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August 1968 |
Passport Photo of Joseph 'Joe Marino' Sciglitano, Philadelphia's Captain in Chester, Pennsylvania during the 1960s-early 1970s.
Born April 17, 1895 in Seminara comune of Reggio Calabria, Sciglitano was living in Chester by 1934 where he and Philadelphia Member Demetrio 'Smart Money' Pennestri (1898-1961) ran a beer distributorship at 226 Lamokin St. Pennestri was identified in a 1958 FBI report as having been Underboss for Joe Bruno until an 'error of judgement' led to his demotion.
Pennestri was also from Reggio Calabria (Pellaro), along with the rest of the crew's known membership, many of whom were related by blood.
Joseph's younger brother Antonino (1902-1976), as well as a cousin of the same name (1927-2005), were members, as were in-laws James Gaglioti (1903-1967) and Santo 'Sam' Idone (1920-2005).
Additional members included Joseph Scalleat (1911-1993) from Hazleton, Dominick Festa (1897-1959) and Giuseppe 'Peppi / The Wolf' Perugino (1879-1949), who reports indicate may have been one of Chester's early crew leaders.
By 1964 Joseph Sciglitano had taken that role, overseeing his crew's activities while running a beer distribution firm with his brother Antonino.
Members of the Sciglitano crew included James Gaglioti, Anthony Iacono,
Santo 'Sam' Idone, Antonino 'Nino' Sciglitano and Antonino 'Tony' Sciglitano, a nephew. Possible crew members included Vincenzo 'Upstate
Jimmy' Amato, Jack Parisi and Joseph Scalleat.
The Sciglitanos were identified in informant reports as part of the Family's Calabrian faction along with fellow Captain Nicholas 'Nicky Buck' Piccolo and Consigliere Joseph Rugnetta. Years later Rugnetta's nephew Dominic (1924-2021) was named as part of the Chester crew.
On January 22, 1965 the Sciglitano brothers were interviewed by the FBI in Chester. Agents noted: "Joseph Sciglitano furnished [information] which was concurred by Anthony Sciglitano by constant nodding of his head."
Joseph
provided family, health and employment details and admitted that Bruno
Member James Gaglioti was employed as a route driver by their
distributorship.
Joseph denied knowing Former
Bruno Acting Boss Antonio Pollina but admitted a close relationship with
Consigliere Joseph 'Joe the Boss' Rugnetta: "[He] sees Joe Rugnetta
of Philadelphia on an average of about once every six months. He knows
very few Sicilians and has no dealings with them. He knows only
Calabrians and limits his association to people of this ethnic origin."
On April 23, 1965 Bruno Member Joseph Lagana was interviewed. Asked about the Sciglitano brothers he stated: "He
identified these individuals as living in Chester where they operate a
beer distributing place. They came from the same town in Italy as he did
and he has not seen them for approximately five or six years."
On
May 4, 1965 one of the FBI's sources in Philadelphia acknowledged
knowing the Sciglitanos '25 years ago' and described them as 'close
friends of Joe Rugnetta'.
In February 1967 FBI CI and Bruno Member Rocco Scafidi reported on a
meeting he had with Underboss Ignazio Denaro at the latter's Cafe
Internazionale in South Philadelphia. While there Scafidi was formally
introduced to Santo Idone and Tony Sciglitano, the nephew, as made
members: "[Scafidi] continued he did not know why the two individuals were in touch with Denaro [nor] did he know for certain how long they had been LCN members."
The pair told Scafidi that they knew his brother Sam, who died the
previous month, and stated that the Sciglitano brothers had attended
Sam's wake 'and in doing so represented all of the LCN members from
Chester'. They also stated Joseph and Nino were 'doing good in the beer
business' and told Scafidi to reach out through Delaware Valley
Beverages if he visited Chester.
On May 18, 1967 Joseph and Nino were again interviewed the FBI.
The
brothers provided Agents with an extensive breakdown of the
relationship between the Sciglitano, Idone and Gaglioti families.
Agents noted: "Anthony
Sciglitano commented that shortly he will go on pension at age 65 and
will derive an income of $130 per month Social Security. He commented
'we could live like a king over there on that amount'."
The Sciglitanos were asked about the recent arrest of Bruno Captain Pasquale Massi on an obscenity related charge: "Neither
Sciglitano brother hesitated in replying. Joseph Sciglitano immediately
said that he had heard about Pat Massi. Anthony Sciglitano commented
that he had met him but not seen him for a year. Joseph Sciglitano said:
'Yes, somebody had told me about the incident'. He said he did not know
the Massi story was in the newspapers or on the radio. Anthony
Sciglitano commented that he did not believe the story, to which Joseph
Sciglitano replied, 'no, these fellas don't lie'. Joseph Sciglitano
appeared to know exactly what had happened and was aware that the FBI
was handling matter. Anthony Sciglitano commented he knew the incident
had happened at a hotel."
In early 1969 Joseph supported Family Consigliere Joseph Rugnetta and Captain Nicholas Piccolo in a dispute over the pending induction of new members. The conflict centered on a plan to have the ceremony occur in New Jersey. The Rugnetta side refused to attend a ceremony unless it was held in Philadelphia. An FBI member source reported: "[CI] believes [Boss Angelo] Bruno will contact members of Commission, LCN. [Underboss Ignazio] Denaro said that the reason Rugnetta, Sciglitano and Piccolo do not want to go to New Jersey was because they, all of whom are members of the Calabrian Group, Philadelphia LCN, have no candidate for induction." The ceremony is believed to have been called off and the various candidates inducted in following years.
Joseph Sciglitano died April 1971 while visiting the Calabrian comune of Palmi, located not far from his birthplace.
His nephew Tony Sciglitano may have briefly taken over as Captain. He was succeeded by Santo Idone.
