Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Ciro Giampaolo (Lucchese)

1969
Ciro 'Charlie the Baker' Giampaolo was a Lucchese Captain who headed the Family's Prince Street crew headquartered in Manhattan's Little Italy.

Born November 20, 1905 at 70 East Houston St in Little Italy, Manhattan to Cosimo (32y) and Maria Maneri (30y). Parents from Palermo.

At the time of Ciro's birth the family was living at the same address.

Within a couple of years the Giampaolos returned to Sicily.

On March 10, 1930 twenty-four-year-old Ciro was issued a US Passport at Palermo.

On April 30, 1930 arrived at Port of New York aboard S.S. Patria. Destined for 652 E 187th St in Belmont, The Bronx.

Possibly a made member by the early 1930s.

On November 18, 1937 arrived at Port of New York aboard S.S. Conte Di Savoia. Destined for 265 Elizabeth St in Little Italy, Manhattan.

Around 1939 spent approximately four months back in Sicily after his brother, Natale Giampaolo, died there.

By Fall 1940 resided at 46 E 3rd St in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood. Operated bakery a few blocks over at 264 Elizabeth St in Little Italy.

On June 28, 1942 married Giorgina Catandella (33y) in Manhattan. Bride's parents, Joseph and Lucy Scifo, from Modica comune of Ragusa, Sicily.

F. Nuccio
Witnesses were the bride's sister Elvira and Lucchese Associate Frank Nuccio (22y).

Nuccio, born 1919 to parents from the Palermo comunes of Campofelice and Marineo, was later identified as a Soldier in the Lucchese's Prince Street crew.

His brothers John (1910-1972), Vincent (1912-1982) and Salvatore (1917-2002), along with John's son Sebastian (1936-2010), were made members as well. (Their father Sebastian [1876-1941] may have also been a member.)

A year after witnessing the marriage, Frank Nuccio was charged with bootlegging after Federal Agents raided an alcohol still located at the same address as Giampaolo's bakery on Elizabeth St.

By April 1950 Ciro, his wife and their three children had moved out of East Village and into Little Italy, residing at 55 E Houston St.

During the mid-to-late 1950s Ciro operated bakeries on Mulberry St (234 -> 288), about two blocks over from the old Elizabeth St location.

By that time he was a formally inducted member of the Lucchese Family and probably reported to Frank 'Chick Wilson' Citrano, then head of the Prince Street crew.

Made members of Citrano's crew believed included Joseph 'Joe Beck' DiPalermo, Charles 'Charlie Brody' DiPalermo, Joseph 'Pippeneddu' Frangipane, Ciro Giampaolo, Joseph 'Joe Calabrese' Lagano, Salvatore Maneri, Frank Nuccio, John Nuccio, Salvatore Nuccio, Vincent Nuccio, Charles 'Charlie Prunes' Ruvolo and Michael 'Mickey Prunes' Scrimenti.

Possible crew members included Soldiers Salvatore 'Don Turi' Benanti (Former Captain), Charles 'Woppy' Carlino and James 'Jimmy Doyle' Plumeri.

By 1959 listed additional employment as real estate operator from his Houston St residence.

By June 1960 the Giampaolos had left Manhattan and settled at 488 Rosedale Ave in White Plains, New York located about twenty-five miles north. Ciro continued to operate a bakery, now located on Houston St.

The same month Captain Frank Citrano died.

Giampaolo is believed to have taken over the crew, although some informant reports instead identify Joseph Lagano as Citrano's immediate successor. (It's possible they headed separate crews.)

Around 1961 employed with a bakery in Garfield, New Jersey.

By the following year operated Trieste Bar and Grill at 311 E 12th St in East Village.

In late 1962 FBI CI Alfred Santantonio, a Gambino Soldier, identified 'Charles Chambollo' as a Lucchese member. (Santantonio was murdered July 1963 after his informant status became known.)

Around July 1964 opened Ciro's Restaurant at 471 3rd Ave in Kips Bay, Manhattan.

On August 2, 1966 FBI CI reported: "[Ciro] Giampaolo had formerly been a caporegima in the Lucchese Family, but had heard he is now inactive and leads a legitimate life. Informant said this individual owns a bakery shop located on the corner of Houston and Mott Streets, New York City, is a white, male, American, 60 years old, 5'6" tall, 170-180 lbs., thinning hair and speaks broken English. Informant stated that he does not believe this individual was ever arrested." CI identified former Giampaolo crew members as including Soldiers Charles DiPalermo, Joseph DiPalermo, Joseph Frangipane and Salvatore Shillitani.

S. Shillitani
Same date FBI CI reported: "[Salvatore] Shillitani is a 'Soldier' in the Lucchese Family and had been under caporegima 'Charlie the Baker'. [CI] had heard that Shillitani is presently under caporegima Anthony 'Ducks' Corallo." (Salvatore Shillitani [1906-1990] was an active participant in the 1930 Castellammare War alongside Genovese Soldier turned CW Joseph Valachi; for their roles in the conflict, the pair were inducted during the same ceremony in November of that year. Antonio 'Tony Ducks' Corallo [1914-2000] took over the Lucchese Family after Carmine 'Gribbs' Tramunti's death in 1978 and remained Boss until his conviction in the Commission case eight years later.)

The following month designated subject of FBI anti-racketeering investigation.

On November 9, 1966 FBI CI reported: "Regarding [Charlie the Baker], informant stated that he is acquainted with an individual who might be identical to unsub, and will make efforts to learn the name of this person."

On November 15, 1966 the informant reported: "[In] connection with efforts to identify Charlie the Baker, an individual known as [Redacted], and his description fits the one furnished for the former individual."

On December 22, 1966 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that 'Charlie the Baker' was married, had children and had operated a bakery shop on the Lower East Side. Informant said that he would attempt to recontact Charlie in an effort to obtain background information concerning him." Early the following month CI reported: "[He] had learned that Charlie had closed his bakery shop approximately 1-1.5 years ago and had moved and is presently residing somewhere in White Plains. Informant will continue efforts to obtain background."

On February 27, 1967 FBI CI reported: "[The] individual previously mentioned by him as being a Caporegima in the Lucchese Family is Charles Ciampollo or Giampollo. Informant stated he recalled Charles' [redacted] previously mentioned as being under Charlie the Baker. Informant said he last heard Charlie was living in White Plains and has been 'running away from everyone' because of his fear of being exposed as being in La Cosa Nostra."

On March 10, 1967 Federal Bureau of Narcotics advised FBI's New York Office: "[Special Agent] confidentially advised writer that during the period 1956-1962 his department had conducted considerable investigation and had received the following info re Charles Giampaolo: [biographic details], formerly operated a bakery at 243 Mulberry Street, New York City. His last address was 488 Rosedale Avenue, White Plains, also owned a home at 47 E. Houston Street, NYC, and had an apt at 55 E. Houston Street...It was learned that Giampaolo was closely associated with Sal Maneri, Joseph Rosato, Joey, Pete and Charlie DiPalermo and he was allegedly obtaining narcotics from France which he then sold to the DiPalermos and thereafter giving a percentage of his profits to Thomas Lucchese, [Redacted] and Vincent Rao. It was determined that Giampaolo received mail from Palermo. [SA] said they had never been able to verify Giampaolo's POB or locate an arrest record for him."

On August 10, 1967 interviewed for the first time by FBI Agents:
"
[SAs] entered Ciro's Restaurant [and] observed several women and one male at the bar which was attended by a white male approximately 66 years old, 165 lbs. and 5'6" in height.

At approximately 11:05 PM, SA mentioned to the bartender that he just suffered from an attack of bursitis in his left elbow and it still pained him greatly. The bartender stated he also suffered from bursitis and he had been treated for it by a doctor at Columbus Hospital whom he identified as [Redacted].

At approximately 12:05 AM when all the other customers of the bar had departed, [SA] inquired of the bartender if his name was Charles Giampaolo. When he answered in the affirmative, [SAs] identified themselves...Giampaolo inquired as to the reason for the interview and was told by [SA] that the FBI had received information to the effect that he was a member of the La Cosa Nostra with Thomas Lucchese. Giampaolo denied he was a member of La Cosa Nostra and he only belonged to well known organizations like the Elks. Giampaolo denied knowing Sal Maneri, Joseph Rosato, or the DiPalermo brothers (Joseph, Peter and Charlie).

He stated he originally came from the Mulberry Street area of Manhattan where he at one time owned a bakery. He stated he owned a home at East Houston Street and at one time lived in White Plains. Giampaolo advised he did not object to [SAs] returning to see him again the near future.
"

Possibly interviewed again around December 27, 1967.

By 1968 resided at 80 William St in Mount Vernon, New York.

In September 1968 included in the FBI's list of 50 identified Lucchese Family members.

On December 19, 1968 FBI attempted interview at Ciro's Restaurant: "During this period, Giampaolo was noted to spend most of his time in the kitchen of the restaurant and only on two brief occasions was he noted to come out to the bar where he entered into discussions with the barmaid. No opportunity was present in which contact could be made under favorable conditions."

C. Taglialatela (1969)
On February 7, 1969 California resident Carmine 'Fats' Taglialatela provided the FBI with a large amount of information on the Lucchese Family. Taglialatela, self-described member, claimed he was sponsored by Paul Vario around 1958 and described Vario's Captain at the time as a cagey older man who ran a bakery.

Taglialatela was questioned about the possibility of the old man being Ciro Giampaolo but stated he didn't recognize the name and would need a photo.

Feb. 1969
Five days later Agents again interviewed Giampaolo: "He advised his true name is Ciro Giampaolo and the name of Charles was a name used by his friends when he was a young man...He was born in New York [and] while still a child returned to Italy with his parents. He spent approximately 20 years in Italy. During this period he spent four years in schools in Palermo and Milan. He returned to the United States. [Giampaolo] stated that he had been in the bakery business for over 24 years and had a shop located at the corner of Houston and Elizabeth, New York City. He said he never operated a bakery in Brooklyn, and in fact never had any reasons to live or work in that section. Giampaolo mentioned he has a cardiac condition and said his doctor was a [Redacted] NY. Giampaolo was shown photographs of the following individuals and upon viewing the photographs denied knowing the individuals: [Redacted], Joseph DiPalermo, Salvatore Shillitani, Joseph Frangipane, Paul Vario, Thomas Lucchese. He stated he had no objection to the Agents returning to see him again." Several photographs were taken with a hidden camera during questioning, a tactic commonly used by Agents at the time to get pictures of the more obscure figures.

Copies of Giampaolo's photos were sent to the San Francisco Field Office and shown to CI Taglialatela who didn't recognize him as anyone he knew.

On or around February 19, 1969 FBI CI reported: "...Informant was also questioned about Charlie the Baker, alleged to be an LCN member. He stated that during the 1950s, Charlie the Baker was a delivery boy for the Beck [DiPalermo] brothers in their sale of illegal alcohol [redacted]. Based on this, informant is of the opinion that Charlie the Baker is not an LCN member or he would not have been engaged in the sale of alcohol."

In March and August 1969 FBI spot checks conducted on Ciro's Restaurant. It was noted that Giampaolo spent most of the time working alone in the kitchen, his only interaction with others being discussions with the barmaid.

On September 23, 1969 Agents returned to the restaurant: "[An] Urban Renewal Notice had been posted on the building in which the restaurant was located. In view of the above a pretext interview was conducted with the female bartender at the restaurant and it was ascertained that the demolition of the buildings would begin next month (10/69). Giampaolo was not at the restaurant because of illness according to the barmaid and she did not have any idea concerning the future plans of Giampaolo to relocate elsewhere."

When Agents went back the following month they discovered that the restaurant was boarded up and being prepared for demolition.

On November 13, 1969 State Liquor Authority advised FBI: "[After] Ciro Giampaolo discontinued operating his restaurant and bar at Third Avenue, he turned in his liquor license with the New York SLA, and, according to [SLA], this action indicated Giampaolo would not relocate his business."

On December 10, 1969 interviewed by INS Agent(s) in lobby of his Mount Vernon apartment building: "Giampaolo stated he was born in NY on 11/20/1905 as Ciro Giampaolo; he was brought to Italy pre-school age; his parents are deceased; and he would furnish all other information through his attorney."

J. Rosato
FBN Mafia Book
On January 7, 1972 FBI CI (Member Source) provided a partial breakdown of the Lucchese Family. Ciro Giampaolo was identified as a Soldier reporting to Captain Joseph 'Joe Palisades' Rosato.

Members reporting to Rosato were Ciro Giampaolo and Nicholas 'Big Nose Nick' Tolentino who died that October.

The Prince Street crew was shown as being headed by Joseph Lagano.

Lagano and Joseph Rosato died in February and April 1973, respectively.

Giampaolo may have briefly headed the Prince Street crew around this time, although by October 1973 Joseph DiPalermo was identified as the Captain.

By April 1974 resided at 621 North Terrace Ave in Mount Vernon.

On June 10, 1974 Agents visited the residence and interviewed Ciro's wife in an attempt to locate him.

The same day his attorney contacted the FBI office and requested that all further contacts with Ciro be made through him.

J. DiPalermo (1973)
On August 27, 1974 FBI CI reported: "[Joe] Beck DiPalermo is a member of the Genovese Family and [is] putting a lot of shylock money on the street. Informant advised that Joe Beck resides in Knickerbocker Village in New York City, where he retains two apartments, one in his wife's name and one in a fictitious name. Informant advised Joe Beck is the silent owner of the Alley Cat Bar and Grill, located at 1407 Broadway, NYC, and he frequently can be found during the evening hours at this bar in the company of Charlie the Baker (TN Charles Giampaolo). Informant also advised Joe Beck frequently can be found at a social club located on Prince Street between Elizabeth and Mott Streets."

On September 18, 1974 FBI CI reported: "[Up] until approximately one year ago 'Charlie the Baker' was a Captain in the East Harlem crew; however, approximately one year ago he went into semi-retirement and 'Joe Beck' DiPalermo took over for Charlie. Informant advised that Charlie is extremely wealthy, having made a fortune in the narcotics business. Informant advised Charlie runs an Italian bread store on Mulberry Street between Houston and Prince Streets, and he can sometimes be found at that location."

In January 1977 included in the FBI's list of 51 identified Lucchese Family members.

In July 1978 included in FBI's list of approximately 70 identified Lucchese Family members. An additional twelve individuals listed as suspected members.

In June 1983 identified as Lucchese Soldier in Senate Chart of Lucchese Family membership.

In 1988 included in Senate list of 102 identified Lucchese Family members.

Ciro Giampaolo died February 22, 2000.

More Lucchese Family posts can be found in the Index.

Update

J. Fontana, C. Giampaolo New Posts 1. John Fontana (Pittsburgh) 2. Ciro Giampaolo  (Lucchese)