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| 1969 |
Angelo 'Puggy' Loiacono was a member of the Lucchese Family.
Born June 23, 1913 in Manhattan to Carmelo (41y), a carpenter, and Biaggia Governale (34y). Parents from Corleone comune of Palermo, Sicily.
By September 1918 the Loiaconos resided at 231 East 107th St in East Harlem.
Angelo resided at various nearby addresses on this street before moving to Queens in the 1950s.
On October 20, 1935 he acted as witness to the marriage of his sister Lucia aka 'Lucy' to Paul Gangi (22y). Groom's parents from the towns of Resuttano and Santa Caterina Villarmosa in Caltanissetta.
On October 12, 1940 brother Stephen Lojacano (41y) witness Angelo's own marriage to Mary Macherone (19y). Bride's family from Giarre in Catania.
Angelo was then residing at 217 East 107th St and working as a plasterer.
On December 19, 1946 Angelo was among six East Harlem residents indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office on conspiracy and sale of narcotics charges.
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| C. Albero (Source: FBN Mafia Book) |
Those indicted in addition to Loiacono were:
- 1. Charles 'Charlie Bullets' Albero (1902-1964), a Genovese Soldier who reported to Captain Michael 'Trigger Mike' Coppola in East Harlem. Father from Sarno frazione of Salerno, Campania.
- 2. Joseph 'Pip the Blind' Gagliano (1903-1947), Genovese Soldier from Corleone who also reported to Coppola. Nephew of Lucchese Boss Tommaso Gagliano and in-law to Lucchese Members Vincent and Calogero aka Charlie Rao.
- 3. Nicholas Gnazzo (1900-1973), a relative of Lucchese Soldier Joseph Marrone (1904-1982). In 1940 his daughter's marriage was witnessed by future Genovese Member Alfred 'Sharky' Cupola (1902-1974), another Coppola crew member.
- 4. Anthony Lucente (1915-1978), whose parents were from Aprigliano in Cosenza, Calabria and from Catania, Sicily.
- 5. Armand Angelo Piragnoli (1912-1985) from Rome.
The Associated Press reported: "Gagliano and Albero were described by [FBN] as members of the young Mafia, or black hand group, which [FBN] declared was conducting a nationwide narcotics traffic and also making 'tremendous sums' in gambling and hijacking."
Albero and Gagliano were named as leaders, with Loiacono described as a 'delivery man'.
The following day bail was set at $150,000 for Gagliano and $15,000 each for Loiacono, Gnazzo, Lucente and Piragnoli. Albero, recuperating from a broken leg at Park East Hospital, had yet to be arraigned.
Albero, Gnazzo and Piragnoli entered pleas in the lead-up to trial.
On February 20, 1947 Loiacono, Gagliano and Lucente were convicted of selling five ounces of opium to a CI on December 11-12, 1946. The trio was remanded to City Prison to await sentencing.
On April 8 five-to-ten year terms were given to Loiacono, Albero, Gagliano and Lucente. Gnazzo and Piragnoli were sentenced to four-to-eight and two-to-five years respectively.
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| J. Gagliano (Source: New York Daily News) |
The following day Gagliano and the Manhattan ADA met in Gagliano's cell at Bronx County Jail. An article in the New York Daily News claimed that Gagliano 'offered no new information' during the visit.
The next day he was found dead of an apparent suicide by hanging inside his cell.
Gagliano had exhibited instability during the case, at one point bringing trial proceedings to a halt due to his behavior at the defendants table.
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| Loiacono at Sing Sing |
Loiacono began serving his sentence the same month at Sing Sing.
By April 1950 he had been transferred further upstate to Clinton Prison in Dannemora.
By the early-to-mid 1950s he was released and living at 21-48 79th St in Jackson Heights, Queens.
It's not known specifically when Loiacono was inducted into the Lucchese Family. He was likely a made member by the the Spring of 1956, when he became involved in another drug trafficking conspiracy.
The operation had been in place since 1950 or earlier and entailed the smuggling of heroin from Italy via immigrants carrying false-bottomed luggage.
The product was shipped from Lebanon to France for refinement, then to Italy for transport into the US. Over 1,000 pounds were brought in during the ring's existence.
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| C. LoCascio and R. Mogavero ( FBN Mafia Book) |
Principals on the American side included Lucchese Soldier Carmine 'Willie Brown' LoCascio and Genovese Soldier Rosario 'Saro' Mogavero. Following Movagero's incareration for extortion his brother Joseph, also a Genovese Member, stepped in to handle his interests.
Loiacono entered the operation as a buyer, helping LoCascio to offload a batch of impure heroin he received in a split with the Mogaveros.
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| R. Sancinella (FBN Mafia Book) |
Around December 1957 Loiacono and Rocco Sancinella, described as Angelo's runner, met with LoCascio's associate Salvatore Rinaldo and purchased the batch. Rinaldo subsequently delivered the lot in parts, the final one in March 1958.
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| L to R: A. Loiacono, J. Mogavero, C. DiPalermo, F. Borelli (FBI Files / FBN Mafia Book) |
The following month Joseph Mogavero and Loiacono, now upgraded to partnership status, directed Rinaldo to make a pick up from their new source of supply, Lucchese Soldier Charles 'Charlie Beck' DiPalermo.
In July 1958 Rinaldo traveled to Miami where he received seven kilos from DiPalermo. From there Rinaldo returned to New York and sold it to Thomas Garibaldi, who paid on behalf of Lucchese Soldier Frank 'Hawk' Borelli. The payment was then taken to Mogavero and Loiacono.
On May 6, 1960 Angelo was among twenty-nine indicted by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on charges related to a separate heroin ring. The Federal Bureau of Narcotics later advised the FBI: "[Operation] smuggled ten kilograms a month or more into the US from the Vincent Cotroni organization in Montreal, Canada. [FBN] advised the Cotroni group, in turn, smuggled the narcotics in from Europe."
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| J. Ormento (FBN Mafia Book) |
Those indicted included Bonanno Captain Carmine 'Lilo' Galante, Lucchese Captain 'Big John' Ormento (believed to be Loiacono's crew leader) and at least seven made members in the Bonanno, Gambino and Genovese Families. Loiacono's so-called runner Rocco Sancinella was also a defendant.
The case would be notorious for various incidents occurring both inside and outside the court room.
The first attempt at prosecution ended in mistrial after the jury foreman was thrown down a flight of stairs in Manhattan. (At least one FBI informant later placed the blame on members of Galante's crew.)
Following a second trial thirteen defendants, including Loiacono, were convicted on June 25, 1962.
Judge Lloyd F. McMahon sentenced the defendants on July 10. Loiacono was given fifteen years. Captain John Ormento received forty, the highest sentence given in the case. (Ormento died while serving this sentence in 1974.)
Loiacono was transferred to the US Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia.
On June 13, 1963 the US Court of Appeals upheld the convictions of Loiacono, Ormento, Galante and six others.
By then Loiacono and Sancinella were awaiting trial for their previous involvement with Carmine LoCascio and the Mogavero brothers.
1962 Narcotics Case
On August 25, 1962 Loiacono, Sancinella and eighteen others were indicted by USAO SDNY on Federal narcotics charges.
Co-defendants included Carmine LoCascio, the Mogaveros, Gambino Soldier Michael 'Mike the Geep' Sedotto and Lucchese Soldiers Frank Borelli, Anthony 'Tony Bones' Castaldi and Anthony 'Tony Moon' Ciccone.
Loiacono remained incarcerated at USP Atlanta pending trial.
Around December 1962 his LCN membership was confirmed to the FBI through CI Alfred Santantonio, a Gambino Soldier murdered the following year after his informant status became known.
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| A. DeCarlo (FBN Mafia Book) |
On April 22, 1963 Genovese Captain Angelo 'Gyp' DeCarlo was visited at his New Jersey headquarters by Genovese Captain (?) Antonio 'Tony the Sheik' Carillo and Soldier Barney Miranda. An FBI bug surreptitiously recorded the conversation, during which the trio discussed a multitude of topics including member informants:
“
Miranda: Ray – things they (the authorities) speak about today. Somebody must talk because they could never know these things! They know who’s Boss, Underboss, the Commission, the Caporegima. They talk like that – amico nos.
...
DeCarlo: These lousy guys – I can’t understand it. Who ever dreamed The Gap (Former Lucchese Member Dominick Petrelli) would do what he did? He was a thief, he killed people and everything!
Carillo: ..that other guy they keep in jail – from up in Harlem.
DeCarlo: From Harlem. The Pig – what do they call him? Piggy or something?
Carillo: Yeah..(inaudible)
Miranda: (Makes some comment the gist of which is although some talk about the organization they have no proof)
”
It's not clear if Loiacono is identical with the 'Piggy' mentioned by DeCarlo. Available FBI reports on Loiacono make no mention of his having been suspected of informing.
The narcotics trial commenced in late October 1963. One of the prosecution's key witnesses was Salvatore Rinaldo, formerly the middleman for LoCascio and later Loiacono / Joseph Mogavero.
On December 12, 1963 the jury convicted Loiacono and his co-conspirators save for Joseph Mogavero, who was either dropped from the case or had already pleaded guilty. Five were acquitted.
On January 20, 1964 the eleven were sentenced, with Loiacono receiving seven years.
On July 31, 1964 the US Court of Appeals reversed the convictions and ordered a new trial. Loiacono continued serving his sentence from the Galante case.
In September 1968 included in the FBI's list of 50 identified Lucchese Family members.
In November 1969 included in the FBI's list of 63 identified Lucchese Family members.
On August 4, 1971 transferred from USP Atlanta, Georgia to Medical Hospital Atlanta for unspecified treatment.
On January 7, 1972 FBI CI (Member Source) provided a partial breakdown of the Lucchese Family. Loiacono was identified as an incarcerated Soldier reporting directly to Boss Carmine 'Gribbs' Tramunti.
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| C. Tramunti (FBN Mafia Book) |
Members reporting direct to Tramunti were Samuel 'Big Sam' Cavalieri, Angelo Loiacono, John Ormento (noted as 'incarcerated - Captain'), Andimo 'Tony Noto' Pappadio, Giacomo 'Jack' Reina and Salvatore 'Tom Mix' Santoro. Salvatore 'Sally' LoProto and Calogero 'Charlie' Rao were named as deceased members who formerly reported to Tramunti.
In October 1972 included in the FBI's list of 59 identified Lucchese Family members.
In October 1973 included in the FBI's list of 57 identified Lucchese Family members.
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| Loiacono at USP Atlanta (1973) |
In March 1974 Angelo was paroled from USP Atlanta. Parole set to expire on July 3, 1981.
The following month he listed residence at 2958 Roberts Ave in Pelham Bay, The Bronx, and soon began working as a plasterer with companies in both The Bronx and Mount Vernon in Westchester County.
On August 9, 1974 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that Angelo Loiacono used to frequent the area of 107th St and Second Ave, NYC, and he is a very close associate and friend of Tom Mix, TN Salvatore Santoro, an identified LCN figure in the Lucchese Family. [CI] could provide no illegal activities for Loiacono but it is [CI]'s belief Loiacono is no longer engaged in any narcotic traffic."
It's not known who Loiacono reported to following his release. His close associate Salvatore Santoro wasn't appointed Captain until the Fall of 1977. At this time both may have been under Joseph 'Joe Hooks' Capra. (Capra is later named as part of Santoro's crew immediately following the latter's promotion.)
On December 24, 1974 US Probation Office advised FBI: "[USPO] advised that Loiacono continues to fulfill all requirements of his Federal probation and has not violated any of the provisions of his probation. [USPO] related Loiacono visits his office once a month."
On January 24, 1975 USPO advised FBI: "[USPO] advised Loiacono still makes his monthly personal visit here at the Parole Office and his last personal visit was on 1/20/75...Loiacono has been working regularly for Ahearn and Holtzman, Inc, 219 South 13th Ave, Mt Vernon, NY, up until he was laid off on 12/31/74. Loiacono then went to work as the plasterer for the McKeoun Plasterers, 1541 Stillwell Ave, Bronx, from 12/31/74 through 1/15/75. He now hopes to return to work with Ahearn and Holtzman. [USPO] stated Loiacono brings in payroll stubs to verify his employment...[USPO] also related Loiacono has traveled out of the NYC area on two occasions, both times to visit an [redacted]. [USPO] said that Loiacono has abided by all parole regulations and has not violated his parole in any manner during the past year."
On February 27, 1975 Loiacono was interviewed by FBI agents:
"
Loiacono stated that he was released [after] serving 12 years of a 20 year term for violating Federal Narcotic Laws. He said his 12 years in prison took a lot out of him, physically and mentally, and he now has a heart condition. Loiacono related he was born 6/23/13 in New York City, and grew up in the East Harlem area of Manhattan. He advised that he also served time in prison during the late 1940s for selling heroin and one of his sons died from an overdose of drugs in 1963...Loiacono further related he currently works as a contract plasterer but the construction work in the NYC area is slow at the present time, therefore, he does not have a job to work on every day. Angelo stated he has a current NY driver's license, but he and his wife do not own a car.
...Loiacono further stated that he has almost seven years left on his Federal parole and he does not intend to violate his parole in any manner. He said he no longer associates with any of the individuals who were arrested along with him for selling drugs back in the early 1960s. He also stated he no longer associates with any of the men he grew up with in East Harlem and he could not furnish any information concerning his old East Harlem associates. Loiacono denied knowing Carmine Tramunti or Thomas Lucchese. He did say he knew of a Joseph Luchese who was supposed to be a bookmaker from Queens. Loiacono related he knew of Antonio 'Tony Ducks' Corallo because Corallo was in the Federal Penitentiary, Atlanta, GA during some of the years he was [but] said he could furnish no info concerning Corallo's activity.
When questioned concerning his knowledge of Joseph Valachi, deceased member of the LCN, he said that he knew Valachi because both of them grew up together in the East Harlem area of NY. Loiacono considered Valachi to be a mentally ill person and he did not place any faith in comments made by Valachi concerning the LCN. Loiacono advised he had no info of value to furnish the FBI and had no desire to be recontacted by the FBI in the future.
"
In December 1975 Loiacono reportedly financed an unspecified father and son in their purchase of the Lisa Deli at 695 East Gun Hill Rd in Williamsbridge after the previous owners fell into debt.
He died May 5, 1976 in The Bronx.
On May 6-7 his wake was held at Louis Quirolo Funeral Home located on East Tremont Ave in Throggs Neck. Buried in Saint Raymond's Cemetery in Throggs Neck.
On June 29, 1976 Nicholas Napolitano, owner of the Cup and Saucer Coffee Shop at 3513 White Plains Rd in Williamsbridge, interviewed by FBI: "...Napolitano noted Angelo Loiacono and (Genovese Soldier) Vincent Mauro, who spent time in jail together used to come in the Cup and Saucer and talk. They appeared to be good friends."
In January 1977 posthumously included in the FBI's list of 50 identified Lucchese Family members.