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| May 1959 |
Joseph 'Joe Tobin' Scarpinito was a member of the Genovese Family from the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Possibly with Generoso 'Toddo' Del Duca's Downtown Brooklyn crew, Scarpinito was active in local politics during the 1930s and also participated in labor racketeering into the 1970s.
Born May 29, 1903 in Casabona comune of Catanzaro (modern day Crotone), Calabria.
On November 2, 1912 arrived with mother and siblings at Port of New York aboard S.S. Canada.
By April 1920 believed residing with older brother Frank Scarpinito (28y) at 53 Spencer St in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Listed occupation as laborer (building company).
Scarpinito remained in this neighborhood through the next couple of decades.
During the 1920s he boxed under the name Joe Tobin.
On February 28, 1927 filed Declaration of Intention in US District Court Brooklyn.
He was then residing at 153 Skillman St and listed his occupation as grocer.
By April 1930 resided at 45 Taaffe Place and claimed employment as a chauffeur.
He was possibly already a made member by this time.
On October 21, 1933 identified in Brooklyn Eagle as chairman of the Andrea Basile Democratic Club's entertainment committee. Undertaker Salvatore Basile (27y) served as an executive committee member of the club, named after his father who, like Scarpinito, was from Casabona.
On February 23, 1934 Basile and office clerk Peter Castiglione (27y) witnessed Scarpinito's Petition for Naturalization filed in USDC Brooklyn. Scarpinito was granted citizenship three months later. (Peter Castiglione [1908-1983], chairman of the democratic club's journal committee, was from Strongoli in Catanzaro - Crotone.)
On October 25, 1935 the club hosted its annual ball at Hotel St. George in Brooklyn Heights. Scarpinito was noted among the general committee members.
On Christmas morning of 1935, at approximately 5:00 AM, a fire caused approximately $50 worth of damage to the bungalow of Frank Curcio in Selden, Long Island. The property was unoccupied at the time and it was reported that Curcio typically resided on Lincoln Ave in South Ozone Park, Queens.
An overcoat left at the scene led investigators to Angelo Martucci (41y) of 165 Quincy St in Bed-Stuy. Martucci, who had checked into a hospital under a false name, confessed his involvement and implicated Joseph Scarpinito. Times Union reported: "They poured gasoline on the building and then threw a match on the gasoline, the police charge. The gasoline exploded and Matucci's coat caught fire, according to the story. After beating out the flames on his clothing, they drove to Jamaica where Matucci's burns became so painful he needed medical attention, the police assert. Scarpanito, who is also known as Tobin in prize fighting circles, was then taken into custody. He is alleged to have said he had a grudge against his father-in-law and wanted to get even." Scarpinito was picked up and taken to Suffolk County where the District Attorney indicted him for arson.
On May 24, 1936 dinner held in honor of Frank Scarpinito, founder of Skillman Democratic Club, at Joe's Restaurant located at Fulton St and Pierrepont St in or near Downtown Brooklyn. Members of organizing committee included Joseph Scarpinito. (This is likely Joseph's older brother Frank [1892-1978]).
On December 17, 1936 Angelo Martucci was sentenced to seven-to-fifteen years in Sing Sing Prison for the Christmas day arson and the indictment against Scarpinito was dismissed. Times Union reported: "In a signed confession Martucci is purported to have made to police while he was receiving treatment for burns in a New York City hospital, he implicated [Scarpinito] in the crime...[Assistant District Attorney] explained the indictment against Scarpinito was dismissed because Martucci refused to testify against him. [ADA] stated that there was no real evidence to connect Scarpinito with the crime." (Angelo Martucci [1894-1961] was from Pallagorio in Catanzaro - Crotone.)
By April 1940 resided at 45 Little Nassau St. Listed occupation as shipping clerk for clothing company.
By April 1950 left Bed-Stuy for Queens, residing at 146-03 Linden Blvd in South Jamaica.
On October 3, 1952 indicted by Brooklyn DA on attempted bribery charge re labor strike. Brooklyn Eagle reported: "[Indictment] charged that Scarpinito offered three members of a five-man negotiating committee $10 for each striking employee they could induce to return to work. The alleged offer took place Aug. 13 during a strike of 800 members of the United Auto Workers...The strike, subsequently settled, had been in progress for five weeks at that time." Scarpinito held on $10,000 bail pending trial scheduled for October 7.
Press accounts noted Scarpinito resided at 222-24 141st Rd in Laurelton, Queens and believed owned a parking lot near Belmont Race Track. He was also suspected to be part-owner of a bar located close to the site of the labor strike at 144 Spencer St in Bed-Stuy.
Possibly with Generoso 'Toddo' Del Duca's Downtown Brooklyn crew, Scarpinito was active in local politics during the 1930s and also participated in labor racketeering into the 1970s.
Born May 29, 1903 in Casabona comune of Catanzaro (modern day Crotone), Calabria.
On November 2, 1912 arrived with mother and siblings at Port of New York aboard S.S. Canada.
By April 1920 believed residing with older brother Frank Scarpinito (28y) at 53 Spencer St in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Listed occupation as laborer (building company).
Scarpinito remained in this neighborhood through the next couple of decades.
During the 1920s he boxed under the name Joe Tobin.
On February 28, 1927 filed Declaration of Intention in US District Court Brooklyn.
He was then residing at 153 Skillman St and listed his occupation as grocer.
By April 1930 resided at 45 Taaffe Place and claimed employment as a chauffeur.
He was possibly already a made member by this time.
On October 21, 1933 identified in Brooklyn Eagle as chairman of the Andrea Basile Democratic Club's entertainment committee. Undertaker Salvatore Basile (27y) served as an executive committee member of the club, named after his father who, like Scarpinito, was from Casabona.
On February 23, 1934 Basile and office clerk Peter Castiglione (27y) witnessed Scarpinito's Petition for Naturalization filed in USDC Brooklyn. Scarpinito was granted citizenship three months later. (Peter Castiglione [1908-1983], chairman of the democratic club's journal committee, was from Strongoli in Catanzaro - Crotone.)
On October 25, 1935 the club hosted its annual ball at Hotel St. George in Brooklyn Heights. Scarpinito was noted among the general committee members.
On Christmas morning of 1935, at approximately 5:00 AM, a fire caused approximately $50 worth of damage to the bungalow of Frank Curcio in Selden, Long Island. The property was unoccupied at the time and it was reported that Curcio typically resided on Lincoln Ave in South Ozone Park, Queens.
An overcoat left at the scene led investigators to Angelo Martucci (41y) of 165 Quincy St in Bed-Stuy. Martucci, who had checked into a hospital under a false name, confessed his involvement and implicated Joseph Scarpinito. Times Union reported: "They poured gasoline on the building and then threw a match on the gasoline, the police charge. The gasoline exploded and Matucci's coat caught fire, according to the story. After beating out the flames on his clothing, they drove to Jamaica where Matucci's burns became so painful he needed medical attention, the police assert. Scarpanito, who is also known as Tobin in prize fighting circles, was then taken into custody. He is alleged to have said he had a grudge against his father-in-law and wanted to get even." Scarpinito was picked up and taken to Suffolk County where the District Attorney indicted him for arson.
On May 24, 1936 dinner held in honor of Frank Scarpinito, founder of Skillman Democratic Club, at Joe's Restaurant located at Fulton St and Pierrepont St in or near Downtown Brooklyn. Members of organizing committee included Joseph Scarpinito. (This is likely Joseph's older brother Frank [1892-1978]).
On December 17, 1936 Angelo Martucci was sentenced to seven-to-fifteen years in Sing Sing Prison for the Christmas day arson and the indictment against Scarpinito was dismissed. Times Union reported: "In a signed confession Martucci is purported to have made to police while he was receiving treatment for burns in a New York City hospital, he implicated [Scarpinito] in the crime...[Assistant District Attorney] explained the indictment against Scarpinito was dismissed because Martucci refused to testify against him. [ADA] stated that there was no real evidence to connect Scarpinito with the crime." (Angelo Martucci [1894-1961] was from Pallagorio in Catanzaro - Crotone.)
By April 1940 resided at 45 Little Nassau St. Listed occupation as shipping clerk for clothing company.
By April 1950 left Bed-Stuy for Queens, residing at 146-03 Linden Blvd in South Jamaica.
On October 3, 1952 indicted by Brooklyn DA on attempted bribery charge re labor strike. Brooklyn Eagle reported: "[Indictment] charged that Scarpinito offered three members of a five-man negotiating committee $10 for each striking employee they could induce to return to work. The alleged offer took place Aug. 13 during a strike of 800 members of the United Auto Workers...The strike, subsequently settled, had been in progress for five weeks at that time." Scarpinito held on $10,000 bail pending trial scheduled for October 7.
Press accounts noted Scarpinito resided at 222-24 141st Rd in Laurelton, Queens and believed owned a parking lot near Belmont Race Track. He was also suspected to be part-owner of a bar located close to the site of the labor strike at 144 Spencer St in Bed-Stuy.
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| G. Del Duca (1959) |
By 1958 Scarpinito was a formally inducted member of the Genovese Family and may have been reporting to Captain Generoso 'Toto' Del Duca.
Del Duca, born December 1886 in Lauro comune of Avellino in Campania, appears to have been a highly influential Family member with links to Chicago and possibly the old Newark Family. Information from illegal FBI bugs in the 1960s suggests he was originally a member of the Camorra.
By the late 1950s made members of Del Duca's crew believed included Felice 'Phil' Corbisiero, Toto's older brother Pasquale 'Patsy' Del Duca and son John 'Johnny Del' Del Duca, brothers Ralph 'Whitey' and Sebastian 'Sass' Ferraro, Raymond Muscarella, Camillo Parisi and George 'Piney' Santini.
Possible crew members included Soldiers Joseph Gerardo, Joseph Scarpinito and Eli Zeccardi.
On May 26, 1959 Scarpinito and fellow Genovese Soldiers Salvatore DeMarco (58y), Ralph Dolce (41y) and Joseph Gerardo (47y) testified before a Brooklyn Grand Jury investigating the Concord raid. Long Island Newsday noted Gerardo and Scarpinito granted immunity prior to testifying.
Generoso Del Duca died March 28, 1960 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Three-day wake was held at the Gambino-connected Cusimano and Russo Funeral Home in Gravesend. Attendees included Colombo Boss Joseph Profaci, Genovese Captain Salvatore Celambrino, Genovese Captain Peter DeFeo, Gambino Captain Aniello 'Neil' Dellacroce, Gambino Captain Giuseppi 'Peppino' Gambino (Boss Carlo's brother), Gambino Captain Carmine Lombardozzi, Genovese Captain Frank 'Funzi' Tieri, Colombo Soldier Salvatore Profaci, Joseph Scarpinito and at least another dozen Genovese Soldiers as well as several Colombo and Genovese Associates.
By 1970 resided at 2455 Hart Ave in North Bellmore, Long Island.
Del Duca, born December 1886 in Lauro comune of Avellino in Campania, appears to have been a highly influential Family member with links to Chicago and possibly the old Newark Family. Information from illegal FBI bugs in the 1960s suggests he was originally a member of the Camorra.
By the late 1950s made members of Del Duca's crew believed included Felice 'Phil' Corbisiero, Toto's older brother Pasquale 'Patsy' Del Duca and son John 'Johnny Del' Del Duca, brothers Ralph 'Whitey' and Sebastian 'Sass' Ferraro, Raymond Muscarella, Camillo Parisi and George 'Piney' Santini.
Possible crew members included Soldiers Joseph Gerardo, Joseph Scarpinito and Eli Zeccardi.
On May 3, 1959 Scarpinito, Del Duca and twenty-one others were arrested for consorting following an NYPD raid on the Concord.
Those arrested included:
Those arrested included:
- Salvatore 'Skinny Sally' Celambrino (Genovese Captain; 55y)
- Generoso Del Duca (Captain; 72y)
- Pasquale Del Duca (Soldier; 69y)
- Salvatore 'Toddo' DeMarco (Soldier; 59y)
- Tobia DeMicco (Soldier; 43y)
- Ralph Dolce (Soldier; 40y)
- Ralph Ferraro (Soldier; 51y)
- Joseph Gerardo (Soldier; 41y)
- Camillo Parisi (Soldier; 43y) [Owned the restaurant; believed related to Del Duca]
- Amato 'Matty' Principe (Soldier; 50y)
- Joseph 'Pepe' Santaniello (Soldier; 41y)
- Joseph Scarpinito (Soldier; 55y)
- Vito Arcuri (1916-) [Res. 71-42 71st St; Glendale, Queens]
- John Aromandi (1899-1962) [Res. 2447 Yates Ave; Allerton, The Bronx] [POB Polla; Salerno, Campania]
- Anthony Biondolillo (1916-1962) [Res. 624 Myrtle Ave; Bedford-Stuyvesant]
- James Louis Cirello (1920-1982) [Family from Montemiletto; Avellino, Campania]
- Alfonse DeVito (56y) [Res. 103 Third Place; Columbia Street Waterfront District, Brooklyn] [Possible POB Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi; Avellino, Campania]
- Lodovico Esposito (1896-) [Res. 2002 2nd Ave; East Harlem, Manhattan]
- Robert Graziano (1912-) [Res. 47 Cumberland St; Fort Greene, Brooklyn]
- Daniel Maceroli (1913-1992) [Res. 7530 Narrows Ave; Bay Ridge, Brooklyn] [Mainlander]
- Philip Scherello (1923-2003) (TN Cirillo, younger brother of James above) [Res. 109 Clinton Ave; Clinton Hill, Brooklyn] [1987: Indicted re waterfront narcotics investigation]
- Anthony 'Jackie' Vestuto (1912-1975) [Res. 209 Grand St; Williamsburg, Brooklyn] [3/75 : Arrested in gambling raid re Joseph Lapi crew]
New York Daily News reported: "The
cops, who had had the place under observation for several weeks, waited
until they believed a full quota had arrived, many in Cadillacs and
Chryslers, some in other high-priced cars before they made their
entrance. It was somewhat reminiscent, though on a much lower scale, of
the 1957 Apalachin gangland convention - a poor man's Apalachin, that
is. Not one of the hoods had more than a few hundred dollars on him.
There seemed to be no formal meeting going on, police said. The 23 were
standing or sitting in little groups in the luncheonette and in the back
room of the place, known as the Concord Restaurant. They were talking
quietly among themselves and, to a man, they insisted they had merely
come for 'coffee and ice cream.' Some liked coffee and ice cream so much
that they had come from as far away as Long Island and Yonkers to get
them, police said." Deputy Commissioner Walter Arm stated to press: “We
feel these men are the policy-makers in some branches of the gambling
racket. We have to study it more to see how far-reaching it is.”
On May 26, 1959 Scarpinito and fellow Genovese Soldiers Salvatore DeMarco (58y), Ralph Dolce (41y) and Joseph Gerardo (47y) testified before a Brooklyn Grand Jury investigating the Concord raid. Long Island Newsday noted Gerardo and Scarpinito granted immunity prior to testifying.
Generoso Del Duca died March 28, 1960 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Three-day wake was held at the Gambino-connected Cusimano and Russo Funeral Home in Gravesend. Attendees included Colombo Boss Joseph Profaci, Genovese Captain Salvatore Celambrino, Genovese Captain Peter DeFeo, Gambino Captain Aniello 'Neil' Dellacroce, Gambino Captain Giuseppi 'Peppino' Gambino (Boss Carlo's brother), Gambino Captain Carmine Lombardozzi, Genovese Captain Frank 'Funzi' Tieri, Colombo Soldier Salvatore Profaci, Joseph Scarpinito and at least another dozen Genovese Soldiers as well as several Colombo and Genovese Associates.
By 1970 resided at 2455 Hart Ave in North Bellmore, Long Island.
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| P. Erra FBN Mafia Book |
On February 8, 1970 FBI surveillance conducted on residence of Genovese Soldier Pasquale 'Patsy' Erra located at 3720 Chase Ave in Miami Beach, Florida. At 11:20 AM a male and female arrived in an auto registered to Joseph Scarpinito and parked a block away before entering the residence. (Pasquale Erra [1915-1973] was a Soldier under Genovese Captain Philip 'Benny Squint' Lombardo.)
On December 30, 1974 indicted by US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on perjury charge. Long Island Newsday reported: "[Scarpinito charged] with making false statements in September to grand juries probing illegal payments to labor officials."
On March 6, 1975 convicted in USDC Manhattan and, on April 23, sentenced to three months imprisonment.
In January 1977 included in the FBI's list of 198 identified Genovese Family members.
Died April 1983.
On December 22, 1987 an updated Genovese chart was compiled, listing the now-deceased Scarpinito among the 177 Soldiers listed and noting that his crew affiliation was unknown.
Posthumously included in 1988 Senate Chart of Genovese Family membership.
On December 30, 1974 indicted by US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on perjury charge. Long Island Newsday reported: "[Scarpinito charged] with making false statements in September to grand juries probing illegal payments to labor officials."
On March 6, 1975 convicted in USDC Manhattan and, on April 23, sentenced to three months imprisonment.
In January 1977 included in the FBI's list of 198 identified Genovese Family members.
Died April 1983.
On December 22, 1987 an updated Genovese chart was compiled, listing the now-deceased Scarpinito among the 177 Soldiers listed and noting that his crew affiliation was unknown.
Posthumously included in 1988 Senate Chart of Genovese Family membership.
More Genovese Family posts can be found in the Index.
