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| 1921 Passport Photo |
Calogero 'Charles' Consagra was a member of the Bufalino Family who disappeared in the early 1920s.
Younger brother Luigi 'Louis' (1890-1959) was also a member.
Younger brother Luigi 'Louis' (1890-1959) was also a member.
Charles was born July 24, 1870 in Bompensiere comune of Caltanissetta, Sicily to Alessandro (30y) and Vincenza Galante (24y). (In his 1910 Declaration of Intention, Charles instead gave his place of birth as his mother's hometown, Montedoro, located just a couple of miles away in the same province.)
On April 20, 1895 married Onofrio Licata in Montedoro.
On March 1, 1903 arrived at Port of New York aboard S.S. Victoria. Destined for uncle Salvatore Bufalino (34y) residing at 161 Main St in Pittston, Pennsylvania.
On May 8, 1905, at approximately 12:30 AM, Giuseppe Castellino (35y) was fatally shot at the corner of Railroad and LaGrange Sts in Pittston. An assailant fired five rounds from a .38 revolver, hitting Castellino four times in the torso. A loaded revolver and stiletto was found on the victim. Consagra would later be unsuccessfully prosecuted for this murder.
On September 23, 1910 filed Declaration of Intention in United States District Court Middle District Pennsylvania. He and his wife were then residing at 79 Railroad St. Charles listed his occupation as coal miner and, according to later press reports, was an influential figure in the local industry.
On February 7, 1911 Detective Salvatore 'Sam' Lucchino (25y), godfather to one of Consagra's children, was shot and wounded on or near Railroad St. Victim walking home with Consagra when shot twice in left side of neck by two masked assailants wielding carbines. Lucchino was targeted for murder due to his December 1910 testimony in a New York counterfeiting case linked to Gambino Boss Ignazio Lupo.
Charles and six others, including brother Louis, were charged with involvement. The lone defendant after the case against the others was thrown out, he received an acquittal despite being identified by Lucchino as a participant.
On April 17, 1911 Consagra began standing trial in Pittston Criminal Court re the 1905 murder of Giuseppe Castellino. Prosecution witnesses included Peter Licata and Detective Sam Lucchino. He was acquitted after testifying in his own defense and accusing Licata of being the actual culprit. (The following month Licata was himself tried and acquitted for the murder.)
On April 25, 1911 an article in the Pittston Gazette described Consagra as 'the alleged leader of the Pittston Black Hand Society'.
On May 18, 1911 Former (?) Bufalino Boss Stefano 'Steve' LaTorre, Detective Lucchino and Lucchino's brother Peter were arrested for involvement in the 1910 murder of Peter Selvaggio. The case was built in part from information supplied by one of those originally accused of attempting to kill Detective Lucchino, with Charles Consagra supporting this individual's account. The following day the Pittston Gazette reported: "At the present time, many of the Italian residents of this city are divided into two factions, one having as its leader Charles Consagro and the other being led by Sam Luchino...Yesterday Consagro received a Black Hand letter, mailed in Pittston, and dated May 16 (threatening both him and his family)." On May 24, 1911 case dismissed by Criminal Court Judge Fuller.
The conflict between these factions appears to have subsided by the summer of 1913.
That July Charles Consagra filed Petition for Naturalization in USDC MDPA. He gave an address at 54 E Railroad St and again claimed Montedoro as his birthplace.
The Petition was witnessed by his uncle Nicola Bufalino (1876-1939) of Montedoro, and, notably, Detective Sam Lucchino. Consagra was naturalized May 29, 1914.
On November 11, 1917, at approximately 9:00 PM, Charles Attardo (31y) shot to death outside his residence at 171 Railroad St. Attardo speaking with his brother when shot eighteen times by one or more assailants firing .22 caliber revolver(s). Neighbor Charles Salzo (38y) received superficial wound to the cheek from a stray bullet. Charles and Louis Consagra were held. Three days later brothers Angelo Ignatzio Carruba and Joseph Carruba of New York were picked up at the Consagra residence on E Railroad. The next day an article published in The Tribune stated: "The Corrubo brothers came here from New York some few days ago and the police are of the opinion that the Consagro brothers may have hired these men as accomplices. Charley Consagro is engaged to a sister of the Corrubos."
On April 29, 1918, at approximately midnight, dynamite exploded under the porch of Consagra's residence. None injured. Pittston Gazette reported: "...The front porch was badly damaged and the windows in the front of the house were smashed. Several windows in the Buffalino home nearby were also broken by the concussion...Mr. Consagro told the police today that two months ago he discovered seven sticks of dynamite under the porch. He turned them over to the chief of police today."
On April 20, 1895 married Onofrio Licata in Montedoro.
On March 1, 1903 arrived at Port of New York aboard S.S. Victoria. Destined for uncle Salvatore Bufalino (34y) residing at 161 Main St in Pittston, Pennsylvania.
On May 8, 1905, at approximately 12:30 AM, Giuseppe Castellino (35y) was fatally shot at the corner of Railroad and LaGrange Sts in Pittston. An assailant fired five rounds from a .38 revolver, hitting Castellino four times in the torso. A loaded revolver and stiletto was found on the victim. Consagra would later be unsuccessfully prosecuted for this murder.
On September 23, 1910 filed Declaration of Intention in United States District Court Middle District Pennsylvania. He and his wife were then residing at 79 Railroad St. Charles listed his occupation as coal miner and, according to later press reports, was an influential figure in the local industry.
On February 7, 1911 Detective Salvatore 'Sam' Lucchino (25y), godfather to one of Consagra's children, was shot and wounded on or near Railroad St. Victim walking home with Consagra when shot twice in left side of neck by two masked assailants wielding carbines. Lucchino was targeted for murder due to his December 1910 testimony in a New York counterfeiting case linked to Gambino Boss Ignazio Lupo.
Charles and six others, including brother Louis, were charged with involvement. The lone defendant after the case against the others was thrown out, he received an acquittal despite being identified by Lucchino as a participant.
On April 17, 1911 Consagra began standing trial in Pittston Criminal Court re the 1905 murder of Giuseppe Castellino. Prosecution witnesses included Peter Licata and Detective Sam Lucchino. He was acquitted after testifying in his own defense and accusing Licata of being the actual culprit. (The following month Licata was himself tried and acquitted for the murder.)
On April 25, 1911 an article in the Pittston Gazette described Consagra as 'the alleged leader of the Pittston Black Hand Society'.
On May 18, 1911 Former (?) Bufalino Boss Stefano 'Steve' LaTorre, Detective Lucchino and Lucchino's brother Peter were arrested for involvement in the 1910 murder of Peter Selvaggio. The case was built in part from information supplied by one of those originally accused of attempting to kill Detective Lucchino, with Charles Consagra supporting this individual's account. The following day the Pittston Gazette reported: "At the present time, many of the Italian residents of this city are divided into two factions, one having as its leader Charles Consagro and the other being led by Sam Luchino...Yesterday Consagro received a Black Hand letter, mailed in Pittston, and dated May 16 (threatening both him and his family)." On May 24, 1911 case dismissed by Criminal Court Judge Fuller.
The conflict between these factions appears to have subsided by the summer of 1913.
That July Charles Consagra filed Petition for Naturalization in USDC MDPA. He gave an address at 54 E Railroad St and again claimed Montedoro as his birthplace.
The Petition was witnessed by his uncle Nicola Bufalino (1876-1939) of Montedoro, and, notably, Detective Sam Lucchino. Consagra was naturalized May 29, 1914.
On November 11, 1917, at approximately 9:00 PM, Charles Attardo (31y) shot to death outside his residence at 171 Railroad St. Attardo speaking with his brother when shot eighteen times by one or more assailants firing .22 caliber revolver(s). Neighbor Charles Salzo (38y) received superficial wound to the cheek from a stray bullet. Charles and Louis Consagra were held. Three days later brothers Angelo Ignatzio Carruba and Joseph Carruba of New York were picked up at the Consagra residence on E Railroad. The next day an article published in The Tribune stated: "The Corrubo brothers came here from New York some few days ago and the police are of the opinion that the Consagro brothers may have hired these men as accomplices. Charley Consagro is engaged to a sister of the Corrubos."
On April 29, 1918, at approximately midnight, dynamite exploded under the porch of Consagra's residence. None injured. Pittston Gazette reported: "...The front porch was badly damaged and the windows in the front of the house were smashed. Several windows in the Buffalino home nearby were also broken by the concussion...Mr. Consagro told the police today that two months ago he discovered seven sticks of dynamite under the porch. He turned them over to the chief of police today."
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| 1919 Passport Photo |
By March 1919 the Consagras had moved about a half-mile away to 161 South Main St. Charles worked as a mining contractor.
On March 7 he filed US Passport Application in USDC Luzerne, PA with the stated intention of settling a family estate in Sicily. Philip Giordano (1878-1947), of Valguarnera Caropepe in Enna Province, acted as witness.
He arrived back in the US on July 17, 1919.
By Summer 1920 he appears to have returned to the 54 E Railroad St address and worked for the Pennsylvania Coal Company at the No. 6 mine.
On July 21, 1920, at 10:55 PM, Pittston PD Detective Sam Lucchino was again shot, this time fatally, outside his residence at 29 E Railroad. Hit with four rounds from a .45 caliber revolver, he died half an hour later at Pittston City hospital. Prior to succumbing to he stated: "A stranger shot me, but it came from the hands of Charley Consagro." Police soon charged Peter Errico and Tony Puntaraio, of Trenton, New Jersey.
On August 13, 1920 Consagra was arrested as a co-conspirator in the case. The Pittston Gazette reported: "[Police] claim to have evidence that Consagro is the man who directed Ferdinand Rombolo to telegraph to Trenton, N.J., to have Tony Ponterari and Peter Erico, of that city, come to Pittston on 'important business', which, it is alleged, was the murder of the city detective." Consagra arraigned before City Hall Magistrate M. J. Ruane and remanded to county prison pending court action.
Six days later he was discharged by Judge Fuller following a habeas corpus hearing. At the courthouse someone in the crowd, believed to be Lucchino's brother Peter, hurled a threat at Consagra. Co-defendants Peter Errico and Tony Puntaraio were ultimately convicted and sentenced to death.
On April 1, 1921 filed US Passport Application giving an intended departure date of April 14 to visit family in Sicily. Alderman Anthony Scrudato (1885-1960), of San Giovanni Gemini in Agrigento, acted as witness.
On June 23, 1921 Michael Morella (24y) shot and wounded by Sam Rumbolo in Mayfield, Pennsylvania. Morella, shot for owing $35 to Rumbolo's brother Frank, hit once in left side with round from automatic pistol. Following day Pittston Gazette reported: "...Rombollo, it is said, went from this city to Mayfield a short time ago to work for Charles Consagro, a former coal mining contractor for the Pennsylvania Coal Co., who now has a contract at Mayfield." (Sam Rumbolo had also been a witness in the Lucchino murder case but recanted.)
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| (The Times Tribune 9/25/22) |
On September 25, 1922 Consagra's former co-defendants in the Lucchino murder case, Peter Errico and Tony Puntaraio, were executed by electric chair.
It was around the time of the executions (press accounts differ regarding the exact number of days before or after) that Charles Consagra traveled to Buffalo, New York and disappeared. Family visited that city and found his suitcase at a local boarding house. Clothes belonging to Consagra were also said to have been found strewn along the bank of Lake Erie.
On May 14, 1923 Pittston Gazette reported: "Relatives of Consagro have been unable to learn of his whereabouts...The county authorities are of the opinion that Consagro has been murdered while in Buffalo. Sheriff MacLuskie yesterday ordered the sale of Consagro's property because of a judgement entered against it by Stefaba Latore (sic; Steve LaTorre)." (The Tribune published an article the next day noting that LaTorre denied seeking sale of the property.)
On August 8, 1924 Pittston Gazette reported: "...It has practically been established that [Charles Consagra] is not now living, and it is thought that he was murdered to avenge the execution of the Trenton men."
Over forty years later the FBI learned of Consagra's LCN membership and disappearance.
On March 4, 1965 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that Louis and Angelo Consagra are members of the 'organization'. A third Consagra brother was also a member of the 'organization'; however, disappeared many years ago. This brother, name unknown, [redacted paragraph]. (It to be noted subsequent investigation has determined the only Consagra brothers were Louis and Calogero Consagra. There was no brother by the name of Angelo Consagra.)"
On April 8, 1965 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised he believes Colagio Consagra is the first name of the Consagra brother [redacted]. This Consagra first resided in Pittston, PA and later moved to Mayfield, PA. At one time, one of the brothers was in the car business."
An investigation was opened but appears to have uncovered little on Consagra's activities or the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. His brother Louis, a potential lead, had died a few years prior.
It was around the time of the executions (press accounts differ regarding the exact number of days before or after) that Charles Consagra traveled to Buffalo, New York and disappeared. Family visited that city and found his suitcase at a local boarding house. Clothes belonging to Consagra were also said to have been found strewn along the bank of Lake Erie.
On May 14, 1923 Pittston Gazette reported: "Relatives of Consagro have been unable to learn of his whereabouts...The county authorities are of the opinion that Consagro has been murdered while in Buffalo. Sheriff MacLuskie yesterday ordered the sale of Consagro's property because of a judgement entered against it by Stefaba Latore (sic; Steve LaTorre)." (The Tribune published an article the next day noting that LaTorre denied seeking sale of the property.)
On August 8, 1924 Pittston Gazette reported: "...It has practically been established that [Charles Consagra] is not now living, and it is thought that he was murdered to avenge the execution of the Trenton men."
Over forty years later the FBI learned of Consagra's LCN membership and disappearance.
On March 4, 1965 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that Louis and Angelo Consagra are members of the 'organization'. A third Consagra brother was also a member of the 'organization'; however, disappeared many years ago. This brother, name unknown, [redacted paragraph]. (It to be noted subsequent investigation has determined the only Consagra brothers were Louis and Calogero Consagra. There was no brother by the name of Angelo Consagra.)"
On April 8, 1965 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised he believes Colagio Consagra is the first name of the Consagra brother [redacted]. This Consagra first resided in Pittston, PA and later moved to Mayfield, PA. At one time, one of the brothers was in the car business."
An investigation was opened but appears to have uncovered little on Consagra's activities or the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. His brother Louis, a potential lead, had died a few years prior.
On June 21, 1965 FBI reported: "Albany indices negative on Calogero Consagra. There are no LCN sources who can be contacted to verify subject's membership in LCN and his family connection."
On October 21, 1965 FBI reported: "...[Charles Consagra] is a deceased member of the LCN, having mysteriously disappeared in 1919 (sic). It is very doubtful a photograph of subject will be located."
On September 26, 1968 included in FBI's list of 14 deceased Bufalino Family members. 24 living members identified.
On October 21, 1965 FBI reported: "...[Charles Consagra] is a deceased member of the LCN, having mysteriously disappeared in 1919 (sic). It is very doubtful a photograph of subject will be located."
On September 26, 1968 included in FBI's list of 14 deceased Bufalino Family members. 24 living members identified.
