Monday, May 7, 2018

Genovese Induction List (1991)


Above is one of seven induction lists seized during NYS OCTF search executed February 3, 1997 on basement of property located at 106-13 101st Ave in Ozone Park, Queens. Property owned by associate of Gambino Capodecina John Gotti Jr. This was the only Genovese list present; also found were three Lucchese, two Bonanno and one from the DeCavalcantes. All appear to be from 1991. A copy of the Genovese list was included as part of a New York Daily News article published the following year.

Brief details for some of those named:

Inductees

1.) Anthony Volpe (1932-2010) : Born in Pratola Peligna comune of L'Aquila, Abruzzo. Resided in West Hartford, Connecticut where operated Volpe's Cafe. In July 1996 pleaded guilty on Federal racketeering charges. Released November 1999.

4.) Salvatore Cetrulo (1939-?2009?) : One of several in proposed section based in New Jersey. Possibly identical to individual of the same name who died February 2009.

5.) Silvio DeVita (1931-) : New Jersey.

6.) Michael 'Tona' Borelli (1937-) : New Jersey. Long-time associate of former Genovese Capodecina Tino Fiumara.

7.) Peter Grecco (1937-) : New Jersey. Part of large Federal racketeering indictment in 2005. Convicted and released September 2007.

8.) Lawrence Ricci (1945-2005) : New Jersey. Another long-time Fiumara crew associate. In or around mid-1990s CW George Barone was told by Genovese Acting Boss Liborio 'Barney' Bellomo that Ricci was then Acting Captain responsible for Genovese interests on Jersey waterfront. In February 2005 Ricci was indicted on Federal racketeering charges and opted for trial. On October 7, 2005, with trial ongoing, he disappeared. On November 30, 2005 found shot to death inside trunk of automobile left in parking lot of Huck Finn Diner on Morris Ave in Union, New Jersey. By the time of discovery Ricci and his co-defendants had been acquitted on all charges.

9.) Anthony Russo : Common name makes further identification difficult. Genovese membership has included Russos from NJ, Brooklyn and especially Lower Manhattan. Possibly connected to JoJo Russo identified by CW Vincent Palermo as Soldier under Salvatore Lombardi circa 1999.

10.) Louie Citriniti : Possibly identical with Louis Citriniti (1943-)?

Deceased

1.) Vic Pasairo : Believed reference to Victor Pisauro (1913-1969), Newark-based Soldier under Ruggiero 'Richie the Boot' Boiardo. It is not uncommon for these lists to use inaccurate years of death.

4.) Cosmo 'Pinky' Panarelli (1920-1989) : Member of Genovese Family crew based in Springfield, Massachusetts.

5.) Salvatore 'Sam' Cufari (1901-1983) : Born in Bianco comune of Reggio Calabria. Served as Genovese Family's Captain in Springfield, MA. Believed succeeded by Francesco 'Skyball' Scibelli.

6.) Nino Piazza : Common name with several possible matches. Of note is Joseph 'Tony Zito' Piazza (1908-1989). Typically carried by Federal sources as a Lucchese member, he was cousin to Genovese Soldier Joseph Zito and frequently associated with Harlem area Genovese membership. In addition to Tony Zito he also went by Nino. The Genovese and Lucchese Bronx/Harlem crews were closely aligned and a frequent source of confusion for law enforcement. No CW information has yet been uncovered specifying his Family affiliation. Piazza is not included in CW Alfonso D'Arco's list of deceased Lucchese membership compiled during his tenure as Acting Boss but that list may be incomplete.

7.) Thomas Lombardi (1924-1987) : Capodecina of crew formerly headed by Frank Tieri. Not long after his death Salvatore 'Sally Dogs' Lombardi (1940-2009) was heading the crew with Anthony Lanza (1934-1999) as Acting.

8.) Angelo Mazzola (1937-1982) : Grew up in Lower Manhattan and inducted in or around late 1970s. In early morning hours of January 9, 1982 shot to death at corner of Ave X and Stillwell Ave in Gravesend, Brooklyn. Manner of death makes his the most significant inclusion on the list. CWs from every Family, in all available sources where the subject has come up, unanimously state that murdered members cannot be replaced. This raises several questions, including when exactly the rule was put into practice. Available info gives no indication it had only recently been instated. Not long after the murder CI Gregory Scarpa reported Mazzola's death was 'not an LCN sanctioned hit' but instead committed by 'young punks who had an argument with Mazzola'. This possibly enabled the Genovese to prove no involvement on their part, thereby allowing use of the name for replacement purposes. No information currently available to clarify circumstances. This is the only publically available induction list to have a murdered member's name present.

9.) Tony Guido : Common name with several possible matches. In 1975 a non-member FBI source, closely associated with crews from Brooklyn neighborhoods of Williamsburg-Bushwick, identified Tony Guido as a member. Guido described as late 60's and residing in vicinity of Stanhope St and Central Ave in Bushwick. CI believed Guido was a Soldier under Bonanno Capodecina Salvatore Ferrugia, however, he put at least one other confirmed Genovese member with Ferrugia as well.

10.) Paul 'Frankie' Carbo (1904-1976) : Closely associated with Lucchese membership and at times erroneously included with that Family. Another case with notably innaccurate year of death (1984).

Update

New Post: 1.) Joseph DeFede (Lucchese) The section on induction ceremonies overseen by DeFede notes that the New York Families' books we...