Cafe Italia Surveillance (1979)

FBI surveillance photographs taken October 1979 in the vicinity of Cafe Italia, a DeCavalcante Family hangout at 612 Third Ave in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Joseph Colletti (L) and John Riggi

John Riggi (1925-2015) was made the Acting Boss in December 1976 and officially took over the Family around September 1982.

Inducted in 1976, Joseph Colletti (1930-2000) was the son of Jake Colletti, a Family Captain who operated the Ribera Club located across the street.

By Fall 1979 Joseph may have replaced his father or been given a separate crew; the back of one photo notes 'Joseph Colletti?' followed by 'yes Capo'.

It's not clear when the notation was added but he held that rank at the latest by June 1982 when Anthony Rotondo was inducted.

Joseph Amato (L) and Unsub

Joseph Amato (1932-2019) was partners in Val Sand Company with longtime member Louis 'Fat Lou' LaRasso and Consigliere Stefano 'Steve' Vitabile. [Val = Vitabile / Amato / LaRasso]

An FBI report from March 1975 described Amato as a 'made LCN member', although he has yet to turn up in other sources and the DeCav CWs don't mention him in available testimony.

Louis LaRasso, Joe Amato and Unsubs

Louis LaRasso (1926-1991), who briefly served as the Family's Underboss in the late 1950s, was described by one informant as a Captain in early August 1977.

Reports from April 1978 identify him as 'the new Underboss' to John Riggi, possibly in an Acting Capacity.

Testimony from CW Vincent Palermo confirms LaRasso held the position during this period before being demoted for a second time: "[Sam] DeCavalcante at the time was the Boss. And Louie was plotting to take Sam DeCavalcante's spot. And because of that, they dropped him down from underboss to soldier instead of killing him."

In 1991 LaRasso was taken off the shelf and promoted to Captain by the imprisoned John Riggi. Members of the New York faction suspected him of again plotting against the leadership and he disappeared that November.

Joseph Ferrara and Unsubs

Joseph 'Jo Jo' Ferrara (1938-2006) was inducted around October 1977 under Riggi's sponsorship.

He was promoted to Captain around the same time as Louis LaRasso and held the rank at least into early 2001. (Charles Majuri was made Captain at the same time. Both Ferrara and Majuri had initially been 'knocked down' for membership after the books re-opened in 1976.)

John Riggi and Unsubs

Riggi took over the Family after Sam DeCavalcante stepped down in 1982. He remained Boss up to the time of his death in August 2015.

Bonanno - Springfield Surveillance (1979)

On July 10, 1979 Newark-based Bonanno member Anthony Riela flew to Los Angeles.

Two days later Bonanno Acting Boss Carmine 'Lilo' Galante was shot to death at a restaurant in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

The following day, July 13, FBI Agents observed Riela at the residence of Anthony Zito located at 506 Witherspoon Drive in the Oaks neighborhood of Springfield, Illinois.

Zito, whose deceased brother Frank was the local Boss, had long been carried as a suspected member of that Family. Anthony's membership was confirmed in a report dated November 1974, three months after his brother died. (Another brother, Joseph aka Diamond Joe, was Consigliere in Rockford. The Zitos were also related by marriage to other members and suspected members in the Midwest.)

Agents from the Springfield Field Office advised Newark: "...Surveillances indicated [Riela] was in constant contact with Zito and was lodged at Zito's residence. The only visitors observed were [Redacted] and [Redacted]. These visitations occurred at the [Zito] residence and at his [vending] business, the Modern Distributing Company located at 131 West Reynolds, Springfield."

On July 14 Agents photographed Riela, Zito and two Unsubs (one later identified as Frank Campo) meeting at an unspecified local restaurant:

Restaurant in Springfield (July 14, 1979)
L to R: F. Campo, A. Zito, A. Riela, Unsub

Campo's details are not provided but he may be identical to the individual of that name born 1915 in Springfield to Dominico Campo (1881-1957) of Montevago, Agrigento, making him the nephew of Family Underboss Nick Campo.

(This is also probably the same Frank Campo arrested with Anthony Zito in Ottawa, Illinois in the Fall of 1936. The pair, stopped while driving a vehicle containing a high-powered rifle, shotgun and loaded pistol, were released on $1,000 bond each. Contemporary press reported that both Zito and Campo 'have political influence in Springfield' and 'are active in mine union affairs'.)

At the restaurant Agents noted: "[Zito] did most of the speaking with [Redacted; Campo?] and [Riela] listening and making comments. It was noted [Redacted] was not included in the conversation and as indicated in one of the enclosed photographs, [Redacted] appears to be only a chauffeur or 'errand boy'. These conversations were all spoken in Italian, therefore, could not be understood."

On July 16 Riela and Zito were observed at the latter's vending machine business on West Reynolds St: "[Upon arrival] they went inside for a short period of time and then walked back out and stood by the corner of the building outside where they carried on a lengthy conversation. They then went inside and [Redacted] arrived. They immediately returned outside to the corner and continued a lengthy discussion. From observation, it appeared they were arguing with much hand motion. Also, it was noted on occasion while at the residence of Zito, Zito and [Riela] would walk out into the yard and have conversations."

Riela then drove to Chicago and from there flew back to Newark.

In an August 2 interview at his motel in Newark, he admitted visiting Los Angeles but failed to mention his brief stay in Springfield.

Small Update

 1. Genovese Family Ceremonies (1970s): Moved James Vincent Delio to circa Spring 1978.