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| 1952 |
Filippo 'Little Phil' Maita was a Capodecina in the San Francisco Family.
His younger brother Francesco Maita (1893-1970) was also a Family member.
Two of his daughters married sons of Joseph Lintini (1884-1947), the Underboss in San Jose. (Another San Francisco Member, Frank Joseph Genovese [1904-1995], married Lintini's daughter.)
Filippo was born May 13, 1884 in Lercara Friddi comune of Palermo, Sicily to Salvatore (26y) and Magdalena Nuccio (22y).
On October 20, 1907 arrived at Ellis Island, New York aboard S.S. Germania. Destined for a relative in San Francisco.
His father, along with Phil's younger brother Frank, immigrated the previous year.
By April 1910 the family resided at 24 Wilder St in the Glen Park neighborhood.
On October 11, 1911 Filippo married Giovanna 'Jennie' Gaipa (19y) from Cefala Diana, Palermo. (Filippo's father may have originally been from Cefala Diana as well.)
On February 13, 1917 filed Declaration of Intention in US District Court San Francisco.
By September 1918 resided at 583 Sunnyside and ran a grocery from the same address.
On September 2, 1919 temporarily held by Berkeley, California Police Department for investigation in a 'Black Hand' case. Berkeley PD later advised the FBI's San Francisco Field Office: "[On] 6/27/18, Ignazio Campagna, 2337 9th Street, Berkeley, had received a threatening letter written in Italian demanding $2,000.00 to be given to two men who would be waiting for him on a street corner. In connection with the ensuing investigation, one [Redacted], a former United States Secret Service Agent who was at that time in the County Jail, [accused] Philip Maita of being one of the extortionists. As a result, Maita was picked up but was released the same day for lack of evidence. [PD] advised that their files are very sketchy since, in 1919, quite a bit of the information was maintained by the Chief of Police at his home."
He filed his Petition for Naturalization the following March and became a US citizen on June 20, 1921.
The Maitas were then residing at 341 Hearst Ave in Sunnyside. Filippo worked as a fruit salesman.
Within a couple of years the family had moved to 98 Curtis St in the Crocker - Amazon section, where they remained through at least the 1970s.
It's not known when Filippo was made into the San Francisco Family, but he was likely a member by the mid-to-late 1920s.
The Family was headed at the time by Francesco Lanza (1872-1937), a former Bonanno member and the father of future Boss James aka Jimmy.
Maita's close associates included Ciro Conetto (1881-1931), a San Francisco Member from Alessandria Della Rocca in Agrigento. Ciro's brother Alfonzo (1884-1963) was the San Jose Boss; their brother Antonino (1887-1955) was a suspected Member.
By April 1930 Filippo owned a grocery / vegetable mart at 5172 Mission St in the Cayuga Terrace neighborhood, less than half a mile from his Curtis St residence.
Around 1932 Antonio Sciortino (1879-1941) moved to San Francisco, joined the Family and became involved in bootlegging with Maita. (An FBI member source later noted that Maita was godfather to one of Sciortino's children.)
On February 13, 1936 San Francisco Member Salvatore 'Sam Castro' Messina filed Petition for Naturalization. Filippo Maita acted as witness along with one Francesco Abbaticola (46y), a barber and musician possibly from Puglia. (Maita had also been a witness for Messina's wife Lena the previous September).
By 1938 Francesco Lanza was deceased and the Family was headed by Antonio Lima.
Maita, by then a Family Capodecina, was demoted to Soldier at some point by Lima. (An FBI report compiled on Maita in November 1981 gives the year of demotion as 1931).
By the 1940s Maita's associates included Lorenzo Zerillo (1889-1966). Born in Carini, Zerillo moved from Brooklyn to California around 1922 and owned a canning company in Riverbank.
On July 2, 1942 Giacomo 'Jack' Giordano (57y), Maita's brother-in-law, filed Petition for Naturalization in USDC San Francisco. Witnesses were Maita and farmer Antone Alves.
In 1945 Maita and Georgi Giovanni (sp?) formed partnership and purchased Tropical Grill located at 324 Drumm St in Embarcadeo, San Francisco.
On April 15, 1947 FBI San Francisco submitted General Crime Survey. Report noted: "..[Information] obtained from the [FBN] during the course of the [Redacted] investigation revealed that several of Italian mobsters arriving in San Francisco first contacted [Filippo] Maita to ascertain what was going on in the San Francisco area. Maita was regarded by Narcotics authorities as being very active in the 'Mafia' in this area."
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| F. Genovese |
Sometime during the 1940s sponsored Frank Joseph Genovese (1904-1995) for membership.
In 1951 Maita sold his interest in the Tropical Grill and purchased a liquor store from his sons-in-law Angelo and Charles Lintini. The 1308 Stockton St address became the site of Maita's Liquor Store, and was the source of his last few encounters with local law enforcement.
On August 12, 1952 he was arrested by the San Francisco PD for violating the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. On August 28, 1952 sentenced to six months probation and fined $25.
He was given a fifteen day suspension of his liquor license in December 1952, and again in March 1953, for selling alcohol to minors.
Around the same year Antonio Lima stepped down as Boss due to his own legal problems. He was replaced by Mike Abati.
On October 15, 1958 Unsub interviewed by FBI: "[Unsub] stated that Filippo Maita and [Redacted] were the only individuals of suspected 'Mafia' connections with which he has had contact in recent years."
In 1961 Boss Mike Abati was deported to Italy. James 'Jimmy' Lanza, son to Former Boss Francesco, replaced him. (Lanza's Underboss was Gaspare 'Bill' Sciortino, son to Maita's old-time bootlegging partner Antonio.)
Maita accompanied Lanza to the July 7, 1962 wedding of a cousin to San Jose Member Dr. Gregory Genovese. Other attendees included Gregory's Capodecina Angelo Marino. FBI SF later noted: "Filippo Maita [was] observed at the wedding and was one of the men waiting in the car of James Lanza. 'Little Phil' Maita is well known among the Sicilian element in the North Beach area of San Francisco and is known to have been in contact with James Lanza and many of his close associates. Maita has just recently sold his liquor store in the 1300 block of Stockton St in SF."
On July 13, 1962 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that James Lanza was talking to Joe Marconi and explained to him that on Tuesday of this week (7/10/62), he had traveled to Sacramento, Calif. with Phil Maita to see Uncle Prisinzano and another sick friend. In this conversation Lanza did not identify the other individual who was called a 'sick friend' but he did explain to Marconi that they were going to have dinner downtown tonight and there will be six of them who will play poker at [Redacted] house." ('Uncle Prisinzano' was Lanza's uncle Mariano [1884-1962]).
On August 8, 1962 Lanza and Maita attended the rosary for San Francisco Member Nunzio Mannina held at A.J. Nicoletti Funeral Home at Folsom Blvd and 54th St in Sacramento. (Mannina, who was born in Corleone and moved to California from New Orleans, may have been the 'sick friend' mentioned by Lanza in the July 13 report.)
On August 9, 1962 FBI CI reported: "[CI advised] James Lanza had gone to Sacramento, CA with Phil Maita to attend the funeral of an old-time friend by the last name of Mannina."
On August 13, 1962 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that James Lanza had told him that he and Phil Maita had traveled to Sacramento, California, to attend the funeral of a man named Mannina. Informant stated that Lanza did not give his first name, but did state that he formerly owned a grocery store in Sacramento and that Lanza used to sell him wine and olive oil. Informant further advised that after the funeral the two men visited with Mariano Prisinzano, after which the two men stated that they were going to Lake Tahoe and stay a few hours before they returned to San Francisco."
On August 21, 1962 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised he had determined Nunzio Mannina was the name of the individual whose funeral James Lanza and Phil Maita had attended at Sacramento. [Mannina] used to be in the olive oil business and was a close associate of James Lanza for many years."
On September 13,1962 Lanza and Maita returned to Sacramento for Mariano Prisinzano's wake.
On October 16, 1962 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised Joe Cerrito, reported 'Don of the La Cosa Nostra' in the San Jose area, sold an automobile to [Filippo] Maita. [CI] advised that he has not been told that Maita is a member of the 'organization' but he is of the opinion because of the manner in which he was treated by [Redacted]."
On December 6, 1962 FBI SF reported: "...The death notices of 11/30/62 reveal that Giuseppe Maita had died on 11/29/62 at age 75. He is a brother of Philip Maita, who is a close associate and friend of James Lanza."
On December 27, 1963 James Lanza was visited by Filippo Maita. Their conversation was surreptitiously recorded by an FBI bug: "[Bug reported] Phil Maita met with James Lanza, at which time they exchanged greetings and also thanked each other for the Christmas presents they had received...[Bug] further advised that Phil Maita was also invited to attend the poker game set for that evening."
On February 19, 1964 FBI CI reported: "[CI], in discussing a poker group with which [Redacted] is associated, that [redacted] were usually together at least once a week. He stated that Toni [Redacted] had been in the game on some occasions, as well as Phil Maita and [Redacted]. He stated that while this group always played cards he never was aware of any activities which could indicate that they were connected to any group such as 'La Cosa Nostra' or 'Mafia'."
On June 23, 1964 FBI reported: "...The only associate known by [CI] to be close to [Filippo Maita] is [Redacted]. He said Maita is a very friendly person who is very genial and a person who gets along well with anyone. He stated that this might be the reason why individuals coming to San Francisco from other places had contacted Maita in the past. He explained that it was quite natural for an Italian in one city to advise another coming to San Francisco to be sure to look up 'Little Phil' as Maita is known to many people. [CI] advised that while Maita was a bootlegger during Prohibition, he knows of no other illegal activities on his part. He stated that he did not believe Maita would be in any criminal activities since he has always worked very hard and even at the present would not have time to take part in any such activities. He pointed out further that Maita's standard of living did not indicate that he would have any big income from illegal sources."
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| Maita (c. 1960s) |
Filippo was interviewed by the FBI on August 20, 1964: "[Maita advised] he does not know of anyone by the name of Bonanno. He specifically denied receiving any communications by letter, telephone or any means from Bill Bonanno. He stated that he has no personal knowledge of an organization known as 'La Cosa Nostra', but he has heard of it and saw the Valachi hearings on television. He stated that he would be glad to furnish any information which he had but that since he had no knowledge of such an organization he could not lie about something about which he knew nothing. Maita continued with the statement, 'I would be happy to cooperate but I know nothing and I can't tell a lie about something that I don't know nothing about'."
On June 10-14, 1965 FBI CI Antonio Lima (Former San Francisco Boss) reported: "[CI], in answering further questions as to membership in San Francisco, indicated Phil Maita and Nick Musco are Mafiosos." (Nick Musco [1898-1977], born in Mistretta comune of Messina, may have transferred from the Gambino Family circa the early 1940s.)
On October 17, 1969 FBI CI reported:
"
[CI advised] that he had met Bill Sciortino (Caspara Sciortino) on October 14, 1969, near his residence. Bill Sciortino opened the conversation by stating that because of all the recent publicity about the LCN and its members in the San Francisco family it was about time to 'quit,' as they were not doing anything anyway. Sciortino continued by suggesting that all the members of the San Francisco Family should resign and remove themselves from the LCN.
Sciortino stated that he saw James Lanza recently, but did not specify the date, and all Lanza talks about is 'being left alone'. He said Lanza refuses to see anyone, even the members of his own LCN Family and Sciortino must take care of any visitors who might come to the San Francisco area and want to see Lanza. He said that this was not possible, but Lanza just remarked, 'Tell them I'm out of town'. Sciortino told the informant that he himself is staying away from (other members) Phil Maita, his brother Frank Maita and Salvatore Taranto, who were always close associates as members of the San Francisco Family because of the orders from Lanza.
"
On October 30, 1969 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that he had previously been in contact with James Lanza, Phil Morici and Philip Maita whom he had known for several years. He explained that these contacts had been telephonic in nature and he has had no personal contact with any one of the above in many years." (Philip Ottavio Morici [1888-1972] was a San Jose Member who transferred to Los Angeles the following year.)
On September 27, 1970 James Lanza interviewed by FBI: "..He stated that this past week he visited Phil Maita who is in his 80s and was surprised at how alert Maita appeared and also appeared to be in very good health for a man in his eighties."
Filippo's brother Frank, age 77, died December 12, 1970 in Placerville, CA.
On January 12, 1971 Unsub interviewed by FBI: "...[UM] advised that he has been associated with Philip Maita and Philip's brother, Frank Maita, who recently died, since the 1930's when he met [Redacted] and knows them only as two Sicilians born in the old country who have worked extremely hard all of their lives. He advised that he cannot believe that either of the Maitas were ever involved in any illegal activity and has no knowledge of any affiliation by the Maitas with any organized crime group such as the Mafia or the LCN."
In November 1971 FBI CI (Antonio Lima?) reported: "[CI] was questioned concerning current activities of Philip Maita, and advised Maita is sickly and senile and incapable of being involved in any activity. He further advised Maita is not in contact with any of the members of the San Francisco Family or any other Family of the LCN at the present time."
On November 29, 1971 Filippo was interviewed again by the FBI: "[Maita] indicated he is 87, and celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary during 10/71, and he is happy to report he is in relatively good health. He advised he takes pills for poor circulation and he has some trouble with his inner ear which affects his balance and equilibrium but stated he is still capable of driving a motor vehicle and although not frequently, living in the vicinity of his children's residences, does occasionally travel to the residence of his many children, grand children and great grandchildren, residing in the SF area. Mr. Maita advised that he does not see any of his former associates who have been listed as members of the 'Mafia' by various new media. Maita denied any affiliation with any such organization, and stated he doubts there is any such organization currently active in any way in the San Francisco area."
On January 20, 1972 FBI CI Antonio Lima reported: "...Informant was questioned concerning further background information of [Redacted] who he previously referred to as a recruit. He stated that [Redacted]'s father was a close associate with Jimmy Lanza. He indicated that the health of [Redacted] was very good. [Redacted], the father's name, as a butcher and had a market on Cortland Avenue in San Francisco. He indicated that [Redacted] presently lives in San Mateo, and was also closely associated with Phil Maita."
On March 1, 1972 FBI CI Antonio Lima reported: "Informant discussed the background of the Sciortino family, indicating that Bill's father and the Sciortino family resided in the Los Angeles area prior to 1932 when Bill's father, who was operating a still shot three people in the Los Angeles area who were raiding his still. Following the shooting, the Sciortino family moved to San Francisco and Bill's father, who was cumpari (godfather to one of Sciortino's children) with Phil Maita joined the San Francisco Family and commenced bootlegging with Maita. Informant advised that both Bill's father and Bill were very respected LCN members who were capable of handling any contract."
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| 1970s |
On July 20, 1972 FBI SF reported: "Sources familiar with [Filippo] Maita indicate that as Maita is 'sick', he is avoided."
On July 20, 1972 FBI SF reported: "During [redacted] [CI] questioned concerning any knowledge of activity on the part of [Filippo Maita] indicated that [redacted]. [CI] indicated that Maita was a big bootlegger many years ago. [Redacted]. [CI] advised Maita had been a close associate of Ciro Conetto. [CI] has advised in the past Ciro Conetto was a brother of (FNU) Conetto, who was the 'Acting Boss' of the San Jose Family of the LCN in the early twenties. (Bill Sciortino has been identified as the 'underboss' of the San Francisco Family of the LCN.)."
On May 30, 1978 Unspecified Female interviewed by FBI: "[UF] said to her knowledge [Filippo Maita] was not involved in any illegal activities. She stated [Maita] spends most of his time at home because of his old age and in order to take care of his wife who is in bad health."
On August 29, 1978 FBI CI reported: "[CI] said that he had heard [redacted] that [Filippo Maita] was an invalid and was no longer able to get around."
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| Philip J. Maita (1972) |
Through the 1970s and into the early 1980s a grandson, Philip Joseph Maita (1943-2015), was a central figure in various obscenity related cases in California.
On November 6, 1981 FBI SF reported: "At one time [Filippo] Maita was Capo Decina of San Francisco LCN & was put down to a Soldier in 1931 by Anthony Lima..Maita was involved in extortion and narcotics in the San Francisco area."
On May 19, 1982 FBI SF identified San Francisco Family as consisting of Boss James Lanza, Underboss Gaspare Sciortino and Soldiers Frank Joseph Genovese, Antonio Lima and Filippo Maita. Report noted: "The above five individuals are the only known members of the San Francisco LCN." (Absent from the list are Steve Trifiro [1915-2001], inducted in 1965, and Anthony Thomas Esposito [1914-2005], named as a member in James Lanza's FBI file.)
On June 21, 1982 FBI SF reported: "Maita will be 98y in September. He is an invalid confined to a wheelchair and is not known to ever leave his residence. He has not been in contact with members of the San Francisco LCN Family for years. It is therefore recommended that he be deleted from the LCN Index."
Filippo Maita died August 10, 1984 in San Mateo, California.
The wake was held four days later at Valente - Marini - Perata & Company located at 4840 Mission St in San Francisco's Mission Terrace neighborhood.
He was buried in The Italian Cemetery located in Colma, CA.
