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| 1966 |
Paul DeMaio was a suspected member of the Cleveland Family active in Akron, Ohio.
His father-in-law was possible Cleveland Member Stefano Giglio (1888-1979).
Born Paul Charles DeMaio on July 4, 1908 in Lima, Ohio to Rosario 'Russell' DeMaio (28y) and Rose LaMarca.
Russell DeMaio was from Licata in Agrigento, the birthplace of several Cleveland Family members including leading figures Joseph Lonardo and Joseph Porrello.
By September 1918 the DeMaios resided at 212 Pine St in Buffalo, New York.
By 1930 Paul listed his residence at 74 Commercial St in Downtown Buffalo.
His first arrest of record was on March 27 of that year, when he and two others were arrested in Erie, Pennsylvania for passing counterfeit $10 notes.
The trio was stopped on the highway after attempting to pass one of the bills at the Ritz Restaurant in Union City. $180 worth of counterfeit tens was found in the auto.
An April 2 article in the Warren Times Mirror noted that DeMaio unsuccessfully attempted to cover for co-defendants Frank Tallarida (sp) and Louis Salerno by taking sole blame for the notes. The men were held on $10,000 bail each and remanded to Erie County Jail. On May 9 The Kane Republican noted: "The three men are believed members of a ring which has flooded state with spurious money and their apprehension and expected conviction is expected to prove a strong deterrent [against] fraudulent operations."
The three were convicted at trial and, on May 26, USDC Pittsburgh Judge F. P. Schoonmaker sentenced DeMaio to four years imprisonment and a $100 fine. Tallarida and Salerno were each given two years.
On June 17, 1930 received at USIR Chillicothe, Ohio.
By December 1934 he was released and possibly already residing in Akron.
Late that month held on suspicion by the Akron PD. Three days later the charge was dismissed.
On February 21, 1935 arrested by Akron PD on suspicion (counterfeiting) charge. Given suspended sentence and fined court costs.
On April 27, 1935 arrested by Akron PD for violating the Revenue Act (illegal alcohol still). Convicted and sentenced to four months.
On October 5, 1935 began serving sentence at the Federal Detention Farm in Milan, Michigan.
By 1936 resided at 580 Wooster in Akron.
On March 31, 1936 held for suspicion by Akron PD. Received a suspended sentence and fined court costs.
On May 4, 1936 among seven picked up by Akron PD for highway robbery. Others arrested included Ernest Foti (23y), Joseph Mollica (25y) and Frank Rosanna (26y). Within four hours of arrest DeMaio and all but one of his codefendants were formally indicted by a Grand Jury. (The families of Foti [1912-1969] and Mollica [1910-1977] were from Messina, Sicily and Rosanna [1910-1978] from Vico Equense in Naples.)
Later that month trial commenced in Akron Common Pleas Court and, after the May 26 testimony of former codefendant George Mongeon, DeMaio and others halted the proceedings with guilty pleas.
On May 29, 1936 DeMaio, Foti, Mollica and Rosanna were each given sentences of ten-to-twenty-five years at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus.
In November 1943 transferred to London Prison Farm in Madison County.
On July 12, 1946 released from the Prison Farm.
He may have been inducted into the Cleveland Family after his release. (CW Angelo Lonardo, the former Cleveland Acting Boss, later noted that few new members were brought in after John Scalish took over the Family in the late 1940s.)
By 1953 resided at 2227 Zollinger Rd in Columbus.
On May 16 of that year married Angela Giglio (27y) in Summit County.
Angela's father was Possible Cleveland Member Stefano Giglio, also from Licata.
Stefano's brother-in-law Salvatore 'Black Sam' Todaro was believed to be the Family's Boss at the time of his 1929 murder.
In 1954 DeMaio worked as a bartender at Ghent Road Inn and Father Duffy's Post in Akron.
In 1955-1956 listed employment with the Eagles Grill and later Commonwealth Loan.
Around this time, according to a later FBI report, DeMaio was 'a partner' of Cleveland Member Carl Rospo. (Rospo [1897-1964], TN Ruspo, was born in Rutigliano comune of Bari, Puglia to mainlander parents.)
His father-in-law was possible Cleveland Member Stefano Giglio (1888-1979).
Born Paul Charles DeMaio on July 4, 1908 in Lima, Ohio to Rosario 'Russell' DeMaio (28y) and Rose LaMarca.
Russell DeMaio was from Licata in Agrigento, the birthplace of several Cleveland Family members including leading figures Joseph Lonardo and Joseph Porrello.
By September 1918 the DeMaios resided at 212 Pine St in Buffalo, New York.
By 1930 Paul listed his residence at 74 Commercial St in Downtown Buffalo.
His first arrest of record was on March 27 of that year, when he and two others were arrested in Erie, Pennsylvania for passing counterfeit $10 notes.
The trio was stopped on the highway after attempting to pass one of the bills at the Ritz Restaurant in Union City. $180 worth of counterfeit tens was found in the auto.
An April 2 article in the Warren Times Mirror noted that DeMaio unsuccessfully attempted to cover for co-defendants Frank Tallarida (sp) and Louis Salerno by taking sole blame for the notes. The men were held on $10,000 bail each and remanded to Erie County Jail. On May 9 The Kane Republican noted: "The three men are believed members of a ring which has flooded state with spurious money and their apprehension and expected conviction is expected to prove a strong deterrent [against] fraudulent operations."
The three were convicted at trial and, on May 26, USDC Pittsburgh Judge F. P. Schoonmaker sentenced DeMaio to four years imprisonment and a $100 fine. Tallarida and Salerno were each given two years.
On June 17, 1930 received at USIR Chillicothe, Ohio.
By December 1934 he was released and possibly already residing in Akron.
Late that month held on suspicion by the Akron PD. Three days later the charge was dismissed.
On February 21, 1935 arrested by Akron PD on suspicion (counterfeiting) charge. Given suspended sentence and fined court costs.
On April 27, 1935 arrested by Akron PD for violating the Revenue Act (illegal alcohol still). Convicted and sentenced to four months.
On October 5, 1935 began serving sentence at the Federal Detention Farm in Milan, Michigan.
By 1936 resided at 580 Wooster in Akron.
On March 31, 1936 held for suspicion by Akron PD. Received a suspended sentence and fined court costs.
On May 4, 1936 among seven picked up by Akron PD for highway robbery. Others arrested included Ernest Foti (23y), Joseph Mollica (25y) and Frank Rosanna (26y). Within four hours of arrest DeMaio and all but one of his codefendants were formally indicted by a Grand Jury. (The families of Foti [1912-1969] and Mollica [1910-1977] were from Messina, Sicily and Rosanna [1910-1978] from Vico Equense in Naples.)
Later that month trial commenced in Akron Common Pleas Court and, after the May 26 testimony of former codefendant George Mongeon, DeMaio and others halted the proceedings with guilty pleas.
On May 29, 1936 DeMaio, Foti, Mollica and Rosanna were each given sentences of ten-to-twenty-five years at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus.
In November 1943 transferred to London Prison Farm in Madison County.
On July 12, 1946 released from the Prison Farm.
He may have been inducted into the Cleveland Family after his release. (CW Angelo Lonardo, the former Cleveland Acting Boss, later noted that few new members were brought in after John Scalish took over the Family in the late 1940s.)
By 1953 resided at 2227 Zollinger Rd in Columbus.
On May 16 of that year married Angela Giglio (27y) in Summit County.
Angela's father was Possible Cleveland Member Stefano Giglio, also from Licata.
Stefano's brother-in-law Salvatore 'Black Sam' Todaro was believed to be the Family's Boss at the time of his 1929 murder.
In 1954 DeMaio worked as a bartender at Ghent Road Inn and Father Duffy's Post in Akron.
In 1955-1956 listed employment with the Eagles Grill and later Commonwealth Loan.
Around this time, according to a later FBI report, DeMaio was 'a partner' of Cleveland Member Carl Rospo. (Rospo [1897-1964], TN Ruspo, was born in Rutigliano comune of Bari, Puglia to mainlander parents.)
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| June 1960 |
In June and September 1960 arrested by Akron PD on gambling (numbers / lottery slips) charges. In both cases convicted on final charge of possessing lottery slips and given ten days and a $200 fine.
By 1961 resided at 1128 Nome Ave in West Akron. Listed occupation as used car and insurance salesman.
On April 3, 1961 arrested by Akron PD on charges suspicion (possessing lottery slips) and promoting a lottery. On August 15 pleaded guilty and sentenced to forty-five days imprisonment at the City Workhouse and a $700 fine plus costs.
By 1962 managed Trueman Labor Service employment agency at 7 North Main in Downtown Akron.
On April 10, 1962 DeMaio and James Grant (39y) were arrested in Barberton, Ohio after the local PD raided their numbers operation. The Akron Beacon reported: "Refusing to open the outer door, Grant fled through an inner door and locked it just as police burst into the room. They quickly battered down the second door and arrested him. Demaio was arrested outside as he left to get sandwiches. Numbers sheets, two adding machines and some office supplies were confiscated." DeMaio was released on $1,000 bond.
On March 31, 1966 the FBI's Cleveland Field Office designated DeMaio the subject of an FBI anti-racketeering case: "Investigation at Akron, Ohio has reflected Paul DeMaio, 1128 Nome Ave, Akron, manager of Trueman, Inc., a former gambler and numbers man, has been in contact with and allegedly is a friend of Leo Moceri, in addition to being associated with other Akron hoodlums such as Nunzie Destro, [Redacted] and others. He has also been in contact with Columbus, OH hoodlum Michael DeAngelo during the summer of 1965, and recent inquiry by the Cincinnati Office indicates that DeAngelo has been in telephonic contact with DeMaio's residence. In addition, DeMaio evidently has had contact with New York hoodlum [Redacted] presently in the Akron area, and an associate of Leo Moceri in a numbers operation in Akron." (Mike DeAngelo [1894-1982] was a member of the Cleveland Family from Termini Imerese in Palermo. Calogero 'Leo' Moceri [1907-1976] was a Detroit member who later transferred to Cleveland and was elected that Family's Consigliere in 1976. He was murdered in August of the same year.)
Around April 1966 FBI CV reported: "...It is noted that Paul DeMaio is known to be one of Leo Moceri's closest personal friends and Moceri frequently hangs around the [DeMaio's] Employment Agency [Trueman]."
On June 14, 1966 Ralph Boyer (42y), an employee at Trueman, was shot three times in the leg by DeMaio after an argument. Taken to St. Thomas Hospital in stable condition. The Akron Beacon Journal reported: "According to a witness, police said, the argument began after DeMayo had given Boyer a dollar for lunch and was told it would come out of his pay." DeMaio surrendered that evening on a shooting to wound charge and was released on $1,000 bond.
On July 10, 1966 FBI reported: "During the months of April, May and June, 1966, [DeMaio] was observed on a daily basis, Monday through Friday, at Trueman, Inc. [from] 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM."
On October 20, 1967 included in the FBI's list of 34 identified Cleveland Family members.
In 1968 partnered in forming Ameritemps, Inc.
By Summer 1976 resided at 29 Guise Park in Munroe Falls, Ohio. Operated Hour Man - Hour Girl Inc. spot labor business located at 5 East Market St in Akron, Ohio.
On August 5, 1976 DeMaio and Cleveland Associate Nuncio Destro were surveilled in discussion outside the business. (Nuncio Joseph Destro [1914-2000] was born to Sicilian parents from Bronte, Catania and Sant'Agata di Militello in Messina.)
By 1961 resided at 1128 Nome Ave in West Akron. Listed occupation as used car and insurance salesman.
On April 3, 1961 arrested by Akron PD on charges suspicion (possessing lottery slips) and promoting a lottery. On August 15 pleaded guilty and sentenced to forty-five days imprisonment at the City Workhouse and a $700 fine plus costs.
By 1962 managed Trueman Labor Service employment agency at 7 North Main in Downtown Akron.
On April 10, 1962 DeMaio and James Grant (39y) were arrested in Barberton, Ohio after the local PD raided their numbers operation. The Akron Beacon reported: "Refusing to open the outer door, Grant fled through an inner door and locked it just as police burst into the room. They quickly battered down the second door and arrested him. Demaio was arrested outside as he left to get sandwiches. Numbers sheets, two adding machines and some office supplies were confiscated." DeMaio was released on $1,000 bond.
On March 31, 1966 the FBI's Cleveland Field Office designated DeMaio the subject of an FBI anti-racketeering case: "Investigation at Akron, Ohio has reflected Paul DeMaio, 1128 Nome Ave, Akron, manager of Trueman, Inc., a former gambler and numbers man, has been in contact with and allegedly is a friend of Leo Moceri, in addition to being associated with other Akron hoodlums such as Nunzie Destro, [Redacted] and others. He has also been in contact with Columbus, OH hoodlum Michael DeAngelo during the summer of 1965, and recent inquiry by the Cincinnati Office indicates that DeAngelo has been in telephonic contact with DeMaio's residence. In addition, DeMaio evidently has had contact with New York hoodlum [Redacted] presently in the Akron area, and an associate of Leo Moceri in a numbers operation in Akron." (Mike DeAngelo [1894-1982] was a member of the Cleveland Family from Termini Imerese in Palermo. Calogero 'Leo' Moceri [1907-1976] was a Detroit member who later transferred to Cleveland and was elected that Family's Consigliere in 1976. He was murdered in August of the same year.)
Around April 1966 FBI CV reported: "...It is noted that Paul DeMaio is known to be one of Leo Moceri's closest personal friends and Moceri frequently hangs around the [DeMaio's] Employment Agency [Trueman]."
On June 14, 1966 Ralph Boyer (42y), an employee at Trueman, was shot three times in the leg by DeMaio after an argument. Taken to St. Thomas Hospital in stable condition. The Akron Beacon Journal reported: "According to a witness, police said, the argument began after DeMayo had given Boyer a dollar for lunch and was told it would come out of his pay." DeMaio surrendered that evening on a shooting to wound charge and was released on $1,000 bond.
On July 10, 1966 FBI reported: "During the months of April, May and June, 1966, [DeMaio] was observed on a daily basis, Monday through Friday, at Trueman, Inc. [from] 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM."
On October 20, 1967 included in the FBI's list of 34 identified Cleveland Family members.
In 1968 partnered in forming Ameritemps, Inc.
By Summer 1976 resided at 29 Guise Park in Munroe Falls, Ohio. Operated Hour Man - Hour Girl Inc. spot labor business located at 5 East Market St in Akron, Ohio.
On August 5, 1976 DeMaio and Cleveland Associate Nuncio Destro were surveilled in discussion outside the business. (Nuncio Joseph Destro [1914-2000] was born to Sicilian parents from Bronte, Catania and Sant'Agata di Militello in Messina.)
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| L. Moceri The Akron Beacon Journal |
On August 22, 1976 Cleveland Consigliere Leo Moceri, previously described as one of DeMaio's closest friends, disappeared. Ten days later police found his auto, with blood pooled in its trunk, in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn in Fairlawn.
It was subsequently determined that Moceri's murder was unsanctioned and arose from a feud with Cleveland Associate John Nardi and Irish gangster Danny Greene. (The Family killed Nardi and Greene with car bombs in May and October 1977 respectively.)
By December 1976 DeMaio moved Hour Man - Hour Girl business to 9 East Market St. FBI reported: "[Move] due to vandalism at the previous address."
On December 6, 1976 FBI CV reported: "[DeMaio] continues to operate spot labor business in Akron, Ohio and resides in suburban community. Subject observed on regular basis at business. DeMaio claims having no positive information regarding missing Akron hoodlum, Leo Moceri."
On March 15, 1977 FBI spot check conducted on Hour Man - Hour Girl: "[Inquiry] determined DeMaio has been hospitalized since 3/4/1977 with internal complications of unknown nature. It was determined he was to be released 3/11/1977 but he became seriously ill and his hospitalization is to continue. [It] was further determined DeMaio's business has recently increased and he has been furnishing a large number of temporary employees to a local printing business."
On June 9, 1977 interviewed by FBI regarding certain business dealings. Report noted: "Also on this occasion, attempts to interview DeMaio regarding his knowledge of associate activities were not productive. DeMaio's attitude was indicative of one portion of the interview when DeMaio was asked about Leo Moceri and DeMaio answered 'Leo who?'."
It was subsequently determined that Moceri's murder was unsanctioned and arose from a feud with Cleveland Associate John Nardi and Irish gangster Danny Greene. (The Family killed Nardi and Greene with car bombs in May and October 1977 respectively.)
By December 1976 DeMaio moved Hour Man - Hour Girl business to 9 East Market St. FBI reported: "[Move] due to vandalism at the previous address."
On December 6, 1976 FBI CV reported: "[DeMaio] continues to operate spot labor business in Akron, Ohio and resides in suburban community. Subject observed on regular basis at business. DeMaio claims having no positive information regarding missing Akron hoodlum, Leo Moceri."
On March 15, 1977 FBI spot check conducted on Hour Man - Hour Girl: "[Inquiry] determined DeMaio has been hospitalized since 3/4/1977 with internal complications of unknown nature. It was determined he was to be released 3/11/1977 but he became seriously ill and his hospitalization is to continue. [It] was further determined DeMaio's business has recently increased and he has been furnishing a large number of temporary employees to a local printing business."
On June 9, 1977 interviewed by FBI regarding certain business dealings. Report noted: "Also on this occasion, attempts to interview DeMaio regarding his knowledge of associate activities were not productive. DeMaio's attitude was indicative of one portion of the interview when DeMaio was asked about Leo Moceri and DeMaio answered 'Leo who?'."
DeMaio's activities post-1977 aren't mentioned in available records.
Absent from a Federal chart compiled in 1985.
Died December 18, 2004 and buried in Akron's Hillside Memorial Park.
Absent from a Federal chart compiled in 1985.
Died December 18, 2004 and buried in Akron's Hillside Memorial Park.
More Cleveland Family posts can be found in the Index.
