Peter Giammona (Los Angeles)

c. 1970

Peter Giammona was a member of the Los Angeles Family.

Born June 4, 1904 in Giardinello comune of Palermo to Ciro (25y) and Rosalia Misuraca (23y), Peter was the oldest of twelve children.

Ciro Giammona (1878-1948) may have been a Mafia member in Sicily and later the United States.

Rosalia Misuraca's brothers Anthony (1878-1937), Salvatore (1894-1919), John (1897-1986), Arturo (1900-1967) and Pietro (1905-1988) were Members / Suspected Members in Michigan, New York, California and possibly Newark and Tampa. John Misuraca briefly served as the Colombo Underboss in the early 1960s.

Peter Giammona's younger brothers Angelo (1912-2000) and Frank (1908-2001) were both with the San Jose Family, Angelo as a made member and Frank as an Associate / Possible Member.

The Giammonas were related to additional LCN members through marriage:

1. In March 1935 Peter's younger sister Rose married Future San Jose Member Leo Cusenza (1913-1993), son to Captain Joe Cusenza of San Vito Lo Capo in Trapani.
2. Younger sister Mary Agnes married a half-brother to San Jose Member Pietro Ruffino (1892-1966) of Montelepre, Palermo.
3. In June 1935 John Misuraca's daughter married Future San Jose Member Alex Camarata (1906-1976) of Borgetto, Palermo. Alex's younger brother Salvatore (1918-2008) was a Colombo Soldier.

On May 7, 1905 Peter and his mother arrived at the Port of New York aboard S.S. Algeria. Destined for Ciro in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

By April 1910 the Giammonas resided at 1220 7th St in St. Louis, Missouri. Ciro worked as fruit peddler.

They were residing at 128 Hastings St in Detroit at the time of Angelo Giammona's birth in December 1912.

By April 1920 they moved to the West Coast, residing at 496 Willow St in San Jose. Peter and his father worked as ranch hands.

Around 1924 the family moved to Newark, where Ciro ran a produce business. Peter worked for the city as a truck driver.
 

In 1928 he married Vivian Ann Chiarello (18y) in Grand Rapids. Wife's parents from Palermo and Alcamo in Trapani, Sicily.

By April 1930 the couple were living at 348 Cumberland in Pittsburg, CA. Peter listed his occupation as salesman.

During the mid-1930s they show up in Newark, New Jersey, near Peter's uncle John Misuraca and cousins the Cammaratas.

By 1940 the Giammonas returned to California, moving around the Bay Area (San Jose, SF, Richmond) before settling further south in Long Beach. Peter worked as an auto mechanic and later as a used car salesman.

c. 1960

By the mid-1960s he was a formally inducted member of the Los Angeles Family.

It's not known who Giammona's Captain was. Other Family members in Long Beach included Nicolo Marchese (1896-1975).

On August 20, 1965 Peter's brother Angelo Giammona, then a San Jose Soldier, was interviewed by the FBI: "...He stated Peter Giammona has a rather large family and as far as he knows Peter Giammona is not employed."

In September 1965 joined a used car business at 4401 Harvey Way in Long Beach. Listed same address as his residence.
 

On December 6, 1965 an FBI member source in San Jose, possibly Soldier Salvatore Costanza, reported on an attempt by 'Joe and Pete Giammona' to recruit Alex Camarata in a plot to break away from the local Family and join with San Francisco. The FBI noted: "...In view of the large number of Pete and Joe Giammona's all of whom are cousins there is some question as to which is which. It would appear unlikely that a Joe from Point Reyes and a Pete from Long Beach (Angelo Giammona's brothers) would be engaged in recruiting in Modesto and San Jose."

Eight days later an informant provided background on the Giammona siblings and described 'Pete' as retired.

 

On December 29, 1966 interviewed by FBI:
"

[Giammona] was brought to the United States when eleven months old by his mother, Rose Giammona, nee Misuraca. He said his father, Ciro Giammona, had preceded them to the US and they joined him at Grand Rapids, Michigan.

...Giammona stated in 1919, his family moved to Pittsburg, California, from Michigan where his father, Ciro Giammona, opened and operated a wholesale produce business. He said in 1924, the family moved to Newark, New Jersey, where his father operated a food sales route. Giammona said he obtained employment as a truck driver with the city of Newark. He stated in 1927, he obtained employment with Sam Azerello in Grand Rapids, MI in construction.

Giammona advised that in 1928, he moved to Pittsburg, California, where he sold produce for two uncles, John and Sam Giammona. He said he held various jobs between 1930 and 1941, and during this period resided in [San Jose, Grand Rapids and Newark]. Giammona stated in 1942, he moved to Los Angeles and worked a few months for a printing company. In 1943, he was a salesman for Ziegler Produce, Los Angeles. In 1944, Giammona said he moved to Richmond, California and operated a garage through 1945, at which time he moved to Long Beach, California and obtained employment with Olson Bakery, Los Angeles.

Giammona stated that for the last 15 years, he has been self-employed in buying, repairing and selling cars.

Giammona stated he has never been involved in any racket and strongly denied having any affiliation with the La Cosa Nostra. Giammona said he has made many trips to the San Francisco area due to his many relatives and close friends in the area.

Giammona said he visited in San Francisco in October, 1964 or 1965, when [Redacted]. He said on [redacted] was married in San Francisco and that this wedding was attended by nearly all the family members.

...Giammona was questioned regarding having an uncle named Alex. He stated he had no close relatives so named but a cousin of his named [Redacted].

"

On August 20, 1968 included in the FBI's list of 35 identified Los Angeles Family members. (This is one of only two reports confirming Peter's membership status.)

Six days later FBI Member Source (Salvatore Costanza?) reported on a visit between Alex Camarata and Pete Giammona: "...Alex then began to praise Giammona's ability to make money and stated they were going to [redacted]...Alex evaded the question as to Giammona's membership in the LCN and merely stated, 'Don't worry about him, he's okay. He knows all the boys.'"

In July 1969 Frank Giammona informed the FBI that his brother was living 'somewhere in the Los Angeles area'. Agents questioned him about a July 1969 magazine article listing Angelo Giammona as a 'known Mafia' member: "[Frank] said that he has heard the name of his brother, Angelo Giammona, mentioned in the past as being a member of the Mafia, however, he doubted this as 'Angelo wouldn't hurt a fly'. He said that he is in constant contact with Angelo and he has never indicated any Mafia associations. Subject said he would rather suspect his brother, Peter Giammona, might be a member of the Mafia as Peter has always been associated in 'shady deals' involving money and automobiles. He said Peter often visits him during his frequent trips to the Bay area."

On October 9, 1969 FBI CI reported: "...[CI] said he has heard Pete Giammona, from Los Angeles, has been in contact with Alex Camarata recently. He said Pete is brother of Frank Giammona, Pittsburg, and Angelo Giammona, Modesto, all nephews. He said he suspected all three brothers are members of the LCN, Frank and Angelo as part of the San Jose Family but he would not know if Pete would be associated with this Family."

On October 30, 1969 FBI CI reported: "Target was contacted [redacted]. He said one Pete Giammona from Los Angeles [redacted] at which time he was driving a big new Cadillac. He said Pete did not stay long but appeared anxious to leave to meet someone but he had no information of who this might be. He knew Pete Giammona had been visiting with Alex Camarata in Martinez, CA but he had no information indicating it was anything other than a social visit."

He was later noted as an associate of Los Angeles Captain Dominick 'Jim Regace' Brooklier and may have been reporting to him by the early 1970s.

On February 26, 1970 FBI CI reported: "...He recently learned [Pete] Giammona, car salesman from Los Angeles, CA, has been spending a lot of time in the Martinez area and apparently in contact with Alex Camarata and his brother, Frank Giammona from Pittsburg, CA. He said Pete Giammona was at one time closely associated with John Misuraca 'back east' and he had no info indicating Pete is an LCN member. He said Giammona's visits could be purely social in nature."

On May 21, 1970 FBI CI reported: "Target said [redacted] Pete Giammona [redacted] continues to have appearances of wealth as he drives a big Cadillac and has much money to display. He never [redacted] and always states he is going to visit Alex (Camarata) in Martinez. He has no definite information, but it would appear 'these two have something going on'. Target did not elaborate but would not discount the possibility of something 'illegal'."

J. Misuraca (1964)

On October 1, 1970 FBI CI reported: "..Source advised that [redacted] John Misuraca who he described as a lot more powerful than the FBI gives him credit...He advised [it] was obvious to him John was a much more powerful man in the organization than [SJ Boss Joseph] Cerrito. He stated John has a strong group of Soldiers who are loyal to him in this area and included in this are his son-in-law Alex Camarata who was starving as a plasterer until John got behind him and now he is a successful contractor. Other members loyal to John are Sal Costanza who has been told by John that he better 'toe the straight and narrow path' as John has not been happy with some of his actions and John's nephew Angelo Giammona who built up his ranch as a meeting place for John when John had designs on moving out to this area. Also John's nephew Pete Giammona from Long Beach, CA who is in the auto sales business and who constantly shows up in a new Cadillac is also one of John's faithful. He stated there are others put in this area who are with John."

On February 23, 1971 FBI CI reported: "[Pete] Giammona continues to drive a Cadillac and appears affluent but he had no information as to his source of income."

In the Spring of 1972 moved to Northern California.

 

By September 1972 employed with Gibson Motors at 233 East Anaheim St in Long Beach.

By late October 1973 the FBI was carrying him as an LCN member.

 

On November 3, 1973 FBI CI reported: "...Source advised he had attended the funeral of Tony Giammona, brother of Angelo Giammona and Pete Giammona, LCN members. Tony died of a heart attack in San Mateo, CA and most of the Giammona clan residing in California including Tony's brothers Angelo from Modesto, Pete from San Jose and Long Beach, Joe from Point Reyes, Frank from Pittsburg, Sam from Sacramento and John who is a floater, [were] all present." (This is the second of three reports confirming Giammona's LCN membership.)

On January 29, 1974 FBI's San Francisco Field Office reported: "Since moving to Northern California, [Giammona] has continued to spend considerable time in the Long Beach - Los Angeles area as he maintains close contact with his many used car agencies purchasing cars to wholesale in Northern California and also as many of his children reside in Southern CA."
 

By May 1974 Peter resided at 6518 46th St in Long Beach and worked as a salesman with Les Brand Motors.

He died January 28, 1980 in Los Angeles.

 

Edit1: Various additions including confirmation that the FBI identified him as an LCN member by late October 1973.