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Andrew Asaro was a Soldier in the Bonanno Family active in Manhattan and Queens.
Several relatives were also members:
- Great-uncle Girolamo Asaro (c.1857-1912) was an early member who died during a fire in Boston
- Uncle Vincenzo Asaro (1892-1970) was a Bonanno Captain
- Cousins Jerome (1913-1977) and Joseph Asaro (1919-1973), Vincenzo's sons, were Bonanno Soldiers
- Nephew Vincent Asaro (1935-2023), Jerome's son, was a Bonanno Captain
- Great-nephew Jerome 'Jerry' Asaro, son to Vincent, has previously been convicted as a Bonanno Captain
- Vito Bonventre (1891-1988) married Captain Vincenzo Asaro's sister Brigid
- Captain Michael Zaffarano (1923-1980) married Vincenzo's daughter Rosalie
Andrew was born April 12, 1927 in Brooklyn to Giuseppe 'Joe' (39y) and Anna Anselmo (31y). Father from Castellammare del Golfo comune of Trapani, Sicily.
By Summer 1948 resided at 76 Speidel Ave in East Paterson (modern day Elmwood Park), New Jersey.
By Summer 1948 resided at 76 Speidel Ave in East Paterson (modern day Elmwood Park), New Jersey.
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| F. Garofalo FBN Mafia Book |
On April 3, 1957 Andrew's father Joe Asaro purchased five cases of olive oil from the Hi-Grade Packing Company in Manhattan. Business operated by Bonanno Underboss Francesco 'Mr. Carroll' Garofalo. The FBI later noted: "[New York State Police check] concerning this company was negative. [NYSP] believe this company was merely a subterfuge."
By 1967 resided in Wayne, New Jersey. Worked as plant manager for Clifton Laminating Company.
By the mid-1970s retired from Clifton Laminating and left New Jersey for West Babylon, Long Island.
When and how Andrew became involved with the Bonanno Family isn't available.
By 1967 resided in Wayne, New Jersey. Worked as plant manager for Clifton Laminating Company.
By the mid-1970s retired from Clifton Laminating and left New Jersey for West Babylon, Long Island.
When and how Andrew became involved with the Bonanno Family isn't available.
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| A. Prisinzano (1970s) |
By 1978 he was employed as a bartender at Bonanno Captain Angelo 'Moe' Prisinzano's Paris Bar in Lower Manhattan.
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| N. DiStefano (1960s) |
He was inducted into the Family around May of that year and assigned to Captain Nicholas 'Nick the Battler' DiStefano.
Made members of DiStefano's crew included Andrew Asaro, Paul Sciacca (Former Boss) and Sereno Tartamella (Former Captain).
Possible crew members included Vincent 'Jimmy' Morsellino.
On May 10, 1978 FBI CI reported: "[A] guy that works at Moe's Bar, Paris Bar & Grill, Fulton Fish Market, New York City, was just made a member of the Bonanno Family of the LCN. This individual was made a member under Nick the Battler."
On November 19, 1978 FBI CI reported: "[Andrew] Asaro, a bartender at the Paris Bar (fish market) is 'made' in the Bonanno Family. Source advised Asaro is in Nicholas DiStefano's crew (is related to DiStefano). Source advised 'that Asaro is not a street wise person but was made because of political connections'."
By 1979 believed resided with wife Concetta Campisi in Huntington, Long Island.
That April the FBI's New York Office reported: "Source information has been developed that Andrew Asaro has recently been 'made' in the New York Bonanno La Cosa Nostra Family. A search of the New York indices indicated Andrew Asaro was one time bartender at the Paris Bar in the Fish Market...Indices also reflect that Asaro is a close associate of newly made Bonanno Soldier [Redacted] (LNU). It is to be noted that Asaro is [related to Vincent Asaro] a Bonanno Soldier currently operating in [Queens]."
In June 1979 included in the FBI's list of 123 identified Bonanno Family members.
In January 1980 included in the FBI's list of 119 identified Bonanno Family members. Report noted Asaro reported to Nicholas DiStefano.
Included in the June 1983 Senate Chart of Bonanno membership. Address listed at 204 West End Ave in Massapequa, Long Island.
By Summer 1984 living with a son in an apartment above Vito's Hair Stylist located at 74-09 101st Ave in Ozone Park, Queens. Worked as a bartender at the Hideaway Lounge on 133rd Ave.
On June 16, 1984 Raymond Raia (37y) was beaten with a baseball bat inside Nathan's Bar and Grill at 12-04 Liberty Ave in Ozone Park. Died six days later at hospital.
Warrants were issued for both Andrew and his son but neither could be located.
On July 9, 1984 FBI NYO reported: "Witnesses at the scene on Saturday night [reported] an altercation occurred between Raia and the Asaros resulting in the use of a baseball bat on Raia."
Four days later Agent(s) attempting to locate the Asaros interviewed an Unsub at Three Kings Collision on Rockaway Blvd in Ozone Park. (Three Kings was operated by Bonanno Associate Joseph Marsala, previously on-record with Andrew's nephew Vincent Asaro.)
On July 18, 1984 FBI NYO reported: "[NYPD] was informed by witnesses to [Raia] murder that Andrew Asaro is connected to the La Cosa Nostra...According to [NYPD], during the night of 6/16/1984, Raymond Raia and the Asaros were at Nathan's when [Andrew's son] grabbed a baseball bat from under his seat and hit Raia several times on the head. Andrew Asaro acted as a look-out during the altercation and later hit Raia as well. Witnesses stated both Asaros fled after the assault, which left Raia semi-comatose. Police sources noted that Raia is a junkie and is unemployed. The reason for the assault on Raia has not been established...[NYPD] questioned Andrew Asaro on the whereabouts of [son] and Andrew indicated that [son] would surrender himself to the 75 PDU in the immediate future. However, such did not occur and both Asaros have remained in seclusion...NYPD witnesses stated Andrew Asaro frequents the Societe de Pasquale Ariola on Liberty Avenue."
On January 28, 1986 FBI NYO reported: "Andrew Asaro is believed to have witnessed the [Raia] assault and possibly to have participated in it. Although there were several witnesses to the assault, only one has cooperated with police. This witness, who had [redacted], was unable to identify [Andrew's son] in a police line up. [Son] has not been indicted and the New York Police Department is continuing its investigation. The non-cooperation of other witnesses is attributed, by [NYPD], to their apparent fear Andrew Asaro is somehow 'connected' to the Bonanno OC Family. New York Division is attempting to determine whether Andrew Asaro is in fact a member of or associated with the Bonanno OC Family...The relationship, if any, between Andrew Asaro and [Redacted; Vincent Asaro?] is unknown."
In February 1986 communication was sent to the FBI's Boston Field Office indicating that Andrew Asaro may have a second residence at 186 Gardner St in Arlington, Massachusetts.
On March 16, 1987 FBI NYO reported: "It is believed that Asaro is associated with the Bonanno Crime Family as a Soldier but this information has not been verified. Asaro does not have a criminal record although he was indicted along with [son] in 7/1984, on charges stemming from the death of Raia. Disposition of the above mentioned charges are unknown. As indicated earlier, Asaro has been a welfare recipient and it is not believed that Asaro is affiliated with any known businesses of which he may possess an interest in. Investigation to date has not disclosed any hidden business interests nor union involvement regarding Asaro."
On February 27, 1988 FBI CI reported: "Andrew Asaro, brother [sic?] of Bonanno LCN member [Redacted; Vincent Asaro?]. Source said that he did not think Andrew Asaro was 'made', and he is now a sick man and does not do anything."
On March 17, 1988 Asaro's attorney contacted FBI NYO: "[Attorney] said Asaro is very ill...He said he wanted [Agent] to know that he was not avoiding an interview, he simply was not able. [Attorney] said he would advise when Asaro may be interviewed."
Andrew died November 23, 1991 and was waked two days later at Aloia Funeral Home in Garfield, New Jersey.
His son was convicted on a manslaughter 2nd degree charge and served a term from December 1989 to September 1992.
In June 1993 Andrew was posthumously included in the FBI's list of 88 identified Bonanno Family members.
Made members of DiStefano's crew included Andrew Asaro, Paul Sciacca (Former Boss) and Sereno Tartamella (Former Captain).
Possible crew members included Vincent 'Jimmy' Morsellino.
On May 10, 1978 FBI CI reported: "[A] guy that works at Moe's Bar, Paris Bar & Grill, Fulton Fish Market, New York City, was just made a member of the Bonanno Family of the LCN. This individual was made a member under Nick the Battler."
On November 19, 1978 FBI CI reported: "[Andrew] Asaro, a bartender at the Paris Bar (fish market) is 'made' in the Bonanno Family. Source advised Asaro is in Nicholas DiStefano's crew (is related to DiStefano). Source advised 'that Asaro is not a street wise person but was made because of political connections'."
By 1979 believed resided with wife Concetta Campisi in Huntington, Long Island.
That April the FBI's New York Office reported: "Source information has been developed that Andrew Asaro has recently been 'made' in the New York Bonanno La Cosa Nostra Family. A search of the New York indices indicated Andrew Asaro was one time bartender at the Paris Bar in the Fish Market...Indices also reflect that Asaro is a close associate of newly made Bonanno Soldier [Redacted] (LNU). It is to be noted that Asaro is [related to Vincent Asaro] a Bonanno Soldier currently operating in [Queens]."
In June 1979 included in the FBI's list of 123 identified Bonanno Family members.
In January 1980 included in the FBI's list of 119 identified Bonanno Family members. Report noted Asaro reported to Nicholas DiStefano.
Included in the June 1983 Senate Chart of Bonanno membership. Address listed at 204 West End Ave in Massapequa, Long Island.
By Summer 1984 living with a son in an apartment above Vito's Hair Stylist located at 74-09 101st Ave in Ozone Park, Queens. Worked as a bartender at the Hideaway Lounge on 133rd Ave.
On June 16, 1984 Raymond Raia (37y) was beaten with a baseball bat inside Nathan's Bar and Grill at 12-04 Liberty Ave in Ozone Park. Died six days later at hospital.
Warrants were issued for both Andrew and his son but neither could be located.
On July 9, 1984 FBI NYO reported: "Witnesses at the scene on Saturday night [reported] an altercation occurred between Raia and the Asaros resulting in the use of a baseball bat on Raia."
Four days later Agent(s) attempting to locate the Asaros interviewed an Unsub at Three Kings Collision on Rockaway Blvd in Ozone Park. (Three Kings was operated by Bonanno Associate Joseph Marsala, previously on-record with Andrew's nephew Vincent Asaro.)
On July 18, 1984 FBI NYO reported: "[NYPD] was informed by witnesses to [Raia] murder that Andrew Asaro is connected to the La Cosa Nostra...According to [NYPD], during the night of 6/16/1984, Raymond Raia and the Asaros were at Nathan's when [Andrew's son] grabbed a baseball bat from under his seat and hit Raia several times on the head. Andrew Asaro acted as a look-out during the altercation and later hit Raia as well. Witnesses stated both Asaros fled after the assault, which left Raia semi-comatose. Police sources noted that Raia is a junkie and is unemployed. The reason for the assault on Raia has not been established...[NYPD] questioned Andrew Asaro on the whereabouts of [son] and Andrew indicated that [son] would surrender himself to the 75 PDU in the immediate future. However, such did not occur and both Asaros have remained in seclusion...NYPD witnesses stated Andrew Asaro frequents the Societe de Pasquale Ariola on Liberty Avenue."
On January 28, 1986 FBI NYO reported: "Andrew Asaro is believed to have witnessed the [Raia] assault and possibly to have participated in it. Although there were several witnesses to the assault, only one has cooperated with police. This witness, who had [redacted], was unable to identify [Andrew's son] in a police line up. [Son] has not been indicted and the New York Police Department is continuing its investigation. The non-cooperation of other witnesses is attributed, by [NYPD], to their apparent fear Andrew Asaro is somehow 'connected' to the Bonanno OC Family. New York Division is attempting to determine whether Andrew Asaro is in fact a member of or associated with the Bonanno OC Family...The relationship, if any, between Andrew Asaro and [Redacted; Vincent Asaro?] is unknown."
In February 1986 communication was sent to the FBI's Boston Field Office indicating that Andrew Asaro may have a second residence at 186 Gardner St in Arlington, Massachusetts.
On March 16, 1987 FBI NYO reported: "It is believed that Asaro is associated with the Bonanno Crime Family as a Soldier but this information has not been verified. Asaro does not have a criminal record although he was indicted along with [son] in 7/1984, on charges stemming from the death of Raia. Disposition of the above mentioned charges are unknown. As indicated earlier, Asaro has been a welfare recipient and it is not believed that Asaro is affiliated with any known businesses of which he may possess an interest in. Investigation to date has not disclosed any hidden business interests nor union involvement regarding Asaro."
On February 27, 1988 FBI CI reported: "Andrew Asaro, brother [sic?] of Bonanno LCN member [Redacted; Vincent Asaro?]. Source said that he did not think Andrew Asaro was 'made', and he is now a sick man and does not do anything."
On March 17, 1988 Asaro's attorney contacted FBI NYO: "[Attorney] said Asaro is very ill...He said he wanted [Agent] to know that he was not avoiding an interview, he simply was not able. [Attorney] said he would advise when Asaro may be interviewed."
Andrew died November 23, 1991 and was waked two days later at Aloia Funeral Home in Garfield, New Jersey.
His son was convicted on a manslaughter 2nd degree charge and served a term from December 1989 to September 1992.
In June 1993 Andrew was posthumously included in the FBI's list of 88 identified Bonanno Family members.
