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| 1931 |
Robert Tarantino was a Soldier in the Genovese Family.
Born and raised in South Brooklyn, he moved to Passaic, New Jersey in the 1930s and later became involved in union activity as part of the Family's Catena crew.
Born October 12, 1910 in Brooklyn to Giuseppe (37y) and Antoinette 'Anna' Dalia (30y). Parents from Province of Palermo, Sicily.
Over the next dozen or so years the Tarantinos resided first in South Brooklyn's Cobble Hill neighborhood (21 Cheever Place) and then at 221 Union -> 513 Clinton St in adjacent Carroll Gardens. Robert's father Giuseppe, who worked as a longshoreman, died in 1926; his mother had died three years previous.
Robert's first arrest of record was a rape charge on December 21, 1927. Discharged March 19 of the following year.
On June 28, 1928 arrested on grand larceny charge. On July 11 case dismissed.
On December 10, 1928 arrived at Port of New York from Marseilles, France aboard S.S. President Polk. Listed address at 112 Dean St in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
On September 12, 1929 arrested with Edward Patalano (23y) by Rochester, New York Police Department on vagrancy charge. Tarantino used the alias Robert Costello and gave an address as 1013 63rd St in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. The charge was subsequently withdrawn and the pair was re-arrested for petit larceny (Dodge Auto). Both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to six months each in Monroe County Penitentiary. Rochester PD later advised FBI: "A notation on this record reflects 'phone call from New York City, Costello wanted there with Edward Mayo on a murder charge'." (No further details are given on the potential murder case. Patalano [1905-1966], who went by Edward Mayo, was born to parents from the Central Italian Province of Latina, Lazio. In Fall 1932 he was sent to Sing Sing Prison for carrying a revolver as a previously convicted felon. At the time he listed residence in Yonkers; by the early 1940s he was living in Canarsie, Brooklyn.)
On July 8, 1931 arrested by NYPD on robbery charge. Following day case dismissed. (See top)
On June 1, 1932 married Angela LaPlaca (22y) in Brooklyn. Marriage witnessed by Vincent Apuzzo and Anna Dantone.
The bride was a sister of Future Genovese Captain Peter LaPlaca. Their father Dominick (1869-1949) hailed from the comune of Castellana Sicula in Palermo; his wife Andrea Riotto was either from the same town or possibly from nearby Petralia Sottana.
The couple soon left Brooklyn for New Jersey and by April 1940 they were residing at 531 Gregory Ave in the city of Passaic. Robert worked as salesman for a linen supply company.
By April 1950 listed employment with collection agency.
On June 9, 1952 arrested by Clifton, NJ PD on charge of possessing lottery slips. On June 17 fined $1,000 and ordered to pay additional $3 court costs.
From about 1955 to 1959 served as officer in Local 1827 ILA.
By 1958 both he and his brother-in-law Peter LaPlaca were formally inducted members of the Genovese Family.
On June 7, 1962 visited LaPlaca at USP Atlanta, Georgia, where the latter was serving a sentence for bribing a juror. LaPlaca's son Dominick accompanied Tarantino on the trip.
Probably as a result of the visit, Tarantino was designated the subject of an FBI investigation that same month.
Tarantino was by then the President of IBT Local 418 Production, Maintenance and Allied Workers Union headquartered at 139 Van Winkle Ave in Garfield, New Jersey.
On December 19, 1962 he was arrested following indictment by the US Attorney's Office in Newark on an attempted extortion charge. FBI later reported: "[Tarantino] was reportedly involved in extorting $300 from the owner of a Northvale, New Jersey detergent plant to ensure labor peace." Arraigned before US Commissioner Theodore C. Kiscaras and released on $1,500 bond. On April 26, 1963 he pleaded not guilty and was continued on bond. (The case stalled for a couple years and the indictment was ultimately dismissed in May 1965.)
Born and raised in South Brooklyn, he moved to Passaic, New Jersey in the 1930s and later became involved in union activity as part of the Family's Catena crew.
Born October 12, 1910 in Brooklyn to Giuseppe (37y) and Antoinette 'Anna' Dalia (30y). Parents from Province of Palermo, Sicily.
Over the next dozen or so years the Tarantinos resided first in South Brooklyn's Cobble Hill neighborhood (21 Cheever Place) and then at 221 Union -> 513 Clinton St in adjacent Carroll Gardens. Robert's father Giuseppe, who worked as a longshoreman, died in 1926; his mother had died three years previous.
Robert's first arrest of record was a rape charge on December 21, 1927. Discharged March 19 of the following year.
On June 28, 1928 arrested on grand larceny charge. On July 11 case dismissed.
On December 10, 1928 arrived at Port of New York from Marseilles, France aboard S.S. President Polk. Listed address at 112 Dean St in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
On September 12, 1929 arrested with Edward Patalano (23y) by Rochester, New York Police Department on vagrancy charge. Tarantino used the alias Robert Costello and gave an address as 1013 63rd St in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. The charge was subsequently withdrawn and the pair was re-arrested for petit larceny (Dodge Auto). Both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to six months each in Monroe County Penitentiary. Rochester PD later advised FBI: "A notation on this record reflects 'phone call from New York City, Costello wanted there with Edward Mayo on a murder charge'." (No further details are given on the potential murder case. Patalano [1905-1966], who went by Edward Mayo, was born to parents from the Central Italian Province of Latina, Lazio. In Fall 1932 he was sent to Sing Sing Prison for carrying a revolver as a previously convicted felon. At the time he listed residence in Yonkers; by the early 1940s he was living in Canarsie, Brooklyn.)
On July 8, 1931 arrested by NYPD on robbery charge. Following day case dismissed. (See top)
On June 1, 1932 married Angela LaPlaca (22y) in Brooklyn. Marriage witnessed by Vincent Apuzzo and Anna Dantone.
The bride was a sister of Future Genovese Captain Peter LaPlaca. Their father Dominick (1869-1949) hailed from the comune of Castellana Sicula in Palermo; his wife Andrea Riotto was either from the same town or possibly from nearby Petralia Sottana.
The couple soon left Brooklyn for New Jersey and by April 1940 they were residing at 531 Gregory Ave in the city of Passaic. Robert worked as salesman for a linen supply company.
By April 1950 listed employment with collection agency.
On June 9, 1952 arrested by Clifton, NJ PD on charge of possessing lottery slips. On June 17 fined $1,000 and ordered to pay additional $3 court costs.
From about 1955 to 1959 served as officer in Local 1827 ILA.
By 1958 both he and his brother-in-law Peter LaPlaca were formally inducted members of the Genovese Family.
On June 7, 1962 visited LaPlaca at USP Atlanta, Georgia, where the latter was serving a sentence for bribing a juror. LaPlaca's son Dominick accompanied Tarantino on the trip.
Probably as a result of the visit, Tarantino was designated the subject of an FBI investigation that same month.
Tarantino was by then the President of IBT Local 418 Production, Maintenance and Allied Workers Union headquartered at 139 Van Winkle Ave in Garfield, New Jersey.
On December 19, 1962 he was arrested following indictment by the US Attorney's Office in Newark on an attempted extortion charge. FBI later reported: "[Tarantino] was reportedly involved in extorting $300 from the owner of a Northvale, New Jersey detergent plant to ensure labor peace." Arraigned before US Commissioner Theodore C. Kiscaras and released on $1,500 bond. On April 26, 1963 he pleaded not guilty and was continued on bond. (The case stalled for a couple years and the indictment was ultimately dismissed in May 1965.)
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| G. Catena (1960s) |
By 1963 Tarantino was a member of the New Jersey based crew headed by Genovese Captain Eugene 'Gene' Catena. Younger brother to Family Underboss Gerard, Gene's crew included Soldiers Ralph Belvedere, Nicholas 'Bones' Bufanio, Don 'Fats' Ferraro, Michael 'Mickey Gerard' Geralle, Angelo Lapadura, Peter LaPlaca, John Lardiere, Dr. Philip Noto, Joseph 'Joe Peck' Pecora, Thomas 'Timmy Murphy' Pecora, Daniel Polidori, Anthony 'Tony Nino' Saita, Robert Tarantino and Frank Carmen 'Fat Todd' Toto.
A location Gene Catena used for meeting with his crew was bugged that year by the FBI.
In December 1963 Catena met at the location with an Unsub and was recorded referring to Tarantino as one of his 'people'.
On February 7, 1964 Catena was visited by Genovese Soldier John Lardiere. The FBI's Newark Office summarized: "[Catena] was contacted by John Lardiere who informed him of the death of Patsy [LNU]. Catena mentioned that Patsy was one of 'his people' and was about 73 years old. The informant noted that the information about Patsy had been given to Lardiere by Robert Tarantino."
On September 21, 1964 Catena met with members of his regime to discuss the recent upheaval within the Bonanno Family. FBI NK reported: "The foregoing indicates the gravity of the Bonanno situation and is also significant in that Catena personally met with all the known members of his regime. Catena at no time during this week mentioned telling anybody else of this situation. It is therefore suggested that outside of Peter LaPlaca, who is in Federal Prison, the members of Eugene Catena's regime are Daniel Polidori, Joseph Pecora, John Lardiere, Thomas Pecora, Angelo Lapadura, Ralph Belvedere, Robert Tarantino and Anthony Saita."
On October 5, 1964 Catena and Lardiere met. FBI NK summarized: "[Bug] advised that Lardiere told Catena he had seen Bobby (Robert Tarantino) and that Bobby had seen Rose LaPlaca about the location of the arms Dom LaPlaca had been holding for the Catena mob. According to [bug], Mrs. LaPlaca told Bobby that she did know where the weapons were and refuses to discuss the matter further with Tarantino."
A location Gene Catena used for meeting with his crew was bugged that year by the FBI.
In December 1963 Catena met at the location with an Unsub and was recorded referring to Tarantino as one of his 'people'.
On February 7, 1964 Catena was visited by Genovese Soldier John Lardiere. The FBI's Newark Office summarized: "[Catena] was contacted by John Lardiere who informed him of the death of Patsy [LNU]. Catena mentioned that Patsy was one of 'his people' and was about 73 years old. The informant noted that the information about Patsy had been given to Lardiere by Robert Tarantino."
On September 21, 1964 Catena met with members of his regime to discuss the recent upheaval within the Bonanno Family. FBI NK reported: "The foregoing indicates the gravity of the Bonanno situation and is also significant in that Catena personally met with all the known members of his regime. Catena at no time during this week mentioned telling anybody else of this situation. It is therefore suggested that outside of Peter LaPlaca, who is in Federal Prison, the members of Eugene Catena's regime are Daniel Polidori, Joseph Pecora, John Lardiere, Thomas Pecora, Angelo Lapadura, Ralph Belvedere, Robert Tarantino and Anthony Saita."
On October 5, 1964 Catena and Lardiere met. FBI NK summarized: "[Bug] advised that Lardiere told Catena he had seen Bobby (Robert Tarantino) and that Bobby had seen Rose LaPlaca about the location of the arms Dom LaPlaca had been holding for the Catena mob. According to [bug], Mrs. LaPlaca told Bobby that she did know where the weapons were and refuses to discuss the matter further with Tarantino."
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| Dec. 1964 Surveillance Front two are A. Lapadura (L) and possibly A. Salvo |
On December 17, 1964 Agents conducted photo surveillance on a Christmas Party hosted by Gene Catena at Olde Colonial Inn located in Newark. Establishment owned by Gene's younger brother Frank (1909-1971). Those observed included Captain Gene Catena as well as Soldiers Ralph Belvedere, Angelo Lapadura, John Lardiere and Robert Tarantino. Possible attendees included Bonanno Soldier Angelo Salvo. It was noted that Tarantino arrived in an auto registered to Local 418.
On January 7, 1965 FBI CI reported: "[Redacted], Belvedere and Lapadura are all prominent Bergen County rackets figures, who are part of the old Willie Moretti group. Informant has heard that the Catenas have absorbed the old Moretti organization. Informant also knows [Redacted], Lardiere and Tarantino are closely connected with the Catena group."
On September 16, 1965 Tarantino was (briefly?) interviewed by Newark Agents: "[He] still resides at his Passaic, New Jersey, residence, 531 Gregory Avenue; and works every day at [Local 418] where he is the president."
On January 7, 1965 FBI CI reported: "[Redacted], Belvedere and Lapadura are all prominent Bergen County rackets figures, who are part of the old Willie Moretti group. Informant has heard that the Catenas have absorbed the old Moretti organization. Informant also knows [Redacted], Lardiere and Tarantino are closely connected with the Catena group."
On September 16, 1965 Tarantino was (briefly?) interviewed by Newark Agents: "[He] still resides at his Passaic, New Jersey, residence, 531 Gregory Avenue; and works every day at [Local 418] where he is the president."
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| P. LaPlaca (1961) |
On May 17, 1966 FBI NK reported: "[Tarantino's brother-in-law is] Peter Dominick LaPlaca, who resides at 478 Gregory Avenue, Passaic, New Jersey. It is noted that LaPlaca was sentenced [3/16/60 in USDC Newark] for bribing a Federal juror in the income tax evasion case of the late Abner 'Longie' Zwillman of Newark, New Jersey. LaPlaca served time from [3/31/60] to [9/17/65] and is reportedly now employed with the V. J. Bisconti Construction Company, Garfield, New Jersey." (478 Gregory Ave was about a block from Tarantino's own residence.)
In September-November 1966 FBI CI reported: "[Tarantino] is still associated with the Teamsters Production Maintenance and Allied Teamsters Local 418, Garfield, New Jersey. [CI] stated that the subject quite often [redacted]. [CI] advised that outside of occasionally being in the company of his in-law, Peter LaPlaca, Tarantino is not known to associate with any gamblers or criminal figures. [CI] stated he did not know subject to be a member of La Cosa Nostra nor is he known to be involved in any illegal activities."
On March 11, 1967 Tarantino suffered a brain hemorrhage at his residence and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Passaic General Hospital.
Buried in Saint Michael's Cemetery located in Lodi, New Jersey.
Tarantino's crew leader Gene Catena died of natural causes that August.
By early the following year it was being reported that Peter LaPlaca had succeeded Catena as Captain. He held the position until his own death in 1979.
Tarantino's sons Joseph Cross (1933-2003) and Robert (1940-2015) were later noted as having followed their father into the union.
On June 16, 1978 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that [redacted] Pete LaPlaca. [Redacted] according to source, resides in [redacted] and has a home telephone number [redacted]. Source further advised that [redacted paragraph]." (This report is believed referring to a possible relative or former associate of Tarantino's.)
Posthumously included in 1983 and 1988 membership lists.
In September-November 1966 FBI CI reported: "[Tarantino] is still associated with the Teamsters Production Maintenance and Allied Teamsters Local 418, Garfield, New Jersey. [CI] stated that the subject quite often [redacted]. [CI] advised that outside of occasionally being in the company of his in-law, Peter LaPlaca, Tarantino is not known to associate with any gamblers or criminal figures. [CI] stated he did not know subject to be a member of La Cosa Nostra nor is he known to be involved in any illegal activities."
On March 11, 1967 Tarantino suffered a brain hemorrhage at his residence and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Passaic General Hospital.
Buried in Saint Michael's Cemetery located in Lodi, New Jersey.
Tarantino's crew leader Gene Catena died of natural causes that August.
By early the following year it was being reported that Peter LaPlaca had succeeded Catena as Captain. He held the position until his own death in 1979.
Tarantino's sons Joseph Cross (1933-2003) and Robert (1940-2015) were later noted as having followed their father into the union.
On June 16, 1978 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that [redacted] Pete LaPlaca. [Redacted] according to source, resides in [redacted] and has a home telephone number [redacted]. Source further advised that [redacted paragraph]." (This report is believed referring to a possible relative or former associate of Tarantino's.)
Posthumously included in 1983 and 1988 membership lists.
More Genovese Family posts can be found in the Index.
