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Cosmo Sandalo was a member of the 'Ndrangheta who is believed to have later transferred to the Gambino Family.
Born June 12, 1914 in Oppido Mamertina comune of Reggio Calabria to Antonio Sandalo and Maria Polimeni.
In 1942 married in town of Plati, Reggio Calabria.
On December 30, 1952 arrived with family at Port of New York aboard S.S. Vulcania. Destination given as address on West Ave in Stamford, Connecticut.
Later sources claim Sandalo was already an inducted member of the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta. Following his arrival in the United States he became associated with the Gambino Family's Connecticut faction.
On September 7, 1961 became naturalized US citizen in USDC New Haven. Previous attempt failed as result of an inability to write the English language. At time of naturalization residing at 20 Anderson St in Stamford and employed as butcher.
On October 5, 1962 arrested by Stamford PD on charge obtaining money under false pretense.
By 1965 Gambino Family's Connecticut crew reported to Captain Domenico Arcuri headquartered in Upper Manhattan.
By 1970 owned Hubbard Heights Food Store at 114 West Broad St. That January a newly acquired FBI source provided an extensive breakdown of LCN membership in Connecticut. Among those named as Gambino Family members was 'Cosmo (LNU) from Stamford'. A phonebook seized following the March 1970 arrest of Gambino member Frank Piccolo provided investigators with a full name.
On April 8, 1970 FBI CI reported and identified Sandalo as a Gambino Soldier who 'formerly reported to Nick Patti, now reports to Frank Piccolo'. CI knew him as a butcher living in Stamford and stated he 'probably has a few bookmakers under his wing and receives weekly pay from them to operate'.
On June 9, 1970 CI reported on upcoming wedding of a Sandalo relative with reception to be held at Artom Manor in South Norwalk. CI noted: "[All] members of the Gambino Family in Upper Westchester County and CT are going to attend the reception and Sandalo's contacts in Canada will also attend this wedding."
On January 29, 1971 Gambino members Frank Piccolo and Paolo Agresta observed by Connecticut State Police visiting Sandalo's Anderson St residence.
On June 19, 1971 wedding for son of Thomas DeBrizzi held in Bridgeport. Most of the Gambino CT crew was in attendance, along with DeCavalcante Captain Michael Puglia and Genovese Associate Francis Curcio. An informant who attended later reported: "San Dallo claims he is broke and needs a backer for a numbers bank."
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| Paolo Agresta Source: FBN Mafia Book |
On July 14, 1971 CI reported: "[Paolo] Agresta and Cosmo San Dallo went to Canada over the Fourth of July weekend to meet with some 'Camarista' members. [CI] stated this is an independent group from Italy who are not associated with or controlled by the NY crowd. He said they are all from Italy and active in Toronto and Montreal. He said Agresta and San Dallo knew some of them from Italy..[CI] stated Agresta is still plotting against Frank Piccolo and may make another move on him without going to NY. [CI] added on 7/9/71, Agresta flew to Italy to attend [wedding]." (Further details on the mentioned plot by Agresta aren't currently available. He disappeared July 1974.)
In November 1971 Stamford PD received information naming Sandalo as participant in large-scale sports betting operation in Fairfield County. Similar claims received from FBI sources described Sandalo as protection for a local gambling operation.
On March 21, 1972 CI reported on Frank Piccolo's numbers business: "[CI] said the past year, Piccolo has been forced to bring in organization men from NY and cut them in on his operation. He said San Dallo is an old and trusted organization man and Piccolo may have had to give him a piece of the Stamford action. [CI] said he has not seen San Dallo lately, but knew Paul Agresta visited San Dallo each week at Stamford."
In July 1972 CI reported: "[CI] advised he is familiar with Cosmo San Dallo who has had dealings with him concerning gambling, and San Dallo is a made man on the other side, but not in the US and has no power. According to [CI], San Dallo would have to go through Frank Piccolo of Bridgeport if he wanted any contact with NY."
In September 1972 CI provided breakdown of Gambino's Connecticut membership, naming Nick Patti as Capodecina and Sandalo as a member under Patti. Sandalo further described as 'member from Italy, aligned with Gambino, under control of Paul Agresta, has contacts in Canada'.
Following week CI listed off made members in each of the Families operating in CT: "Cosmo San Dallo made in Italy, not accepted by Gambino but does business in Stamford, mostly numbers and relies on Paul Agresta to handle disputes."
In May 1973 CI reported Sandalo had ended partnership with unnamed local bookmaker and was currently inactive. Stated 'Sandalo has made efforts to connect with someone else but evidently is not wanted'.
In June 1973 CI reported: "..Sandalo is an 'old grease ball' who hustles card and dice games, settles disputes and 'puts the arm on non-affiliates in the Stamford area'. [CI] stated Sandalo is close to Paul Agresta."
By September 1973 identified as partner in a Stamford-Norwalk based numbers operation headed by Genovese Associate Francis Curcio and others.
In January 1974 met with Nick Patti in Florida.
In Fall 1974 crap game operated by Sandalo and Louis Spetrino out of Twin-Ridge Country Club in Pound Ridge, New York. CI later reported: "The game has been OKed by NY and will also include players from Bridgeport and New Haven and 'Slew' will be getting a cut out of this game..According to [CI] it appears this game will be controlled out of both Bridgeport and NY with some locals working the game due to the fact that it is in the Stamford area." ('Slew' refers to Gambino Soldier John 'Fred Sardo' Palmieri, murdered by car bomb that November.)
In April 1975 visited Detroit.
In April-May 1975 Sandalo and Genovese Associate Francis Curcio briefly ran crap game out of Stamford Motor Inn. Closed due to low turnout.
By September 1975 ran a gambling operation in New York with Genovese Soldier Vincent Pollina and Genovese Associate Francis Curcio. Following year trio rented apartment in Upper Manhattan for purpose of hosting Las Vegas Nights and shared profits in another dice game at the Motor Inn. Genovese involvement authorized by John 'Buster' Ardito.
On December 3, 1975 CI reported: "[Sandalo] is running a card game on weekends at an unknown location in Stamford. [CI] said this game was held up about three weeks ago and $15,000 was taken. [CI] said Phil LoScalzo, an LCN member from the Bronx, was at that game and allegedly lost $5,000." (LoScalzo was a Soldier under Joseph Gambino. This crew would later absorb much of the Family's Connecticut interests.)
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| Frank Piccolo |
In July 1976 CI reported Frank Piccolo was recently appointed Capodecina over Connecticut membership. CI named Sandalo as part of the group now under Piccolo's control.
In August 1976 CI reported Sandalo and Gambino Soldier (Possible Captain) Angelo Mascia were partners in blackjack game run out of a motel, likely the previously mentioned Stamford Motor Inn. Held once or twice per week and frequented primarily by New York clientele.
In January 1977 included in FBI's list of approximately 195 identified Gambino Family members.
In July 1977 CI reported Sandalo handling the Stamford portion of imprisoned Francis Curcio's gambling business.
On February 28, 1978 CI reported: "San Dallo was 'made' in Italy prior to his coming to the US. Upon arrival in the US, San Dallo became an associate of the Gambino Group and is a close friend of John Angelone inasmuch as they both come from Calabria. [CI] advised San Dallo has many friends in organized crime in both Toronto and Montreal, Canada who are from Calabria. He stated San Dallo is a personal friend of the Volpe Family, who are head of an organized crime group in Canada..He stated San Dallo hustles the old Italian store owners in the Stamford area and usually has a 'piece' of the dice and card games in the area. He stated although low key and quiet, San Dallo is a vicious individual and knows San Dallo assisted Paul Agresta (deceased) on some 'hits' ordered out of New York City. [CI] related he does not feel San Dallo is presently involved or handling any 'hits' for the NY crowd inasmuch as he is old, a very poor driver and not the type of individual to shoot someone. [CI] stated San Dallo would use a knife rather than a gun in committing a killing."
On March 6, 1978 CI reported: "San Dallo is not a button man in the LCN."
By 1979 nephew Anthony Megale owned Tony's Restaurant located on Atlantic St in Stamford. Site used as meeting spot for Frank Piccolo, his crew and members and associates of other Families. Sandalo also typically kicked up a portion of his numbers profits to Piccolo during these visits.
Around January 1980 weekly meetings held at Tony's to discuss ownership of local interests formerly controlled by deceased Gambino Captain John Angelone.
By Summer 1980 Gambino Boss Paul Castellano dispatched committee to meet with each regime and reiterate Family guidelines, foremost among them the narcotics ban.
An informant gave the FBI full details of committee meeting with Frank Piccolo's regime, held July 11, 1980 at Chapter II Restaurant in Stamford. Present were Frank Piccolo, most or possibly all of the made members in his crew, and two New York representatives: Captain John Riccobono, filling in for an ailing James Failla, and Acting Captain John Gotti. Per Castellano's orders the standard rules against involvement in narcotics, as well as counterfeit money and stolen securities, were re-emphasized. (CW Michael DiLeonardo, then an associate, provided the location for another of these meetings held in Brooklyn.)
Five members of Piccolo's crew are specifically named as being present: Thomas DeBrizzi, David Iacovetti, Ignazio 'Benny' Marchese, Nick Patti and Cosmo Sandalo.
Assuming the prior CI reports identifying Sandalo as an 'ndranghetista rather than an American LCN member were accurate, his presence would seem to indicate he had since transferred his membership. Otherwise the Gambinos were comfortable having an outsider present for the high level internal discussion.
Cosmo Sandalo died September 1, 1980 in Stamford. His nephew Anthony Megale was inducted into the Gambino Family under John Gotti and later rose to the position of Acting Underboss. Megale died 2015, also in Stamford.
