in the 'panhandle' district of West Virginia, which includes the cities of Weirton and Chester, for the LaRocca crime family. Pecora has also been associated with Anthony 'Wango' Capizzi in the gambling junket business."
Section covering gambling noted: "In 1979, a party, held at Fanucci's Inn [in Swiftwater, PA], was attended by Anthony 'Wango' Capizzi, an associate of LaRocca family member 'Jo Jo' Pecora, where the development of Las Vegas gambling junkets was discussed. Capizzi, according to [PCC] investigations, is a frequent visitor to the Scranton / Wilkes-Barre area and is seen in [Theodore] Fanucci's company. Capizzi has run gambling junkets with Fanucci."
On December 15, 1981 Frank J. Bilotta, maintenance director with the county housing authority, arrested by FBI in Etna, Pennsylvania after receiving a second $5,000 payoff. Bilotta driven to location by Capizzi. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later reported: "Both payoffs, under the surveillance of and recorded by FBI agents, were made by John Ladesic. Ladesic is a former authority inspector whose low bid to replace windows at an authority project in Sharpsburg was rejected, along with all other bids, last July 13. Ladesic's bid was then approved on Aug. 10, three days after Ladesic paid Bilotta the first $5,000."
On October 28, 1982 son arrested by Pittsburgh PD on charges of conspiracy, extortion and kidnapping.
On November 2 the son was hit with additional extortion charges.
On November 24, 1983 The Associated Press reported: "A man called before investigating grand jury has challenged the constitutionality of the state law giving grand juries the power to force witnesses to testify in return for immunity from prosecution. A petition asking the state Supreme Court to strike down the law was filed on Tuesday on behalf of Anthony A. Capizzi Sr. If Capizzi is successful, the ruling could weaken the investigating grand jury system and affect other governmental bodies that conduct investigations, said Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Leo Dillon, who supervises the county grand jury. Defense lawyer John L. Doherty raised the co constitutional issue after Capizzi was subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury Nov. 2. Doherty said the law has never been tested. Capizzi's son, Anthony was arrested last month after the grand jury accused him of trying convince three men to collect debts for Northview Motors Inc. by, breaking the arms and legs debtors. The elder Capizzi was listed in the grand jury presentment against his son as the lease fleet manager for Northview."
Absent from 1985 Federal chart.
In April 1988 U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee published 25 Years After Valachi report. Section covering Pennsylvania noted: "Members and associates of the LaRocca family, including Gabriel Mannarino and Anthony 'Wango' Capizzi, have also been seen visiting the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton area. Capizzi also has arranged gambling 'junkets' to Las Vegas for Bufalino family members and their associates."
Around mid-April 1989 Pennsylvania Crime Commission published its annual report. Those identified as Pittsburgh Members included Anthony Capizzi (62y). Report noted: "The control exercised by this LCN Family can be seen in the Erie, PA, gambling market. [Robert] Iannielli, a close associate of LCN Family member Anthony 'Wango' Capizzi, 63, collected Erie layoff gambling money from Alfred DelSandro until DelSandro's death in July 1988. At DelSandro's funeral, however, Iannielli purposely avoided contact with DelSandro's successor, John 'Jack' Miller, 59, 5449 Pepperwood Circle, Erie. Miller had in excess of 35 numbers writers grossing $125,000 weekly in sports and numbers 'action' at that time and, until late 1988, was considered the largest bookmaker in Erie. Since then, Miller's organization has declined and is now ranked third." (Aside from his identification as a member and his inclusion on a Family hierarchy chart, this is the report's only mention of Capizzi. Robert 'Bobby I' Iannelli [1930-2025] was a Pittsburgh Associate whose father hailed from Forli del Sannio in Campobasso, Molise.)
On November 5, 2000 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published article on current status of Pittsburgh Family. Article noted: "In the end, [FBI Special Agent Greenberg] says, the Pittsburgh mob was done in by RICO and its members' greed for profits from the drug trade. It hasn't recovered. These days, no more than a handful of members remain, all of them old men. None are under 70. [Thomas] Ciancutti, recently arrested on gambling charges, is 70. Two other longtime members, Frank Amato Jr. of East McKeesport and John Bazzano Jr. of McMurray, are well into their 70s. And although [Michael] Genovese has a pacemaker that has rejuvenated his bad heart, he's older than all of them."
By 2008 resided in Davie, Florida.
Died March 21, 2007.
On March 25 an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette stated: "According to records from the 1990 federal Mafia trial in Pittsburgh and the former Pennsylvania Crime Commission, Mr. Capizzi frequently visited with Mr. LaRocca and other mobsters at various mob hangouts throughout the 1980s...In the early 1980s, according to the reports, he tried to become a licensed junketeer but was unable to get a license because of a credit scam he ran at the Tropicana Casino in Las Vegas."
On March 26-27 wake held at Kyper Funeral Home at 2702 Mt Royal Blvd in Glenshaw, PA. Buried in Allegheny County Memorial Park.
More Pittsburgh Family posts can be found in the Index.
