The Pittsburgh crime family, also known as the LaRocca crime family, is an American Mafia crime family based in Pittsburgh, United States.
Video Pittsburgh crime family
History
Prohibition era
In Pittsburgh the Italian underworld was broken into two ethnic factions, with the "Sicilian Mafia" controlling the North and South sides of the city and the "Neapolitan Camorra" controlling the East End of the city. In the early 1920s, the two factions became involved in bootlegging, the illegal making, selling and transporting of alcohol. Throughout the Prohibition era the factions fought in the city for control over the Italian neighborhoods of Larimer, Homewood, the Hill District and Downtown. In the outer suburbs of southwestern Pennsylvania the factions fought over New Kensington, Arnold, Wilkinsburg, McKees Rocks, Wilmerding and Braddock. During the late prohibition era, from 1926 to 1933, there were over 200 murders in Allegheny County.
During Stefano Monastero's regime as boss in the late 1920s, he rivaled other Pittsburgh gangs and a Chicago gang. Stefano was eventually murdered in front of St. John's hospital on August 6, 1929. His brother Sam was murdered a short time later on March 18, 1930. Siragusa's regime as boss was cut short due to his allegiance to the Castellammarese Clan in New York City, and he was murdered on September 13, 1931, just days after Salvatore Maranzano was murdered.
Bazzano vs. the Volpe brothers
After the murder of Siragusa, the family came under the control of Sicilian John Bazzano, who was selling sugar and yeast to home breweries and thereby allowing them to manufacture illegal alcohol. Bazzano formed an alliance with the eight Volpe brothers, whom he allowed to operate out of a coffee shop in the Middle Hill. The Volpe brothers already had control over the "Neapolitan faction" and illegal rackets throughout the Turtle Creek Valley and Wilmerding. The alliance ended when the Volpes began expanding into East Liberty and the North Side; Bazzano sent a hit team on July 29, 1932, that murdered three of the brothers. The surviving Volpe brothers went to the "Commission" in New York and it was decided Bazzano would be held responsible for his unsanctioned hit. Bazzano's body was found on August 8, 1932, in Red Hook, Brooklyn. He had been stabbed and strangled to death.
The LaRocca era
Vincenzo Capizzi became the new boss after Bazzano's murder, but he eventually resigned in 1937, and was replaced by Frank Amato. As boss, Amato began expanding his influence over the gambling rackets in and around Allegheny County, but in 1956 he became ill and resigned, becoming underboss.
John LaRocca took control of the crime family and reigned as boss for nearly thirty years. In 1957, LaRocca attended the Apalachin Meeting with capos Gabriel Mannarino and Michael James Genovese. LaRocca escaped the federal authorities but Mannarino and Genovese were unsuccessful and were arrested. LaRocca and capo Mannarino became partners with Tampa crime family boss Santo Trafficante, Jr. in the Sans Souci hotel-casino in Havana, Cuba. In 1959, Fidel Castro took control of Cuba and forced out all the mobsters in the country. Through bribery LaRocca became a powerful Mafia boss by controlling politicians, police officers and other officials in the Pittsburgh area. His family also maintained control of labor unions through Local 1058. LaRocca's influence also grew through close ties to Gambino crime family boss Carlo Gambino, Bufalino crime family boss Russell Bufalino, Philadelphia crime family boss Angelo Bruno and Kansas City crime family boss Nick Civella. In the 1960s, LaRocca's family started a conflict with the Cleveland crime family when they expanded into Youngstown, Ohio. In 1964, LaRocca supported Frank Valenti's takeover of the Rochester crime family from Jake Russo. LaRocca died on December 3, 1984, and was succeeded by Michael Genovese as boss of the Pittsburgh crime family.
Genovese's leadership
Since the bootlegging and ammunition trading industries were finished, Genovese turned to gambling and drugs. By this time, around the 1980s, the mob was slowly losing its influence on the government. The FBI anticipated the path the Mafia was about to take, and began to pursue them. The FBI quickly traced Genovese's cocaine trail to his top men, Charles "Chucky" Porter and Louis Raucci, Sr. Another challenge the mob had was finding new people for the Family at this time. The two chosen were Joseph Naples and Lenine "Lenny" Strollo who were inducted in 1987. However, the major fall the Mafia took over the years, combined with the decline of their political and governmental power, led to the murder of Naples by an unknown mobster -- believed to be Strollo -- in 1991, and the arrest of Thomas Ciancutti in 2000 for "running a gambling ring in Fayette County". Strollo has denied having been the culprit behind the murder of Joey Naples.
Current status
After the conviction of the top members in the late 1990s and the death of many important members in the last decade the family has few members left. Most recently discovered in Grand Jury testimony of "Operation Pork Chop" there has been cooperation of high-ranking associates leading to new information of the family.
The family is mostly involved in the local gambling rackets and has maintained a low profile in recent years.
Maps Pittsburgh crime family
Historical leadership
Boss (official and acting)
- c.1910s-1920 - Gregorio Conti - retired
- 1920-1925 - Salvatore Calderone - retired
- 1925-1929 - Stefano Monastero - murdered on August 6, 1929
- 1929-1931 - Giuseppe "Yeast Baron" Siragusa - murdered on September 13, 1931
- 1931-1932 - John Bazzano - found dead on August 8, 1932, in Red Hook, Brooklyn
- 1932-1937 - Vincenzo Capizzi - retired to Italy
- 1937-1956 - Frank Amato - stepped down, becoming underboss.
- 1956-1984 - John LaRocca - died on December 3, 1984.
- Ruling Panel 1978-1980 - Michael Genovese, Gabriel Mannarino (died July 1980) and Joseph Pecora (imprisoned 1979)
- Acting 1980-1984 - Michael Genovese - promoted to boss
- 1985-2006 - Michael James Genovese - died on October 31, 2006
- 2006-2008 - John Bazzano Jr. - died on July 28, 2008
- 2008-present - Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti
Underboss (official and acting)
- 1925-1929 - Salvatore "Sam" Monastero - brother to boss Stefano Monastero
- 1936-1956 - John LaRocca - promoted to boss
- 1956-1973 - Frank Amato - died 1973
- 1973-1987 - Joseph "Jo Jo" Pecora - imprisoned 1979-1983, died 1987
- 1987-2006 - John Bazzano Jr. - took over after Pecora died; became boss in 2006
- Acting 1987-1995 - Charles Porter - convicted in 1990 and sentenced to 28 years, defected to the government in 1999.
- 2006-2008 - Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti - became boss in 2008
- 2008-present - Robert "Bobby I" Iannelli
Consigliere
- 1956-1985 - Michael James Genovese - promoted to boss
- 1985-1989 - Pasquale "Pat" Ferruccio - controlled gambling in the Canton, Ohio area, imprisoned in 1991
- 1989-2002 - Charles "Murgie" Imburgia - his nephew Anthony Murgie was connected to the Genovese family.
- 2002-2006 - Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti - became underboss
- 2006-2008 - Robert "Bobby I" Iannelli - became underboss
Youngstown faction
The faction operated in Youngstown, Ohio and throughout the Mahoning Valley. During the early 1970s the faction gained control of the Youngstown gambling rackets while sharing some of the profits with the Cleveland crime family.
- 1960s-1988 - James "Jimmy" Prato - died 1988
- 1988-1991 - Joey Naples - protege of Prato, he was murdered in 1991
- 1991-1999 - Lenine "Lenny" Strollo - nephew of Prato, imprisoned and defected to the government in 1999.
Current members
Made members
- Boss - Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti - took over Kelly Mannarino's New Kensington gambling rackets. In 2002, Ciancutti was given probation for controlling gambling operations in Allegheny and Fayette counties.
- Underboss - Robert "Bobby I" Iannelli - controls a sports bookmaking operation; he also took over Tony Grosso's old numbers and illegal gambling operation.
- Soldier - John V. Leone
- Soldier - Mauro P. Matone
Associates
- Jeffrey Risha - Gambeling and Racketeering. Considered Ciancutti's top lieutenant and advisor. Believed to control sports betting and video poker gambling operations with Ciancutti. Charged in the 2013 gambling bust.
- Kirk "K-Prime" Mollica - Associate of LaRocca Crime Family. The son of former "high ranking" associate Primo Mollica, who once controlled gambling throughout Glassport, McKeesport, and the surrounding areas. Believed to control sports betting and video poker gambling operations.
- Ralph "Big Head" Maselli - FBI records cite as controlling gambling operations in Pittsburgh.
- John "Johney A" Adams - FBI records reference Adams as managing gambling operations in Pittsburgh.
- William "Billy" Spina Jr - Racketeering
- Phillip Vecchio - controls bookmaking operation in Pittsburgh.
- Salvatore "Sonny" Williams - United States Attorney Office cite Williams as running major numbers and betting network in the Hill District and McKees Rocks. Brother "Junior" Williams is semi-retired and trying to become a TV personality.
- Eugene "Nick the Blade" Gesuale - FBI records reference Gesuale as working from Florida. - died in 2016
- James "Brad" LaRocca - Pennsylvania Crime Commission cites LaRocca's involvement in narcotics and racketeering.
- John "Duffy" Conley Jr. - Controlled an illegal video poker machine ring in Pittsburgh. In 2006, Conley was arrested for running illegal gambling operations.
- Regonaldo "Nico"Demelio - FBI records cite Demelio as a current associate of Pittsburgh Genovese faction.
- Jon Edward Scalzitti - Pennsylvania Crime Commission and FBI records cite Scalzitti as a Mafia associate in Pittsburgh, crimes include narcotics importation, conspiracy to commit murder and extortion.
- Rodney "Rodney I" Iannelli - The son of "high ranking" associate Robert Iannelli. Believed to control sports betting, numbers, and video poker gambling operations. Charged in the 2013 gambling bust.
- Ronald "Porky" Melocchi - Involved with sports betting and video poker gambling operations. In the 2013 indictment, Melocchi was accused of and boasted that he had law enforcement and local city council members in his pocket. Charged with multiple counts of conspiracy and criminal organization acts in the 2013 gambling bust
- John Leone - Controls gambling operations in Pittsburgh. Gesuale's top lieutenant and a major player in the "Pittsburgh Connection".
- Ricky "Sonny" Luciano Spraguerelli, Jr. aka Ricky Luciano Sprague, Jr. Great nephew of Samuel "Red" Russotti; Relocated back to Pittsburgh in 2006 Believed to have helped control illegal gambling operations and sports betting operations in Pittsburgh.
Former members
- Frank Amato - a former boss. Amato controlled rackets in New Kensington and West Virginia he expanded the crime family's territory throughout Allegheny County. He stepped down as boss becoming underboss to LaRocca. He died in 1973.
- Sebastian "John" LaRocca - a former boss. Under LaRocca's leadership the crime family became a powerful force in Pittsburgh's labor unions. He established rackets in Ohio, while sharing some of the illegal income with the Cleveland crime family. LaRocca also formed an agreement with Tampa crime family boss Santo Trafficante operating casinos in Havana, Cuba. In 1957, LaRocca attended the Apalachin conference with Michael James Genovese and Gabriel "Kelly" Mannarino. He died on December 3, 1984.
- Michael James Genovese - a former boss. Under Genovese's leadership the crime family became involved drug distribution in the Midwest and Northeast. His crime family also took control over rackets in Ohio after the Cleveland crime family members were imprisoned. Genovese also had members attempt to infiltrate an Indian casino near San Diego. His crime family also tried to take control of the McKees Rocks gambling rackets. After the defection of his underboss Charles Porter and capo Lenny Strollo in the 1990s, Genovese's family lost power. He stayed boss until his death in 2006 at the age of 87.
- John Bazzano Jr. - a former boss. Bazzano's father John, Sr. was boss of the Pittsburgh family before being murdered in 1932. During the 1950s, he joined his father-in-law Antonio Ripepi's crew operating gambling rackets in the Monongahela Valley. Bazzano was released from prison in 1981 and was promoted to capo controlling Kelly Mannarino's old crew. He later became underboss to Genovese and became boss in 2006. On July 28, 2008, Bazzano, Jr. died.
- Joseph "Jo Jo" Pecora - a former underboss who controlled gambling rackets in West Virginia, he was imprisoned from 1979 to 1983 on illegal gambling charges and died in 1987.
- Gabriel "Kelly" Mannarino - a former capo who controlled the New Kensington rackets. He died on July 11, 1980, from cancer.
- Antonio Ripepi - a former capo who controlled Monongahela Valley gambling, with his son-in-law John Bazzano, Jr.; he died in 2000.
- Pasquale "Pat" Ferruccio - a former capo who operated in Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. He worked with the Cleveland family and died in 2006.
- Frank "Sonny" Amato Jr. - a former soldier who operated in East Pittsburgh, Braddock, Turtle Creek and North Versailles.
- Frank Valenti - a former soldier; in the early 1960s he took over the Rochester family.
- Louis Raucci Sr. - a former soldier, he took over Joseph Sica's Penn Hills rackets. In 1990 he was imprisoned, and he died in 1995.
- Joseph Sica - a former soldier who controlled rackets in Penn Hills, he retired in the 1980s and died in 1991.
- Anthony "Wango" Capizzi - a former soldier who operated in Las Vegas with the Bufalino family. He died in 2007.
- Henry "Zebo" Zottola - he died in 1998.
- Geno "Eugene" Chiarelli - a former soldier. He was released from prison in 2008. Chiarelli died on June 14, 2012.
Government informants and witnesses
- Charles "Chucky" Porter - was a former underboss. Porter became a made member of the mob in 1986 and was arrested, in April 1990, and became a government witness. He died on Oct. 11, 2016
Rival
- Anthony "Tony" Grosso - controlled gambling operations in the Pittsburgh area. The FBI never categorized Grosso as an organized crime member. Grosso was linked to Chuckie Porter, and he had ties to the Pittsburgh political system allowing him to run his organization unscathed for many years and unconnected to organized crime. He was eventually arrested by law enforcement and he served significant jail time, ultimately dying while incarcerated. His organization has no members left operating in the Pittsburgh area today. Grosso's antics were so legendary Hollywood loosely based the movie Lucky Numbers starring John Travolta on them.
See also
- Robert Duggan
- Eugene Coon
General:
- Crime in Pennsylvania
Notes
References
- Capeci, Jerry. The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Mafia. Indianapolis: Alpha Books, 2002. ISBN 0-02-864225-2
- Devico, Peter J. The Mafia Made Easy: The Anatomy and Culture of La Cosa Nostra.
- Porrello, Rick. To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia. 2004
External links
- American Gangland: LaRocca-Genovese Crime Family
- Dieland: The Pittsburgh Family
- Dieland: Youngstown Representatives
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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