Wednesday, July 21, 2021

1968 House of Chan Raid

On July 11, 1968 one of the FBI's Top Echelon confidential informants advised of an impending 'high-level conference' to be held later that afternoon at the House of Chan restaurant in Midtown, Manhattan. Among the expected attendees, the CI noted, were Family Bosses Joseph Colombo, Carlo Gambino and Angelo Bruno.

The FBI set up multiple points of surveillance outside the location and, after confirming the presence of Gambino and others, notified the NYPD. Agents then watched and snapped photos as the group of six diners was arrested for loitering and escorted to the 18th Precinct.

Those held were:

1. Joseph Colombo (Colombo Boss)
2. Carlo Gambino (Gambino Boss)
3. Angelo Bruno (Philadelphia Boss)
4. Vincenzo Aloi (Colombo Captain)
5. John Simone (Philadelphia Captain)
6. Thomas Masotto (Gambino Member)

After processing at the stationhouse, where more photographs were taken by a concealed camera, the group was arraigned before Criminal Court Judge Gladwin.

The loitering charge was dismissed for lack of evidence, however, the group was informed that the $7,000 cash seized would have to be pursued civilly.

Photographs taken after the arrests:

Bruno (1), Colombo (2) and Aloi (3)


Gambino (1) and Simone (2)


Gambino (1), Bruno (2), Masotto (3) and Simone (4)


Aloi (1), Gambino (2), Bruno (3) and Masotto (4)


Simone (1) and Gambino (2)


Masotto (1), Bruno (2) and Gambino (3)


Bruno (1) and Gambino (2)


Masotto (1) and Gambino (2)

Joseph Abate (Lucchese)

c. 1970s Joseph Abate was a Captain in the Lucchese Family. Born July 8, 1902 in Marsala comune of Trapani, Sicily to Giuseppe and Catherine...