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| Source: Gang Land News |
Frank Gioia Jr. was a Soldier in the Lucchese Family who became a cooperating witness around late 1994.
Born August 10, 1967 in Manhattan's Little Italy. Father's family from Canna comune of Cosenza, Calabria.
Born August 10, 1967 in Manhattan's Little Italy. Father's family from Canna comune of Cosenza, Calabria.
1970s
On April 21, 1978 the body of Louis Gioia (25y), Frank Jr.'s uncle, was found inside a steamer trunk at E 161st St and River Ave in Concourse, The Bronx. He had been shot multiple times with a .22 caliber weapon.
An FBI source reported that approximately two months prior to the murder, Louis had gotten into a shootout with a recently inducted Bonanno member at the Hippopotamus disco in Manhattan. The informant claimed that shortly after the incident, which resulted from a drug dispute, Louis was called to a sitdown and 'never seen again'.
On April 24, 1978 FBI CI reported: "[He] had heard that [redacted] of the deceased Louie Gioia, is a proposed member of the Lucchese Family. He has reportedly been told not to act [redacted]."
Frank Jr. later testified: "As I understand, my father took a nervous breakdown when [Louis] was killed. My uncle was shot 11 times, stuffed in a trunk. [My father] took a nervous breakdown since; he has been inactive."
Frank Sr. is believed to be one of the redacted entries in a July 1978 FBI list of approximately 70 Lucchese Family members and twelve suspected members.
There is some confusion in Frank Gioia Jr.'s available testimony as to his father's initial LCN affiliation:
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Q: When you were growing up did you know a man named Nunzi Russo?
A: Yes, it was my grandfather.
Q: Did Mr. Russo have any connection to organized crime?
A: At that time [mid-to-late 1970s] he was an associate of the Genovese crime family.
Q: Was your father associated with organized crime?
A: He was also a made member, same Family, different crew.
Q: At some point did he become a member of the Lucchese Family?
A: Yes.
A: Yes, it was my grandfather.
Q: Did Mr. Russo have any connection to organized crime?
A: At that time [mid-to-late 1970s] he was an associate of the Genovese crime family.
Q: Was your father associated with organized crime?
A: He was also a made member, same Family, different crew.
Q: At some point did he become a member of the Lucchese Family?
A: Yes.
"
The above suggests Frank Sr. may have started out with the Genovese Family as well.
1980s
By the early 1980s Gioia Jr. was a Genovese Associate and involved in numerous crimes: "Shylocking, bookmaking, stealing cars, couple of stickups [and] lots of assaults."
Frank Jr.'s grandfather Nunzio Russo operated a social club on Grand St in Little Italy. Gioia Jr. testified: "I would frequent his club 3, 4 times a week...[It had bookmaking], gambling, shylocking, guys use to go up there, bet on a card game."
He began associating with others at the club including Genovese Associate Frank 'Frankie Bones' Papagni: "I met him at my grandfather's. He was related to Nunzi on one side, grandson on the other side...[Papagni] was an associate of the Genovese crime family though not in Manhattan, in Brooklyn...[We became] friendly, started going to Brooklyn, hanging out."
One of their hangouts was a Dyker Heights social club ran by Dominick 'Swaggy' Carlucci (1912-1993), identified in Gioia Jr.'s testimony as a Genovese Captain. (Carlucci's nephew was Bonanno Soldier Ronald 'Ronnie Mazzarella' Carlucci [1943-2020].)
Club regulars included Gioia Jr., Papagni and Associates George 'Little Georgie' Conte, Richard Pagliarulo, Joseph 'Joey Flowers' Tangorra, Joseph Truncale, George 'Georgie Neck' Zappola and Lester Ellis. (With the exception of Ellis all of those named were later made into the Lucchese Family. Zappola's father was Genovese Soldier George 'Georgie Rush' Zappola murdered in 1982.)
Around late 1986 some of Carlucci's associates, including Papagni, were released to the Lucchese Family. Gioia Jr.: "[The] Genovese Crime Family had their books closed for so many years. When I say their books closed, their books have to be open for them to take in new members, [the] Genovese Family were not making any new guys for about 15 years, Luccheses were, we had a brand new Boss, Underboss, and Swaggy transferred those guys over so they could become made members." (The new Boss was Vittorio 'Vic' Amuso who had succeeded Antonio 'Tony Ducks' Corallo that Fall.)
By the mid-1980s Gioia Jr. was also associated with the Lucchese Family and had expanded into marijuana dealing and the sale of illegal handguns: "[Johnny Soto], a firearm dealer, used to go back and forth down south, gets guns, bring them up. I used to buy a case off him [and] sell them wholesale, packs of tens and fives and stuff." Serial numbers defaced prior to sale.
Regarding his loansharking business: "[Interest rate] depends on the dollar amount. Could be anywhere as low as a point, could be high as 10 points, 15 points. [Sometimes] if they had a business you would have a piece of the business until they paid back, jewelry, you look at a guy's ability to pay, you determine what collateral you are going to need from the guy; some guys need no collateral. [If they don't pay you] start out by telling them you are going to bust them up; if that don't work you tell them you are going to kill them."
Also involved in credit card fraud: "We had people that would steal the credit cards through the mail. Also, you know, make them up, sell them, buy them, get them, bang them out in stores. People that I knew had jewelry stores, clothing stores, $500, $1,000 in their pocket, walk out with $5-$8,000 in stuff, depending on how much the limit was on there...[This lasted from] Mid-80's all the way up to the early 90's."
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| J. Petrucelli FBI Wanted Poster |
Around 1988 shot and wounded a bouncer on behalf of Lucchese Soldier John Petrucelli: "John Petrucelli was also a made guy, Lucchese Family. He was from the Bronx. I used to meet him for a drink in Westchester. One night we were in a club, one of the bouncers disrespected him, told him to leave early, told him he couldn't stay after hours...We wanted to hit him right there, John didn't think this was a good idea, said we will leave, we got in our cars and left...Shortly after [Petrucelli] came to Mulberry Street, come see me, said I know what time the kid is getting out of work, I don't want you to kill him, clip him in the leg so we send the kid a message. So, I went, got a gun, went up to Westchester, hang out a little bit, walked up to the kid with an umbrella, [Petrucelli] waiting in the car, walked up, shot him in the leg [and afterwards] I reached over, put the gun in his mouth, told him next time I was going to kill him, walked away, got back in the car. We drove away. After that the kid was admitted to the hospital, Petrucelli went to visit him pinched him on the cheek, said next time you ever throw me out of a club, you are going to be in chapel B."
Petrucelli also enlisted Gioia Jr. in a plot to murder Bonanno Associate Costabile 'Gus' Farace: "Petrucelli did time with Gus Farace years ago in jail. After Gus got out, he was in trouble, on the lam from agents...[He] came out of jail, killed a DEA agent, they were looking for him, John Petrucelli was harboring him [and] all five Families in New York City catching too much heat, and basically they gave John Petrucelli an order to kill him. John Petrucelli called me up, had me go out to where he was harboring him to have him killed." Attempt unsuccessful and, in September 1989, Petrucelli was himself murdered on Lucchese Family orders for his failure to have Farace killed. (Two months later Farace was lured to a spot in Bensonhurst and shot to death by a Bonanno Family hit team.)
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| C. Farace FBI Wanted Poster |
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| T. McLaughlin (L) / S. Gravano and D. Fama (Nov. 1989) Gang Land News / Court Exhibit |
Around 1989 Colombo Associate Thomas McLaughlin subject of a murder plot instigated by Gambino Associate Daniel Fama. Co-conspirators included Gioia Jr.: "At the time one of my partners was Danny Fama [who] was an associate of the Gambino Family, around Sammy the Bull [Gravano]. Me and Danny were doing business, drug business together, Danny had a brother named Lee Fama. [Lee] one night was out in Pastels, and McLaughlin basically stuck the punk. Danny Fama asked me a favor to help him kill the kid for his brother [and] I agreed to help him. We set up cars with guns and scanners, walkie-talkies, followed the kid out to Sheepshead Bay. They were on a motorcycle, he had a girl in the back, and decided not to do it because [girl] was too close to him, we thought, God forbid, if the girl got hurt. We passed on it [and later] in a sit-down among the Colombo Family and Gambino Family, squashed the whole thing." (Both Fama brothers have since been inducted into the Gambinos. Gioia Jr. noted in court that Daniel was involved in 'a lot' of murders during his time on the street.)
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| F. Papagni Gang Land News |
1990s
By 1990 involved in cocaine and heroin trafficking. Partners included Gambino Associate Daniel Fama and Chinatown gang member David Chou (ph).
Around 1991 Genovese Associate Henry Motta target of Lucchese Family murder plot. Co-conspirators included Lucchese Soldiers George Conte and Joseph D'Arco as well as Associate Frank Gioia Jr. Motta, on-record with Dominick Carlucci, was lured to Carlucci's social club in Dyker Heights: "[Motta] walked in the club, Al D'Arco's son Joe D'Arco and George Conte, I don't know who [Motta] was, they said they had some work for me to do, hand me a gun, when this guy walks into the bar, hit him in the head. I was waiting with a gun. Swaggy [Carlucci] walked in, caught the move and called it off, said because [Motta] is my guy, he's paying me, if anybody is going to give orders to kill him, nobody checked with me, I am going to call it off." Plot called off for approximately one year.
Around 1991 participated in the assault of an unspecified towing company employee with ties to the Bonanno Family: "[Frank Papagni and George Conte] said there was this guy that was around [Lucchese Soldier Angelo Defendis], the guys from the Bonanno Family [broke] his arms and legs. So in return, to retaliate, they told me we should go back to the same place and bust a couple of their guys up...I went and got a steel pipe, along with all the other guys. Walked into the place. Cracked one guy's skull. He fell to the floor. I broke his arms and legs. Walked over to the other guy, cracked him in the head, let him fall to the floor, broke his arms and legs."
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| R. Guiga Gang Land News |
Around Summer 1991 Bonanno Associate Richard Guiga target of Lucchese Family murder plot. Co-conspirators included Lucchese Captain Alfonso 'Little Al' D'Arco, Captain (?) George Zappola, Soldiers George Conte and Frank Papagni and Associates Eugene 'Boobsie' Castelle and Frank Gioia Jr: "Rich Guiga was going out with a girl named Cindy Speer from Bensonhurst...When Guiga went away [to NYS prison], [Zappola] started going out with Cindy. Rich Guiga got out of jail started knocking on Cindy's door. Zappola said grab the kid, tell him to stay away. Guiga didn't listen. [Zappola] said we have to kill the kid, he's disrespecting my girl. We set out, us and an Associate in the Family, set out to kill him...[Plan ultimately unsuccessful because] he had a lot of friends out there tipping him off, guys we thought we could trust, Sally Palmeri, Sally was going back, tipping him off, watch your back, all these guys are looking to kill you, Gioia, Conte, Bones. Basically 2, 3 times people gave us up, we were trying to kill him." (Sally Palmeri is possibly referring to Lucchese Associate Salvatore Palmieri [1955-]. Guiga served time from approximately August 4, 1986 to January 2, 1991. In 1997 he was stabbed to death by Bonanno Associates Nicholas 'P.J.' Pisciotti and Michael DiMaria in an unsanctioned killing.)
Induction
On October 1, 1991 Gioia Jr. was contacted by Lucchese Soldier Frank Papagni: "The night before I was to be straightened out, [Papagni] beeped me on my pager, I met him by his house in Bensonhurst, he says George Neck [Zappola] wants me to relay a message for you, official captain of his crew, if you want to become a made guy with us...I told him I will accept. He said be at the house tomorrow at 1:00."
The following day Gioia Jr. met Papagni in Bensonhurst:
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[We] went around the corner, met George Conte, went back to Bones house, waited until everybody got ready to go...[It was] myself, Bones, and Conte, then at one point Richie, the Toup, Pagliarulo came up to visit...We are talking about [the] witnesses that came into cooperate, and at that time Al D'Arco was missing, we didn't know where he was, we assumed he already went with the government, we looked downtown, there was cars, no sign of his family, whole house was dark.
...Basically we just had an acting boss who we knew went in and flipped; [Former Captain] Fat Peter Chiodo had cooperated with the government. Richie Pagliarulo says how do we stop all these rats. He said Pete Chiodo, I think he is in the Army base out in Bay Ridge. We should get someone from the Family terminally ill, wrap a bomb around him, run in, give Fat Pete a hug.
...[Afterwards] I drove in the car with Frank Bones Papagni and Little George Conte [out] to Howard Beach, Queens...Walked up to the house, Frank Lastorino is the one who answered the door. I was told to go upstairs, wait in the room with four other guys that were waiting.
...Basically we just had an acting boss who we knew went in and flipped; [Former Captain] Fat Peter Chiodo had cooperated with the government. Richie Pagliarulo says how do we stop all these rats. He said Pete Chiodo, I think he is in the Army base out in Bay Ridge. We should get someone from the Family terminally ill, wrap a bomb around him, run in, give Fat Pete a hug.
...[Afterwards] I drove in the car with Frank Bones Papagni and Little George Conte [out] to Howard Beach, Queens...Walked up to the house, Frank Lastorino is the one who answered the door. I was told to go upstairs, wait in the room with four other guys that were waiting.
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Those present to be inducted were Gioia Jr. (24y), Jody Calabrese (29y), Gregory 'Whitey' Cappello (33y), Thomas 'Fat Tommy' D'Ambrosia (47y) and Joseph 'Torty Jr.' Tortorello (32y).
Those present to be inducted were Gioia Jr. (24y), Jody Calabrese (29y), Gregory 'Whitey' Cappello (33y), Thomas 'Fat Tommy' D'Ambrosia (47y) and Joseph 'Torty Jr.' Tortorello (32y).
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| S. Avellino Gang Land News |
Gioia Jr.:
"
"
I was the last one to be called down, walked down to, there was like ten guys sitting on a couch, poker table, at the head of the table was Sal Avellino, Captain in the Family. Anthony Baratta, we used to call him Bowat, Sal Avellino and Big Frank [Lastorino]. Seated also was George Conte, who was due to be my Acting Captain, was Acting for George Neck Zappola, official capo regime who couldn't be there, was on the lam, he was wanted by the FBI.
...I was told to sit next to George Conte, took a seat, says give me your finger, pricked my finger with a little pin, put on a tissue paper, crumpled it up, put it in my hand. Before he lit it, Sal Avellino was the voice of the Lucchese Family, he says repeat after me, he says, I, Frank Gioia Jr., if I ever betray my brothers in this room, may I burn like this piece of paper in my hand. I repeated, dropped the piece of paper in the ashtray, everybody started congratulating me, took me to the other room, introduce me to the other made guys.
...After that, they basically explained how the Family is structured, they had a panel, that panel was going to consist of Al D'Arco, Sal Avellino, Anthony Baratta, Frank Lastorino. Being Little Al went to the FBI, there were three left. They act as one. I am now a member of Vic Amuso's crime family. I have any beefs, I go to them. Go to your captain, don't lie to your captain. It involves everything, gambling, shylocking, bookmaking, unions, if you have a beef with another Family, relationship with the Bonannos, Genoveses, Gambinos, we will take care of it politically if we can. You can't deal drugs; you can shake down drug dealers.
...[The Underboss was] Anthony Casso; used to call him Gaspipe...Same day, George Conte was promoted to acting capo regime from Soldier [and] Richie Pagliarulo was elevated to official capo regime. That day they broke Little Al D'Arco as acting boss down to the panel, Al was missing, the other three guys acting as a panel. (Alfonso D'Arco stated he was taken down as Acting Boss by Vic Amuso in July 1991. Pagliarulo took over Peter Chiodo's crew.)
...I was told to sit next to George Conte, took a seat, says give me your finger, pricked my finger with a little pin, put on a tissue paper, crumpled it up, put it in my hand. Before he lit it, Sal Avellino was the voice of the Lucchese Family, he says repeat after me, he says, I, Frank Gioia Jr., if I ever betray my brothers in this room, may I burn like this piece of paper in my hand. I repeated, dropped the piece of paper in the ashtray, everybody started congratulating me, took me to the other room, introduce me to the other made guys.
...After that, they basically explained how the Family is structured, they had a panel, that panel was going to consist of Al D'Arco, Sal Avellino, Anthony Baratta, Frank Lastorino. Being Little Al went to the FBI, there were three left. They act as one. I am now a member of Vic Amuso's crime family. I have any beefs, I go to them. Go to your captain, don't lie to your captain. It involves everything, gambling, shylocking, bookmaking, unions, if you have a beef with another Family, relationship with the Bonannos, Genoveses, Gambinos, we will take care of it politically if we can. You can't deal drugs; you can shake down drug dealers.
...[The Underboss was] Anthony Casso; used to call him Gaspipe...Same day, George Conte was promoted to acting capo regime from Soldier [and] Richie Pagliarulo was elevated to official capo regime. That day they broke Little Al D'Arco as acting boss down to the panel, Al was missing, the other three guys acting as a panel. (Alfonso D'Arco stated he was taken down as Acting Boss by Vic Amuso in July 1991. Pagliarulo took over Peter Chiodo's crew.)
"
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| C. Furnari (1985) |
Re the Family's Consigliere: "For a time we didn't run with Consigliere because Christie Tick was Consigliere, and we showed him respect not to fill the spot. Eventually we did have a Consigliere." (In January 1987 'Christie Tick' Furnari was sentenced to one-hundred years in the Commission case.)
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| G. Zappola (L) and G. Conte Gang Land News |
Gioia Jr. was assigned to the Zappola - Conte crew which numbered '8 to 10 made guys'.
As of October 1991 made members of the Zappola crew included George Conte (Acting Captain), Frank Gioia Jr. and Frank Papagni.
As of October 1991 made members of the Zappola crew included George Conte (Acting Captain), Frank Gioia Jr. and Frank Papagni.
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| L. Daidone Gang Land News |
Shortly after Gioia Jr.'s induction a Family dinner was held with Acting Captain George Conte and Anthony 'Tony Blue Eyes' Santorelli, 'another acting captain from the Bronx'. Others present included Lucchese Acting Captain Louis Daidone, Lucchese Soldier Patrick Dello Russo and one of the Argentina brothers. Topics of discussion included the imminent fallout from Alfonso D'Arco's cooperation: "[Daidone] said, Frank, my days are numbered, our crews are going to get hurt the worst, his crew [meaning] the Canarsie crew, when Al D'Arco, before he became Acting Boss was official Captain of that crew, these guys had a lot of day-to-day stuff with Al D'Arco, Louie felt because he was so close to him, and his crew was so close, he was going to hurt them first."
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| J. Baudanza Gang Land News |
That Fall Colombo Associate John Baudanza subject of murder plot due to his past abusive behavior towards an ex-girlfriend who was then dating Gioia Jr: "[Baudanza] used to sell Christmas trees by a stand, Mill Basin, somewhere in Brooklyn. I set up on him. He wasn't there that night. Went back another night. Bones [Papagni] knew. Told Neck [Zappola] what I was trying to do, and they sat me down, said not to do it because the uncle is a made guy with the Family, his father was...I decided not to listen, went back anyway to kill him [and the] Colombo war broke out [so plot aborted]." (The uncle was Joseph Baudanza [1944-], a Colombo Soldier and later Captain. John Baudanza was later transferred to the Lucchese Family and inducted under Joseph DeFede's leadership in the mid-1990s.)
In December 1991 Lucchese Captain Richard Pagliarulo hosted a Christmas party at a 'topless place' in New York. Attendees included Pagliarulo, Acting Captain George Conte, Acting Captain Louis Daidone, Soldiers Ray Argentina, Frank Gioia Jr. and Frank Papagni and Associate Michael Spinelli.
The topics of discussion again included D'Arco's cooperation: "[There] was a point when there was a threat on Al D'Arco's life where we didn't know where the hit was coming from. We would drive Al to certain restaurants, places where he had to do something...We were all talking how we used to protect the guy, Lou [Daidone] turned around, says had we known the guy was going to go into the government and rat, we would have pointed the guns at him."
In December 1991 Lucchese Captain Richard Pagliarulo hosted a Christmas party at a 'topless place' in New York. Attendees included Pagliarulo, Acting Captain George Conte, Acting Captain Louis Daidone, Soldiers Ray Argentina, Frank Gioia Jr. and Frank Papagni and Associate Michael Spinelli.
The topics of discussion again included D'Arco's cooperation: "[There] was a point when there was a threat on Al D'Arco's life where we didn't know where the hit was coming from. We would drive Al to certain restaurants, places where he had to do something...We were all talking how we used to protect the guy, Lou [Daidone] turned around, says had we known the guy was going to go into the government and rat, we would have pointed the guns at him."
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| M. DiLeonardo (L) and F. Fappiano (R) Gang Land News |
Around 1992 Gambino Soldier Frank Fappiano borrowed $30,000 from Lucchese Acting Captain George Conte. Fappiano falsely claimed he was borrowing the money on behalf of his brother-in-law, Gambino Acting Captain Michael DiLeonardo. After Gioia Jr. defected DiLeonardo confronted Fappiano over using his name. (DiLeonardo and Fappiano both became cooperators themselves in the early 2000s.)
In the early morning hours of February 9, 1992 Gambino Associate Frank 'Frankie the Blond' Mariconda (31y), a member of Captain George DeCicco's crew, was found shot to death at 16th Ave and 79th St in Bensonhurst. The murder was solicited by Lucchese Soldier Frank Papagni and authorized by Underboss Anthony Casso. Co-conspirators included Gioia Jr. and fugitive Captain George Zappola:
In the early morning hours of February 9, 1992 Gambino Associate Frank 'Frankie the Blond' Mariconda (31y), a member of Captain George DeCicco's crew, was found shot to death at 16th Ave and 79th St in Bensonhurst. The murder was solicited by Lucchese Soldier Frank Papagni and authorized by Underboss Anthony Casso. Co-conspirators included Gioia Jr. and fugitive Captain George Zappola:
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Frank Bones Papagni had a girl named Louise. She was out in the club one night, Pastels. Frankie the Blond [made] a pass at her. She told Bones. Bones came to my girlfriend's house and said, you know Frankie the Blond made a pass at my girl, disrespectfully, I want to kill him. I said I wouldn't help unless we got permission from the captain George Neck...Vic [Amuso] was in jail, Gaspipe on the lam. George Neck asked Gaspipe for permission, Gaspipe okayed it. [Zappola] told Bones take Gioia with you and leave the kid in the street.
We started surveillance on him with guns and silencers that I have, followed him around 2 weeks. Finally one night we caught him up in a bar where he was drinking, went in the bar, started talking with him, drinking with him. He walked to his car, we follow him. He stopped at a light on 18th Avenue. Basically we told him, you know any place to go. He said after-hours about five blocks down, told him we will follow you. We follow him to the after-hours place.
...The plan was for one of us to talk to him and divert his attention while the other one would shoot him. I volunteered to shoot him. Bones said let me shoot him, my beef, his problem. I agreed to do it, got out of the car, started talking to Frankie the Blond and just trying to keep him busy. Bones [got] out of the car, pulls a shot at him with a silencer, hit him in the stomach. Frank figured out what was going on, started running toward the middle of the street. I ran after him started kicking, punching him for Bones to catch up.
Bones was yelling my gun is jammed. I am trying to hold him. He fired another shot, missed him, hit him. The next shot was in his face. Frankie was dizzy, starting to fall, finally fell face forward. Bones started to walk away. I pulled Bones back, said hit him again, make sure he is dead. He hit him again, heard the last gasp. That's when we knew he was done. We got in the car and left...Got the silencer, threw it down a sewer 2 blocks away, went back to my girl's house, got undressed, put the clothes in the back to go back to burn them.
...Truth is, I went to Nathan's had a hotdog [then] we went back to make sure the coroner was there [and] confirmed him dead.
We started surveillance on him with guns and silencers that I have, followed him around 2 weeks. Finally one night we caught him up in a bar where he was drinking, went in the bar, started talking with him, drinking with him. He walked to his car, we follow him. He stopped at a light on 18th Avenue. Basically we told him, you know any place to go. He said after-hours about five blocks down, told him we will follow you. We follow him to the after-hours place.
...The plan was for one of us to talk to him and divert his attention while the other one would shoot him. I volunteered to shoot him. Bones said let me shoot him, my beef, his problem. I agreed to do it, got out of the car, started talking to Frankie the Blond and just trying to keep him busy. Bones [got] out of the car, pulls a shot at him with a silencer, hit him in the stomach. Frank figured out what was going on, started running toward the middle of the street. I ran after him started kicking, punching him for Bones to catch up.
Bones was yelling my gun is jammed. I am trying to hold him. He fired another shot, missed him, hit him. The next shot was in his face. Frankie was dizzy, starting to fall, finally fell face forward. Bones started to walk away. I pulled Bones back, said hit him again, make sure he is dead. He hit him again, heard the last gasp. That's when we knew he was done. We got in the car and left...Got the silencer, threw it down a sewer 2 blocks away, went back to my girl's house, got undressed, put the clothes in the back to go back to burn them.
...Truth is, I went to Nathan's had a hotdog [then] we went back to make sure the coroner was there [and] confirmed him dead.
"
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| J. Tangorra New York Daily News |
On March 14, 1992 Genovese Associate Henry Motta wounded in shooting outside his Brooklyn residence. Gioia Jr. testified: "About a year, year and a half [after previous plot], [Motta] did pay Swaggy [Carlucci]. Now Swaggy wanted to kill him. I sent Joe Tangorra, Joey Flowers, same guy, to kill him and Lester Ellis...What happened, the hit went down, they went to his door, they shot him, he bolts down the steps, Ellis on top of the staircase, continues to [fire]." Motta shot twice in back and taken to hospital in serious condition. Tangorra, wounded during incident, apprehended following arrival at hospital approximately half hour later. Gioia Jr.: "[So Motta] is in the hospital. Swaggy is worried about him flipping. He had a cousin on Monroe Street, around the courthouse, cousin named Beansy, they knew he had a cousin, they knew, I knew him myself, and Bones and Pagliarulo went down to relay the message, keep your mouth shut, we won't go any further." (Beansy may be referring to John 'Beansy' Campanella Jr. [1942-2010], son of Genovese Soldier John Campanella [1915-1996] and brother of Bonanno Soldier Joseph 'Joe Beans' Campanella [1938-2007].)
In June 1992 Gioia Jr. and Frank Papagni were arrested in Brooklyn on CPW charges: "One day we really had [Bonanno Associate Richard Guiga] set up [and] I prepared to have guns and silencers for the hit. Bones and Boopsie, Eugene Castelle, was supposed to get the hit car the night before. They stole the car, had it hidden. I was going to meet them in Bensonhurst to load up, get the hit car to go. When Bones, I don't know where the car is, I am driving, I got a gun in the car, I am driving Bones, and agents were already there. They were there on the hit car following from the night before. I didn't know that at the time. There were agents all over the car, pulled us over, arrested us." Case against Gioia Jr. dismissed. Papagni pleaded guilty and served three to four months.
On July 23, 1992 Richard Taglianetti (32y) shot to death outside his apartment building in New Springville, Staten Island. Murder authorized by Underboss Anthony Casso. Co-conspirators included Zappola, Acting Captain George Conte, Soldier James 'Froggy' Galione, Soldier 'Fat Frankie' Giacobbe, Soldier Frank Gioia Jr., Soldier Frank Papagni and Associate Mario Gallo. Gioia Jr. later testified:
"
In June 1992 Gioia Jr. and Frank Papagni were arrested in Brooklyn on CPW charges: "One day we really had [Bonanno Associate Richard Guiga] set up [and] I prepared to have guns and silencers for the hit. Bones and Boopsie, Eugene Castelle, was supposed to get the hit car the night before. They stole the car, had it hidden. I was going to meet them in Bensonhurst to load up, get the hit car to go. When Bones, I don't know where the car is, I am driving, I got a gun in the car, I am driving Bones, and agents were already there. They were there on the hit car following from the night before. I didn't know that at the time. There were agents all over the car, pulled us over, arrested us." Case against Gioia Jr. dismissed. Papagni pleaded guilty and served three to four months.
On July 23, 1992 Richard Taglianetti (32y) shot to death outside his apartment building in New Springville, Staten Island. Murder authorized by Underboss Anthony Casso. Co-conspirators included Zappola, Acting Captain George Conte, Soldier James 'Froggy' Galione, Soldier 'Fat Frankie' Giacobbe, Soldier Frank Gioia Jr., Soldier Frank Papagni and Associate Mario Gallo. Gioia Jr. later testified:
"
Richie Taglianetti, he was going out with George Neck's wife's sister. George Neck's wife was by the house one day. Rich Taglianetti, he abused himself with drugs. [Came] out, he smacked her around. After we learned he smacked George Neck's wife, we decided to kill him. Prior to that, he was responsible for killing Angelo Defendis' son, made guy in the Lucchese Family years ago. That was a beef, fight between them. Taglianetti shot and killed him. There was no revenge ever taken for it. So coupled with George Neck's wife and Angelo Defendis' son, we decided he needed to go...[Zappola] called us out, basically sat me, Conte and Bones down, said this kid made it to the top of the priority hit list. Split up in two crews, do 24-7, 24-7, don't come home until you get him. We split up, me, Bones, couple of other guys, Conte split up his guys. We did 24-hour surveillance outside his house with guns. We put in our 12-hour shift; as we are pulling away, the next shift came in. We wound up catching him a couple of hours later; he was machine-gunned.
...Gaspipe [Casso] thought it would be a good idea if we went to his wake to basically make a mockery out of his death, so we all got [dressed] up, wore flowers, walked into his wake...We visited his relatives at one time. He had a cousin that we heard was peeping around, trying to locate Taglianetti before we killed him. We went to his house to send his family a message to tell them if they had a problem, they had a problem with the whole Family, knocked on their door, went there with about ten guys. (The cousin may be referring to Bonanno Soldier Joseph 'Joe Curly' Taglianetti [1933-2016].)
...Gaspipe [Casso] thought it would be a good idea if we went to his wake to basically make a mockery out of his death, so we all got [dressed] up, wore flowers, walked into his wake...We visited his relatives at one time. He had a cousin that we heard was peeping around, trying to locate Taglianetti before we killed him. We went to his house to send his family a message to tell them if they had a problem, they had a problem with the whole Family, knocked on their door, went there with about ten guys. (The cousin may be referring to Bonanno Soldier Joseph 'Joe Curly' Taglianetti [1933-2016].)
"
Around Summer 1992 involved in murder plot against Colombo Associate John Dunn: "Frank Bones [Papagni] had a hot spot, marijuana spot on Bay 23 for a long time. John Dunn with a couple of new up-coming kids decided they wanted to take over that spot. Bones and [George] Conte figured it would be a good idea to send a message...We heard [Dunn's] uncle was a made guy with the Colombo Family, they squashed it, settled the whole beef with us, said I will make the kids go away. Eventually he did go away, never seen him again, figured that was enough."
Around Summer 1992 involved in murder plot against Colombo Associate John Dunn: "Frank Bones [Papagni] had a hot spot, marijuana spot on Bay 23 for a long time. John Dunn with a couple of new up-coming kids decided they wanted to take over that spot. Bones and [George] Conte figured it would be a good idea to send a message...We heard [Dunn's] uncle was a made guy with the Colombo Family, they squashed it, settled the whole beef with us, said I will make the kids go away. Eventually he did go away, never seen him again, figured that was enough."
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| J. Calco (L) and T. Reynolds (R) Gang Land News |
On October 18, 1992 Vincent DePippo (42y) and Neil Nastro (21y) were shot to death inside Nastro's auto at Cropsey Ave and Bay 8th St in Bath Beach, Brooklyn. Nastro shot once in back of head and DePippo once through left cheek. Murder unsanctioned and carried out by Bonanno Associates Joseph Calco and Thomas 'T.K.' Reynolds. Gioia Jr. later testified: "[Calco and Reynolds] started out with us, Lucchese Family associates, then wound up being Bonanno Family associates...These two kids were involved with shooting a few people from the neighborhood, they had to go on the lam, couple of wiseguys looking to help. They came in one night, killed [DePippo and Nastro] in the car one night. [Victims] were paying me, not directly, indirectly giving $500 a week to use my name for protection to deal coke in the neighborhood...To show I felt disrespected, the kids going around with my name, I set out to kill [Calco and Reynolds]. George Conte was in touch with them by pay phone. I was asking Conte for help to get them in, set them up, Bones [Papagni] also, but [they] didn't want to help."
By 1993 made members of George Zappola's crew included George Conte (Acting Captain), Michael DeSantis, James Galione, Frank Gioia Jr. and Frank Papagni. (This information came from a summary of Former Lucchese Associate Thomas Carew's testimony posted on The Black Hand Forum.)
By 1993 partners with Valentin Becerril (25y) in heroin operation. Gioia Jr. earned approximately one million dollars through his involvement: "I reinvested about 300, 400 grand, tried to make a $2 million deal, it didn't go down, lost that money. After partying, champagne, going out, eating, having a good time, getting arrested, got indicted on a state case, on a federal case, hired a few lawyers. After I got done with my legal fees, everything else, basically lucky if I had enough for commissary."
Around early January 1993 Gioia and Lucchese Soldier Frank Papagni involved in shooting at Stringfellows in Manhattan: "[Papagni]'s girl got up to go to the bathroom and there was a crew of guys, and made a pass at her, and when she came back, you know, we walked over to the guys and said, you know, They're with us, what are you doing? And they started arguing with us...I called up one of my Chinese friends who was head of one of the Chinese gangs down here in Chinatown. Called him up for a gun; gave me a .357 magnum. I walked backed into the place, walked over to the table. Basically gave the guy an option: You want a punch in your face or do you want a bullet in your head? He says, Go ahead, put the bullet. I pulled the gun out, shot at him [but missed because] the girl pushed my hand away...After that, they all had guns on them. We found out later it was a Colombian cartel. They went to the back of the VIP lounge, threw the tables over, started throwing shots back [so] I threw whatever shots I had, we ran out of the place, got in the cars and left...[After] that incident, they wouldn't let us back in the place...We took it as an embarrassment. And I drove away and then I went back [and] sprayed the place with a machine gun." Following shooting Gioia Jr. attempted to shakedown the owner for $500 a week. (In subsequent questioning Gioia Jr. stated it was his own girlfriend, not Papagni's, that was disrespected.)
In or around early 1993 sought to have cooperator Clifford Williams murdered. Offered $5,000 to $10,000 to an associate but no further action taken.
By 1993 made members of George Zappola's crew included George Conte (Acting Captain), Michael DeSantis, James Galione, Frank Gioia Jr. and Frank Papagni. (This information came from a summary of Former Lucchese Associate Thomas Carew's testimony posted on The Black Hand Forum.)
By 1993 partners with Valentin Becerril (25y) in heroin operation. Gioia Jr. earned approximately one million dollars through his involvement: "I reinvested about 300, 400 grand, tried to make a $2 million deal, it didn't go down, lost that money. After partying, champagne, going out, eating, having a good time, getting arrested, got indicted on a state case, on a federal case, hired a few lawyers. After I got done with my legal fees, everything else, basically lucky if I had enough for commissary."
Around early January 1993 Gioia and Lucchese Soldier Frank Papagni involved in shooting at Stringfellows in Manhattan: "[Papagni]'s girl got up to go to the bathroom and there was a crew of guys, and made a pass at her, and when she came back, you know, we walked over to the guys and said, you know, They're with us, what are you doing? And they started arguing with us...I called up one of my Chinese friends who was head of one of the Chinese gangs down here in Chinatown. Called him up for a gun; gave me a .357 magnum. I walked backed into the place, walked over to the table. Basically gave the guy an option: You want a punch in your face or do you want a bullet in your head? He says, Go ahead, put the bullet. I pulled the gun out, shot at him [but missed because] the girl pushed my hand away...After that, they all had guns on them. We found out later it was a Colombian cartel. They went to the back of the VIP lounge, threw the tables over, started throwing shots back [so] I threw whatever shots I had, we ran out of the place, got in the cars and left...[After] that incident, they wouldn't let us back in the place...We took it as an embarrassment. And I drove away and then I went back [and] sprayed the place with a machine gun." Following shooting Gioia Jr. attempted to shakedown the owner for $500 a week. (In subsequent questioning Gioia Jr. stated it was his own girlfriend, not Papagni's, that was disrespected.)
In or around early 1993 sought to have cooperator Clifford Williams murdered. Offered $5,000 to $10,000 to an associate but no further action taken.
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| J. DeFede |
On March 17, 1993 the NYPD raided a horse betting parlor recently purchased by Lucchese Soldier Joseph DeFede. Following raid DeFede and two others met with previous owners and attempted to get money back, as it was felt the parlor was under police surveillance at the time of sale. During the confrontation Louie (Charlie?) 'The Albanian' LNU pulled pistol on DeFede. The argument immediately ended and DeFede went to his crew leader Nicola 'Nicky Edkins' DiCostanzo for permission to murder the Albanian. DeFede and two Unsubs were assigned by DiCostanzo to search Astoria but the victim was unable to be located.
Soon after, the Albanian was summoned to meet with DeFede at a Brooklyn social club owned by Lucchese Soldier Angelo Defendis. Others present included Acting Captain George Conte and Soldier Frank Gioia Jr. Gioia Jr. later testified: "[DeFede said] I'm going to call the guy in. The guy wants to apologize. If I take his apology sincerely, we'll call it off. If not, he said, we'll kill him. So we set it up that day in Angelique's club [and we were] behind the bar drinking coffee, waiting with guns and silencers. Joe DeFede was facing us while Charlie was apologizing to him...Joe accepted the apology and basically gave us the nod that, you know, he didn't want to go through with it."
Around mid-1993 involved in plot to murder unspecified painters union official: "George Neck [Zappola] said that there is a guy that has to go up in the Bronx, and told me to meet him. One day while I was on the lam, went to the Bronx, Westchester area, went to the building, took the guy's plate, description of the car, and left, said we would come back another time [but] from what I understand, [Zappola] said it was passed off because he figured if we got guys in the Bronx and Westchester, they are the ones should do the work up there."
Around mid-1993 Gioia Jr. and Associate Frank Smith plotted the murder of construction worker Joe Izzo: "At that time I was dating Kim Smith [and her] father used to work on the same construction site with Joe Izzo...One day cops came to the door told her her father was found dead at the construction site. They believe he fell through one of the elevator shafts they were working on. Myself and Frank Smith, her brother, believed different; we believed [he] was killed [so we tried] to find out who the guy was, where he lived, who he is related to, if he was with anybody, find out what was going on, reason why, trying to find out where the guy was to kill him." Plot abandoned after Gioia Jr. indicted in September. (In the early years of his cooperation Gioia Jr. withheld information on Smith's activities. Smith himself flipped around 2001.)
Soon after, the Albanian was summoned to meet with DeFede at a Brooklyn social club owned by Lucchese Soldier Angelo Defendis. Others present included Acting Captain George Conte and Soldier Frank Gioia Jr. Gioia Jr. later testified: "[DeFede said] I'm going to call the guy in. The guy wants to apologize. If I take his apology sincerely, we'll call it off. If not, he said, we'll kill him. So we set it up that day in Angelique's club [and we were] behind the bar drinking coffee, waiting with guns and silencers. Joe DeFede was facing us while Charlie was apologizing to him...Joe accepted the apology and basically gave us the nod that, you know, he didn't want to go through with it."
Around mid-1993 involved in plot to murder unspecified painters union official: "George Neck [Zappola] said that there is a guy that has to go up in the Bronx, and told me to meet him. One day while I was on the lam, went to the Bronx, Westchester area, went to the building, took the guy's plate, description of the car, and left, said we would come back another time [but] from what I understand, [Zappola] said it was passed off because he figured if we got guys in the Bronx and Westchester, they are the ones should do the work up there."
Around mid-1993 Gioia Jr. and Associate Frank Smith plotted the murder of construction worker Joe Izzo: "At that time I was dating Kim Smith [and her] father used to work on the same construction site with Joe Izzo...One day cops came to the door told her her father was found dead at the construction site. They believe he fell through one of the elevator shafts they were working on. Myself and Frank Smith, her brother, believed different; we believed [he] was killed [so we tried] to find out who the guy was, where he lived, who he is related to, if he was with anybody, find out what was going on, reason why, trying to find out where the guy was to kill him." Plot abandoned after Gioia Jr. indicted in September. (In the early years of his cooperation Gioia Jr. withheld information on Smith's activities. Smith himself flipped around 2001.)
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| A. Casso (1993) |
Around mid-1993 the Lucchese Family formulated a plot to break Underboss Anthony Casso out of Federal prison. Co-conspirators included Captain George Zappola, Acting Captain George Conte, Soldiers Jody Calabrese, Gregory Cappello, Joseph DeFede, James Galione, Frank Gioia Jr., Frank Papagni and Associates Frank 'Skippy' DiPietro and Mario Gallo. Gioia Jr. testified:
"
Basically Gas wanted us to -- while he was being transported from prison to court, we were supposed to go and hit the vehicle he was in. He had a handcuff key around his neck, and we were supposed to take him into the car and [escape].
...[Zappola] told me to go pick [guns] up and bring them to him...I remember the Neck, that's what we used to refer to [Zappola] as, telling me to get him bulletproof vests, to go do the job. I told him, why are we going to wear a vest. He said so we don't get shot. I said it's a suicide mission, you are probably better off dead if [you're] going to attempt to do this...If my Captain gave me an order to do something at that time I would have done it. Did I, Frank Gioia, have an idea to break in to get Gaspipe out of jail, no. Did I, Frank Gioia, think about doing any harm to any marshals or government people, no. Did my boss, yes. Did my Family, yes. Did my Captain, yes. If I was told to do something back on the street back then, I would have done it. Did I want to do it internally, not inside, no, no, it was suicide.
...It was called off [after] other Families got wind of it.
Basically told Joe D, you know -- because there was 10 of us -- and said
not to do it; it would cause too much heat. And thought it was just
absolutely crazy, which it was...We were all called in and basically
told [if] we even talk about it or even attempt or even think about it [basically] we would all be killed. So it was just called off.
"
Some time prior to September 1993 Gioia Jr. attempted to kill his drug partner Valentin Becerril: "He owed me about 300 grand, there was no sign of him paying it back, and I was mad, wanted to kill him...One night I had it set up, I was going to kill him, he was driving in the car, told him [pull] over, well, he never did pull over, caught the move, got out of the car, started running in the streets of Brooklyn...I started throwing shots at him with the gun I had on me, started to run after him, throwing shots, went to the car, started chasing him, nowhere to be found."
Around September 1993 committed arson on beauty salon: "My sister had a beauty salon, and there's another beauty salon opened up about three blocks away that was causing competition. I decided to set it on fire...I waited one night until it was closed, threw a [Molotov cocktail] through the window, watched it burn, went to the corner, called the fire department...[I] was right across the street watching. And thereafter they closed up the business and there was no more competition."
Around September 1993 committed arson on beauty salon: "My sister had a beauty salon, and there's another beauty salon opened up about three blocks away that was causing competition. I decided to set it on fire...I waited one night until it was closed, threw a [Molotov cocktail] through the window, watched it burn, went to the corner, called the fire department...[I] was right across the street watching. And thereafter they closed up the business and there was no more competition."
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| V. Amuso Gang Land News |
Around September 1993 Lucchese Family Captains called in for questioning to ensure loyalty to the imprisoned Boss. Those involved in questioning included Captain Robert Amuso, Soldier Joseph DeFede, Soldier Frank Gioia Jr. and Associate Oscar Ansourian. Gioia Jr. later testified:
"
The original structure with Vic and Gas, the Boss and Underboss, both of them had to go on the lam...Vic gets arrested, Gaspipe's on the street. Eventually, Gaspipe gets arrested. Then there's all kinds of things on tapes and stuff that there might be a demise in the Family. So Vic went to the other Families for help, and basically he broke everybody down and put Joe D [DeFede] as Acting Boss of the Family.
...To protect Joe D, we knew there was Big Frank [Lastorino] and Anthony Gaspipe on the tapes. There were a couple of other people involved in the tapes, but we couldn't pin exactly who they were. So as we're trying to figure it out, it's Vic's brother [Robert], Oscar Ansourian and Joe D and myself. [We're] meeting them trying to figure out who are the guys trying to plot...Vic said, Call in all the captains. I want you to ask them all a question: Am I still your Boss? And I call the captains. A lot of captains showed; two didn't show: George Conte and George Zappola. [Zappola] used the excuse he was on the lam. Conte was paranoid. And we figured out who the guys were, and then we were plotting to have them killed...I was arrested right after [the initial plotting]. Bones [Frank Papagni] was relaying messages to me, telling me that basically all the captains came in. [Zappola and Conte] was shelved [and] they were worried for their lives. And everything came out [about the plot].
"
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| O. Ansourian Press |
Lucchese Associate Oscar Ansourian made a suggestion during one of the meetings: "[Oscar] was a longtime friend of Vic Amuso -- wasn't a made guy because he was Lebanese or Syrian, whichever the case was -- and he says, Hey, look, let's get them all together in a club. He says, I got a rocket launcher. We'll just drive by and rocket-launch the place. We can get them all at once...I didn't believe that he had a rocket launcher on him. And when I walked away, I says, How can he -- he's talking about missiles and rocket launchers and stuff like that. Meanwhile, about a year and a half, two years later, I'm in the can, and ultimately he got arrested for it, you know, rocket launchers, all the stuff he was talking about using, he got arrested for. So obviously, he was serious about it."
On September 23, 1993 Gioia Jr., Valentin Becerril and twenty-five others were indicted by the US Attorney's Office in Boston on heroin trafficking charges. Gioia Jr. was ordered held without bail and immediately remanded to Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, New York.
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| R. Pagliarulo Gang Land News |
On January 21, 1994 he was transferred to FCI Otisville, New York. Others incarcerated at facility included Former (?) Lucchese Captain Richard Pagliarulo: "[We talked] Quite a bit...It was on the tier, in units you have tiers, I was on the top level where we had our cells, leaning over the tier, he started talking about all this stuff in the Family, really talking out of bitterness...Richie was going on about the past, how we got all guys walking into the government cooperating, one was Fat Pete Chiodo, Al D'Arco, and the reason why he was in jail was because of Fat Pete, Al D'Arco. He is talking about how he had regrets killing people, stuff like that...One regret he had he says, Frank, we get word this guy's a rat, we got to do the work...[It] was Gaspipe [Casso]'s paranoia, here I am standing to do life, all these other people are going to get hurt." (Pagliarulo was convicted that July of Federal racketeering charges and sentenced to life imprisonment. He died behind bars in 1999.)
By July 1994 incarcerated at MCC Brooklyn.
By July 1994 incarcerated at MCC Brooklyn.
Around mid-July 1994 the recently demoted Anthony Casso was target of an aborted murder plot. Co-conspirators included Acting Boss Joseph DeFede and Soldiers Anthony 'Bowat' Baratta, Frank Gioia Jr. and Frank Papagni. Plot canceled after Vic Amuso refused to give permission. Gioia Jr. later testified: "At the time I bumped into Gas [at MCC and he] was bitter with the Family because they busted him down to a Soldier. There were tapes that came out with him, Big Frank Lastorino, and other members that they were plotting to take over the Family. So they demoted him. He was bitter with the Family about Vic [and Joe DeFede]. He was bitter with [Baratta], Sally Avellino, wanted to kill everybody. He was sending messages about money that he used to get that he don't get anymore." Information related by Gioia to Frank Papagni. Gioia testified: "[Bones] says they were talking about killing Gas in jail. And Bones volunteered to Joe D, he says, look, [Gioia]'s in there. He'll take care of it. And I told Frank, Why did you do that? And he says, Well, we were talking about it; he has to go. And they went up to Vic and asked him if it was okay to do it because it was me and [Baratta were] there on the floor with him. We were talking about if the Family asks us to do it, we'd have had to do it...Joe D went up to see Vic and Vic said he would never put one of his guys in that position, to kill somebody in jail like that because he knew [it'd be] a suicide mission, probably get caught, get locked down somewhere, and you know, get life." (Casso subsequently made a failed attempt to cooperate. Baratta, demoted at the same time as Casso, may have been involved in the plot to regain favor. He remained on the shelf until sometime after his September 2012 release.)
By Fall 1994 returned to FCI Otisville.
Defection
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| V. Salanardi Gang Land News |
Around November 1994 Gioia Jr. was visited at FCI Otisville by Associate Vincent Salanardi:
"
After I got a visit from my cousin, Vin, they called him Egghead, he came up to Otisville, sat down next to me, after 2 months of abusing my family, ripping pay phones out of my mother's restaurants, abusing them in the street like they are nobodies, I told them a few times, why don't they stop it, act like men, leave everything as it is. They kept going doing. They didn't want to stop. Egghead came on a visit, sat down, said, Frank, sit down for this one. I said what it is now, I got an ulcer in my stomach, I am thinking what else could they do. They want to kill your father. Why do they want to kill my old man. Bones [Frank Papagni] going to Joe D [DeFede], everybody else, trying to get permission to kill my parents. I said what do I do Vinny, what do I do. He says pull a Sammy the Bull or pull a Gaspipe [meaning] cooperate with the government...I gave him a kiss, I says, Cuz, I will see you, went to the cell, decided to do it, decided to cooperate, plead guilty after that.
...My main concern was, I thought, figured I had two choices, either sit there, everybody else is flipping, they go in they find out things I did, didn't do. I get indicted, I wind up doing life, my family gets abused in the street, or cooperate with the government, put them all in the program, get them away from these people. Secondly was less time and coverage in case everybody else went in, told them what I did, I didn't, you know...[There] was murders and murder conspiracies that I was involved with that the government didn't know about, other members of the Family did, so, the way everybody was going to the government, cooperation, I am thinking Bones [Papagni] is going to flip, [George] Conte, somebody is going to cut a deal and I am the one that's left standing.
...[When] your Underboss flips and your Acting Boss flips and your Captain flips, you got guys in the street, what are they thinking, they're thinking the same thing. [But the] main reason was for them trying to kill my father. That's what pushed me over the edge to cooperate. (Gioia Jr.'s cousin Vincent Salanardi made a failed attempt at being a witness himself in 2003.)
"
One of Gioia Jr.'s first acts of cooperation was aiding in the capture of fugitive Captain George Zappola, apprehended at the corner of Second Ave and E 12th St in Manhattan's East Village: "[Zappola] was all over the news and basically on the show, America's Most Wanted show a lot; they were looking for him very aggressively...I knew where they were harboring George, and I worked along with the FBI agents and they worked on it and caught him and George Conte...The plan was to use my father's semi-cooperation to help catch the two Georges."
On April 27, 1995 signed formal Cooperation Agreement.
On April 27, 1995 signed formal Cooperation Agreement.
 |
| P. Dello Russo Gang Land News |
On June 2, 1995 debriefed by US Government. Topics of discussion included Lucchese Soldier Patrick Dello Russo: "CW [Gioia] first learned of Patrick Dellorusso in the winter of 1990-1991. CW was with Frank Papagni at Pastels in Brooklyn when Louie Daidone and Dellorusso entered the club. Papagni pointed out Dellorusso and informed CW that Dellorusso had done some work for the Family. He explained further that Dellorusso had murdered Larry Taylor in Taylor's car. Taylor was allegedly planning to avenge the death of Bruno Facciolo. Facciolo had been murdered by the Luccheses on an earlier date. Papagni also informed CW that Dellorusso also handled the airport with Anthony Calagna." (This particular excerpt was read into the record in open court; the remainder of Gioia Jr.'s 302s are unfortunately not available.)
In December 1995 involved in altercation while housed inside the MCC's Cooperating Witness Unit: "The fight originated over a telephone. And I figured before he went to his cell and got a pool stick and cracked me over the head when I wasn't looking, I decided to hit him first [and broke his jaw]."
On February 3, 1997 the New York State Organized Crime Task Force conducted a search at 106-13 101st Ave in Ozone Park, Queens. Property owned by associate of Gambino Captain John Gotti Jr. Seven induction lists were found in the basement: three Lucchese, two Bonanno and one each for the DeCavalcante and Genovese Families.
One of the Lucchese lists, likely from the latter half of 1991, had in its proposed members column Peter Argentina, Jody Calabrese, Gregory Cappello, Thomas D'Ambrosia, Gerry Del Sorbo, Frank Gioia Jr., Enzo Napoli and Joseph Tortorello. Thomas 'Big Tom' DiDonato and seven others were in the deceased column. (Subsequent membership lists do not mention Argentina, Del Sorbo or Napoli.)
In 1998 Gioia Jr. was sentenced by USDC Boston Judge to seven years Federal imprisonment.
He testified in April and September of that year, the latter case being that of Lucchese Soldier Michael Spinelli.
In December 1995 involved in altercation while housed inside the MCC's Cooperating Witness Unit: "The fight originated over a telephone. And I figured before he went to his cell and got a pool stick and cracked me over the head when I wasn't looking, I decided to hit him first [and broke his jaw]."
On February 3, 1997 the New York State Organized Crime Task Force conducted a search at 106-13 101st Ave in Ozone Park, Queens. Property owned by associate of Gambino Captain John Gotti Jr. Seven induction lists were found in the basement: three Lucchese, two Bonanno and one each for the DeCavalcante and Genovese Families.
One of the Lucchese lists, likely from the latter half of 1991, had in its proposed members column Peter Argentina, Jody Calabrese, Gregory Cappello, Thomas D'Ambrosia, Gerry Del Sorbo, Frank Gioia Jr., Enzo Napoli and Joseph Tortorello. Thomas 'Big Tom' DiDonato and seven others were in the deceased column. (Subsequent membership lists do not mention Argentina, Del Sorbo or Napoli.)
In 1998 Gioia Jr. was sentenced by USDC Boston Judge to seven years Federal imprisonment.
He testified in April and September of that year, the latter case being that of Lucchese Soldier Michael Spinelli.
 |
| M. Spinelli Gang Land News |
Spinelli, convicted of racketeering charges that included the attempted murder of CW Peter Chiodo's sister, was given thirty years.
Around September 1999 testified in New York State trial People v. Tony Francese. Defendant convicted and sentenced to approximately twenty-five years.
Sometime that year Gioia Jr.'s Federal sentence was reduced to time served. About a month later he was released into the Witness Protection Program.
On March 6, 2003 debriefed by US Government.
On January 15-16, 2004 he testified for the final time in the SDNY racketeering trial of Lucchese Acting Boss Louis Daidone. Gioia's testimony linked Daidone to the murder of former Lucchese Acting Captain Bruno Facciolo. Other witnesses included Former Lucchese Acting Bosses Alfonso D'Arco and Joseph DeFede. Daidone was convicted and sentence to life imprisonment.
Around September 1999 testified in New York State trial People v. Tony Francese. Defendant convicted and sentenced to approximately twenty-five years.
Sometime that year Gioia Jr.'s Federal sentence was reduced to time served. About a month later he was released into the Witness Protection Program.
On March 6, 2003 debriefed by US Government.
On January 15-16, 2004 he testified for the final time in the SDNY racketeering trial of Lucchese Acting Boss Louis Daidone. Gioia's testimony linked Daidone to the murder of former Lucchese Acting Captain Bruno Facciolo. Other witnesses included Former Lucchese Acting Bosses Alfonso D'Arco and Joseph DeFede. Daidone was convicted and sentence to life imprisonment.