Bio: Nicholas Castello

Nicholas Castello was a Soldier in the Bonanno Family.

Born January 29, 1932 in Brooklyn to Angelo Castello (31y) and Lena Marchese (28y). Family resided at 47 Sumner Ave in Williamsburg.

Father and mother were born in the Sicilian province of Palermo, hailing from the comunes of Villabate and Camporeale respectively.

Castello is the only known Bonanno member of Villabatese heritage. The town is more typically associated with the Colombos.

Bonanno members from Camporeale are present going back to the Family's formative years and include Paolo Orlando (1864-1947), Thomas Scardino (1897-1978), Vincent Tarantola (1899-1974), Antonio Rizzuto (1902-1981) and Frank LaBruzzo (1911-1966).

By the 1950s Nicholas was working in the family's Castello Bakery located at 1136 Broadway in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

By 1958 formally inducted member of Bonanno Family.

On May 7, 1958 Unsub (Italo-American Bakers Association) advised FBI: "..Benjamin Restivo and Angelo Castello, Italian bread bakers in the Brooklyn area might know more about the up-to-date operations of the association. He stated he believed Angelo Castello has a bakery on Broadway near DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn."

By 1962 resided at 1384 Hancock St in Ridgewood, Queens.

Around May 1963 moved from Ridgewood to 1165 Barnes St in Franklin, Long Island.

On April 2, 1964 Bonanno Acting Boss Frank LaBruzzo visited at Lane Thread Company by Unspecified Bonanno Member. The meeting was surreptitiously recorded by an FBI bug installed the previous September. A report summarized: "[LaBruzzo] indicated he has to see 'these people' and stated in connection with getting money from them some can't do it since they don't have the money. He said if they get something you have to give them a chance..LaBruzzo then said 'and these younger guys, [Sally] and er [Castello]..'. In the above conversation there is an indication that some 'button guys' do not have any money because they don't have any action going for them." (Sally refers to Bonanno Soldier Salvatore Marchese, a relative of Castello and also a baker in the Ridgewood - Bushwick area. As recently as 2014 Marchese was included in a Federal list of Bonanno membership.)

On April 15, 1964 LaBruzzo visited at Lane Thread by Castello and Marchese: "[LaBruzzo] was in a non-specific conversation with Nick [Castello] and Sally [Marchese] regarding Nick and Sally becoming active in a gambling operation. LaBruzzo repeatedly mentioned to Nick and Sally he wanted them to move around and make some money. He told them he is behind them in whatever they do, but warned them not to go haywire because he could only back them up so far."

On October 26, 1965 interviewed by FBI: "[Castello] advised he has been engaged in the bakery business with his father all of his adult life, the bakery being currently located at 1136 Broadway [and formerly] at the corner of Floyd and Sumner Streets in Brooklyn, and they have been at their present location for twelve years..Castello stated he has never been arrested and he has never engaged in any kind of illegal activity. He denied having engaged in any kind of bookmaking or numbers operation. He further advised he has no knowledge of [LCN] and denied being a member of this organization. He stated he was acquainted with Frank LaBruzzo having met him on one or two occasions. He said about six months ago he went to LaBruzzo's place of business [and] said he had been referred to LaBruzzo by an individual he could not now recall. He said he last saw LaBruzzo about five months ago and has had no dealings with him either through [Lane Thread or Castello Bakery]."

In November 1965 surveilled at the wedding reception for Bonanno Acting Boss Gasper DiGregorio's daughter in Huntington, Long Island.

On January 22, 1966 an FBI Member Source was questioned extensively on the Bonanno Family's current status: "[CI] advised, when displayed a photograph of Nick Castello, he was formerly with Joseph Bonanno but now with DiGregorio. Castello is in the bakery business in Brooklyn." (This informant was very likely Salvatore Bonanno.)

On June 29, 1966 Castello approached by FBI in an attempt to develop him as a source: "[Castello] denied any knowledge of La Cosa Nostra. In view of his attitude further efforts to develop Castello were not deemed advisable."

In December 1969 among twenty-six who appeared before Nassau County Grand Jury investigating organized crime. The group included at least seventeen Bonanno members. Castello refused to answer questions.

On September 10, 1970 interviewed by FBI at his Franklin Square residence: "Castello advised he is employed in his family-operated bakery [and] his current shift at this bakery is from seven in the morning until three in the afternoon..Castello denied any affiliation with organized crime and refused to furnish any information regarding individuals whom he might possibly know. Castello stated he would gladly go to jail prior to furnishing any information which would be detrimental to another individual."

On May 13, 1971 Castello's automobile observed at the Barrett Dress Company in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Business owned and operated by Bonanno Consigliere Joseph DiFilippi.

In October 1971 indicted by Nassau County on criminal contempt charge for refusing to testify before GJ.

On December 28, 1971, at approximately 11:15 AM, shot to death by girlfriend Carol Lasquadro (30y) inside Lasquadro's third-floor apartment in East Williston, Long Island. Shot once in side with .22 caliber pistol. A search of Castello's auto found an unlicensed .38 revolver. Nassau County DA stated to press: "[Castello was] a prime mover in the transferring of power from the Joseph Bonanno Family to the Paul Sciacca Family..His car was almost constantly parked in front of Sciacca's home."

At Lasquadro's trial the prosecution contended she killed Castello for threatening to end their relationship. The defense claimed it was a murder in self-defense brought about by a violent argument. Lasquadro acquitted.

On March 29, 1973 FBI questioned a potential source about Castello: "Target stated that Castello was a 'nice boy' who was killed by his girlfriend last summer. Target stated he was not really sorry 'Nicky' was dead because target said 'he should have stayed home with his wife'." (FBI noted re this source: "[Target] gave background on local Knickerbocker Avenue hoodlums and information regarding old and deceased Bonanno Family members. All above men are members of Evola LCN Family..Target is a Capo in above Family. Target has been contacted on one occasion by the alternate agent. It is to be noted that target speaks very little English." Later reports indicate that, despite these early interviews, this individual did not cooperate further and was abandoned as a potential source.)

Edit1: Details re parents' heritage.

Bio: Anthony Scavuzzo

Anthony Scavuzzo was a member of the San Jose Family.

Born October 3, 1891 in Vita comune of Trapani, Sicily.

On October 10, 1911 arrived at Ellis Island aboard S.S. Berlin.

By 1920 resided with wife Antoinette Spano (22y) at 547 Camden St in Newark, New Jersey. Listed occupation as tailor.

On March 2, 1921 filed Declaration of Intention in USDC Newark. Initially denied citizenship due to an earlier exemption from military service claim.

On December 2, 1924 became naturalized US citizen in USDC Newark.

By 1930 resided at 2069 Stanley Terrace in Union, New Jersey.

Likely a made member by 1930. Given his Trapani origins he may have been part of the Newark Family prior to its disbandment.

Visited Sicily during Summer 1933.

By 1942 listed employment with Varsity Clothing Company at 211 Grand Ave in Newark.

Around 1947 moved to San Jose, California, settling at 1228 East Hamilton. Transferred membership to the local Family then under leadership of Onofrio Sciortino.

By early 1950s believed served as the Family's Consigliere. Subsequently replaced by Thomas Nicosia.

Around 1955 Scavuzzo left San Jose for Denair, a small town located about twelve miles outside Modesto. Resided at 12091 E. Whitemore Ave where he owned a peach orchard.

With other Family members helped fund Joseph Cerrito's Fall 1957 trip to Apalachin.

By 1960 Cerrito had succeeded Onofrio Sciortino as Boss of the Family. Known membership numbered less than forty and was primarily Sicilian, with a small but influential group of Calabrese transplanted from Pennsylvania in the 1940s.

Although small in number and comprised mostly of aged and inactive members, the San Jose Family nonetheless experienced increased Federal scrutiny in the early 1960s, leading to the FBI's successful development of at least three member informants. Reports from these sources provide what little information exists on Anthony Scavuzzo's LCN connections.

The CIs identified Scavuzzo as part of the Family's Modesto crew. Others in the group included Frank Buffa, Leo Cusenza and Angelo Giammona. Prior to his death in 1961, Leo's father Joseph Cusenza was the local Capodecina.

By Summer 1962 Scavuzzo sold his peach orchard and moved closer to San Jose, residing at 138 Kilmer Ave in Campbell. He worked part-time 'in a janitorial capacity' for his son's Steak House restaurant at 2367 El Camino Rd in Santa Clara.

On July 27, 1962 Scavuzzo and Underboss Charles 'Stanley' Carbone visited Salvatore Marino, a former Captain, at Marino's California Cheese Company in San Jose. An FBI bug active in the main office picked up only innocuous personal gossip.

During November 1962 spent three weeks visiting family in Newark.

On January 15, 1963 interviewed by FBI at the Steak House: "..Scavuzzo noted that his venture as a farmer near Modesto had been quite unsuccessful and except for [family] he would presently be in dire financial condition. Scavuzzo denied being personally acquainted with any individuals at [SJ] who to his knowledge have ever been involved in any illegal activity. He was questioned concerning his acquaintanceship with the Italian-Sicilian Organization at [SJ], and except for Emanuel Figlia, maintained he was not acquainted with any other individuals mentioned. Concerning Figlia he advised that he had met the Figlia family some years ago [when Scavuzzo and Figlia family members engaged]. Scavuzzo stated this engagement was broken off and he has never had contact with the Figlia family subsequent to that time period. He further expressed the opinion that [his relative] was indeed fortunate the engagement had been broken, since he, Scavuzzo, did not hold the Figlia family in very high esteem. In this connection he stated he was not aware of any illegal activity in which any of the Figlias engaged, but he considered them to be uncouth in every sense of the word."

Attended July 12, 1964 wedding reception for daughter of Boss Joseph Cerrito held at St. Clair Hotel in San Jose. Nearly the entire Family was in attendance. The San Francisco Family was represented by Underboss Gaspare 'Bill' Sciortino.

By 1965 resided with son at 1106 Buchanan Drive in Santa Clara.

On October 20, 1967 visited in Santa Clara by Vincenzo Infusino, San Francisco's Capodecina in Modesto. Shortly thereafter Scavuzzo and wife departed for a month long stay in New Jersey.

In November 1968 attended rosary for brother of Captain Angelo Marino.

In May 1969 visited in Santa Clara by Thomas 'Timmy Murphy' Pecora, a Genovese Soldier from Newark.

In February 1970 Scavuzzo and his son-in-law voluntarily appeared at the FBI's Regional Agency office in San Jose. He admitted friendship with Vincenzo Infusino and Frank Buffa but denied knowing Thomas Pecora; he described their meeting the previous May as pure happenstance.

In Summer 1973 visited family in Sicily.

By 1975 the San Jose Family had fallen to just over twenty confirmed members. The majority, Scavuzzo included, had been more or less inactive for well over a decade. In May of that year Scavuzzo was noted attending another Family related social function. He is not mentioned in further reports.

Died January 10, 1986 and buried in Santa Clara's Mission City Memorial Park.