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| Dec. 1963 |
Paul Lamonge was a suspected member of the Cleveland Family active in Warren and Trumbull counties.
Stepbrother Angelo 'Andy' Perna (1910-1979) was a Cleveland Member.
Born October 14, 1913 in Youngstown, Ohio to Paul (49y) and Catherine Martino (37y). Father from Bellona comune of Caserta, Campania.
In 1914 the elder Paul died and Catherine later married Vincenzo Perna, whose first wife died in 1915.
Vincenzo, from Termini Imerese in Palermo, was the father of Future Cleveland Member Angelo Perna.
By April 1920 the family resided at 308 Grant St in Niles, Ohio located in Trumbull County, about eight miles from Youngstown. Vincenzo owned grocery.
By 1946 Lamonge resided at 415 North Cedar Ave in Niles and worked as bartender.
On May 3 of that year married Mary Kozup (25y).
By April 1950 the couple and their three children were living at 869 John St in Niles. Paul listed occupation as horsebetter.
Stepbrother Angelo 'Andy' Perna (1910-1979) was a Cleveland Member.
Born October 14, 1913 in Youngstown, Ohio to Paul (49y) and Catherine Martino (37y). Father from Bellona comune of Caserta, Campania.
In 1914 the elder Paul died and Catherine later married Vincenzo Perna, whose first wife died in 1915.
Vincenzo, from Termini Imerese in Palermo, was the father of Future Cleveland Member Angelo Perna.
By April 1920 the family resided at 308 Grant St in Niles, Ohio located in Trumbull County, about eight miles from Youngstown. Vincenzo owned grocery.
By 1946 Lamonge resided at 415 North Cedar Ave in Niles and worked as bartender.
On May 3 of that year married Mary Kozup (25y).
By April 1950 the couple and their three children were living at 869 John St in Niles. Paul listed occupation as horsebetter.
By the late 1950s both Lamonge and his stepbrother Angelo Perna involved in criminal activity.
On October 2, 1958 FBI's Cleveland Field Office described Lamonge as 'known fence and racketeer from Niles'.
On October 2, 1958 FBI's Cleveland Field Office described Lamonge as 'known fence and racketeer from Niles'.
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| A. Perna |
Perna, by then believed to be a made member of the Cleveland Family, was a noted associate of Detroit Member Anthony 'Whitey' Besase in Toledo's numbers racket. (Besase is believed to have been an in-law of Perna and Lamonge; like Perna, his father was from Termini Imerese.)
Lamonge may himself have been an inducted member by this time.
By 1961 he operated Capri nightclub located on Highway 422 in McKinley Heights, Ohio. Liquor license held by wife.
Around September 23, 1961 appeared under subpoena before Trumbull County Grand Jury investigating local sewage contracting project.
Lamonge may himself have been an inducted member by this time.
By 1961 he operated Capri nightclub located on Highway 422 in McKinley Heights, Ohio. Liquor license held by wife.
Around September 23, 1961 appeared under subpoena before Trumbull County Grand Jury investigating local sewage contracting project.
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| The Plain Dealer (10/4/61) |
On October 2, 1961 among seven indicted by County Grand Jury re $283,000 extortion scheme involving local contractors and 'city business transactions'. Others indicted included Possible Cleveland Member James 'Bananas' Matash (1911-1977), also of Niles, as well as Trumbull County Democratic Party Chairman Frank Cickelli (51y) and City Councilman Raymond Little (49y).
Lamonge, specifically charged with extortion and witness intimidation, surrendered October 3.
On December 21, 1961 Capri nightclub destroyed by fire causing damage estimated at $75,000 (nearly $1 million today's value).
On February 5, 1962 began standing trial in Common Pleas Court. United Press International reported: "Lamonge is charged with threatening to kill two officials of contracting firms working on [sewer] project, larceny of $10,000 by trick and attempting to corrupt a witness."
On February 11, 1962 convicted on extortion and larceny charges. Acquitted on attempted extortion count and witness corruption charge dismissed prior to jury deliberations.
On February 16, 1962 sentenced by Common Pleas Judge G. H. Birrell to six to thirty-seven years imprisonment Ohio Penitentiary. Released on $10,000 bond pending appeal.
On or around November 5, 1962 Fourth District Court of Appeals affirmed conviction.
On May 15, 1963 Ohio Supreme Court upheld Court of Appeals' decision.
By late December 1963 serving sentence. (See top)
On June 15, 1964 identified by FBI Cleveland as Warren-based LCN member. Report noted Lamonge still incarcerated. (At least one other individual listed, John Nardi, is confirmed not to have been made.)
Further sections of report noted:
"
Lamonge, specifically charged with extortion and witness intimidation, surrendered October 3.
On December 21, 1961 Capri nightclub destroyed by fire causing damage estimated at $75,000 (nearly $1 million today's value).
On February 5, 1962 began standing trial in Common Pleas Court. United Press International reported: "Lamonge is charged with threatening to kill two officials of contracting firms working on [sewer] project, larceny of $10,000 by trick and attempting to corrupt a witness."
On February 11, 1962 convicted on extortion and larceny charges. Acquitted on attempted extortion count and witness corruption charge dismissed prior to jury deliberations.
On February 16, 1962 sentenced by Common Pleas Judge G. H. Birrell to six to thirty-seven years imprisonment Ohio Penitentiary. Released on $10,000 bond pending appeal.
On or around November 5, 1962 Fourth District Court of Appeals affirmed conviction.
On May 15, 1963 Ohio Supreme Court upheld Court of Appeals' decision.
By late December 1963 serving sentence. (See top)
On June 15, 1964 identified by FBI Cleveland as Warren-based LCN member. Report noted Lamonge still incarcerated. (At least one other individual listed, John Nardi, is confirmed not to have been made.)
Further sections of report noted:
"
Paul Lamonge, date of birth unknown, is a resident of Niles, Ohio, alleged member of La Cosa Nostra, and has attended meetings with other individuals suspected of being in that organization. He is the half brother of Angelo Perna who resides in Toledo and who appears to be an underling of Anthony 'Whitey' Besase, who is reported to be a lieutenant of Jack White [James Licavoli] of Cleveland. Presently, Lamonge is serving a term at Ohio State Penitentiary in connection with an extortion plan to shake basic contractors for City of Warren, Ohio, sewage disposal plant. Lamonge attempted to bomb the home of the Niles Chief of Police John Ross and is responsible for a bombing at the C & S Club in Liberty Township, Ohio, several years ago. He formerly operated the Capri Night Club, Highway 422, near Niles, Ohio, which was destroyed by fire allegedly set by Lamonge. He was also in the bonding business in the Niles-Warren area.
...[Wife] of Paul Lamonge [advised] she had no positive information that her husband belonged to the 'organization' or 'syndicate', but that in conversation with her husband he often referred to 'organization' members as Anthony Delsanter of Warren, Ohio, James Licavoli of Cleveland, and Leo Moceri, Ernie LaSalle, and James LaFatch of Akron, Ohio. Other associates of her husband whom she would consider members would be 'Whitey' Besase and Angelo Perna, her husband's half brother, both of Toledo, Ohio.
...[Wife] of Paul Lamonge [advised] she had no positive information that her husband belonged to the 'organization' or 'syndicate', but that in conversation with her husband he often referred to 'organization' members as Anthony Delsanter of Warren, Ohio, James Licavoli of Cleveland, and Leo Moceri, Ernie LaSalle, and James LaFatch of Akron, Ohio. Other associates of her husband whom she would consider members would be 'Whitey' Besase and Angelo Perna, her husband's half brother, both of Toledo, Ohio.
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(James LaFatch [1911-1993] was a Cleveland Member. James Licavoli [1904-1985], Calogero 'Leo' Moceri [1907-1976] and Ernest 'Ernie LaSalle' Fusco [1903-1974] were Detroit Members. Licavoli took over the Cleveland Family upon John Scalish's death in 1976, after which Moceri and Anthony Delsanter [1911-1977] became his first Underboss and Consigliere respectively.)
Same report noted: "[Sources] identified the following individuals as members of the 'Sicilian organization' in the Youngstown area which is under the control of the Cleveland 'Sicilian organization', probably operating under the jurisdiction of James Licavoli...Paul Lamonge."
(James LaFatch [1911-1993] was a Cleveland Member. James Licavoli [1904-1985], Calogero 'Leo' Moceri [1907-1976] and Ernest 'Ernie LaSalle' Fusco [1903-1974] were Detroit Members. Licavoli took over the Cleveland Family upon John Scalish's death in 1976, after which Moceri and Anthony Delsanter [1911-1977] became his first Underboss and Consigliere respectively.)
Same report noted: "[Sources] identified the following individuals as members of the 'Sicilian organization' in the Youngstown area which is under the control of the Cleveland 'Sicilian organization', probably operating under the jurisdiction of James Licavoli...Paul Lamonge."
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| C. Moceri The Akron Beacon Journal |
On February 9, 1965 Lamonge, still incarcerated at Ohio Penitentiary, called to testify at tax fraud trial of Detroit Member Calogero Moceri. The Cleveland Press reported: "[Lamonge and others] testified that Moceri purchased a string of automobiles during a four-year period when he claimed he had no income." The Plain Dealer reported: "Lamonge said that in November, 1960, Moceri instructed him to buy a Cadillac for $4,300 in Lamonge's name. He said Moceri gave him the cash to buy the car from a man who had won it in a raffle. He said he did not know why Moceri wanted him to buy the car in that manner." (Moceri received a directed verdict of acquittal the following month. In 1976 he disappeared as a result of a feud with Cleveland Associate John Nardi, noted above, and Irish gangster Danny Greene.)
On August 14, 1968 FBI CI reported: "...[CI] was shown photographs of the following Cleveland hoodlums but did not recognize them by name or photo: [Group includes Lamonge]."
On August 26, 1968 among 14 listed by FBI as suspected LCN members residing in Cleveland Division.
On April 6, 1969 among 3 arrested by Youngstown PD on possessing burglar tools charge. Others held were Joseph D. Rizzo and James Hardwick. Trio sitting in parked auto at 1531 Belmont Ave when confronted. The Plain Dealer later reported: "A search of the car revealed tools used in burglaries and loot stolen earlier in the night from the Chamber of Commerce office in Girard."
One week later arrested by US Secret Service on charges of possessing and attempting to sell $50,000 worth of counterfeit $100 bills. Lamonge, giving occupation as antique furniture finisher, remanded to Cuyahoga County Jail pending further hearing.
On May 12, 1969 Lamonge and four others, including Youngstown LCN affiliate Mario Guerrieri (37), indicted by US Attorney's Office in Cleveland on distribution and conspiracy charges re counterfeit bills. (Guerrieri [1931-2011] remained active into the late 1990s when convicted in an arson case.)
Around November 5, 1969 Lamonge and Joseph D. Rizzo each sentenced by Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge to one-to-five years Ohio Penitentiary following conviction on burglar tools charge re April 1969 arrest.
By May 1971 counterfeiting case co-defendants pleaded guilty and Lamonge stood trial alone in US District Court Cleveland.
On May 13 Former USSS Agent testified in case. The Plain Dealer reported: "Motto testified [that] agents arrested [Lamonge] after he had delivered a package of counterfeit $100 bills at 3 in the morning at the Holiday Inn on Ohio 8 in Boston Heights. Motto had contacted Lamonge in the evening at the motel bar, he said. He was introduced to the defendant by Charles DeMoss, an informer. Defense lawyer John R. Spain said DeMoss may be dead."
Five days later convicted. The Plain Dealer noted: "His was the first case to be prosecuted at trial by the strike force against organized crime here."
On June 16, 1971 sentenced by Judge Ben C. Green to five years per each of three counts to run concurrently. Released on $10,000 bond pending appeal.
On August 14, 1968 FBI CI reported: "...[CI] was shown photographs of the following Cleveland hoodlums but did not recognize them by name or photo: [Group includes Lamonge]."
On August 26, 1968 among 14 listed by FBI as suspected LCN members residing in Cleveland Division.
On April 6, 1969 among 3 arrested by Youngstown PD on possessing burglar tools charge. Others held were Joseph D. Rizzo and James Hardwick. Trio sitting in parked auto at 1531 Belmont Ave when confronted. The Plain Dealer later reported: "A search of the car revealed tools used in burglaries and loot stolen earlier in the night from the Chamber of Commerce office in Girard."
One week later arrested by US Secret Service on charges of possessing and attempting to sell $50,000 worth of counterfeit $100 bills. Lamonge, giving occupation as antique furniture finisher, remanded to Cuyahoga County Jail pending further hearing.
On May 12, 1969 Lamonge and four others, including Youngstown LCN affiliate Mario Guerrieri (37), indicted by US Attorney's Office in Cleveland on distribution and conspiracy charges re counterfeit bills. (Guerrieri [1931-2011] remained active into the late 1990s when convicted in an arson case.)
Around November 5, 1969 Lamonge and Joseph D. Rizzo each sentenced by Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge to one-to-five years Ohio Penitentiary following conviction on burglar tools charge re April 1969 arrest.
By May 1971 counterfeiting case co-defendants pleaded guilty and Lamonge stood trial alone in US District Court Cleveland.
On May 13 Former USSS Agent testified in case. The Plain Dealer reported: "Motto testified [that] agents arrested [Lamonge] after he had delivered a package of counterfeit $100 bills at 3 in the morning at the Holiday Inn on Ohio 8 in Boston Heights. Motto had contacted Lamonge in the evening at the motel bar, he said. He was introduced to the defendant by Charles DeMoss, an informer. Defense lawyer John R. Spain said DeMoss may be dead."
Five days later convicted. The Plain Dealer noted: "His was the first case to be prosecuted at trial by the strike force against organized crime here."
On June 16, 1971 sentenced by Judge Ben C. Green to five years per each of three counts to run concurrently. Released on $10,000 bond pending appeal.
Absent from a Federal chart of Cleveland membership compiled in 1985.
Little else is available on Lamonge.
He died August 12, 1999 in Warren.
He died August 12, 1999 in Warren.
More Cleveland Family posts can be found in the Index.
