 |
| 1971 |
Angelo Polizzi (1913-1988) was a Captain in the Los Angeles Family during the 1960s and 1970s.
Originally affiliated with the Magaddino Family in Buffalo, New York, by the early 1950s he had moved to Glendale, California, where he participated in multiple murders on behalf of local Boss Jack Dragna.
His father-in-law Jaspere Joe Matranga (1898-1971) was also a member in Los Angeles by the early 1950s; a transplant like Polizzi, Matranga had started out in Chicago.
Angelo was born May 17, 1913 in Buffalo to Charles (27y) and Josephine DiFrancesco, both believed from Sicily.
At the time of his birth the family was living at 119 Efner St in the city's Lower West Side.
By April 1920 they resided at 410 Allen St in Jamestown, located about fifty miles south of Buffalo. Angelo's father worked as a stonemason.
Within a few years they had returned to the Lower West Side, residing first at 237 Maryland St and, by April 1930, at 41 18th St in the Front Park section. Angelo then listed his occupation as laborer (odd jobs).
On July 17, 1932 entered the US from Canada and gave occupation as waiter.
By Fall 1935 moved a few blocks south of Front Park to 165 16th St in the adjacent neighborhood of Bryant.
On November 19, 1935, at approximately 11:00 AM, armed robbery committed on a barbershop located nearby at 301 Bryant St. Assailants stole $114 from cash register and from the shop owner, who was able to write down their license plate number before they fled the scene. Police located the auto outside an address located just a couple of blocks north of Polizzi's own residence.
Arrested in the ensuing raid were Polizzi, Daniel Sansanese (27y) and Joseph Gatti (28y).
The Buffalo News reported: "
...While the patrolmen surrounded the house, the two lieutenants entered the place with drawn guns and went directly to the second floor. Throwing open a door, they said they found [Sansanese]
, who immediately fainted. The lieutenant said they searched him and found an automatic pistol in his overcoat pocket. The raid leaders then rushed into another room and confronted Polizzi, forcing him to raise his hands. However, he bolted back into the room police said, and attempted to hide an automatic pistol. The squad later found a gun under a chair."
Daniel Sansanese (1908-1975), along with at least two immediate relatives, was later identified as a made member in the Magaddino Family. The gun found in his possession
matched a bullet from the November 1931 murder of one Faulkner Vandenburg; Sansanese claimed he got the gun from Polizzi, who in turn named another man as the source of the weapon.
Trio pleaded not guilty before City Court Judge Peter Maul and
remanded pending hearing scheduled for December 4.
Polizzi and Sansanese were both convicted of 1st degree robbery the following March.
The Buffalo News reported: "
Two squads from the Franklin street station and two details from the Auto bureau were unable to quell the loud shouts of disapproval that greeted the verdict, nor to determine from whom the threats of revenge came. No arrests were made."
Later that month Polizzi, who the press noted had previously been convicted of assault, was
sentenced to ten-to-fifteen years in New York State Prison. Sansanese received thirty years, although he was out by the late 1940s and a made member in Buffalo by the 1960s.
 |
| Mar. 1936 |
Following day received at unspecified facility to begin sentence.
By April 1940 incarcerated at Wallkill State Prison in Shawangunk, NY. His family had since moved to 17 19th St in Front Park.
Released around
1942.
Later that year listed employment with Connecticut Fire Brick Company on Tonawanda St.
Served in US Army from February 5, 1943 to May 11, 1945.
Living in California by late 1950, when he acted as shooter in the December 11 murder of Samuel Rummel, an attorney and close associate of Mickey Cohen.
Murder ordered by Los Angeles Boss Jack Dragna and supervised by Family members Aladena 'Jimmy the Weasel' Fratianno and Nicolo 'Nick' Licata.
 |
S. Rummel (R) with M. Cohen
Press |
Polizzi fired a double-barreled, sawed-off shotgun into Rummel's back outside the victim's residence on Laurel Canyon Boulevard.
Nick Licata's son Carlo acted as driver.
 |
| A. Brancato (L) and A. Trombino |
On August 6, 1951 Polizzi acted as driver in the Family-ordered double murder of former Kansas City residents Anthony Brancato (37y) and Anthony Trombino (33y), shot to death on Hollywood Boulevard by Fratianno and Los Angeles Associate Charles 'Charlie Batts' Battaglia. (Fratianno later claimed Battaglia only fired a single shot after the victims were dead.)
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| Oct. 1951 |
On October 28, 1951 Polizzi was picked up at his residence, 519 E Windsor Rd in Glendale, and
held for questioning in the Brancato-Trombino case.
Two days later testified before County Grand Jury.
The Los Angeles Times reported: "[Polizzi]
gave only his name, his address [and]
his emphatic denial that he had anything to do with the demise of the two Tonys...He told [Detective]
he had returned to Los Angeles 10 days ago - two days after the grand jury had recessed its investigation of the murders. 'I left for my health, I was sick,' he explained to the officers but would not say where he had been in the intervening 11 weeks."
In early 1952 among six formally inducted into Los Angeles Family. Ceremony presided over by Boss Jack Dragna and held at vineyard owned by members of the Dippolito family. Other present included Soldiers Aladena Fratianno and Nicolo Licata.
 |
1952 Inductees (L to R): J. Adamo, C. Battaglia, J. Dippolito, C. Licata, J. LiMandri, A. Polizzi
Battaglia and LiMandri Photos: FBN Mafia Book |
Those inducted were:
- Joseph Adamo (49y) (Died 1998)
- Charles Battaglia (34y) (Died 1983)
- Joseph Dippolito (37y) (Died 1974)
- Carlo Licata (27y) (Suicide [?] 1981)
- Joseph LiMandri (38y) (Died 1988)
- Angelo Polizzi (38y) (Died 1988)
(Dippolito was later appointed the Family's Underboss. Adamo and Polizzi both rose to Captain.)
Fratianno was promoted to Captain after the inductions were complete.
In late July of the same year Angelo married Concetta Matranga (27y) in San Bernardino, CA. Bride daughter of Los Angeles Member Jaspere Joe Matranga of Piana dei Greci, Palermo.
Both Polizzi and his father-in-law were present for the April 16, 1953 garrotting of 'Russian Louie' Strauss (48y). Murder ordered by Boss Jack Dragna and included among its participants members of both the Los Angeles and Chicago Families.
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| June 1955 |
On June 8, 1955 arrested by Los Angeles PD on unspecified charge.
 |
| J. Delmont |
On June 4, 1960 James Delmont (43y) found bludgeoned to death, body lying in field near Ontario, California. FBI later
reported: "
His death had resulted from 10 - 12 blows in the head from a blunt instrument, such as a tire iron or a blunt bladed hatchet. Identification of the body was through fingerprints however all identifying marks on his clothing had been removed."
Information from an FBI
member source in 1963 and from Jimmy Fratianno's 1980 book
The Last Mafioso identified Angelo Polizzi as a participant in the murder, which was carried out by the Los Angeles on behalf of the Magaddinos in Buffalo. Fratianno's book claims the victim was set up by John 'Peanuts' Tronolone, who went on to serve as Cleveland's Boss in the mid-1980s.
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| F. DeSimone |
By mid-to-late 1963 Polizzi had been promoted to Captain by Frank DeSimone, who took over the Los Angeles Family after Jack Dragna's death in 1956.
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| 1960s |
Made members of Polizzi's crew included
Anthony 'Nino' Mangione, James 'Danny Wilson' Iannone, Salvatore Piscopo and Dominic 'Mimi' Tripoli.
 |
| A. Mangione (L) and A. Veneziano |
Nino Mangione (1900-1979), from Siculiana in Agrigento, Sicily, was previously a member of Cleveland and then Kansas City before transferring to Los Angeles. By 1963 he was partners with Possible Member Alfonso Veneziano in Joe and Nino's Pizza Place located on W 8th St in Central LA.
 |
S. Piscopo
FBN Mafia Book |
Salvatore Piscopo, inducted in 1948, had recently become a
confidential informant, providing much of the information currently available on the crew in the 1960s.
Polizzi used the Villa Capri Restaurant, Hollywood Park Race Track and Hollywood-Roosevelt Hotel as locations where his men could reach him.
On December 13, 1963 identified in FBI Los Angeles Field Office report as Captain. Report
noted: "[Polizzi]
was born [5/17/13]
at Buffalo, New York. At the present time, he resides with his wife in Glendale, California, and during the past several months, along with Frank DeSimone, has been hiding out, according to [CI Piscopo]
, to avoid the possible service of a subpoena regarding La Cosa Nostra activities."
Same report noted Polizzi's involvement in the 1960 Delmont murder: "
According to [CI Piscopo]
, this incident represents a typical activity by the Brugads. Such a contract from Buffalo would have to be cleared with both 'Bosses', in this instance Frank DeSimone and Steve Magaddino. Source advised Polizzi, in discussing this contract [with Piscopo]
, had violated one of the firm rules of the La Cosa Nostra."
On December 30, 1963 FBI's Buffalo Field Office
reported: "
..It is noted during the course of another investigation Angelo Polizzi was interviewed by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department and is considered a suspect in the murder of James Delmont, who was formerly employed by the Madison Taxi Company."
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| G. Giammona |
By 1967
Giuseppe 'Joe' Giammona (1900-1977), described a few years prior as being semi-retired and with no Soldiers under him, had stepped down and was also reporting to Polizzi.
Giammona, born in Palermo, previously operated a restaurant in Hollywood.
On January 21, 1967 FBI CI reported on the Family hierarchy, identifying Frank DeSimone as Boss and naming Joseph Dippolito, Tommy Palermo and Angelo Polizzi as Captains. (Tommy Palermo [1903-1977] is identified by other sources as being DeSimone's Consigliere.)
Frank DeSimone died that August.
Salvatore Piscopo provided Agents with frequent updates on the process of choosing a successor.
On August 30 he reported:
"
Informant advised [to] his knowledge, no change in leadership has yet occurred. Subsequent to the death of DeSimone, informant has maintained contact with various other Los Angeles LCN 'members' and none of them are yet aware nor have they been contacted relative to a change in leadership.
Informant and former LCN 'Capo' Joseph Giammona have had several discussions recently relative to the new leadership. Giammona stated he is certain 'Under-Boss' Nick Licata will attempt to line up support to have himself (Licata) appointed 'Boss', Giammona is opposed to Licata but would support 'Capo' Joseph Dippolito for this position. Another possible candidate mentioned by Giammona, as well as by LCN 'member' Dominick 'Mimi' Tripoli, is Louis Tom Dragna, nephew of former Los Angeles LCN 'Boss' Jack Dragna (deceased 1956) and son of former Los Angeles LCN 'Consigliere' Thomas F. Dragna. Dragna has some scattered support in Los Angeles 'Brugad', according to [Piscopo, but he] doubted that such support was adequate.
Giammona told informant on night of 8/29/67 that 'Under-Boss' Nick Licata had been in recent contact with 'Capos' Angelo Polizzi, Joseph Dippolito and Joseph Adamo. Giammona then noted that Licata holds considerable influence over 'Capo' Angelo Polizzi. Giammona then speculated that Licata would attempt to line up support of Polizzi in his bid for leadership. Giammona stated he would not go along with Polizzi in such event.
Informant advised that neither Giammona, Tripoli or informant have been in contact with 'Capo' Angelo Polizzi during about past ten days. Polizzi has not been to Villa Capri Restaurant, Hollywood Park Race Track or Hollywood - Roosevelt Hotel during this period -- places he frequents and where contacts are made with him.
"
On September 4, 1967, with a successor not yet elected, FBI LA
reported on the low opinion held by some members towards the previous Boss:
"
..According to information furnished by [multiple CIs, the] practice of [Frank] DeSimone to isolate and insulate himself from direct contact with other Los Angeles LCN 'members' led to considerable dissatisfaction and criticism by other 'members'.
[CI] advised, for example, that on the night of [6/3/67], Los Angeles 'Capo' Angelo Polizzi was in contact with Charles Battaglia. Battaglia is an LCN 'member' of the Joseph Bonanno 'Brugad'. At this time, Battaglia criticized DeSimone for isolating himself from 'Capos' and 'members'.
Battaglia pointed out to Polizzi that the practice of an LCN 'Boss' isolating himself from his 'Capos', making only occasional contact with them and using the 'Under-Boss' to relay instructions is a practice not followed by other LCN 'Brugads'. Battaglia pointed out to Polizzi that as a 'Capo' he had a right to meet directly with the 'Boss' whenever he desired to discuss an LCN matter with him.
"
(As detailed below, Bonanno Member Charles Battaglia [1917-1983], who had transferred to that Family during DeSimone's reign, sought to return to Los Angeles after the Boss's death.)
In same report it was
noted that Polizzi had 'sporadic employment as a bartender'.
Four days later CI Piscopo reported:
"
[He] was in contact with Los Angeles LCN 'Members' Joseph Giammona and Dominick Tripoli [same date]. Neither Giammona, Tripoli or informant have yet been contacted relative to selection of new leadership of Los Angeles LCN Family and are not presently aware of any plans for voting by September Fifteen next for new 'Boss' of Los Angeles LCN 'Family'.
In addition, present whereabouts of Los Angeles LCN 'Capo' Angelo Polizzi and his family are unknown to Giammona, Tripoli or [CI]. Believed by these individuals that Polizzi is presently on vacation with family away from Los Angeles. Giammona, Tripoli and [CI] state no selection of new Los Angeles 'Boss' will be made until Polizzi's return.
"
On the night of September 17 Piscopo arranged a meeting between Polizzi and Bonanno Member Charles Battaglia so that Battaglia could discuss his 'desire to transfer' back to Los Angeles now that DeSimone was gone.
On October 4, 1967 FBI Los Angeles reported:
"
...Since [9/19/67 CI Piscopo] has been unable to contact Polizzi. Since then informant has been in virtually daily contact with LCN 'members' Joseph Giammona, Dominic 'Mimi' Tripoli and Anthony Mangione, all 'members' of Polizzi's LCN 'regime'. None of these individuals knew of Polizzi's whereabouts and advised informant that Polizzi had not yet contacted them relative to the new Los Angeles Boss.
On 9/30/67, informant advised that Polizzi had telephonically contacted him the night of 9/29/67. Polizzi stated that he had suffered a stroke and had been hospitalized for about the past 10 days. Informant met Polizzi in Polizzi's room at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Los Angeles, California on the night of 9/29/67. Polizzi stated that he is recovering from this stroke and expects to be discharged from the hospital in several days.
At this time Polizzi asked informant if informant had made his choice relative to the new Los Angeles LCN 'Boss'. Informant stated that his preference would be Nick Licata, but that he would support Polizzi and would vote for the individual who was the choice of Polizzi.
Polizzi stated that his choice would be Licata as Polizzi felt that this was no time for any change in the Los Angeles LCN leadership. Polizzi indicated that continued pressure from law enforcement would make it difficult to meet and to reorganize at the present time.
Polizzi stated that to date there had been no opposition to Licata. Polizzi stated that except for informant he had not had a chance as yet to poll other 'members' of his 'Regime', but felt that there would be a general agreement to Licata's selection.
Polizzi requested informant to contact Dominic 'Mimi' Tripoli, Joseph Giammona and Anthony Mangione and advise them of his illness and that he would be in contact with them when he was able.
...Informant advised on 10/4/67, that he had contacted [Polizzi crew members] Tripoli, Giammona and Mangione and advised them of Polizzi's condition.
Informant stated that in view of the fact Polizzi was 'Capo' of the largest 'Regime' in Los Angeles and in view of 'Capo' Joseph Adamo's support, Nick Licata would be the new 'Boss' and additional polling of 'members' would be a mere formality.
"
 |
| N. Licata |
That month Nicolo Licata was elected Boss. He appointed Joseph Dippolito as his Underboss. Tommy Palermo remained Consigliere.
On November 17, 1967 FBI LA reported: "[CI Piscopo] previously advised that LA LCN 'Capo' Angelo Polizzi had recently been hospitalized as a result of a cardiac condition. On night of [11/15], informant in telephonic contact with Polizzi. Polizzi at this time told informant that he had suffered a stroke within past ten days and was presently confined to his home under his physician's care."
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| F. Bompensiero |
In early April 1968 FBI CI and Los Angeles Soldier Frank Bompensiero reported:
"
..2. Angelo Polizzi
Angelo Polizzi is a Capo in the Los Angeles LCN Family and in the past meetings with informant he described him as being a sick man with heart trouble.
At [recent] meeting informant believed Polizzi's health was improving. He stated he had heard recently Polizzi was working again for short periods of time. He believed he was working in some delicatessen providing or packaging take-out sandwiches. His father-in-law LCN member Jaspere Matranga (deported and now residing in Tijuana, Mexico after a narcotics conviction) is [redacted]. He stated in his day Jaspere Matranga was worth at least two million dollars from his narcotics activities but he is now broke. He lost his money gambling on horses. He [redacted] but learned nothing as Matranga felt so badly he left early.
...At this time the informant had no information concerning any racket activity on the part of Angelo Polizzi. As noted he believed his health was improving but not his financial status.
"
Bompensiero also reported on a planned Family meeting to be held 'sometime after Easter' and speculated that Polizzi would be among the attendees.
A meeting, possibly the one referred to in April, was held May 19 at the San Diego residence of Captain Joseph Adamo's daughter.
CI Bompensiero, who reported that the purpose of the gathering was to formalize the Los Angeles administration's 'cutting back into' a jukebox company operated by Soldier Liborio Dia, noted Polizzi's absence as the result of 'another stroke'.
In 1975 FBI CI reported:
"
[The Los Angeles] LCN Family, which also includes San Diego, had the following changes in Leadership due to the imprisonment of LCN members on Federal charges:
Boss - Louis Thomas Dragna
Former Boss - Dominick Philip Brooklier
Underboss - Aladena T. Fratianno
Former Underboss - Samuel Orlando Sciortino
Consigliere - Frank Bompensiero
Capodecina - Angelo Polizzi
Former Capodecina - Peter John Milano
Capodecina (San Diego) - Joseph Adamo
"
Little else is available on Polizzi's role within the Family post-1960s.
The Last Mafioso has Fratianno
describing Polizzi as the 'only guy' in the Family who was 'capable' of carrying out murders as of the mid-1970s, however, Polizzi was rumored to have 'gone a little screwy' and was avoiding other members.
In early February 1977 Frank Bompensiero was shot to death in San Diego for, among other reasons, the Family's correct suspicion that he was informing. He had originally been elevated to Consigliere to put him at ease.
Polizzi crew member Joseph Giammona died of natural causes on September 20, 1977.
Salvatore Piscopo, the FBI's source within the crew for most of the 1960s, died that December.
Crew member
Anthony Mangione died October 24, 1979.
Absent from
1985 Federal chart. A
report from June of that year described him as 'totally inactive'.
The Family was then headed by Peter John Milano (1925-2012), note above in the circa 1975 chart as a Former Capodecina.
Angelo Polizzi died June 6, 1988 in San Bernardino and was buried in Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, CA.
In June 1993 he was posthumously included in the FBI's
list of 17 identified Los Angeles Family members.
More Los Angeles Family posts can be found in the
Index.
