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| 1938 |
Bartolo Ferrigno was a suspected member of the Colombo Family.
His older brother Stefano aka Steve (1900-1930) was murdered alongside Gambino Boss Manfredi Mineo during the Castellammarese War.
Bartolo was born November 1, 1903 in Palermo, Sicily to Gaetano and Santa Schiro.
Around 1914 he immigrated to the United States.
On January 11, 1927 arrested by the NYPD's 6th Squad in Manhattan on an extortion charge. The case was dismissed two weeks later.
On October 12, 1929 married Maria Piazza (22y) in Brooklyn. Witnesses were Antonino Zito and Rose Cosenza. The bride, whose father Antonio (1881-1968) was also from Palermo, resided at 1778 63rd St in Bensonhurst.
On May 13, 1930 arrested by the NYPD's 82nd Precinct in Brooklyn on charges of felonious assault and criminal possession of a weapon (revolver). On June 1, 1930 discharged by 9th Court Judge Walsh.
On November 5, 1930 Ferrigno's brother Steve, along with Gambino Boss Manfredi Mineo, was shot to death in The Bronx as part of the Castellammare War. The hit team were members of the rebel faction aligned against Genovese Boss (and the Boss of Bosses) Giuseppe Masseria. (Bartolo was likely already a made member, although it's not known for certain if he started out with the Colombo Family. He may have transferred [from the Gambinos?] at some point after his brother's murder.)
By 1935 Bartolo resided his wife and her family at 1778 63rd St. He worked for the Imperial Meat Market at 182 1st Ave in Manhattan's East Village.
On September 23, 1938 arrested in Manhattan on an extortion charge. County Court Judge Brancato dismissed the case two years later.
By April 1940 the Ferrignos had moved a few doors down to 1756 63rd St. Bartolo listed his occupation as chauffeur.
As of February 1942 he claimed employment with 'Piazzo' at the family's previous address of 1778 63rd.
On September 21, 1944 arrested, along with Vito Scaminaci (26y), by the NYPD for illegal possession of approximately 350,000 food ration stamps. The pair were transferred into Federal custody and charged with violating the Second War Powers Act. Case subsequently dismissed. (Vito Joseph Scaminaci [1917-1979] was a butcher from East Village. Parents Alfred and Calogera Cucchiara were from Marsala, Trapani and Sciacca, Agrigento respectively.)
Ferrigno's final arrest came on February 20, 1951, when he was indicted by the US Attorney's Office in Manhattan on a heroin charge. Case believed dismissed.
His older brother Stefano aka Steve (1900-1930) was murdered alongside Gambino Boss Manfredi Mineo during the Castellammarese War.
Bartolo was born November 1, 1903 in Palermo, Sicily to Gaetano and Santa Schiro.
Around 1914 he immigrated to the United States.
On January 11, 1927 arrested by the NYPD's 6th Squad in Manhattan on an extortion charge. The case was dismissed two weeks later.
On October 12, 1929 married Maria Piazza (22y) in Brooklyn. Witnesses were Antonino Zito and Rose Cosenza. The bride, whose father Antonio (1881-1968) was also from Palermo, resided at 1778 63rd St in Bensonhurst.
On May 13, 1930 arrested by the NYPD's 82nd Precinct in Brooklyn on charges of felonious assault and criminal possession of a weapon (revolver). On June 1, 1930 discharged by 9th Court Judge Walsh.
On November 5, 1930 Ferrigno's brother Steve, along with Gambino Boss Manfredi Mineo, was shot to death in The Bronx as part of the Castellammare War. The hit team were members of the rebel faction aligned against Genovese Boss (and the Boss of Bosses) Giuseppe Masseria. (Bartolo was likely already a made member, although it's not known for certain if he started out with the Colombo Family. He may have transferred [from the Gambinos?] at some point after his brother's murder.)
By 1935 Bartolo resided his wife and her family at 1778 63rd St. He worked for the Imperial Meat Market at 182 1st Ave in Manhattan's East Village.
On September 23, 1938 arrested in Manhattan on an extortion charge. County Court Judge Brancato dismissed the case two years later.
By April 1940 the Ferrignos had moved a few doors down to 1756 63rd St. Bartolo listed his occupation as chauffeur.
As of February 1942 he claimed employment with 'Piazzo' at the family's previous address of 1778 63rd.
On September 21, 1944 arrested, along with Vito Scaminaci (26y), by the NYPD for illegal possession of approximately 350,000 food ration stamps. The pair were transferred into Federal custody and charged with violating the Second War Powers Act. Case subsequently dismissed. (Vito Joseph Scaminaci [1917-1979] was a butcher from East Village. Parents Alfred and Calogera Cucchiara were from Marsala, Trapani and Sciacca, Agrigento respectively.)
Ferrigno's final arrest came on February 20, 1951, when he was indicted by the US Attorney's Office in Manhattan on a heroin charge. Case believed dismissed.
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| FBN Mafia Book |
Around 1960 the Federal Bureau of Narcotics compiled a Mafia Book profiling approximately 800 subjects, including Ferrigno. His entry noted: "A trusted member of the Mafia for many years. Former partner in illicit enterprises with East Harlem narcotic violators Benny Coniglio & Salvatore Caneba."
On November 8, 1962 naturalized in District Court Brooklyn.
In early February 1963 designated the subject of an FBI anti-racketeering investigation.
On May 20, 1963 the FBI's New York Office reported: "During the period 7/17/1962 - 9/7/1962, PCI Joseph Valachi was interrogated by Federal Bureau of Narcotics agents prior to interview by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents. During the above period, Valachi allegedly told [the FBN that] Bartolo Ferrigno was a member of the Joseph Profaci Family. [FBI CI Gregory Scarpa] advised on 3/6/1963, Ferrigno was not a member of this Family as he did not know him. It is noted [CI Scarpa] states that although he does not know all members of the Family by name, he would recognize a photograph of anyone within that Family. PCI Valachi was recontacted on 4/6/1963, concerning Ferrigno and he stated that although the photograph appears familiar, he can't recall naming this individual as a 'button' in La Cosa Nostra. Inasmuch as there is no basis for placing Ferrigno in LCN, no further investigation is being conducted." (Valachi was part of the hit team that carried out the murder of Ferrigno's brother in 1930. Regarding CI Scarpa's claimed familiarity with everyone in the Colombo Family, there were multiple individuals he later identified whose membership had previously been unknown to him, i.e. Robert Barbieri, Nicolo Failla and Frank Musacchio.)
On November 8, 1962 naturalized in District Court Brooklyn.
In early February 1963 designated the subject of an FBI anti-racketeering investigation.
On May 20, 1963 the FBI's New York Office reported: "During the period 7/17/1962 - 9/7/1962, PCI Joseph Valachi was interrogated by Federal Bureau of Narcotics agents prior to interview by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents. During the above period, Valachi allegedly told [the FBN that] Bartolo Ferrigno was a member of the Joseph Profaci Family. [FBI CI Gregory Scarpa] advised on 3/6/1963, Ferrigno was not a member of this Family as he did not know him. It is noted [CI Scarpa] states that although he does not know all members of the Family by name, he would recognize a photograph of anyone within that Family. PCI Valachi was recontacted on 4/6/1963, concerning Ferrigno and he stated that although the photograph appears familiar, he can't recall naming this individual as a 'button' in La Cosa Nostra. Inasmuch as there is no basis for placing Ferrigno in LCN, no further investigation is being conducted." (Valachi was part of the hit team that carried out the murder of Ferrigno's brother in 1930. Regarding CI Scarpa's claimed familiarity with everyone in the Colombo Family, there were multiple individuals he later identified whose membership had previously been unknown to him, i.e. Robert Barbieri, Nicolo Failla and Frank Musacchio.)
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| G. Scarpulla FBN Mafia Book |
In August 1963 FBI reported: "Ferrigno owner of Imperial Meat Market, 182 1st Ave...entered US as stowaway 4/1/1942, narcotics dealer and associate of Jack Scarpulla and 1st Ave, 12th St, group of Mafia." (Giacomo 'Jack' Scarpulla [1900-1971] was a Gambino Soldier and later Acting Captain who, like Ferrigno, hailed from Palermo and worked as a butcher in Brooklyn. His brother-in-law David 'Papa Dave' Amodeo was a Gambino Captain in the Bronx. Additional in-laws included the Scalise family.)
Aside from his inclusion on a photo chart utilized during the Valachi hearings later that year, Ferrigno appears to have remained off the radar for the next decade.
On May 14, 1974 CW Joseph Thomas Zito, formerly affiliated with the Bufalino Family, was interviewed by the FBI at the office of the EDNY's Organized Crime Strike Force in Brooklyn: "...His uncle, Bartolo Ferrigno, aka Vartolo, is a member of the Colombo Family. Bartolo Ferrigno is 65 to 75 years old, about 5'11", slender build, and his wife is deceased. He has no children. Bartolo Ferrigno, in his retirement from the Colombo Family, receives a salary from that Family of $150 a week. Zito said that he discussed salary of made guys with [Redacted] at one time and [Redacted] complained the $150 a week Ferrigno got was not enough. Ferrigno resides in Brooklyn. At one time, he had a no-show job in a butcher shop at 1st Ave and 69th Street, NYC, when he was on parole. [Redacted] and Ferrigno used to go to a sandwich shop in the area where they could get special Italian sandwiches. Bartolo's brother, Steve Ferrigno, was the Underboss to [Redacted] aka [Redacted]. Steve Ferrigno was killed in 1930 in the Pelham Parkway area of the Bronx, possibly by Joseph Valachi." (Details provided by Zito on Ferrigno's blood family were incorrect; his wife was still living at the time and the couple had a son.)
Aside from his inclusion on a photo chart utilized during the Valachi hearings later that year, Ferrigno appears to have remained off the radar for the next decade.
On May 14, 1974 CW Joseph Thomas Zito, formerly affiliated with the Bufalino Family, was interviewed by the FBI at the office of the EDNY's Organized Crime Strike Force in Brooklyn: "...His uncle, Bartolo Ferrigno, aka Vartolo, is a member of the Colombo Family. Bartolo Ferrigno is 65 to 75 years old, about 5'11", slender build, and his wife is deceased. He has no children. Bartolo Ferrigno, in his retirement from the Colombo Family, receives a salary from that Family of $150 a week. Zito said that he discussed salary of made guys with [Redacted] at one time and [Redacted] complained the $150 a week Ferrigno got was not enough. Ferrigno resides in Brooklyn. At one time, he had a no-show job in a butcher shop at 1st Ave and 69th Street, NYC, when he was on parole. [Redacted] and Ferrigno used to go to a sandwich shop in the area where they could get special Italian sandwiches. Bartolo's brother, Steve Ferrigno, was the Underboss to [Redacted] aka [Redacted]. Steve Ferrigno was killed in 1930 in the Pelham Parkway area of the Bronx, possibly by Joseph Valachi." (Details provided by Zito on Ferrigno's blood family were incorrect; his wife was still living at the time and the couple had a son.)
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| 1970 |
On July 19, 1974 agents visited the Ferrigno residence seeking an interview: "His apartment was located on the second floor left hand side. A woman identifying herself as [Redacted] the landlady, said Ferrigno and his wife were on vacation."
On January 6, 1975 Ferrigno was located and questioned: "Ferrigno was advised allegations had been made that he was a 'connected guy'. He denied being connected and said he had been arrested in the past but that was all a mistake. He said he had never been convicted. He said that his brother Steve had been killed in the Bronx in the thirties but that was 40 years in the past. Ferrigno stated that he is retired having formerly been a butcher at 11th St and 1st Ave, Manhattan. He was born in Palermo, Sicily, having come to this country when he was 11 years old. He grew up in Brooklyn. He has been married 45 years and has lived on the same block all that time. His sister-in-law, Mrs. Piazza, owns the apartment house he now lives in. Ferrigno said he has a son [who] lives in Staten Island and is a broker on Wall Street...Ferrigno says that he is bothered by rheumatism and has difficulty sleeping but otherwise he is in good health."
This interview is the last time Ferrigno shows up in currently available documents. He died in October 1985.
On January 6, 1975 Ferrigno was located and questioned: "Ferrigno was advised allegations had been made that he was a 'connected guy'. He denied being connected and said he had been arrested in the past but that was all a mistake. He said he had never been convicted. He said that his brother Steve had been killed in the Bronx in the thirties but that was 40 years in the past. Ferrigno stated that he is retired having formerly been a butcher at 11th St and 1st Ave, Manhattan. He was born in Palermo, Sicily, having come to this country when he was 11 years old. He grew up in Brooklyn. He has been married 45 years and has lived on the same block all that time. His sister-in-law, Mrs. Piazza, owns the apartment house he now lives in. Ferrigno said he has a son [who] lives in Staten Island and is a broker on Wall Street...Ferrigno says that he is bothered by rheumatism and has difficulty sleeping but otherwise he is in good health."
This interview is the last time Ferrigno shows up in currently available documents. He died in October 1985.
