Gioachino 'Jack' Leale was a Colombo Soldier shot to death in 1991.
Originally from the area of Brooklyn - Queens typically associated with Bonanno membership, he was inducted into the Colombo Family around mid-1989 and operated primarily in Long Island as a member of the crew headed by Captain Pasquale 'Pat' Amato.
The October 1991 defection of his brother-in-law, Colombo Associate Harry Bonfiglio, contributed in part to Leale's own murder later the same month.
Born May 19, 1947 in Brooklyn to Salvatore (24y) and Calogera 'Lillian' Cascio (25y). Father's family from Alcamo comune of Trapani and from Burgio in Agrigento, Sicily. Mother's family from Sciacca, Agrigento.
At the time of Jack's birth the family was believed living at 303 Hemlock St in the Cypress Hills neighborhood.
Within a couple of years the family moved to 1168 Gates Ave in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Father owned bakery.
On May 17, 1952 the family traveled by air to Munich, Germany.
By mid-1970s resided at 60-68 74th St in Maspeth, Queens.
Information on Leale's early LCN association isn't currently available. He may have come up as an Associate of the Alois, which by the early 1980s included Captain Benedetto 'Benny' Aloi and his older brother, Colombo Soldier and Former Acting Boss Vincenzo Aloi.
Originally from the area of Brooklyn - Queens typically associated with Bonanno membership, he was inducted into the Colombo Family around mid-1989 and operated primarily in Long Island as a member of the crew headed by Captain Pasquale 'Pat' Amato.
The October 1991 defection of his brother-in-law, Colombo Associate Harry Bonfiglio, contributed in part to Leale's own murder later the same month.
Born May 19, 1947 in Brooklyn to Salvatore (24y) and Calogera 'Lillian' Cascio (25y). Father's family from Alcamo comune of Trapani and from Burgio in Agrigento, Sicily. Mother's family from Sciacca, Agrigento.
At the time of Jack's birth the family was believed living at 303 Hemlock St in the Cypress Hills neighborhood.
Within a couple of years the family moved to 1168 Gates Ave in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Father owned bakery.
On May 17, 1952 the family traveled by air to Munich, Germany.
By mid-1970s resided at 60-68 74th St in Maspeth, Queens.
Information on Leale's early LCN association isn't currently available. He may have come up as an Associate of the Alois, which by the early 1980s included Captain Benedetto 'Benny' Aloi and his older brother, Colombo Soldier and Former Acting Boss Vincenzo Aloi.
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| M. Pappadio Manhattan Mob Rampage Documentary |
Leale first turns up as part of the May 13, 1989 murder of Lucchese Soldier Michael Pappadio, who was bludgeoned and shot to death by a hit team from that Family inside the office of a bagel shop in Jamaica, Queens.
After the murder Pappadio's body was placed in a body bag supplied by Colombo Soldier Victor Orena Jr, son of the Family's Acting Boss 'Little Vic' Orena, and driven by one of the Pappadio's killers, Lucchese Soldier George 'Georgie Neck' Zappola, to Staten Island.
After the murder Pappadio's body was placed in a body bag supplied by Colombo Soldier Victor Orena Jr, son of the Family's Acting Boss 'Little Vic' Orena, and driven by one of the Pappadio's killers, Lucchese Soldier George 'Georgie Neck' Zappola, to Staten Island.
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| B. Aloi (L) and V. Aloi |
In Staten Island Zappola met with the Aloi brothers Benedetto and Vincent, now serving as Colombo Family Consigliere and Captain respectively. Remains given over to Leale, a freelance funeral director, and taken to an unnamed funeral parlor where cremated.
(Pappadio was a younger brother of Former Lucchese Family Acting Boss Andimo 'Tony Noto' Pappadio, himself shot to death in 1976.)
Leale, believed to be an Associate at the time, was formally inducted within a couple of months of Pappadio's murder.
The ceremony likely would have been presided over by Acting Boss Vic Orena.
On July 4, 1989 Michael 'Mikey Boy / Mikey Beeper' Maffatore, a neighbor of Leale's brother-in-law Harry Bonfiglio, was introduced to Leale at Bonfiglio's residence in Middle Village, Queens.
Maffatore, whose defection would kick off the chain of events culminating in Leale's murder, later testified that on that date Leale personally described himself to Maffatore as a made member.
Maffatore was soon put on-record with and began driving for Leale, who had by then moved to an address on Little Neck Ave in North Bellmore, Long Island.
(Pappadio was a younger brother of Former Lucchese Family Acting Boss Andimo 'Tony Noto' Pappadio, himself shot to death in 1976.)
Leale, believed to be an Associate at the time, was formally inducted within a couple of months of Pappadio's murder.
The ceremony likely would have been presided over by Acting Boss Vic Orena.
On July 4, 1989 Michael 'Mikey Boy / Mikey Beeper' Maffatore, a neighbor of Leale's brother-in-law Harry Bonfiglio, was introduced to Leale at Bonfiglio's residence in Middle Village, Queens.
Maffatore, whose defection would kick off the chain of events culminating in Leale's murder, later testified that on that date Leale personally described himself to Maffatore as a made member.
Maffatore was soon put on-record with and began driving for Leale, who had by then moved to an address on Little Neck Ave in North Bellmore, Long Island.
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| Excerpt from Brooklyn District Attorney's Office Chart |
By Fall 1989 Leale reported to Colombo Captain Pasquale Amato.
Made members of Amato's crew included Robert Donofrio, Jack Leale and Thomas Ocera.
Ocera operated social clubs in Merrick and Westbury, Long Island frequented by Amato, Leale and others. Colombo Associate Michael Reiter, son of imprisoned Gambino Associate and heroin dealer Mark Reiter, was responsible for collecting money from the Merrick club's joker poker machines. Club also hosted card games.
Made members of Amato's crew included Robert Donofrio, Jack Leale and Thomas Ocera.
Ocera operated social clubs in Merrick and Westbury, Long Island frequented by Amato, Leale and others. Colombo Associate Michael Reiter, son of imprisoned Gambino Associate and heroin dealer Mark Reiter, was responsible for collecting money from the Merrick club's joker poker machines. Club also hosted card games.
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| T. Pitera (L) and D. Harrigan Pitera: Gang Land News |
That year Michael Reiter disappeared in what was later determined an unsanctioned murder carried out by Bonanno Soldier Thomas 'Tommy Karate' Pitera and associates. Reiter, killed for harassing Pitera crew member Dennis Michael Harrigan over a $60,000 debt, was lured to a parking lot in Nassau County, Long Island, and killed by a blast from a sawed-off shotgun fired by Pitera. Body buried in local wooded area.
(In retaliation Reiter's father Mark later paid $10,000 to Gambino Associate Frank 'Frankie the Blond' Mariconda to kill Harrigan, who was gunned down at a Queens payphone in early October 1991. In February 1992 Mariconda was himself the victim of an unsanctioned murder, shot to death for unrelated reasons by Lucchese Members Frank Gioia Jr. and Frank 'Frankie Bones' Papagni. Thomas Pitera was convicted on Federal racketeering charges that included multiple murders, although not Reiter's, and sentenced to life.)
At the time of Reiter's disappearance one of those suspected was Amato crew member Thomas Ocera. This suspicion, along with Ocera's alleged skimming of profits, led to his murder being ordered by Acting Boss Vic Orena.
(In retaliation Reiter's father Mark later paid $10,000 to Gambino Associate Frank 'Frankie the Blond' Mariconda to kill Harrigan, who was gunned down at a Queens payphone in early October 1991. In February 1992 Mariconda was himself the victim of an unsanctioned murder, shot to death for unrelated reasons by Lucchese Members Frank Gioia Jr. and Frank 'Frankie Bones' Papagni. Thomas Pitera was convicted on Federal racketeering charges that included multiple murders, although not Reiter's, and sentenced to life.)
At the time of Reiter's disappearance one of those suspected was Amato crew member Thomas Ocera. This suspicion, along with Ocera's alleged skimming of profits, led to his murder being ordered by Acting Boss Vic Orena.
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| V. Orena Gang Land News |
In early November 1989 Maffatore drove Leale to a storefront in Cedarhurst, Long Island, where Leale met with Vic Orena and was given the 'contract' for Ocera.
On November 13, 1989 Ocera was lured to Pat Amato's residence on Keller Ave in Merrick, Long Island. Others present were Jack Leale, Colombo Soldier Frank 'Chicky' Leo and Frank's son Angelo Leto. Ocera was strangled inside the home, after which Leale was tasked with disposing of the body. (Angelo Leto was inducted into the Colombo Family by the end of 1991, possibly as a result of his participation in the Ocera hit.)
The body was passed off to Leale's brother-in-law Harry Bonfiglio and his driver Michael Maffatore. Maffatore later testified: "Jackie showed up about 10:30 [AM] with Tommy in the trunk of the car...He wanted us to go back to the neighborhood [in Queens with] the car...Harry didn't want to take the car [because the trunk] was partly open a little on the left-hand side...[Back in Queens we] put some pressure on it and it closed."
Later that evening Leale showed up at Bonfiglio's residence. Maffatore: "About 7:00 o'clock, Jackie showed up that night and went to get some picks and shovels...Came back about a half hour later and then we went into the park to dig a hole, me, Guy St. John and George [Weatherall]." (Guy St. John was Bonfiglio's stepson and George Weatherall another of Bonfiglio's neighbors in Middle Village.)
After locating a spot in local Forest Park, the trio spent about an hour digging a hole and then contacted Bonfiglio. Maffatore: "Harry and Jackie showed up in two separate cars...Harry was driving his and Jackie was driving mine...Harry made him turn around, backed to the fence and we popped the trunk and took Thomas out...We took him out of the trunk and he -- when he came off the hill, he went down the hill and his foot came out of the bag...[We closed] the trunk, Harry and Jackie took off and we [buried the body]."
After burial the trio had to briefly return for a pick Maffatore left at the spot. Maffatore: "[We] went back to Harry's house and Jackie told us not to mention it again."
The day after Ocera's murder, control of his two social clubs in Merrick and Westbury given to Leale. Colombo Associate Paulie LNU ran the Merrick club and hosted Greek card games. Maffatore was given responsibility of collecting from the Westbury club's gambling machines.
On October 31, 1990 arrested by Nassau County PD in North Bellmore on charges of criminal possession weapon 3rd degree, promoting gambling 2nd degree and conspiracy 6th degree. (A later press report states Leale was arrested by the New York State Police; his Federal arrest record / rap sheet lists it as local PD.)
On December 20, 1990 indicted by Suffolk County, LI District Attorney's Office on charge of promoting prostitution 3rd degree. Accused of running a house of prostitution in Hauppauge, Long Island. (The reports and associated arrest photo from this case have since been sealed.)
On January 9, 1991, around 1:00 AM, Leale and an Unsub kidnapped two teenagers after a one-mile car chase near the Leale residence in North Bellmore. Long Island Newsday later reported: "Police said a large group of teens, including the two victims, parked their cars in front of a home and began honking their car horns. According to the teens, they honked because a spotlight was shining into drivers' eyes...[Det] said he believes the teens had beeped their car horns at the house at least seven times over a month's time. On the night in question [they did it] from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. He said the two suspects chased one of the cars [and] forced them out of the car at gunpoint, and [one of the occupants] was pistol-whipped. The victims were forced to the back seat of the suspects' car and taken to Leale's house in North Bellmore, where they were threatened with death if they called the police. After about an hour, the teenagers were released. [One of their fathers] later persuaded his son to call authorities."
Two days later Leale was charged with kidnapping 2nd degree, assault 2nd degree and criminal mischief 3rd degree. Arraigned at First District Court and held without bail. Long Island Newsday reported: "[Leale] had become angry at teenagers parking in front of [his] North Bellmore house and beeping their car horns...'I think it's one of these things where you get annoyed at a childish prank, and he just went too far,' [Detective] said."
By May 1991 made members of Pasquale Amato's crew included Joseph Amato, Pasquale 'Fat Patty' DiMatteo, Robert Donofrio, Jack Leale, Louis 'Bobo' Malpeso and Rosario 'Black Sam' Nastasa.
In August 1991 failed to appear for hearing in Hauppauge, LI court re December 1990 prostitution indictment.
By that time additional on-record associates of Leale believed included Frank Teri (50y). (Teri [1941-2003], parents from Partanna and possibly Calatafimi in Trapani, Sicily, was identified with Captain Pasquale 'Patty' Catalano's crew later in the decade.)
On October 3, 1991 Michael Maffatore, now a cooperator, led authorities to Ocera's burial site.
Same date Leale's brother-in-law Harry Bonfiglio was indicted by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York on narcotics charges as well as for involvement in Ocera's murder. Arraigned before US Magistrate Simon Chen and remanded to the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan pending hearing. Long Island Newsday reported: "In asking that Bonfiglio remain in jail for his own safety, [Assistant US Attorney] said, 'Within the last 15 hours, these people have determined that Mr. Bonfiglio needs to be eliminated." (Bonfiglio followed Maffatore's lead and also entered into a cooperation agreement.)
Within a day or two Federal arrest warrants issued for Leale, Guy St. John and George Weatherall. Leale unable to be located and soon declared fugitive.
On October 28, 1991 failed to appear in Nassau County Court re January 1991 kidnapping case.
Following day checked into Plainview Plaza Hotel located on Sunnyside Blvd in Plainview, Long Island.
On November 13, 1989 Ocera was lured to Pat Amato's residence on Keller Ave in Merrick, Long Island. Others present were Jack Leale, Colombo Soldier Frank 'Chicky' Leo and Frank's son Angelo Leto. Ocera was strangled inside the home, after which Leale was tasked with disposing of the body. (Angelo Leto was inducted into the Colombo Family by the end of 1991, possibly as a result of his participation in the Ocera hit.)
The body was passed off to Leale's brother-in-law Harry Bonfiglio and his driver Michael Maffatore. Maffatore later testified: "Jackie showed up about 10:30 [AM] with Tommy in the trunk of the car...He wanted us to go back to the neighborhood [in Queens with] the car...Harry didn't want to take the car [because the trunk] was partly open a little on the left-hand side...[Back in Queens we] put some pressure on it and it closed."
Later that evening Leale showed up at Bonfiglio's residence. Maffatore: "About 7:00 o'clock, Jackie showed up that night and went to get some picks and shovels...Came back about a half hour later and then we went into the park to dig a hole, me, Guy St. John and George [Weatherall]." (Guy St. John was Bonfiglio's stepson and George Weatherall another of Bonfiglio's neighbors in Middle Village.)
After locating a spot in local Forest Park, the trio spent about an hour digging a hole and then contacted Bonfiglio. Maffatore: "Harry and Jackie showed up in two separate cars...Harry was driving his and Jackie was driving mine...Harry made him turn around, backed to the fence and we popped the trunk and took Thomas out...We took him out of the trunk and he -- when he came off the hill, he went down the hill and his foot came out of the bag...[We closed] the trunk, Harry and Jackie took off and we [buried the body]."
After burial the trio had to briefly return for a pick Maffatore left at the spot. Maffatore: "[We] went back to Harry's house and Jackie told us not to mention it again."
The day after Ocera's murder, control of his two social clubs in Merrick and Westbury given to Leale. Colombo Associate Paulie LNU ran the Merrick club and hosted Greek card games. Maffatore was given responsibility of collecting from the Westbury club's gambling machines.
On October 31, 1990 arrested by Nassau County PD in North Bellmore on charges of criminal possession weapon 3rd degree, promoting gambling 2nd degree and conspiracy 6th degree. (A later press report states Leale was arrested by the New York State Police; his Federal arrest record / rap sheet lists it as local PD.)
On December 20, 1990 indicted by Suffolk County, LI District Attorney's Office on charge of promoting prostitution 3rd degree. Accused of running a house of prostitution in Hauppauge, Long Island. (The reports and associated arrest photo from this case have since been sealed.)
On January 9, 1991, around 1:00 AM, Leale and an Unsub kidnapped two teenagers after a one-mile car chase near the Leale residence in North Bellmore. Long Island Newsday later reported: "Police said a large group of teens, including the two victims, parked their cars in front of a home and began honking their car horns. According to the teens, they honked because a spotlight was shining into drivers' eyes...[Det] said he believes the teens had beeped their car horns at the house at least seven times over a month's time. On the night in question [they did it] from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. He said the two suspects chased one of the cars [and] forced them out of the car at gunpoint, and [one of the occupants] was pistol-whipped. The victims were forced to the back seat of the suspects' car and taken to Leale's house in North Bellmore, where they were threatened with death if they called the police. After about an hour, the teenagers were released. [One of their fathers] later persuaded his son to call authorities."
Two days later Leale was charged with kidnapping 2nd degree, assault 2nd degree and criminal mischief 3rd degree. Arraigned at First District Court and held without bail. Long Island Newsday reported: "[Leale] had become angry at teenagers parking in front of [his] North Bellmore house and beeping their car horns...'I think it's one of these things where you get annoyed at a childish prank, and he just went too far,' [Detective] said."
By May 1991 made members of Pasquale Amato's crew included Joseph Amato, Pasquale 'Fat Patty' DiMatteo, Robert Donofrio, Jack Leale, Louis 'Bobo' Malpeso and Rosario 'Black Sam' Nastasa.
In August 1991 failed to appear for hearing in Hauppauge, LI court re December 1990 prostitution indictment.
By that time additional on-record associates of Leale believed included Frank Teri (50y). (Teri [1941-2003], parents from Partanna and possibly Calatafimi in Trapani, Sicily, was identified with Captain Pasquale 'Patty' Catalano's crew later in the decade.)
On October 3, 1991 Michael Maffatore, now a cooperator, led authorities to Ocera's burial site.
Same date Leale's brother-in-law Harry Bonfiglio was indicted by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York on narcotics charges as well as for involvement in Ocera's murder. Arraigned before US Magistrate Simon Chen and remanded to the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan pending hearing. Long Island Newsday reported: "In asking that Bonfiglio remain in jail for his own safety, [Assistant US Attorney] said, 'Within the last 15 hours, these people have determined that Mr. Bonfiglio needs to be eliminated." (Bonfiglio followed Maffatore's lead and also entered into a cooperation agreement.)
Within a day or two Federal arrest warrants issued for Leale, Guy St. John and George Weatherall. Leale unable to be located and soon declared fugitive.
On October 28, 1991 failed to appear in Nassau County Court re January 1991 kidnapping case.
Following day checked into Plainview Plaza Hotel located on Sunnyside Blvd in Plainview, Long Island.
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| Leale Crime Scene |
On October 31, 1991, at approximately 12:15 PM, shot to death by two assailants in parking lot of the hotel. Leale hit in head and upper body by multiple rounds fired at close range.
On November 4, 1991 FBI CI and Colombo Soldier Gregory Scarpa reported: “[The] recent hit on Jack Leale was done by the Orena faction of the Colombo Family, although the Persico side was as anxious to have Leale ‘hit’. Source said Leale made the fatal mistake of relying on too many non-made individuals to dispose of Tommy Ocera’s body which was subsequently found by the FBI. Source said Leale was obviously set up by someone he trusted.”
Two weeks after Scarpa's report, a long-simmering feud between the Orena and Persico factions erupted into open conflict when a hit team tried and failed to kill Scarpa outside his residence in Brooklyn.
Numerous arrests and subsequent defections brought the hostilities to a cease by the middle of 1992. (Exception being Orena's Acting Underboss Joseph Scopo who was shot to death in October 1993.)
On December 17, 1993 Former Captain Victor Orena Jr. indicted by USAO EDNY on Federal racketeering charges that included involvement as a shooter in Leale's murder. Authorities claimed Leale killed to prevent his potential testimony against Orena Jr.'s father. Long Island Newsday reported: "As guests scattered for cover, Leale, 44, [was] chased through the lobby of the hotel, and then into a parking lot by cursing gunmen led by Vic M. Orena who leaped over furniture and fired one shot into his back and six shots into his head, according to officials."
The trial of Orena Jr. and others ended in acquittal in large part due to recent public revelations concerning Gregory Scarpa's relationship with the FBI, particularly his continued involvement in murders while acting as a source for the Bureau.
On March 16, 1996 Vic Orena Jr. pleaded guilty in US District Court Brooklyn to charges including Federal witness tampering and conspiracy re Leale murder. New York Daily News reported: "In exchange for the plea, murder and weapons charges against Orena, 40, were dropped...And in a rare condition, Orena agreed to stay out of the five states [New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Nevada and Florida] after his release from prison."
On April 12, 1996 FBI's New York Office reported: "...[Frank] Teri was also the one time driver for Colombo LCN Soldier Gioachino 'Jack' Leale, who was murdered in the parking lot of the Plainview Plaza Hotel on 10/31/91. He remains a suspect in this murder." (Teri was then on-record with a Soldier in Pasquale Catalano's crew whose name is redacted.)
On November 4, 1991 FBI CI and Colombo Soldier Gregory Scarpa reported: “[The] recent hit on Jack Leale was done by the Orena faction of the Colombo Family, although the Persico side was as anxious to have Leale ‘hit’. Source said Leale made the fatal mistake of relying on too many non-made individuals to dispose of Tommy Ocera’s body which was subsequently found by the FBI. Source said Leale was obviously set up by someone he trusted.”
Two weeks after Scarpa's report, a long-simmering feud between the Orena and Persico factions erupted into open conflict when a hit team tried and failed to kill Scarpa outside his residence in Brooklyn.
Numerous arrests and subsequent defections brought the hostilities to a cease by the middle of 1992. (Exception being Orena's Acting Underboss Joseph Scopo who was shot to death in October 1993.)
On December 17, 1993 Former Captain Victor Orena Jr. indicted by USAO EDNY on Federal racketeering charges that included involvement as a shooter in Leale's murder. Authorities claimed Leale killed to prevent his potential testimony against Orena Jr.'s father. Long Island Newsday reported: "As guests scattered for cover, Leale, 44, [was] chased through the lobby of the hotel, and then into a parking lot by cursing gunmen led by Vic M. Orena who leaped over furniture and fired one shot into his back and six shots into his head, according to officials."
The trial of Orena Jr. and others ended in acquittal in large part due to recent public revelations concerning Gregory Scarpa's relationship with the FBI, particularly his continued involvement in murders while acting as a source for the Bureau.
On March 16, 1996 Vic Orena Jr. pleaded guilty in US District Court Brooklyn to charges including Federal witness tampering and conspiracy re Leale murder. New York Daily News reported: "In exchange for the plea, murder and weapons charges against Orena, 40, were dropped...And in a rare condition, Orena agreed to stay out of the five states [New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Nevada and Florida] after his release from prison."
On April 12, 1996 FBI's New York Office reported: "...[Frank] Teri was also the one time driver for Colombo LCN Soldier Gioachino 'Jack' Leale, who was murdered in the parking lot of the Plainview Plaza Hotel on 10/31/91. He remains a suspect in this murder." (Teri was then on-record with a Soldier in Pasquale Catalano's crew whose name is redacted.)
More Colombo Family posts can be found in the Index.
