Update

J. Indelicato

New Posts

1. Peter Carlo (Lucchese) : Associate murdered by the Family's Jersey crew in 1975.

2. Joseph Indelicato (Bonanno) : Bonanno Soldier from Little Italy, Manhattan. Brother of the more well-known 'Sonny Red' Indelicato. Mostly a photo post.

3. Vincent Alo (Genovese): Longtime Captain. For some of the more well-known figures like Alo, information available in other sources is omitted and focus given instead to details more specific to his LCN activity.

Updated Posts:

1. Vincent Alo (Genovese) : Edited mention of Genovese Soldier Michele Clemente to state he was a possible Gambino transfer rather than a definitive one. The basis for the original claim comes from the CI report referenced in the post as well as this excerpt from a 1962 bugged conversation:

Additional statements from the Clemente bug, as well as discussion on the forum, add enough ambiguity to make the edit.

Full list of posts here.

Peter Carlo (Lucchese)

1969

Peter Carlo was an Associate murdered by members of the Lucchese Family's New Jersey crew in 1975.

Born May 31, 1945 to Anthony (29y) and Angela Ciuffi (27y).

By April 1950 family resided at 653 Hamilton Ave in South Orange, New Jersey. Father owned trucking company.

Aug. 1965

On August 26, 1965 arrested in Ocean County, New Jersey on unspecified charge.

On December 16, 1969 among fifty-five indicted by US Attorney's Office in Newark on Federal gambling charges.

Others indicted included DeCav Boss Simone 'Sam' DeCavalcante and Colombo - DeCav Member Alessio 'Al Bar' Barrasso as well as DeCav Associates Joseph 'Joe C.' Caruano, Joseph 'Jo Jo' Ferrara, Joseph 'Joe Ipp' Ippolito and Charles Majuri. (The latter four would be inducted into the DeCavalcante Family after the books opened in 1976.)

By 1971 resided at 57 Patton Drive in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

On March 15 of that year sentenced by USDC Newark Judge Leonard Garth to two years Federal imprisonment following guilty plea in 1969 indictment.

After his Federal sentence was completed Carlo served an additional year at Trenton State Prison for an Essex County lottery conviction. Released in September 1972.

On April 4, 1974 arrested by Bloomfield PD on charges assault with intent to kill and illegal possession revolver.

In June 1974 married Rose Marie D'Agostino (34y) in Newark. Bride's father from Casalvieri comune of Frosinone, Lazio.

Around that time working as salesman at jeep dealership located in Maplewood, NJ.

By 1975 the couple and their three children resided at 19 Edison St in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

T. Ricciardi

By late January Carlo had separated from his wife and was dating the sister of Lucchese Associate Thomas Ricciardi.

For reasons not explained in the available sources, this led Ricciardi, Lucchese Associate Michael Taccetta and possibly others to plan Carlo's murder.

Carlo was told he was to go with Ricciardi to a meeting on January 30.

That day, he waited in his car parked at the scheduled pickup spot in front of 450 Kerrigan Blvd in Newark's Vailsburg section.

Upon arriving at the scene, Ricciardi shook Carlo's hand, got into the car and, after a few moments of small talk, pulled out a revolver and shot Carlo 'four or five' times in the head.

On February 1, 1975 The Star-Ledger reported: "[Essex LE] said a rag with powder burns was found near Carlo's automobile and it is believed the rag might have been used to muffle the shots that killed the Bloomfield man. [LE] said Carlo left his wife three weeks ago and took up residence at the Town and Campus in West Orange where detectives seized a number of documents late yesterday." It was also noted that Carlo suffered an additional gunshot wound to his left hand; press speculated this was a defensive wound sustained when Carlo attempted to protect himself from the gunfire.

On February 2, 1975 The Times reported: "[Newark PD Det Sgt] indicated that police are planning to question members of the DeCavalcante organization about Carlo's death...[Carlo] moved out of his Bloomfield home last month and had been living in a $70-per-week room at a West Orange motel. A room clerk there said Carlo was 'a pleasant type' and 'a gentleman'. Detectives sealed off Carlo's motel room and spent most of Friday [1/31] going through documents found there...An officer in the homicide bureau [said] that such apparent gangland murder cases are almost never solved."

On February 2/3, 1975 wake held at Lytwyn and Lytwyn Home for Funerals located at 801 Springfield Ave in Irvington, NJ.

Buried in Glendale Cemetery located in Bloomfield.

Thomas Ricciardi and Michael Taccetta were inducted into the Lucchese Family in the early 1980s and 1977 respectively.

Ricciardi, who rose to Acting Captain of the Jersey crew, became a cooperating witness around September 1993.

M. Taccetta

The following month Michael Taccetta pleaded guilty in Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River, NJ to racketeering charges that included conspiring in the Carlo murder.

On August 10, 1994 he was sentenced to forty years in New Jersey State Prison with the requirement that he serve at least half before being eligible for parole. This sentence was in addition to a twenty-five-year term handed down in a separate Federal racketeering case.

On February 1, 1995 Thomas Ricciardi pleaded guilty in Ocean County Superior Court to racketeering charges that included involvement in the murder of Peter Carlo and seven others.

In April 1996 Superior Court Judge Manuel Greenberg sentenced Ricciardi to twenty years imprisonment. Five days prior Ricciardi had been given a ten-year Federal sentence resulting from a similar racketeering plea made in US District Court Newark.

In July 2009 Ricciardi testified as a prosecution witness in the Federal racketeering trial of Genovese Captain Michael Coppola. During cross-examination he admitted his involvement as the shooter in Carlo's murder but provided no further explanation for the hit, except to agree with the lawyer that he was unhappy about Carlo dating his sister.

There was also no clarification as to whether the murder was authorized by Joseph Abate, then-Captain of the Lucchese Family's Jersey crew.

Taccetta was released from Federal prison in April 2016.

More Lucchese Family posts can be found in the Index.

Joseph Indelicato (Bonanno)

1980s

1980s FBI photos of Bonanno Soldier Joseph 'J.B. / Joey Red' Indelicato.

Born 1931 in Manhattan to parents from Sciacca comune of Agrigento, Sicily, Indelicato was inducted into the Bonanno Family on June 14, 1977.

Others made in the same ceremony included Future Boss Joseph Massino and Future Consigliere Anthony Spero.

By the end of the year J.B. was reporting to his older brother Alfonse aka 'Sonny Red', a Family Captain inducted as part of the Family's first wave in February 1976.

J.B.'s nephew Anthony 'Bruno' Indelicato, Alfonse's son, was made around the same time as his father.

Several other relatives were also members:

• Antonino 'Zu Nino' Indelicato (1890-1971) : Early Gambino member headquartered on Elizabeth St in Manhattan's Little Italy, served as Captain during the late 1940s and early 1950s
• Anthony 'Scootchie' Indelicato (c. 1900-1933) : Gambino member and Zu Nino's nephew, shot to death in New Jersey in 1933
• Joseph 'Joe Scootch' Indelicato (1910-1988) : Gambino Soldier and younger brother of the murdered Anthony, active in Florida
• Louis Guiga : J.B.'s cousin, Gambino Soldier involved in shylocking and other crimes as part of the Franco-Lombardozzi (former Nino Indelicato) crew
• Charles 'Charlie Prunes' Ruvolo (1900-1988) : Lucchese Soldier and father-in-law of J.B.'s brother Alfonse; described by an informant as one of LCN's 'number one hit men during the Maranzano wars'

In the mid-1960s Indelicato was identified in law enforcement reports as a former 'muscle man' for Gambino Member Vincent 'Jimmy the Blond' Corrao and as 'presently peddling narcotics to Negroes and Puerto Ricans'. (Corrao, father also from Sciacca, was by 1950 another member under Zu Nino; he briefly took over a portion of the crew in the late 1960s.)

In 1972 CW and Former Colombo Associate Joseph 'Joe Fish' Luparelli named J.B. and his brother as participants in the February 20, 1970 murder of Joseph 'Wagon Wheel' Vescovi.

J. Yacovelli (1970s)

Vescovi lured to apartment on Elizabeth St where stabbed and strangled to death by group that also included Colombo Consigliere Joseph 'Joe Yak' Yacovelli, Colombo Captain Carmine 'Junior' Persico as well as Future Bonanno Members John 'Big Head' Arcaro and Anthony 'Blackie' Calabro.

J. DiPalermo (L) and V. Papa

Multiple reports in the early-to-mid 1970s described the Indelicato brothers as selling narcotics on behalf of Lucchese Captain Joseph 'Joe Beck' DiPalermo. Partners included Colombo Associate Dominic 'Little Dom' Cataldo. Group reportedly supplied by Lucchese Soldier Vincent Papa. (Cataldo was inducted into the Colombo Family in April 1977. Papa was stabbed to death at USP Atlanta in July of the same year.)

At Toyland Social Club (1977)

During the first half of 1977 surveilled multiple times at various Bonanno clubs in the company of Bonanno Acting Boss Carmine 'Lilo' Galante and others.

Galante presided over Indelicato's induction ceremony held in the back of a Maspeth, Queens bar.

Others present were Underboss Nicholas Marangello, Consigliere Stefano 'Stevie Beef' Cannone and Soldier Alfred 'Al Walker' Embarrato.

Those inducted were:

1. Joseph 'Junior' Chilli (43y)
2. Emanuel 'Manny from the Bronx' Guaragna (44y)
3. Joseph Indelicato (46y)
4. Joseph 'Big Joey' Massino (34y) [Future Boss]
5. Anthony Spero (48y) [Future Consigliere]

Ceremony consisted of a verbal oath only.

Following J.B.'s induction he and Alfonse formed Elizabeth Car Service Inc. using same address as their social club at 219 Grand St in Little Italy.

The following year they partnered in Joe and Al's Paints located across the street at 218 Grand.

An FBI report from that May noted: "[Joseph Indelicato] is heavily involved in a number of illegal activities, including gambling, shylocking, and narcotics. Any illegal activity in which subject is engaged is probably jointly engaged in with his brother, Alfonse Indelicato."

By 1979 made members of Alfonse Indelicato's crew included Anthony Calabro, Joseph Indelicato, Russell Mauro and Dominick 'Trin' Trinchera.

Mauro, Trinchera and Alfonse's son Bruno were among the participants in the July 12, 1979 murders of Bonanno Acting Boss Carmine Galante, Soldier Giuseppe 'Joe' Turano and Suspected Member Leonardo 'Nardo' Coppola.

Another triple homicide occurred on May 5, 1981, when Alfonse himself, along with fellow Captains Philip 'Philly Lucky' Giaccone and Dominick Trinchera, was lured to a Brooklyn club and shot to death in another intra-Family conflict.

Around August 1981 Commission meeting held to allow J.B. and his nephew Bruno, both having gone into hiding to avoid a similar fate, to safely return to the Family. The pair were allowed to choose which Captain they would report to and chose Joseph Massino. Massino, who defected in 2004, later testified: "[The Indelicatos] wanted to come in [but] they wanted a guarantee they wouldn't get hurt. So, we told them, 'We guarantee you mind your business, you won't get hurt. We had a list of captains, maybe 12 or 13 captains at that time. You have your choice, the both of yous, to go where yous both want to go,' and they both agreed to [be with me]." (Massino was one of the key participants in Alfonse Indelicato's murder.)

Top: J. Chilli (L) and J. Indelicato at 176 Elizabeth St (Sep. 1981)
Bottom: Indelicato during same surveillance

Around this time convicted on criminal contempt charges and released in May 1983 after serving approximately fourteen months.

During the mid-1980s informants spoke of another intra-Family dispute, noting that Indelicato sided with Captains / Acting Captains Gabriel Infanti, Russell Mauro and 'Little Charlie' Musillo against individuals whose names are redacted but probably included imprisoned Boss Philip 'Rusty' Rastelli and Joseph Massino, who had by then risen to Underboss. Whatever plot existed was likely sidelined in the wake of Gabriel Infanti's disappearance in late 1987. (The reports also describe J.B. himself as a Captain. In December 1988 an informant claimed that one reason for Infanti's murder was that he refused to 'set up' J.B. for a hit.)

On January 11, 1991 released after serving another Federal prison term.

R. Cantarella
Gang Land News

By 1999 reported to Captain Richard 'Shellackhead' Cantarella.

Made members of Cantarella's crew included his son Paul Cantarella, Joseph D'Amico, Joseph Indelicato, Anthony 'J.J.' Palmiotto and Joseph Torre.

Following Cantarella and D'Amico's defections in 2002-2003, Indelicato and other crew members began reporting to Captain Vincent Basciano and later to Dominick Cicale, who took over Basciano's crew after he assumed the position of Acting Boss.

Indelicato continued to show up in Family surveillance as recently as 2012, when FBI agents recorded a get-together with Acting Boss Thomas DiFiore and others at the Z-Two Restaurant & Lounge in Staten Island.

In November 2014 among 129 included in Bonanno Organized Crime Family List compiled by Federal government.

More Bonanno Family posts can be found in the Index.

Vincent Alo (Genovese)

Oct. 1923

October 22, 1923 NYPD mugshot of Future Genovese Member Vincent 'Jimmy Blue Eyes' Alo (1904-2001) following an arrest for robbery in The Bronx's 49th Precinct.

Born 1904 in Manhattan to Calabrian parents, Alo was found guilty and served approximately four years in New York State prison.

His second and final conviction wouldn't occur for another forty-five years.

By the time of Alo's arrest in the early 1920s he and his family had moved to Crotona, The Bronx.

By the early 1930s he was a formally inducted member of the Genovese Family.

Another robbery charge in March 1932 was dismissed.

Sep. 1934

In September 1934 photographed for US Passport.

By February 1942 maintained additional residence at 1830 Monroe St in Hollywood, Florida.

Aug. 1947

On August 3, 1947 arrested by NYPD for vagrancy.

He was then living at 315 Riverside Dr in Bloomingdale, Manhattan.

P. Correale

FBN Mafia Book

In 1954 FBI CI reported: "[Alo] aka Jimmy Blue Eyes is an associate of Paulie Hamm, a big numbers man in the Bronx as well as possibly Hollywood, Florida."

Paul 'Paulie Ham' Correale (1911-1962) was the Lucchese Family's 'number one' or lead Captain and was at one time viewed as the potential successor to Boss Thomas Lucchese.

Alo was himself a Captain by the late 1950s.

On January 28, 1959 FBI CI reported: "[Alo is] a 'cross country' hoodlum, in that he has investments in a motel in Miami, part of a gambling Casino in Havana, Cuba and is on a level with [Former Genovese Boss] Frank Costello in the rackets. Alo controls all of the Bronx rackets, and no one in the Bronx can operate horse bets, sports bets, or numbers without paying homage to Alo. Alo is a close associate of [Redacted] in Yonkers, and many of their operations are coordinated."

Around 1960 among approximately 800 reputed mobsters listed in Federal Bureau of Narcotics Mafia Book. Entry noted: "Notorious top echelon Mafia member. Financier of gambling in the U.S. & Cuba & Puerto Rico."

By the early 1960s made members of Alo's crew included Nicholas 'Bobby Blanche' Bilangi, Lawrence 'Larry Black' Centore, Francesco 'Frank Casino' Cucola, Aldo Mazzarati, Rudolph 'Scarface Rudy' Prisco, Battisto 'Bart' Salvo, Gaetano 'Kay' Somma and Giuseppe 'Jerry' Spinelli.

Possible Member 'Little John' Buonarobo, later a Captain in The Bronx - Westchester, may have also been reporting to Alo.

M. Clemente
FBN Mafia Book

On April 10, 1962 FBI CI reported: "[He] knows the following people to be 'button men' by word of mouth primarily from the area in which he formerly resided on the Lower East Side: [List includes Genovese members Vincent Alo and Michele Clemente]...Mike Clemente, since the death of Albert Anastasia, answers to Jimmy 'Blue Eyes'. He said he does not know exactly how he first acquired this information, but he has known it for some time. He speculated Jimmy 'Blue Eyes' obtained power over the piers in some manner from Eddie McGrath." (Michele 'Mike the Loader' Clemente [1908-1987] was possibly a Gambino member who transferred to the Genovese Family after Albert Anastasia's murder in October 1957. By the mid-to-late 1960s he was reporting to Genovese Captain Rosario 'Saro' Mogavero [1916-1973].)

On September 12, 1962 CW Joseph Valachi, also a Genovese Member, reported: "[Shown photographs] of the following named individuals, Valachi made the designated comments concerning each...Samuel Schlitten - Known to him as Sammy Schlitz, a bookmaker. Valachi advised he is a partner of [Redacted] aka [Redacted] who is a member of the Genovese Family under Vincent Alo. Schlitten is not a member of a Family; Anthony Bonasera, John Oddo - Known to Valachi as The Chief, and Johnny Bath Beach, respectively, members of Genovese Family under Vincent Alo, aka Jimmy Blue Eyes, a Caporegima who replaced Joseph Doto, aka Joe Adonis...Vincent Alo - Called Jimmy Blue Eyes by Valachi who named him as a Caporegima in Genovese Family. Alo replaced Joe Adonis who was deported...Francesco Cucola - Known to him as Frank Casino, a member of Genovese Family under Vincent Alo." (Cassandro 'Tony the Chief' Bonasera [1897-1972] and John Oddo [1904-1975] were Colombo Members, the latter being a Captain at the time. Former Genovese Captain Giuseppe 'Joe Adonis' Doto [1902-1971], born in Montemarano comune of Avellino, Campania, voluntarily left the US in early 1956 amidst deportation proceedings.)

Over the next month Valachi identified several additional individuals he believed to be Alo crew members, including Nicholas Bilangi (1903-1984), August 'Jerry Ryan' Laietta (1906-1988), Rudolph Prisco (1909-1997) and George 'Blah Blah' Smurra (1910-1981).

He also identified a photo of Vincent's brother Frank Alo (1908-1995) and clarified that Frank was not a member.

On October 17, 1962 Valachi reported: "Meyer Lansky - was always close with Vincent Alo, and according to Valachi, Alo succeeded Joe Adonis as caporegima for [Former Genovese Boss Charles] Luciano. Valachi pointed out the East Side Jewish mob was with Luciano for Masseria during the Castellammarese War, and Dutch Schultz was with Ciro Terranova on that same side. He recalled Thomas Lucchese, for Maranzano, sought the assistance of Jack 'Legs' Diamond, but was turned down because Diamond thought they had no chance. Diamond remained a neutral during that war, favoring the Maranzano faction."

On January 15, 1963 identified as Genovese Member by CI Alfred Santantonio, a Gambino Soldier murdered that summer after his informant status became known.

On January 29, 1963 FBI CI reported: "[CI] supplied the following Criminal Intelligence information in the Bronx - Westchester area...Jimmy Blue Eyes - [CI] has had no recent contact with this individual and also met him as a result of [redacted] Mike Sorrentino, with the above individual. He knew him to be a top rackets guy in the early 1950's and was one of the group that congregated in the Glenwood Bar near Howard Johnson's on Southern Boulevard near Fordham Road. [CI] said that another meeting place for these individuals in the Fordham Road Section was the large gas and service station located on Southern Boulevard on a corner approximately three blocks south of Fordham Road. Jimmy Blue Eyes is the alias of Vincent Alo, top hoodlum in the New York Office."

On August 31, 1964 FBI CI reported: “[Sabato] Milo is handling the interest of Vincent Alo aka Jimmy Blue Eyes and Bart Salvo. [CI] stated that once he was with Tommy Milo, who was looking for Sabato and he, Tommy, went to the residence of Bart Salvo, Shore Road, Pelham.” (The Milo brothers Thomas [1903-1959], Sabato aka 'Bo' [1912-1974] and Louis [1915-1962] were all Genovese Soldiers based in The Bronx - Westchester. Sabato's nephew Thomas Jr. [1923-1987] was also a member.)

P. Lombardo
FBN Mafia Book

On April 5, 1965 Genovese Acting Underboss Thomas 'Tommy Ryan' Eboli and Genovese Soldier Michael 'Gumba Mike' Genovese, younger brother of imprisoned Boss Vito Genovese, surreptitiously recorded by FBI bug: "[Pair] discussed possible change in leadership of Genovese Family resulting from stated desires of Gerardo Catena to retire from organization. Eboli stated he would like to see 'Benny as Boss'. Benny is believed to be Philip Lombardo. Eboli claimed six individuals agreed with his thinking re Lombardo. He named these six as Saro Mogavero, representing Rocco Pellegrino, Harry 'Socks' Lanza, Jimmy 'Blue Eyes' Alo, Jimmy Angelina, Ray DeCarlo and himself. Eboli referred to these individuals as 'the Colonels'. Eboli stated the first thing they must do is discuss this with Mike Miranda and then see what Vito Genovese thinks. Eboli apparently made this proposition to Lombardo and assured him he would do more for him than he is doing now, and agreed to be his Underboss. Lombardo desired to hold off until he heard more from Catena before making any commitment." (The following year Philip 'Benny Squint' Lombardo [1908-1987] succeeded Michael 'Trigger Mike' Coppola as Captain of the Family's Harlem crew. In early April 1981 an informant reported Lombardo was the 'new Boss', although he reportedly stepped down not long afterwards due to health issues.)

In January 1966 FBI reported: "Prior to Eddie Coco's incarceration in 1955, the informant advised that Coco, along with Jimmy Alo, ran the rackets in the Bronx section of New York and Coco and [Frank] Carbo together controlled gambling and bookmaking at the House of Champs, fronted for by [Redacted]." (Ettore 'Eddie' Coco [1908-1991] was a Lucchese Captain who, like Alo, had interests in The Bronx, Manhattan and South Florida.)

G. Smurra
FBN Mafia Book

On September 23, 1966 FBI CI reported: "[He] is familiar with George Smurra as a 'button guy' in LCN, who years ago, was 'with' James Alo, aka 'Jimmy Blue Eyes'."

On June 13, 1968 among 51 listed in Dade County Public Safety Department's Daily Bulletin Special Edition covering active Mafia members in South Florida.

In September 1968 included in the FBI's list of 209 identified Genovese Family members.

By 1969 resided in apartment at 19 W 55th St in Midtown, Manhattan.

On October 27, 1969 indicted by US Attorney's Office in New York on obstructing justice charge. Subsequently convicted and given a five year sentence.

In November 1969 included in the FBI's list of 216 identified Genovese Family members.

That same month the FBI provided an outline of the Genovese Family hierarchy, naming Gerardo Catena as Acting Boss, Thomas Eboli as Acting Underboss and Michele 'Mike' Miranda as Consigliere. Thirteen Captains listed including Alo.

L. Nash

On November 18, 1969 FBI CI reported: "[Jimmy] Alo, aka Jimmy Blue Eyes, came to Miami from New York for a secret sitdown on 11/14/1969, at Alo's house. The reason for the sitdown was to discuss a 'hit' on Lou Nash. Present were Alo, Eddie Coco, [Redacted] and a man they brought in from out of town reportedly a [redacted]. [Redacted] reportedly brought in a man from Canada to do the 'hit' on Nash...The man from Canada was described as tall and thin wearing glasses. The two were staying in Pompano, Florida. He reported that Nash ran away with some of Eddie Coco's money. Coco wanted to get rid of Nash right away since he got word Nash was looking to 'beat' it and wants the hit made soon. Coco was to furnish the cash for the 'hit'. He advised Nash who resides at 890 NE 158th St [is] negotiating to sell his house. Nash mentioned running to Puerto Rico."

Next day CI reported: "[The] scheduled sitdown to discuss the 'hit' on Lou Nash did not take place. The men who are going to do the hit will not talk to Eddie Coco concerning the matter. They insist on speaking only to Jimmy Blue Eyes."

Following week CI reported: "[The] 'hit' on Lou Nash was called off. Nash came up with the money he owed Eddie Coco."

In September 1970 among 108 LCN figures profiled in Report of the State of New York Joint Legislative Committee on Crime. Entry noted: "Vincent Alo, a lieutenant in the Genovese Family, is active in bookmaking, numbers, labor rackets, narcotics and shylocking. In 1964-1965 he was head of the Bronx policy operation which operated with about 153 men. Alo also operated a banker's combine with Sam and Morris Schlitten in 1967. Alo is a financier of gambling in Puerto Rico and Las Vegas. In 1965 Alo attended the Palm Springs meeting with Anthony Salerno, Jerome Zarowitz and Elliot Prince, concerned with control of Caesar's Palace. He is believed to be a secret owner of Caesar's Palace...Alo is reputed to have taken Frank Costello's place as coordinator of the National Syndicate."

On October 27, 1970 received at USP Atlanta, Georgia to serve sentence re 1969 obstruction indictment.

In October 1972 included in the FBI's list of 198 identified Genovese Family members.

Accompanying hierarchy chart named Gerardo Catena as Acting Boss, Frank 'Funzi' Tieri as Acting Underboss and Michele Miranda as Consigliere. Thirteen Captains listed including Alo.

In October 1973 included in the FBI's list of 190 identified Genovese Family members.

The accompanying hierarchy chart identified Frank Tieri as the Boss and listed Vincent Alo and thirteen other Captains. Identified Alo crew members were Nicholas Bilangi, Joseph Cataldo, August Laietta, James 'Jimmy Rush' Piccarelli and Gaetano Somma. (Eli Zeccardi was by then the Family's Underboss.)

On December 20, 1973 released from USP Atlanta.

On November 22, 1974 the FBI submitted its annual La Cosa Nostra report.

The included Genovese hierarchy chart identified Frank Tieri as Boss, Eli Zeccardi as Underboss and John 'Buster' Ardito as Consigliere. Fourteen Captains listed including Alo.

Similar charts from December 1975 and January 1977 included Alo in their list of eleven and fourteen Captains respectively.

In January 1977 FBI reported: "Sources in the Miami Division advised the following are some of the individuals holding Leadership in different Families, who are now residing permanently in the Miami area..Vincent Alo - Capodecina (Genovese Family)."

Same month included in the FBI's list of 198 identified Genovese Family members.

In April 1977 Florida's Organized Crime Control Council issued report identifying LCN members and associates residing in the state. Vincent Alo and Genovese Soldier Anthony 'Tony the Bum' DeMartino were among those listed.

On August 2, 1977 interviewed by FBI in Florida: "[Alo] indicated he would be returning to his New York apartment located at 19 W. 55th Street, during mid-August, 1977. Alo usually resides at his New York apartment during July or August, through mid November."

On January 9, 1978 subject of Mesquite, Texas PD inquiry.

In June 1979 included in the FBI's list of 177 identified Genovese Family members.

That same month the FBI provided another breakdown of the Genovese Family hierarchy, naming Frank Tieri as Boss, Anthony 'Fat Tony' Salerno as Underboss and John Ardito as Consigliere. Matthew 'Matty the Horse' Ianniello was listed as Acting Underboss. Listed Captains included Vincent Alo. Those named as Alo crew members included Nicholas Bilangi, Joseph Cataldo, August Laietta, James Piccarelli and Gaetano Somma. (This report was outdated in at least some aspects, i.e. listing deceased members as current members.)

A. Salerno

On April 18, 1980 FBI CI reported: "Source stated that [Vincent] Alo was at one time a key man in the Genovese La Cosa Nostra (LCN) and was close to Fat Tony Salerno. Source stated that Alo is still very active in the Las Vegas casinos and operates a business that caters to junkets going to Vegas. Source learned that Alo together with Salerno were the head members of the Genovese Family in all matters pertaining to Las Vegas. Source stated that Alo is now residing in Florida."

In September 1980 the FBI issued a revised Family chart, naming Frank Tieri as Boss, Unsub (Name Redacted) as Underboss and John Ardito as Consigliere. Listed Captains included Vincent Alo. (This list is almost identical to the outdated one from June 1979.)

On April 2, 1981 FBI CI reported: "Source advised that [redacted] an individual named Louis Puria (ph). Source advised Puria is a W/M, age 66, and is the Chairman of the Board of three gambling establishments in San Jan, Puerto Rico named the El San Juan Hotel, the Americana Hotel, which is now called the Palace and the La Conquistadore. Source advised that one or all of these establishments is now in Federal Bankruptcy. Source stated the two individuals, [redacted] 'Jimmy Blue Eyes', TN Vincent Alo and an individual named Eddie McGrath, who is a member of the old West Side Irish Gang in NYC. Source advised McGrath is aligned with 'Jimmy Blue Eyes'."

Around August 11, 1981 FBI CI reported: "Source advised it is felt that the recent death of [Frank] Tieri has left the way clear for Paul Castellano, of the Gambino Family, to become a dominant Boss in the LCN...Source advised it is not likely Tieri's successor will be able to match Castellano's influence. Source advised that from what he has heard, John 'Buster' Ardito, appears to be a leading contender to replace Tieri. Source additionally advised in his opinion, 'Jimmy Blue Eyes' (TN Vincent Alo) would also have to be regarded as a top contender due to his seniority in the Genovese Family."

Identified as Captain in 1983 Senate Chart of Genovese Family membership.

On July 25, 1983 surveilled visiting Singapore Beach Resort located on Collins Ave in Miami Beach.

In September 1983 FBI compiled partial chart of the Family hierarchy using source information. Alo and ten other Captains named.

Among 22 Captains shown in 1985 Federal chart.

On December 22, 1987 an updated Genovese chart was compiled, identifying Vincent 'Chin' Gigante as Boss, Venero 'Benny Eggs' Mangano as Underboss and Louis 'Bobby' Manna as Consigliere. Thirteen Captains listed, including Alo, along with an additional five Acting Captains. Listed Alo crew members included Joseph Spinelli (Acting Captain), Nicholas Bilangi, Lawrence Centore, Joseph Doto Jr., August Laietta and Gaetano Somma. (Joseph Doto Jr. [1933-1993], son of 'Joe Adonis' noted above, was inducted after the books opened in 1976.)

Identified in an April 1988 Senate Report as Genovese Captain. The report, prepared by NYPD's Intelligence Division, noted: "Alo is believed to be inactive and that Giuseppe Spinelli, DOB 4/2/07, FBI# 552781, is acting in his behalf."

Giuseppe Spinelli (1907-1996), born in Manhattan's East Village to parents from Messina, Sicily, operated as a loanshark and was described by an informant in 1969 as 'one of the most uncommunicative wise guys [he] knows'.

In June 1993 Alo was posthumously included in the FBI's list of 162 identified Genovese Family members. Report noted he remained a Captain.

He died March 9, 2001 in Florida.

More Genovese Family posts can be found in the Index.

Angelo Perna (Cleveland)

1965

Angelo 'Andy' Perna was a made member of the Cleveland Family active in Toledo, Ohio.

Stepbrother Paul Lamonge (1913-1999) was a Suspected Member.

Born July 31, 1910 in Niles, Ohio to Vincenzo (41y) and Maria D'Angelo (39y). Parents from Termini Imerese comune of Palermo, Sicily.

In 1915 Maria died and Vincenzo later married Catherine Martino, whose first husband Paul died in 1914.

Catherine was the mother of Future Suspected Member Paul Lamonge. (Paul Sr. was from Bellona comune of Caserta, Campania.)

By April 1920 the family resided at 308 Grant St in Niles. Vincenzo owned grocery.

First arrest of record was in 1929, when charged with armed robbery and assault. Case believed dismissed.

By April 1930 they moved about a block over to 313 East Park Ave. Angelo listed occupation as contracting painter.

By April 1940 Perna, his wife Anna DeFazio (31y) and their daughter were living in the household of Anna's father Victor located at 1800 West Ave in Elyria, Ohio, about twenty miles outside of Cleveland. (Victor DeFazio was from Catanzaro Province, Calabria.)

By September 1943 the couple moved a few houses down to 330 18th Ave.

By April 1950 they were living in Washington, Ohio, where Perna worked as a house painter.

Believed to have been a formally inducted member of the Cleveland Family by the early 1960s.

The Family was then headed by John Scalish (1912-1976) with Antonio Milano (1888-1978) as Underboss. John DeMarco (1903-1972) may have been Consigliere. (Scalish and DeMarco were Sicilian, hailing from Carini, Palermo and Licata, Agrigento respectively. Milano was from San Roberto comune of Reggio Calabria.)

On January 7, 1962 the FBI's Cleveland Field Office opened an anti-racketeering investigation on Perna, noting: "It has been established that [Perna] is an associate of [Anthony Besase] in the numbers rackets in Toledo."

Detroit Member Anthony 'Whitey' Besase (1907-1977) is believed to have been related by marriage to Perna and Perna's stepbrother Paul Lamonge; like Perna, Besase's father was from Termini Imerese.

Lamonge may himself have been an inducted member by this time.

On June 15, 1964 identified by FBI Cleveland as Toledo-based LCN member.

Further sections of report noted:
"

Angelo Perna [resides] at 5915 Everwood Road, Toledo, Ohio. Perna has an arrest record since 1929 on charges of armed robbery, assault to rape but has no convictions. Since 1945, he has been arrested ten times for gambling. Perna is the brother-in-law of Anthony 'Whitey' Besase, Toledo racket leader. Perna is one of Besase's lieutenants in the operation of the numbers racket in Toledo. Perna previously was a racket figure in Niles, Ohio. During the past few years, Perna has been reported agent or distributor for I.M. Suffrin Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, printer of Numbers 'K' Books. Perna was recently indicted at Toledo, Ohio, for furnishing false information on a wagering tax stamp (misdemeanor and also for excise tax evasion.) 

...[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.

"

(Everwood Rd was in Toledo's Whitmer - Trilby neighborhood. 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.)

Fall 1965 (L to R): J. Besase and A. Perna

On October 4, 1965 FBI surveilled and photographed Perna, Whitey Besase's brother John and an Unsub in or near Toledo.

Fall 1965 FBI Surveillances

On a separate occasion Agents photographed Perna and Besase brothers John and George at the same location.

Around 1967 retired as general contractor.

On August 7, 1968 among 23 identified by FBI as LCN members residing in Cleveland Division. Report noted Perna's Family affiliation unknown.

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 Perna]."

c. 1969

Around 1969 issued Handgun Owner's ID in Toledo.

On February 13, 1974 FBI Cleveland reported: "Sources familiar with [Perna]'s activity have stated subject not involved in gambling activity. Subject is considered to be 'retired' from illegal gambling business."

On December 18, 1974 FBI Cleveland reported: "Repeated contacts with sources familiar with gambling activities in the Toledo area have established that Andy Perna is no longer involved in any gambling business."

On June 14, 1976 FBI CV reported: "[Perna] is quite sickly and aged, which has contributed to his inactivity...Sources familiar with subject's activity have advised that subject is not involved in illegal activities and has become divorced from criminal element."

Perna died December 29, 1979 at St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo.

On January 2, 1980 waked at H.H. Birkenkamp Mortuary located in Trilby.

On November 16, 1982 FBI Cleveland reported: "[Organized Crime Information System] lists Perna as an inactive LCN member."

More Cleveland Family posts can be found in the Index.