Colombo crime family
Encyclopedia
The Colombo crime family is the youngest of the "Five Families
" that dominates organized crime
activities in New York City
, United States
, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia
(or Cosa Nostra).
In 1928, Joseph Profaci formed the Profaci crime family. Profaci would rule his family without interruption or challenge until the late 1950's. From 1959 to 1983, the Colombo family fought three internal wars. The first war took place during the late 1950s when capo Joe Gallo
revolted against Profaci. The first war lost momentum in the early 1960s when Gallo was arrested and Profaci died of cancer. The family then came together under boss Joseph Colombo
. In 1971, the second family war began after Gallo's release from prison and the shooting of Colombo. Colombo supporters led by Carmine Persico
won the second war after the exiling of the Gallo crew to the Genovese family in 1975. The family would now enjoy two decades of peace under Persico and his string of acting bosses.
In 1991, the third and bloodiest war erupted when acting boss Victor Orena
tried to seize power from the imprisoned Carmine Persico. The family split into factions loyal to Orena and Persico and two years of mayhem ensued. In 1993, with 12 family members dead and Orena imprisoned, the war was over with Persico the winner. He was left with a family decimated by war. In the 2000's, the family was crippled by multiple convictions in federal racketeering cases and numerous members becoming government witnesses. Most observers believe that the Colombo crime family is the weakest of the Five Families of New York City.
from Villabate
, Sicily
, Italy
. After struggling in Chicago
with his businesses, Profaci moved back to Brooklyn
in 1925 and become a well known olive oil importer. On September 27, Profaci obtained his American citizenship. With his olive oil importing business doing well, Profaci made deals with friends from his old town in Sicily and one of his largest buyers was Tampa
mobster Ignazio Italiano
. Profaci controlled a small criminal gang that operated mainly in Brooklyn. The dominant Cosa Nostra groups in Brooklyn were led by Salvatore D'Aquila
, Frankie Yale
, Giuseppe Masseria, and Nicola Schiro.
On July 1, 1928, Brooklyn mobster Frankie Yale
was murdered by Chicago Outfit
boss Al Capone
's hit-men. Capone murdered Yale because Yale refused to give Capone, a Neopolitan, control over the Unione Siciliana fraternal association. Yale's murder allowed Profaci and his brother in-law Joseph Magliocco
to gain territory for their small gang. Profaci's gang gained territory in Bensonhurst
, Bay Ridge
, Red Hook
and Carroll Gardens
while the rest of Yale's group went to the Masseria family
.
On October 10, 1928, the capo di tutti capi
, Salvatore "Toto" D'Aquila
, was murdered, resulting in a fight for D'Aquila's territory. To prevent a gang war in Brooklyn, a Mafia meeting was called on December 5, 1928, at the Statler Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio
. The site was chosen because it was neutral territory outside New York under Porrello crime family control and protection. The main topic was dividing D'Aquila's territory. Attendees representing Brooklyn included Profaci, Magliocco, Vincent Mangano (who reported to D'Aqulia family boss Alfred "Al Mineo" Manfredi
), Joseph Bonanno
(who represented Salvatore Maranzano
and the Castellammarese Clan), Chicago mobsters Joseph Guinta and Pasquale Lolordo, and Tampa mobster Ignazio Italiano
. At the end of the meeting, Profaci received a share of D'Aqulia's Brooklyn territory.
(Boss of Bosses) in the United States demanding tribute from the remaining three Mafia groups in New York City which included the Reina family
, the Castellammarese Clan
and the Profaci family. Castellammarese Clan boss Salvatore Maranzano began his own campaign to become boss of bosses, this started the Castellammarese War. Masseria along with his allie Alfred Manfredi, the new boss of the D'Aquila family ordered the murder of Gaetano Reina
. Masseria believed that Reina was going to support Maranzano to become the new boss of bosses. On February 26, 1930, Gaetano Reina was murdered and Masseria appointed Joseph Pinzolo
as the new boss of the Reina family. During the war Profaci remained neutral, while he secretly supported Maranzano.
The Castellammarese War ended when Charles "Lucky" Luciano
, a Masseria lieutenant, betrayed him to Maranzano. Luciano set up the murder of Masseria on April 15, 1931. Maranzano then became the new Capo di tutti capi in the United States. Within a few months, Maranzano and Luciano were plotting to kill each other. On September 10, 1931, Luciano had Maranzano killed and created the Mafia Commission
. Now there would be five independent Cosa Nostra families in New York City and twenty one additional families across the United States that were regulated by a supreme Commission in New York.
that earned him nearly $2.5 million a year with an average of $7,000 a day in Red Hook, Brooklyn
. In early 1959, Abbatemarco, with the support of Gallo brothers and the Garfield Boys, began refusing to pay tribute to Profaci. By late 1959, Abbatemarco's debt had grown to $50,000 and Profaci allegedly ordered Joe Gallo
to murder Abbatemarco. However, other versions of the story indicate that Gallo played no part in this murder. In return for Abbatemarco's murder, Profaci allegedly agreed to give the Gallos control over Abbatemarco's policy game. On November 4, 1959, Frank Abbatemarco walked out of his cousin's bar in Park Slope, Brooklyn
and was shot and killed by Joseph Gioielli and another hitman. Profaci then ordered the Gallos to hand over Abbatemaro's son Anthony. The Gallos refused and Profaci refused to give them the policy game. This was the start of the First Colombo war. The Gallo brothers and the Garfield boys (led by Carmine Persico
) were aligned against Profaci and his loyalists.
On February 27, 1961 the Gallos kidnapped four of Profaci's top men: underboss Joseph Magliocco
, Frank Profaci (Joe Profaci's brother), capo Salvatore Mussachia and soldier John Scimone. Profaci himself eluded capture and flew to sanctuary in Florida. While holding the hostages, Larry and Albert Gallo sent Joe Gallo to California
. Profaci's Consigliere Charles "the Sidge" LoCicero negotiated with the Gallos and all the hostages were released peacefully. However, Profaci had no intention of honoring this peace agreement. On August 20, 1961 Joseph Profaci ordered the murder of Gallo members Joseph "Joe Jelly" Gioielli and Larry Gallo. Gunmen allegedly murdered Gioilli after inviting him to go deep sea fishing. Gallo survived a strangulation attempt in the Sahara club of East Flatbush by Carmine Persico and Salvatore "Sally" D'Ambrosio after a police officer intervened. The Gallos then began calling Persico "The Snake"; he had betrayed them, the war continued on resulting in nine murders and three disappearances.
In late November 1961, Joe Gallo was sentenced to seven-to-fourteen years in prison for murder. In 1962, Joe Profaci died of cancer, leaving Joe Magliocco, his longtime underboss, as the new boss. The war continued on between the two factions. In 1963, Carmine Persico survived a car bombing and his enforcer Hugh McIntosh was shot in the groin as he attempted kill Larry Gallo. On May 19, 1963, a Gallo hit team shot Carmine Persico multiple times, but Persico survived.
In 1963, Magliocco and Bonanno boss Joseph Bonanno
hatched an audacious plan to murder bosses Carlo Gambino
, Tommy Lucchese
, Stefano Magaddino
and Frank DeSimone
and take over the Mafia Commission. Joseph Magliocco gave the murder contact to Joseph Colombo
. Colombo either feared for his life, or sensed an opportunity for advancement, and instead reported the plot to The Commission
. Both Magliocco and Bonanno were forced to retire.
In 1963, the Commission rewarded Joseph Colombo for his loyalty by making him boss of what was now the Colombo crime family. Along with former Gallo crew member Nicholas Bianco
and New England family
boss Raymond Patriarca
, Colombo was able to end the war. As a reward for his loyalty, Bianco was made into the Colombo family. As boss, Colombo brought peace and stability to the broken crime family. However, some Cosa Nostra bosses viewed Colombo as Carlo Gambino
's "puppet boss" and felt he never deserved the title. Colombo's leadership was never challenged due to his support from Carlo Gambino. In 1968, Gallo crew leader Larry Gallo died of cancer.
In 1969, Colombo founded the Italian-American Civil Rights League
, dedicated to fighting discrimination against Italian-Americans. Many mobsters disapproved of the League because it brought unwanted public attention to the Cosa Nostra. Colombo ignored their concerns and continued gaining support for his league. On July 28, 1970, Colombo held the first league demonstration, a big success. In 1971, months before the second demonstration, the other New York bosses ordered their men to stay away from the demonstration and not support Colombo's cause. Also in 1971, Colombo lost one of his biggest supporters, the league's chief organizer Gambino family capo Joseph DeCicco, who had become ill and resigned. In 1971, Joe Gallo was also released from prison. At the time of his release, Gallo said the 1963 peace agreement did not apply to him because he was in prison when it was negotiation.
in Manhattan. As Colombo prepared to speak, an African-American man, Jerome Johnson, walked up to Colombo and shot him in the back of the head three times; seconds later, Colombo's bodyguards shot Johnson to death. The shooting did not kill Colombo but left him paralyzed for seven years; he died of natural causes on May 22, 1978. Although many in the Colombo family blamed Joe Gallo for the shooting, the police eventually concluded that Johnson was a lone gunman. Regardless, the Colombo shooting triggered the Second Colombo war.
Colombo's Consigliere Joseph Yacovelli became the family acting boss, and he directed a new campaign to murder Joe Gallo and his crew. On April 7, 1972, acting on a quick tip, four gunmen walked into Umberto's Clam House in Little Italy
and killed Joe Gallo as he was dining with his family. Looking for revenge, Albert Gallo sent a gunman from Las Vegas to the Neopolitan Noodle restaurant in Manhattan, where Yacovelli, Alphonse Persico, and Langella were dining one day. However, the gunman did not recognize the mobsters and shot four innocent diners instead, killing two of them. After this assassination attempt, Yacovelli fled New York, leaving Carmine Persico as the new boss.
The Second Colombo war continued on and off for the next several years. In 1975, the Gallo faction itself split into two groups that started fighting each other. To finally result the conflict, the New York families negotiated an agreement in which Albert Gallo and his remaining crew left the Colombo family and peacefully joined the Genovese family. The Gallo wars were finally over.
During the 1970s, Carmine Persico
had grown in stature within the family and was considered to be the clear successor as boss. However, Persico had spent much of this time in prison, and it was unclear if he could effectively rule the family from prison. Nevertheless, Persico took control, designating Gennaro "Jerry Lang" Langella
as his street boss. In 1986, both men were convicted on massive Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
(RICO) charges and were sentenced to 100 years. In 1988, Persico named Victor Orena
as the new acting boss.
, Orena petitioned the Mafia Commission to declare him the official boss of the Colombo family. Unwilling to cause more conflict, the Commission refused. On June 21, 1991, an enraged Persico sent gunmen under the leadership of Carmine Sessa
to murder Orena at his house. However, Orena managed to escape before the gunmen could strike. The third Colombo war had begun.
While both sides appealed to the Commission for help, the war continued. On November 1991, Gregory Scarpa Sr.
, a Persico loyalist, was driving his daughter and granddaughter home when several Orena gunmen ambushed them. Scarpa and his relatives managed to escape. The war continued until 1992, when law enforcement imprisoned Orena and most of his loyalists.
Twelve people, including three innocent bystanders, died in this gang war. More than 80 made members and associates from both sides of the Colombo family were convicted, jailed or indicted. These included Persico's brother Theodore "Teddy" Persico and his son Alphonse Persico, DeRoss, and Orena's two sons, Victor Jr. Orena and John Orena.
While the Colombo war raged, the Commission refused to allow any Colombo member to sit on the Commission and considered dissolving the family. Lucchese underboss Anthony Casso
proposed to merge the family with his own to end the war, while in 2000 plans were proposed to split its manpower and resources among the remaining families. In 2002, with the help of Bonanno family boss Joseph Massino, the Commission finally allowed the Colombos to rejoin them.
had remained boss. He designated his son Alphonse "Little Allie Boy" Persico
as his successor. In 2004, Alphonse Persico and Underboss
John "Jackie" DeRoss
were indicted for ordering the 1999 murder of William Cutolo
, in December 2007, both men were covicted and sentenced to life in prison.
When Alphonse Persico went to prison Thomas "Tommy Shots" Gioeli
, became the new street boss. In June 2008, Gioeli, underboss John "Sonny" Franzese
, former consigliere Joel "Joe Waverly" Cacace
, captain Dino Calabro, mob soldier Dino Saracino and several members and associates were indicted on multiple racketeering charges which included loan sharking, extortion and three murders dating back to the Colombo Wars. If convicted, they are all facing life sentences.
After Gioeli was imprisoned, Ralph F. DeLeo, who operated from Boston, Massachusetts, became the new street boss. On December 17, 2009, the FBI charged DeLeo and Colombo family members with drug trafficking, extortion and loansharking in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Florida and Arkansas.
After DeLeo was imprisoned, Andrew "Andy Mush" Russo, became the new street boss. On January 20, 2011, Russo, Castellazzo, and Fusco were charged with murder, narcotics trafficking, and labor racketeering. In September 2011, Castellazzo and Fusco pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
The Persico faction
The Orena faction
Long Island faction
Florida faction
New England faction
Associates
Associates
Five Families
The Five Families are the five original Italian-American Mafia crime families which have dominated organized crime in America since 1931. The Five Families in New York remain as the powerhouse of the Italian Mafia in the United States.-History:...
" that dominates organized crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
activities in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia
American Mafia
The American Mafia , is an Italian-American criminal society. Much like the Sicilian Mafia, the American Mafia has no formal name and is a secret criminal society. Its members usually refer to it as Cosa Nostra or by its English translation "our thing"...
(or Cosa Nostra).
In 1928, Joseph Profaci formed the Profaci crime family. Profaci would rule his family without interruption or challenge until the late 1950's. From 1959 to 1983, the Colombo family fought three internal wars. The first war took place during the late 1950s when capo Joe Gallo
Joe Gallo
Joseph Gallo , also known as "Crazy Joey" and "Joe the Blond", was a celebrated New York City gangster for the Profaci crime family, later known as the Colombo crime family...
revolted against Profaci. The first war lost momentum in the early 1960s when Gallo was arrested and Profaci died of cancer. The family then came together under boss Joseph Colombo
Joseph Colombo
Joseph "Joe" Colombo, Sr. was the boss of the Colombo crime family, one of the "Five Families" of the Cosa Nostra in New York.-Background:...
. In 1971, the second family war began after Gallo's release from prison and the shooting of Colombo. Colombo supporters led by Carmine Persico
Carmine Persico
Carmine John Persico, Jr. also known as "Junior", "The Snake" and "Immortal", has been the de-facto boss of the Colombo crime family since the early 1970s. Persico has overseen gang wars, murders, and major rackets, most of the time from prison. He has been serving life imprisonment without...
won the second war after the exiling of the Gallo crew to the Genovese family in 1975. The family would now enjoy two decades of peace under Persico and his string of acting bosses.
In 1991, the third and bloodiest war erupted when acting boss Victor Orena
Victor Orena
Vittorio "Little Vic" Orena is a New York City mobster who became the temporary acting boss of the Colombo crime family. When an attempt by Greg ScarpaVittorio "Little Vic" Orena (born August 4, 1934) is a New York City mobster who became the temporary acting boss of the Colombo crime family. When...
tried to seize power from the imprisoned Carmine Persico. The family split into factions loyal to Orena and Persico and two years of mayhem ensued. In 1993, with 12 family members dead and Orena imprisoned, the war was over with Persico the winner. He was left with a family decimated by war. In the 2000's, the family was crippled by multiple convictions in federal racketeering cases and numerous members becoming government witnesses. Most observers believe that the Colombo crime family is the weakest of the Five Families of New York City.
Origins
In September 1921, Joseph Profaci arrived in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
from Villabate
Villabate
Villabate is a comune in the Province of Palermo in the Italian region Sicily, located about 8 km southeast of Palermo. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 19,441 and an area of 3.8 km²....
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. After struggling in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
with his businesses, Profaci moved back to Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
in 1925 and become a well known olive oil importer. On September 27, Profaci obtained his American citizenship. With his olive oil importing business doing well, Profaci made deals with friends from his old town in Sicily and one of his largest buyers was Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
mobster Ignazio Italiano
Trafficante crime family
The Trafficante crime family better known as the Tampa Mafia, is the only original Mafia crime family in the state of Florida.-Tampa's underworld:...
. Profaci controlled a small criminal gang that operated mainly in Brooklyn. The dominant Cosa Nostra groups in Brooklyn were led by Salvatore D'Aquila
Salvatore D'Aquila
Salvatore "Toto" D'Aquila was a New York City mobster from the Mustache Pete-era and the first boss of the Gambino crime family....
, Frankie Yale
Frankie Yale
Francesco Ioele , better known as Frankie Uale or Frankie Yale, was a Brooklyn gangster and original employer of Al Capone before the latter moved to Chicago...
, Giuseppe Masseria, and Nicola Schiro.
On July 1, 1928, Brooklyn mobster Frankie Yale
Frankie Yale
Francesco Ioele , better known as Frankie Uale or Frankie Yale, was a Brooklyn gangster and original employer of Al Capone before the latter moved to Chicago...
was murdered by Chicago Outfit
Chicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit, also known as the Chicago Syndicate or Chicago Mob and sometimes shortened to simply the Outfit, is a crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois, USA...
boss Al Capone
Al Capone
Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone was an American gangster who led a Prohibition-era crime syndicate. The Chicago Outfit, which subsequently became known as the "Capones", was dedicated to smuggling and bootlegging liquor, and other illegal activities such as prostitution, in Chicago from the early...
's hit-men. Capone murdered Yale because Yale refused to give Capone, a Neopolitan, control over the Unione Siciliana fraternal association. Yale's murder allowed Profaci and his brother in-law Joseph Magliocco
Joseph Magliocco
Joseph Magliocco, also known as "Joe Malayak" was a New York mobster and the boss of the Profaci crime family from 1962 to 1963...
to gain territory for their small gang. Profaci's gang gained territory in Bensonhurst
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
Bensonhurst is a neighborhood located in the southwestern part of the New York City borough of Brooklyn.-Geography:Sometimes erroneously thought to include all or parts of such neighborhoods as Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, and Borough Park, or to be defined by the streets where the concentration of...
, Bay Ridge
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Bay Ridge is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA. It is bounded by Sunset Park on the north, Seventh Avenue and Dyker Heights on the east, The Narrows Strait, which partially houses the Belt Parkway, on the west and 86th Street and Fort Hamilton on...
, Red Hook
Red Hook, Brooklyn
Red Hook is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 6. It is also the location where the transatlantic liner, the , docks in New York City.- History :...
and Carroll Gardens
Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Carroll Gardens is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA. The area is named for Charles Carroll, a revolutionary war veteran who was also the only Roman Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence...
while the rest of Yale's group went to the Masseria family
Genovese crime family
The Genovese crime family , is one of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia . The Genovese crime family has been nicknamed the "Ivy League" and "Rolls Royce" of organized crime...
.
On October 10, 1928, the capo di tutti capi
Capo di tutti capi
Capo di tutti capi or capo dei capi is Italian for "boss of all bosses" or "boss of bosses". It is a phrase used mainly by the media, public and the law enforcement community to indicate a supremely powerful crime boss in the Sicilian or American Mafia who holds great influence over the whole...
, Salvatore "Toto" D'Aquila
Salvatore D'Aquila
Salvatore "Toto" D'Aquila was a New York City mobster from the Mustache Pete-era and the first boss of the Gambino crime family....
, was murdered, resulting in a fight for D'Aquila's territory. To prevent a gang war in Brooklyn, a Mafia meeting was called on December 5, 1928, at the Statler Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. The site was chosen because it was neutral territory outside New York under Porrello crime family control and protection. The main topic was dividing D'Aquila's territory. Attendees representing Brooklyn included Profaci, Magliocco, Vincent Mangano (who reported to D'Aqulia family boss Alfred "Al Mineo" Manfredi
Alfred Mineo
Alfredo "Al Mineo" Manfredi was a Brooklyn based New York mobster, who headed a strong American Mafia crime family during the Castellammarese War. Mineo's organization would eventually become the present-day Gambino crime family....
), Joseph Bonanno
Joseph Bonanno
Joseph Charles Bonanno, Sr. was a Sicilian-born American mafioso who became the boss of the Bonanno crime family. He was nicknamed "Joe Bananas," a name he despised.-Early life:...
(who represented Salvatore Maranzano
Salvatore Maranzano
Salvatore Maranzano was an organized crime figure from the town of Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily, and an early Cosa Nostra boss in the United States. He instigated the Castellammarese War to seize control of the American Mafia operations, and briefly became the Mafia's "Boss of Bosses"...
and the Castellammarese Clan), Chicago mobsters Joseph Guinta and Pasquale Lolordo, and Tampa mobster Ignazio Italiano
Trafficante crime family
The Trafficante crime family better known as the Tampa Mafia, is the only original Mafia crime family in the state of Florida.-Tampa's underworld:...
. At the end of the meeting, Profaci received a share of D'Aqulia's Brooklyn territory.
The Castellammarese War
Months after the D'Aquila murder, Joe Masseria began a campaign to become Capo di tutti capiCapo di tutti capi
Capo di tutti capi or capo dei capi is Italian for "boss of all bosses" or "boss of bosses". It is a phrase used mainly by the media, public and the law enforcement community to indicate a supremely powerful crime boss in the Sicilian or American Mafia who holds great influence over the whole...
(Boss of Bosses) in the United States demanding tribute from the remaining three Mafia groups in New York City which included the Reina family
Lucchese crime family
The Lucchese crime family is one of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia . The family originated in the early 1920s with Gaetano "Tommy" Reina serving as boss up until his murder...
, the Castellammarese Clan
Bonanno crime family
The Bonanno crime family is one of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia ....
and the Profaci family. Castellammarese Clan boss Salvatore Maranzano began his own campaign to become boss of bosses, this started the Castellammarese War. Masseria along with his allie Alfred Manfredi, the new boss of the D'Aquila family ordered the murder of Gaetano Reina
Gaetano Reina
Gaetano "Tommy" Reina was the first Boss of the Lucchese crime family in New York City.-Early years:Gaetano Reina was born in September 1889 in Corleone, Sicily to Giacomo Reina and Carmela Runmore. In the early 1900s the Reina family moved to New York City and settled on 107th Street in East Harlem...
. Masseria believed that Reina was going to support Maranzano to become the new boss of bosses. On February 26, 1930, Gaetano Reina was murdered and Masseria appointed Joseph Pinzolo
Joseph Pinzolo
Bonaventura "Joseph/Fat Joe" Pinzolo was the head of the Lucchese crime family in New York City for a brief period during 1930....
as the new boss of the Reina family. During the war Profaci remained neutral, while he secretly supported Maranzano.
The Castellammarese War ended when Charles "Lucky" Luciano
Lucky Luciano
Charlie "Lucky" Luciano was an Italian mobster born in Sicily. Luciano is considered the father of modern organized crime in the United States for splitting New York City into five different Mafia crime families and the establishment of the first commission...
, a Masseria lieutenant, betrayed him to Maranzano. Luciano set up the murder of Masseria on April 15, 1931. Maranzano then became the new Capo di tutti capi in the United States. Within a few months, Maranzano and Luciano were plotting to kill each other. On September 10, 1931, Luciano had Maranzano killed and created the Mafia Commission
The Commission (mafia)
The Commission is the governing body of the American Mafia. Formed in 1931, the Commission replaced the "Boss of all Bosses" title, with a ruling committee, consisting of the New York Five Families bosses and the boss of the Chicago Outfit...
. Now there would be five independent Cosa Nostra families in New York City and twenty one additional families across the United States that were regulated by a supreme Commission in New York.
First Colombo War (1960-1963)
Joseph Profaci had become a wealthy Mafia boss and was known as "the olive-oil and tomato paste king of America". One of Profaci's most unpopular demands was a $25 monthly tribute from every soldier in his family. In the late 1950s, capo Frank "Frankie Shots" Abbatemarco became a problem for Joe Profaci. Abbatemarco controlled a lucrative policy gameNumbers game
Numbers game, also known as a numbers racket, policy racket or Italian lottery, is an illegal lottery played mostly in poor neighborhoods in the United States, wherein a bettor attempts to pick three digits to match those that will be randomly drawn the following day...
that earned him nearly $2.5 million a year with an average of $7,000 a day in Red Hook, Brooklyn
Red Hook, Brooklyn
Red Hook is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 6. It is also the location where the transatlantic liner, the , docks in New York City.- History :...
. In early 1959, Abbatemarco, with the support of Gallo brothers and the Garfield Boys, began refusing to pay tribute to Profaci. By late 1959, Abbatemarco's debt had grown to $50,000 and Profaci allegedly ordered Joe Gallo
Joe Gallo
Joseph Gallo , also known as "Crazy Joey" and "Joe the Blond", was a celebrated New York City gangster for the Profaci crime family, later known as the Colombo crime family...
to murder Abbatemarco. However, other versions of the story indicate that Gallo played no part in this murder. In return for Abbatemarco's murder, Profaci allegedly agreed to give the Gallos control over Abbatemarco's policy game. On November 4, 1959, Frank Abbatemarco walked out of his cousin's bar in Park Slope, Brooklyn
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Park Slope is a neighborhood in western Brooklyn, New York City's most populous borough. Park Slope is roughly bounded by Prospect Park West to the east, Fourth Avenue to the west, Flatbush Avenue to the north, and 15th Street to the south, though other definitions are sometimes offered. Generally...
and was shot and killed by Joseph Gioielli and another hitman. Profaci then ordered the Gallos to hand over Abbatemaro's son Anthony. The Gallos refused and Profaci refused to give them the policy game. This was the start of the First Colombo war. The Gallo brothers and the Garfield boys (led by Carmine Persico
Carmine Persico
Carmine John Persico, Jr. also known as "Junior", "The Snake" and "Immortal", has been the de-facto boss of the Colombo crime family since the early 1970s. Persico has overseen gang wars, murders, and major rackets, most of the time from prison. He has been serving life imprisonment without...
) were aligned against Profaci and his loyalists.
On February 27, 1961 the Gallos kidnapped four of Profaci's top men: underboss Joseph Magliocco
Joseph Magliocco
Joseph Magliocco, also known as "Joe Malayak" was a New York mobster and the boss of the Profaci crime family from 1962 to 1963...
, Frank Profaci (Joe Profaci's brother), capo Salvatore Mussachia and soldier John Scimone. Profaci himself eluded capture and flew to sanctuary in Florida. While holding the hostages, Larry and Albert Gallo sent Joe Gallo to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Profaci's Consigliere Charles "the Sidge" LoCicero negotiated with the Gallos and all the hostages were released peacefully. However, Profaci had no intention of honoring this peace agreement. On August 20, 1961 Joseph Profaci ordered the murder of Gallo members Joseph "Joe Jelly" Gioielli and Larry Gallo. Gunmen allegedly murdered Gioilli after inviting him to go deep sea fishing. Gallo survived a strangulation attempt in the Sahara club of East Flatbush by Carmine Persico and Salvatore "Sally" D'Ambrosio after a police officer intervened. The Gallos then began calling Persico "The Snake"; he had betrayed them, the war continued on resulting in nine murders and three disappearances.
In late November 1961, Joe Gallo was sentenced to seven-to-fourteen years in prison for murder. In 1962, Joe Profaci died of cancer, leaving Joe Magliocco, his longtime underboss, as the new boss. The war continued on between the two factions. In 1963, Carmine Persico survived a car bombing and his enforcer Hugh McIntosh was shot in the groin as he attempted kill Larry Gallo. On May 19, 1963, a Gallo hit team shot Carmine Persico multiple times, but Persico survived.
In 1963, Magliocco and Bonanno boss Joseph Bonanno
Joseph Bonanno
Joseph Charles Bonanno, Sr. was a Sicilian-born American mafioso who became the boss of the Bonanno crime family. He was nicknamed "Joe Bananas," a name he despised.-Early life:...
hatched an audacious plan to murder bosses Carlo Gambino
Carlo Gambino
"Don" Carlo Gambino, was a Sicilian mafioso who became Boss of the Gambino crime family, that still bears his name today. After the 1957 Apalachin Convention he unexpectedly seized control of the Commission of the American Mafia. Gambino was known for being low-key and secretive...
, Tommy Lucchese
Tommy Lucchese
Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese , also known as "Tom Brown" or "Three-Finger Brown", was an American mobster who became the Boss of the Lucchese crime family in New York City...
, Stefano Magaddino
Stefano Magaddino
Stefano Magaddino was an Sicilian mafioso who became the boss of the Buffalo crime family in western New York. His underworld influence stretched from Ohio and Southern Ontario as far north as Montreal, Quebec...
and Frank DeSimone
Frank DeSimone
Frank A. DeSimone was the Boss of the Los Angeles crime family from 1956 to 1967. DeSimone was the son of former don Rosario DeSimone. He was sometime referred to as "One Eye" because one of his eyes drooped, in the same way as Charles "Lucky" Luciano...
and take over the Mafia Commission. Joseph Magliocco gave the murder contact to Joseph Colombo
Joseph Colombo
Joseph "Joe" Colombo, Sr. was the boss of the Colombo crime family, one of the "Five Families" of the Cosa Nostra in New York.-Background:...
. Colombo either feared for his life, or sensed an opportunity for advancement, and instead reported the plot to The Commission
The Commission (mafia)
The Commission is the governing body of the American Mafia. Formed in 1931, the Commission replaced the "Boss of all Bosses" title, with a ruling committee, consisting of the New York Five Families bosses and the boss of the Chicago Outfit...
. Both Magliocco and Bonanno were forced to retire.
Colombo and Italian American Civil Rights League
Nicholas Bianco
Nicholas "Nicky" Bianco was a Rhode Island mobster who became an influential member of the Patriarca crime family of New England.-Biography:Bianco was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island...
and New England family
Patriarca crime family
The Patriarca crime family, also known as the New England crime family and the Providence crime family, is an Italian-American organized crime syndicate based in New England, specifically Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts, and is part of the Italian-American Mafia or "La Cosa Nostra"...
boss Raymond Patriarca
Raymond Patriarca
Raymond Patriarca may refer to:*Raymond L.S. Patriarca, Providence mobster and founder of the Patriarca crime family*Raymond Patriarca, Jr., Providence mobster and former leader of the Patriarca crime family...
, Colombo was able to end the war. As a reward for his loyalty, Bianco was made into the Colombo family. As boss, Colombo brought peace and stability to the broken crime family. However, some Cosa Nostra bosses viewed Colombo as Carlo Gambino
Carlo Gambino
"Don" Carlo Gambino, was a Sicilian mafioso who became Boss of the Gambino crime family, that still bears his name today. After the 1957 Apalachin Convention he unexpectedly seized control of the Commission of the American Mafia. Gambino was known for being low-key and secretive...
's "puppet boss" and felt he never deserved the title. Colombo's leadership was never challenged due to his support from Carlo Gambino. In 1968, Gallo crew leader Larry Gallo died of cancer.
In 1969, Colombo founded the Italian-American Civil Rights League
Italian-American Civil Rights League
The Italian-American Civil Rights League was formed as a political group in and around New York City in the early 1970s. Its stated goal was to combat pejorative stereotypes about Italian-Americans....
, dedicated to fighting discrimination against Italian-Americans. Many mobsters disapproved of the League because it brought unwanted public attention to the Cosa Nostra. Colombo ignored their concerns and continued gaining support for his league. On July 28, 1970, Colombo held the first league demonstration, a big success. In 1971, months before the second demonstration, the other New York bosses ordered their men to stay away from the demonstration and not support Colombo's cause. Also in 1971, Colombo lost one of his biggest supporters, the league's chief organizer Gambino family capo Joseph DeCicco, who had become ill and resigned. In 1971, Joe Gallo was also released from prison. At the time of his release, Gallo said the 1963 peace agreement did not apply to him because he was in prison when it was negotiation.
Second Colombo War (1971-1975)
On June 28, 1971, Colombo held the second League demonstration at Columbus CircleColumbus Circle
Columbus Circle, named for Christopher Columbus, is a major landmark and point of attraction in the New York City borough of Manhattan, located at the intersection of Eighth Avenue, Broadway, Central Park South , and Central Park West, at the southwest corner of Central Park. It is the point from...
in Manhattan. As Colombo prepared to speak, an African-American man, Jerome Johnson, walked up to Colombo and shot him in the back of the head three times; seconds later, Colombo's bodyguards shot Johnson to death. The shooting did not kill Colombo but left him paralyzed for seven years; he died of natural causes on May 22, 1978. Although many in the Colombo family blamed Joe Gallo for the shooting, the police eventually concluded that Johnson was a lone gunman. Regardless, the Colombo shooting triggered the Second Colombo war.
Colombo's Consigliere Joseph Yacovelli became the family acting boss, and he directed a new campaign to murder Joe Gallo and his crew. On April 7, 1972, acting on a quick tip, four gunmen walked into Umberto's Clam House in Little Italy
Little Italy, Manhattan
Little Italy is a neighborhood in lower Manhattan, New York City, once known for its large population of Italians. Today the neighborhood of Little Italy consists of Italian stores and restaurants.-Historical area:...
and killed Joe Gallo as he was dining with his family. Looking for revenge, Albert Gallo sent a gunman from Las Vegas to the Neopolitan Noodle restaurant in Manhattan, where Yacovelli, Alphonse Persico, and Langella were dining one day. However, the gunman did not recognize the mobsters and shot four innocent diners instead, killing two of them. After this assassination attempt, Yacovelli fled New York, leaving Carmine Persico as the new boss.
The Second Colombo war continued on and off for the next several years. In 1975, the Gallo faction itself split into two groups that started fighting each other. To finally result the conflict, the New York families negotiated an agreement in which Albert Gallo and his remaining crew left the Colombo family and peacefully joined the Genovese family. The Gallo wars were finally over.
The family under Persico
Following the high-profile media exposure of Joseph Colombo and the murderous excesses of Joe Gallo, the Colombo family entered a period of comparative calm and stability. With Colombo in a coma, the family leadership went to Thomas DiBella, a man adept at evading the authorities since his sole bootlegging conviction in 1932. However, DiBella was unable to prevent the Gambino family from chipping away at Colombo rackets, and the Colombos declined in power. Poor health forced DiBella to retire in 1977, and Colombo died in 1978. The Colombo family was facing another power vacuum.During the 1970s, Carmine Persico
Carmine Persico
Carmine John Persico, Jr. also known as "Junior", "The Snake" and "Immortal", has been the de-facto boss of the Colombo crime family since the early 1970s. Persico has overseen gang wars, murders, and major rackets, most of the time from prison. He has been serving life imprisonment without...
had grown in stature within the family and was considered to be the clear successor as boss. However, Persico had spent much of this time in prison, and it was unclear if he could effectively rule the family from prison. Nevertheless, Persico took control, designating Gennaro "Jerry Lang" Langella
Gennaro Langella
Gennaro Adriano Langella also known as "Gerry Lang", is a member of the Colombo crime family who eventually became underboss and acting boss.-Background:...
as his street boss. In 1986, both men were convicted on massive Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization...
(RICO) charges and were sentenced to 100 years. In 1988, Persico named Victor Orena
Victor Orena
Vittorio "Little Vic" Orena is a New York City mobster who became the temporary acting boss of the Colombo crime family. When an attempt by Greg ScarpaVittorio "Little Vic" Orena (born August 4, 1934) is a New York City mobster who became the temporary acting boss of the Colombo crime family. When...
as the new acting boss.
Third Colombo War (1991-1993)
Orena, an ambitious capo from Cedarhurst was not content with being acting boss to Persico. In 1990, using his strong ties to Gambino boss John GottiJohn Gotti
John Joseph Gotti, Jr was an American mobster who became the Boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City. Gotti grew up in poverty. He and his brothers turned to a life of crime at an early age...
, Orena petitioned the Mafia Commission to declare him the official boss of the Colombo family. Unwilling to cause more conflict, the Commission refused. On June 21, 1991, an enraged Persico sent gunmen under the leadership of Carmine Sessa
Carmine Sessa
Carmine Sessa is an Italian-American mobster and hitman who became the consigliere of the Brooklyn-based Colombo crime family and played a key role in the family from 1991 to 1993. Sessa later became a government witness.-Murders:...
to murder Orena at his house. However, Orena managed to escape before the gunmen could strike. The third Colombo war had begun.
While both sides appealed to the Commission for help, the war continued. On November 1991, Gregory Scarpa Sr.
Gregory Scarpa Sr.
Gregory Scarpa, Sr. also known as "The Grim Reaper" and "The Mad Hatter", was a capo for the Colombo crime family and an informant for the FBI. During the 1970s and 80s, Scarpa was the chief enforcer for Colombo boss Carmine Persico...
, a Persico loyalist, was driving his daughter and granddaughter home when several Orena gunmen ambushed them. Scarpa and his relatives managed to escape. The war continued until 1992, when law enforcement imprisoned Orena and most of his loyalists.
Twelve people, including three innocent bystanders, died in this gang war. More than 80 made members and associates from both sides of the Colombo family were convicted, jailed or indicted. These included Persico's brother Theodore "Teddy" Persico and his son Alphonse Persico, DeRoss, and Orena's two sons, Victor Jr. Orena and John Orena.
While the Colombo war raged, the Commission refused to allow any Colombo member to sit on the Commission and considered dissolving the family. Lucchese underboss Anthony Casso
Anthony Casso
Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso is a former New York City mobster who served as underboss and acting boss of the Lucchese crime family until he was arrested in 1993, becoming a cooperating witness for the Federal Government...
proposed to merge the family with his own to end the war, while in 2000 plans were proposed to split its manpower and resources among the remaining families. In 2002, with the help of Bonanno family boss Joseph Massino, the Commission finally allowed the Colombos to rejoin them.
The family after Third Colombo War
When the Third Colombo War ended Carmine "Junior" PersicoCarmine Persico
Carmine John Persico, Jr. also known as "Junior", "The Snake" and "Immortal", has been the de-facto boss of the Colombo crime family since the early 1970s. Persico has overseen gang wars, murders, and major rackets, most of the time from prison. He has been serving life imprisonment without...
had remained boss. He designated his son Alphonse "Little Allie Boy" Persico
Alphonse Persico
Alphonse T. Persico, known as Little Allie Boy or just Allie Boy, is a former acting boss of the Colombo crime family from the 1980s and 1990s. He is not to be confused with his uncle of the same name, who was also a Colombo family mobster known as "Allie Boy", who died in 1989.-Background:Born in...
as his successor. In 2004, Alphonse Persico and Underboss
Underboss
Underboss is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The underboss is second in command to the boss...
John "Jackie" DeRoss
John DeRoss
John J. DeRoss , also known as "Jackie" or "Jackie Zambooka", is the former Underboss in the Colombo crime family.-Capo and control over local 100:John DeRoss is the father of Colombo family mobsters Jack J. DeRoss and Jamie T. DeRoss...
were indicted for ordering the 1999 murder of William Cutolo
William Cutolo
William Cutolo , also known as "Billy Fingers" and "Wild Bill", was a Brooklyn mobster in the Colombo crime family who committed several murders and was heavily involved in labor racketeering...
, in December 2007, both men were covicted and sentenced to life in prison.
When Alphonse Persico went to prison Thomas "Tommy Shots" Gioeli
Thomas Gioeli
Thomas Salvatore Gioeli, , also known as "Tommy Shots", is a high-ranking member of the Colombo crime family who has allegedly killed several people, including a policeman and a Colombo underboss, for the family.- Rise in the Colombo family :...
, became the new street boss. In June 2008, Gioeli, underboss John "Sonny" Franzese
John Franzese
John "Sonny" Franzese, Sr. , is a longtime member and the current Underboss of the Colombo crime family. Arguably, Franzese has been famous as the current oldest active member of the American Mafia...
, former consigliere Joel "Joe Waverly" Cacace
Joel Cacace
Joel J. Cacace Sr. also known as Joe Waverly is a New York City mobster and acting head of the Colombo crime family. He was convicted of murder and is currently on trial for a second murder.-Career:...
, captain Dino Calabro, mob soldier Dino Saracino and several members and associates were indicted on multiple racketeering charges which included loan sharking, extortion and three murders dating back to the Colombo Wars. If convicted, they are all facing life sentences.
After Gioeli was imprisoned, Ralph F. DeLeo, who operated from Boston, Massachusetts, became the new street boss. On December 17, 2009, the FBI charged DeLeo and Colombo family members with drug trafficking, extortion and loansharking in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Florida and Arkansas.
After DeLeo was imprisoned, Andrew "Andy Mush" Russo, became the new street boss. On January 20, 2011, Russo, Castellazzo, and Fusco were charged with murder, narcotics trafficking, and labor racketeering. In September 2011, Castellazzo and Fusco pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
Boss (official and acting)
The Boss (also sometimes called Godfather or Don) is the head of his own family. He makes all the major decisions within the organization. The Boss, Underboss, and Consigliere are the only men allowed to induct an associate into the family. If the Boss is incarcerated or debilitated, he chooses an Acting Boss to enforce his decisions.- 1928–1962 — Joseph ProfaciJoe ProfaciGiuseppe "Joe" Profaci was a New York La Cosa Nostra boss who was the founder of what is today known as the Colombo crime family. Established in 1928, this was the last of the Five Families to be organized. He was the family's boss for over three decades.-Family ties:Profaci's sons were Frank...
– died of natural causes - 1962–1963 — Joseph MaglioccoJoseph MaglioccoJoseph Magliocco, also known as "Joe Malayak" was a New York mobster and the boss of the Profaci crime family from 1962 to 1963...
– forced to retire by Mafia Commission - 1963–1971 — Joseph ColomboJoseph ColomboJoseph "Joe" Colombo, Sr. was the boss of the Colombo crime family, one of the "Five Families" of the Cosa Nostra in New York.-Background:...
– paralyzed by assassination attempt - Acting 1971–1972 — Joseph Yacovelli – fled, after the murder of Joe Gallo
- Acting - 1972–1973 – Vincenzo "Vincent" AloiVincenzo AloiVincenzo "Vinny" Aloi is a New York City mobster involved in stock fraud who briefly served as the acting boss of the Colombo crime family.-Made man to acting boss:...
– imprisoned - Acting - 1973 — Joseph "Joey" Brancato – imprisoned
- Acting - 1972–1973 – Vincenzo "Vincent" Aloi
- 1973–present — Carmine "Junior" PersicoCarmine PersicoCarmine John Persico, Jr. also known as "Junior", "The Snake" and "Immortal", has been the de-facto boss of the Colombo crime family since the early 1970s. Persico has overseen gang wars, murders, and major rackets, most of the time from prison. He has been serving life imprisonment without...
– imprisoned 1973–1979 for truck-hijacking, 1981–1984 for criminal conspiracy, 1985–present- Acting - 1973–1979 — Thomas DiBella – stepped down, became consigliere
- Acting - 1981–1983 — Alphonse "Allie Boy" Persico – Carmine Persico's brother; fugitive 1980–1987, imprisoned
- Acting - 1983–1984 — Gennaro "Jerry Lang" LangellaGennaro LangellaGennaro Adriano Langella also known as "Gerry Lang", is a member of the Colombo crime family who eventually became underboss and acting boss.-Background:...
– imprisoned - Acting - 1985–1987 — Anthony "Scappy" Scarpati – imprisoned
- Acting - 1987— Ruling Panel: Benedetto AloiBenedetto AloiBenedetto "Benny" Aloi was a New York City mobster who became consigliere of the Colombo crime family. Aloi was a main figure in the famous "Windows Case".-Early years:...
, Vincent "Jimmy" Angelino and Joseph T. Tomasello – disbanded September 1987 - Acting - 1987–1991 — Vittorio "Vic" OrenaVictor OrenaVittorio "Little Vic" Orena is a New York City mobster who became the temporary acting boss of the Colombo crime family. When an attempt by Greg ScarpaVittorio "Little Vic" Orena (born August 4, 1934) is a New York City mobster who became the temporary acting boss of the Colombo crime family. When...
– imprisoned sentenced to life - Acting - 1991–1993 — Vacant – disputed leadership during the third war
- Acting - 1993–1994 — Ruling Panel: Joseph Tomasello, Theodore "Teddy" Persico and Joseph Baudanza – disbanded 1994
- Acting - 1994–1996 — Andrew "Andy Mush" Russo – imprisoned March 1997
- Acting - 1996–present — Alphonse "Little Allie Boy" PersicoAlphonse PersicoAlphonse T. Persico, known as Little Allie Boy or just Allie Boy, is a former acting boss of the Colombo crime family from the 1980s and 1990s. He is not to be confused with his uncle of the same name, who was also a Colombo family mobster known as "Allie Boy", who died in 1989.-Background:Born in...
– Carmine Persico's son; imprisoned 2000–present
Street Boss
- 1991–1994 — Joseph T. Tomasello
- 1994–1996 — Alphonse "Little Allie Boy" PersicoAlphonse PersicoAlphonse T. Persico, known as Little Allie Boy or just Allie Boy, is a former acting boss of the Colombo crime family from the 1980s and 1990s. He is not to be confused with his uncle of the same name, who was also a Colombo family mobster known as "Allie Boy", who died in 1989.-Background:Born in...
– became acting boss - 1996–1999 — Andrew "Andy Mush" Russo – imprisoned
- 2000–2003 — Joel "Joe Waverly" CacaceJoel CacaceJoel J. Cacace Sr. also known as Joe Waverly is a New York City mobster and acting head of the Colombo crime family. He was convicted of murder and is currently on trial for a second murder.-Career:...
– imprisoned January 2003 - 2003–2008 — Thomas "Tommy Shots" GioeliThomas GioeliThomas Salvatore Gioeli, , also known as "Tommy Shots", is a high-ranking member of the Colombo crime family who has allegedly killed several people, including a policeman and a Colombo underboss, for the family.- Rise in the Colombo family :...
– imprisoned June 2008 - 2008–2009 — Ralph F. DeLeo – operated from New England, imprisoned December 2009
- 2009–2010 — Ruling Panel – Theodore N. Persico, Jr. (jailed) and others
- 2010–present — Andrew "Andy Mush" Russo – jailed January 2011
Underboss
- 1927–1962 — Joseph "Joe Malyak" MaglioccoJoseph MaglioccoJoseph Magliocco, also known as "Joe Malayak" was a New York mobster and the boss of the Profaci crime family from 1962 to 1963...
– promoted to Boss - 1962–1963 — Salvatore "Sally the Sheik" Mussachio – brother-in-law to Joseph Magliocco
- 1963–1967 — John "Sonny" FranzeseJohn FranzeseJohn "Sonny" Franzese, Sr. , is a longtime member and the current Underboss of the Colombo crime family. Arguably, Franzese has been famous as the current oldest active member of the American Mafia...
– imprisoned - 1967–1971 — Charles "Charlie Lemons" Mineo – stepped down
- 1971–1973 — Sebastian "Buster" Aloi
- 1973–1977 — Anthony "Tony Shots" Abbatemarco – fled
- Acting 1973–1975 — Andrew "Andy Mush" Russo
- 1977–1981 — Alphonse "Allie Boy" Persico – Carmine Persico's brother; promoted to Acting Boss
- 1981–1994 — Gennaro "Jerry Lang" LangellaGennaro LangellaGennaro Adriano Langella also known as "Gerry Lang", is a member of the Colombo crime family who eventually became underboss and acting boss.-Background:...
– promoted to Acting Boss- Acting 1983–1987 — John "Sonny" FranzeseJohn FranzeseJohn "Sonny" Franzese, Sr. , is a longtime member and the current Underboss of the Colombo crime family. Arguably, Franzese has been famous as the current oldest active member of the American Mafia...
– imprisoned - Acting 1987— Benedetto "Benny" AloiBenedetto AloiBenedetto "Benny" Aloi was a New York City mobster who became consigliere of the Colombo crime family. Aloi was a main figure in the famous "Windows Case".-Early years:...
- Acting 1991–1993 — Vacant — disputed leadership during the third war
- Acting 1983–1987 — John "Sonny" Franzese
- 1994–1999 — Joel "Joe Waverly" CacaceJoel CacaceJoel J. Cacace Sr. also known as Joe Waverly is a New York City mobster and acting head of the Colombo crime family. He was convicted of murder and is currently on trial for a second murder.-Career:...
– became Consigliere- Acting 1993–1999 — Benedetto "Benny" AloiBenedetto AloiBenedetto "Benny" Aloi was a New York City mobster who became consigliere of the Colombo crime family. Aloi was a main figure in the famous "Windows Case".-Early years:...
- Acting 1993–1999 — Benedetto "Benny" Aloi
- 1999 — William "Wild Bill" CutoloWilliam CutoloWilliam Cutolo , also known as "Billy Fingers" and "Wild Bill", was a Brooklyn mobster in the Colombo crime family who committed several murders and was heavily involved in labor racketeering...
– murdered 1999 - 1999–2004 — John DeRossJohn DeRossJohn J. DeRoss , also known as "Jackie" or "Jackie Zambooka", is the former Underboss in the Colombo crime family.-Capo and control over local 100:John DeRoss is the father of Colombo family mobsters Jack J. DeRoss and Jamie T. DeRoss...
– imprisoned life sentence- Acting 2001–2003 — Thomas GioeliThomas GioeliThomas Salvatore Gioeli, , also known as "Tommy Shots", is a high-ranking member of the Colombo crime family who has allegedly killed several people, including a policeman and a Colombo underboss, for the family.- Rise in the Colombo family :...
– promoted to Acting Boss
- Acting 2001–2003 — Thomas Gioeli
- 2004–present — John "Sonny" FranzeseJohn FranzeseJohn "Sonny" Franzese, Sr. , is a longtime member and the current Underboss of the Colombo crime family. Arguably, Franzese has been famous as the current oldest active member of the American Mafia...
– imprisoned- Acting 2008–2009 — Theodore "Skinny Teddy" Persico Jr. – Theodore Persico's son; joined the ruling panel
- Acting 2009–present — Benjamin "The Claw" Castellazzo – Jailed
Consigliere
- 1931–1954 — Salvatore Profaci – Joseph Profaci's brother; died
- 1954–1963 — Carlaggero "Charles the Sidge" LoCicero – murdered 1968
- 1963–1969 — Benedetto D'Alessandro
- 1970–1973 — Joseph "Joey Yack" Yacovelli – became Acting Boss 1971
- 1973–1977 — Alphonse "Allie Boy" Persico – Carmine Persico's brother; promoted to Underboss
- 1977–1983 — Thomas "Old Man" DiBella – stepped down
- 1983–1988 — Alphonse "Allie Boy" Persico – Carmine Persico's brother; died in 1989
- Acting 1983–1986 — Thomas "Old Man" DiBella – retired
- Acting - 1987–1988 — Vincent "James" Angellino
- 1988–1993 — Carmine SessaCarmine SessaCarmine Sessa is an Italian-American mobster and hitman who became the consigliere of the Brooklyn-based Colombo crime family and played a key role in the family from 1991 to 1993. Sessa later became a government witness.-Murders:...
- Acting - 1988–1991 — Benedetto "Benny" AloiBenedetto AloiBenedetto "Benny" Aloi was a New York City mobster who became consigliere of the Colombo crime family. Aloi was a main figure in the famous "Windows Case".-Early years:...
– promoted to Acting Underboss - Acting - 1991–1993 — Vacant – disputed leadership during the third war
- Acting - 1988–1991 — Benedetto "Benny" Aloi
- 1993–1999 — Vincenzo "Vinny" AloiVincenzo AloiVincenzo "Vinny" Aloi is a New York City mobster involved in stock fraud who briefly served as the acting boss of the Colombo crime family.-Made man to acting boss:...
- 1999–2008 — Joel "Joe Waverly" CacaceJoel CacaceJoel J. Cacace Sr. also known as Joe Waverly is a New York City mobster and acting head of the Colombo crime family. He was convicted of murder and is currently on trial for a second murder.-Career:...
– promoted to Acting Boss- Acting - 2001–2004 — Ralph "Ralphie" Lombardo
- Acting - 2004–2008 — Vincenzo "Vinny" AloiVincenzo AloiVincenzo "Vinny" Aloi is a New York City mobster involved in stock fraud who briefly served as the acting boss of the Colombo crime family.-Made man to acting boss:...
- 2008–present — Richard "Ritchie Nerves" Fusco – Jailed
Factions of the third war
The Colombo crime family divided into two factions during the third family war (1991 to 1993).The Persico faction
- Boss – Carmine "Junior" PersicoCarmine PersicoCarmine John Persico, Jr. also known as "Junior", "The Snake" and "Immortal", has been the de-facto boss of the Colombo crime family since the early 1970s. Persico has overseen gang wars, murders, and major rackets, most of the time from prison. He has been serving life imprisonment without...
- Acting Boss – Joseph T. Tomasello
- Underboss – Jerry Langella
- Acting Underboss – Joseph "JoJo" Russo
- Consigliere – Carmine SessaCarmine SessaCarmine Sessa is an Italian-American mobster and hitman who became the consigliere of the Brooklyn-based Colombo crime family and played a key role in the family from 1991 to 1993. Sessa later became a government witness.-Murders:...
The Orena faction
- Boss – Vittorio "Vic" OrenaVictor OrenaVittorio "Little Vic" Orena is a New York City mobster who became the temporary acting boss of the Colombo crime family. When an attempt by Greg ScarpaVittorio "Little Vic" Orena (born August 4, 1934) is a New York City mobster who became the temporary acting boss of the Colombo crime family. When...
- Underboss – Joseph Scopo
- Consigliere – Vincenzo AloiVincenzo AloiVincenzo "Vinny" Aloi is a New York City mobster involved in stock fraud who briefly served as the acting boss of the Colombo crime family.-Made man to acting boss:...
Current administration
- Boss Carmine "Junior" PersicoCarmine PersicoCarmine John Persico, Jr. also known as "Junior", "The Snake" and "Immortal", has been the de-facto boss of the Colombo crime family since the early 1970s. Persico has overseen gang wars, murders, and major rackets, most of the time from prison. He has been serving life imprisonment without...
– has been boss since 1973. In 1986, Persico was convicted in the Mafia Commission TrialMafia Commission TrialThe Mafia Commission Trial was a criminal trial in New York City, USA. Using evidence obtained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, eleven organized crime figures, including the heads of New York's so-called "Five Families," were indicted by United States Attorney Rudolph Giuliani under the...
and sentenced to 100 years in federal prison. His projected release date is March 20, 2050.
- Acting Boss Alphonse "Little Allie Boy" PersicoAlphonse PersicoAlphonse T. Persico, known as Little Allie Boy or just Allie Boy, is a former acting boss of the Colombo crime family from the 1980s and 1990s. He is not to be confused with his uncle of the same name, who was also a Colombo family mobster known as "Allie Boy", who died in 1989.-Background:Born in...
– Carmine Persico's son, holding the title of "Acting Boss". In 2009, Alphonse was sentenced to life in prison and is currently in the United States Penitentiary, FlorenceUnited States Penitentiary, FlorenceThe United States Penitentiary in Florence is a high security prison located in the Florence Federal Correctional Complex in Fremont County, Colorado, near Florence.-History:...
in ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
.
- Street Boss Andrew "Andy Mush" Russo – is Carmine Persico's cousin. In November 1986, Russo was sentenced to 14 years, he was released on July 29, 1994 under special parole conditions. In August 1999, Russo was convicted of jury tampering and sentenced to 57 months, he was also sentenced to 123 months for both parole violation and his involvement in a racketeering case of a Long Island carting company. In March 2010, after his parole period expired, Russo became Street boss. In January 2011, Russo was indicted on federal racketeering charges. Russo is currently being held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention CenterMetropolitan Detention Center"Metropolitan Detention Centers" are federal detention facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and located throughout the United States...
. His projected release date is unknown.
- Underboss John "Sonny" FranzeseJohn FranzeseJohn "Sonny" Franzese, Sr. , is a longtime member and the current Underboss of the Colombo crime family. Arguably, Franzese has been famous as the current oldest active member of the American Mafia...
– In 2011, was sentenced to eight years in prison. His projected release date is June 25, 2017.
- Acting Underboss Benjamin "The Claw" Castellazzo – On January 20, 2011, Castellazzo was indicted on federal racketeering charges. In September 2011, Castellazzo pleaded guilty to a reduced charge. He is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention CenterMetropolitan Detention Center"Metropolitan Detention Centers" are federal detention facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and located throughout the United States...
in Brooklyn.
- Consigliere Richard "Ritchie Nerves" Fusco – On January 20, 2011, Fusco was indicted on federal racketeering charges. On September 29, 2011, Fusco pleaded guilty to running a shakedown scheme against the Gambino family; he is likely to receive 18 to 24 months in prison. Fusco is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention CenterMetropolitan Detention Center"Metropolitan Detention Centers" are federal detention facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and located throughout the United States...
in Brooklyn.
Capos
Brooklyn faction- (In prison) Thomas "Tommy Shots" GioeliThomas GioeliThomas Salvatore Gioeli, , also known as "Tommy Shots", is a high-ranking member of the Colombo crime family who has allegedly killed several people, including a policeman and a Colombo underboss, for the family.- Rise in the Colombo family :...
– a capo and former Street boss. Gioeli's crew is operating in Brooklyn, Staten Island and Long Island. In June 2008, Gioeli along with John Franzese, Joel Cacace, Dino Calabro, Dino Saracino were indicted on multiple racketeering and murders from the third Colombo family War. In 2011, Gioeli's acting capo Paul Bevacqua became a government informant. As of October 2011, Gioeli is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
- Joseph Baudanza – a capo with operations in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island. Baudanza along with his brother Carmine and nephew John were arrested and convicted on stock fraud in 2008. Baudanza was released from prison in February 2011.
- William "Billy" Russo – a capo and the youngest son of Andrew Russo. His brother Joseph "Jo Jo" Russo died in prison in 2007.
Long Island faction
- Ralph "Ralphie" Lombardo – a capo and former acting consigliere. Lombardo runs bookmaking and loansharking activities on Long Island. In 1975, Lombardo was convicted of conspiracy of selling stock in an automobile leasing company in New Jersey. In 2003, Lombardo was the Consigliere and he was indicted on illegal gambling, loan-sharking and witness tampering. He was released from prison on August 27, 2006.
- (In prison) Michael Uvino – a capo since 2007. Uvino ran his crew from "The sons of Italy Social Club" in HauppaugeHauppauge, New YorkHauppauge is a hamlet and CDP in the Town of Islip and the Town of Smithtown in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population of the CDP was 20,100 at the time of the 2000 census....
, Long Island. In 2009, Uvino was sentenced to 10 years for running illegal card games on Long Island and for assaulting two men. His projected release date is May 24, 2016.
Florida faction
- Reynold Maragni – a capo, he was running loansharking and illegal gambling in South Florida since the 1980s. Maragni was arrested during the January 2011 Federal indictments that arrested 127 Mafia members.
New England faction
- Ralph F. DeLeo – lives in Somerville, MassachusettsSomerville, MassachusettsSomerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 75,754 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in...
and led the New England faction for family. He met Alphonse Persico in prison in the 1990s. When DeLeo was released in 1997, he was inducted into Colombo crime family. In 2008, became Street Boss after Thomas Gioeli was arrested. On December 17, 2009, DeLeo was indicted on racketeering charges from crimes in five different states.
Soldiers
- Vincenzo "Vinny" AloiVincenzo AloiVincenzo "Vinny" Aloi is a New York City mobster involved in stock fraud who briefly served as the acting boss of the Colombo crime family.-Made man to acting boss:...
– a former consigliere, semi-retired in 2008, is residing in Florida. - Vincent Langella – the son of Gennaro LangellaGennaro LangellaGennaro Adriano Langella also known as "Gerry Lang", is a member of the Colombo crime family who eventually became underboss and acting boss.-Background:...
in 2001 Langella pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy. On July 3, 2001, he was sentenced to 27 months in prison. Langella was released on April 12, 2005. - Charles "Moose" PanarellaCharles PanarellaCharles Joseph Panarella a.k.a. "Moose" a.k.a. Len Conforti a.k.a. Chas Esposito is a New York City mobster and capo in the Colombo crime family with a brutal reputation as a hitman.-Early years:...
– a hitman who spent time in Las Vegas. Declared mentally unfit for trial, under house arrest. - Daniel Persico – the son of Theodore Persico, in March 2000 Daniel was arrested for a Pump and Dump stock scam. He was released on November 14, 2003.
- Thomas Petrizzo – a soldier who operated a contracting company in Middlesex, New JerseyMiddlesex, New JerseyMiddlesex is a Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 13,635.Middlesex was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1913, from portions of Piscataway Township, based on the results...
.
Imprisoned soldiers
- Theodore "Teddy" Persico - brother to Carmine Persico, uncle to Alphonse "Little Allie Boy" Persico, and father to Theodore N. Persico Jr. The 71 year-old mobster has been a capo in Brooklyn since the 1970s. Persico served on the family ruling panel in the early 1990s until his arrest. His projected release date is October 9, 2013.
- Theodore N. Persico Jr. - the son of Theodore Persico, his cousins Michael Persico and Lawrence Persico worked with him. Theodore Jr. currently imprisoned
- John "Jackie" DeRossJohn DeRossJohn J. DeRoss , also known as "Jackie" or "Jackie Zambooka", is the former Underboss in the Colombo crime family.-Capo and control over local 100:John DeRoss is the father of Colombo family mobsters Jack J. DeRoss and Jamie T. DeRoss...
– a soldier serving life in prison after his 2009 conviction for the 1999 William CutoloWilliam CutoloWilliam Cutolo , also known as "Billy Fingers" and "Wild Bill", was a Brooklyn mobster in the Colombo crime family who committed several murders and was heavily involved in labor racketeering...
murder. DeRoss is a cousin to Carmine Persico and was underboss from 1999 to 2004.
- Vincent "Chickie" DeMartino - a soldier. In 1993, DeMartino was sentenced to four years in prison on weapons charges. In 1999, Alphonse PersicoAlphonse PersicoAlphonse T. Persico, known as Little Allie Boy or just Allie Boy, is a former acting boss of the Colombo crime family from the 1980s and 1990s. He is not to be confused with his uncle of the same name, who was also a Colombo family mobster known as "Allie Boy", who died in 1989.-Background:Born in...
ordered DeMartino and Thomas GioeliThomas GioeliThomas Salvatore Gioeli, , also known as "Tommy Shots", is a high-ranking member of the Colombo crime family who has allegedly killed several people, including a policeman and a Colombo underboss, for the family.- Rise in the Colombo family :...
to murder William CutoloWilliam CutoloWilliam Cutolo , also known as "Billy Fingers" and "Wild Bill", was a Brooklyn mobster in the Colombo crime family who committed several murders and was heavily involved in labor racketeering...
. On July 16, 2001, DeMartino and Michael Spataro attempted to murder Joseph Campanella, but failed. In May 2004, Campanella testified against DeMartino. DeMartino has a projected release date of January 1, 2025.
- Anthony "Chucky" Russo - a soldier and cousin to William "Billy" Russo, in 1990s he worked closely with now deceased cousin Joseph "Jo Jo" Russo, operating in Brooklyn and Long Island.
- Michael Catapano - a former acting capo and a nephew of John FranzeseJohn FranzeseJohn "Sonny" Franzese, Sr. , is a longtime member and the current Underboss of the Colombo crime family. Arguably, Franzese has been famous as the current oldest active member of the American Mafia...
. Catapano is currently serving a 6½ year prison sentence after pleading guilty to extorting a pizzeria and a gambling club. His projected release date is May 1, 2016.
Associates
- Lawrence "Larry" Persico – the son of imprisoned family boss Carmine Persico and brother to Alphonse Persico and Michael Persico. In 2004, Larry was indicted on racketeering charges. His father wrote a letter to the courts defending his son.Lawrence was sentenced on March 11, 2005 and released on December 9, 2005.
- Michael Joseph Persico – the son of imprisoned family boss Carmine Persico and brother to Alphonse Persico and Lawrence Persico. In 2010, Michael was accused of racketeering conspiracy, he was involved in debris removal contracts at Ground Zero, he was later released on bail. In 2011, Michael was indicted in Brooklyn Federal Court for arranging the firearms to be used in the 1993 murder of Joseph Scopo.
- Sean Persico – the son of Theodore Persico and brother to Daniel, Frank and Theodore Jr., Sean was involved in stock scams.
Family crews
- The Garfield Boys – was an Italian AmericanItalian AmericanAn Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
street gang that operated in South BrooklynSouth BrooklynSouth Brooklyn is a region or composite neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, encompassing areas of Cobble Hill, Red Hook, Gowanus, Park Slope, and Boerum Hill. Thus it is roughly encompassed by Brooklyn Community Board 6, which in turn approximates the southern half of the 18th...
sections of Red HookRed Hook, BrooklynRed Hook is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 6. It is also the location where the transatlantic liner, the , docks in New York City.- History :...
and GowanusGowanus, BrooklynGowanus is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 6.The Gowanus area has been an active center of industrial and shipping activity since the 1860s...
. The gang was headed by future Colombo boss Carmine PersicoCarmine PersicoCarmine John Persico, Jr. also known as "Junior", "The Snake" and "Immortal", has been the de-facto boss of the Colombo crime family since the early 1970s. Persico has overseen gang wars, murders, and major rackets, most of the time from prison. He has been serving life imprisonment without...
from the 1950s to the early 1970s.
Controlled unions
- N.Y.C. District Council of Carpenters The Colombo and Genovese families ran the Council from 1991 to 1996, extorting huge amounts of money from the N.Y.C. District Council of CarpentersN.Y.C. District Council of CarpentersThe N.Y.C. District Council of Carpenters maintains jurisdiction over all carpentry work and exhibition work in the New York City area. The council is under UBC Trusteeship, after the firing of the current Executive Secretary-Treasurer, which is the highest position in the union, Michael J Forde...
union. Colombo capos Thomas Petrizzo and Vincent "Jimmy" Angellino controlled Council President Frederick Devine. The two crime families illegally used the Council to create hundreds of "no show" jobs for their associates. In 1998, government witnesses Sammy GravanoSammy GravanoSalvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano is a former underboss of the Gambino crime family. He is known as the man who helped bring down John Gotti, the family's boss, by agreeing to become a Federal Bureau of Investigation informant and turn state's evidence.Originally a mobster for the Colombo crime...
and Vincent CafaroVincent CafaroVincent "Fish" Cafaro was a mobster and protegee of Anthony "Fat Tony" Salerno, a top lieutenant in the Genovese crime family until becoming a government informant and witness.-Labor racketeer:...
testified against Devine. He was found guilty of embezzling union funds and sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Former members and associates
- Michael "Yuppie Don" FranzeseMichael FranzeseMichael Franzese , is a former New York mobster with the Colombo crime family who was heavily involved in the gasoline tax rackets in the 1980s...
– son of John Franzese. Michael organized a highly lucrative bootleg gasoline racket with the Russian mob. He retired from the crime family during the 1990's. - Joseph "Jo Jo" Russo – the oldest son of Andrew Russo, convicted in 1994 with his cousin Anthony "Chuckie" Russo. Both men received life sentences after former FBI agent Lindley DeVecchio testified against them. In 2007, Joseph Russo died of kidney cancer in prison.
- Salvatore "Sally" D'Ambrosio – During the 1960's First Colombo War, D'Ambrosio and future boss Carmine PersicoCarmine PersicoCarmine John Persico, Jr. also known as "Junior", "The Snake" and "Immortal", has been the de-facto boss of the Colombo crime family since the early 1970s. Persico has overseen gang wars, murders, and major rackets, most of the time from prison. He has been serving life imprisonment without...
attempted to murder mobster Larry Gallo. D'Ambrosio also participated in the murder of Joseph Gioelli. - Nicholas "Jiggs" Forlano – former capo who ran a loan-sharking operations with Charles "Ruby" Stein. In the 1970s, Forlano moved to Fort Lauderdale and started operating there. In 1977, Forlano died of a heart attack at the Hialeah race trackHialeah Park Race TrackThe Hialeah Park Race Track is a historic site in Hialeah, Florida. Its site covers 40 square blocks of central-east side Hialeah from Palm Avenue east to East 4th Avenue, and from East 22nd Street on the south to East 32nd Street on the north. On March 5, 1979, it was added to the U.S...
. - Frank "Frankie Shots" Abbatemarco – was born in 1899 and grew up in Red Hook, Brooklyn. During the 1950s, Abbatemarco was a powerrful capo in Profaci family controlling Red Hook. On November 4, 1959 Abbatemarco was murdered.
- Anthony "Big Tony" PerainoAnthony PerainoAnthony "Big Tony" Peraino was a New York mobster in the Colombo crime family who financed the ground-breaking pornographic film Deep Throat...
– associate who helped finance groundbreaking adult entertainment movie "Deep ThroatDeep ThroatDeep Throat is the pseudonym given to the secret informant who provided information to Bob Woodward of The Washington Post in 1972 about the involvement of United States President Richard Nixon's administration in what came to be known as the Watergate scandal...
". Died of natural causes in 1996. - Dominick "Little Dom" CataldoDominick CataldoDominick Cataldo, , known as "Little Dom", was a Sicilian-American soldier in the New York Colombo crime family.-Biography:...
– died in prison 1990 - Ralph "Little Ralphie" ScopoRalph ScopoRalph "Little Ralphie" Scopo was a New York mobster with the Colombo crime family who became a powerful labor racketeer. He was the father of Colombo mobsters Joseph Scopo and Ralph Scopo Jr., and the grandfather of Joseph Scopo Jr...
– influential associate who ran Cement Club for family. Died in prison 1993 - Antonio CottoneAntonio CottoneAntonio Cottone was a member of the Mafia in his hometown Villabate in the province of Palermo, Sicily. He was known as U Patre Nostru due to his generosity. The Cottone clan was a historical Mafia family...
– deported to Sicily, where he became the Mafia boss of VillabateVillabateVillabate is a comune in the Province of Palermo in the Italian region Sicily, located about 8 km southeast of Palermo. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 19,441 and an area of 3.8 km²....
, the home town for the Profaci family. Cotonne was murdered in 1956. - Benedetto "Benny" AloiBenedetto AloiBenedetto "Benny" Aloi was a New York City mobster who became consigliere of the Colombo crime family. Aloi was a main figure in the famous "Windows Case".-Early years:...
– capo and brother to Vincent Aloi. During the 1990s Third Colombo war, Aloi was Orena's underboss. In 1991, Aloi was convicted in the Windows Case, was released from prison on March 17, 2009. He died on April 7, 2011.
Associates
- Frank Persico - the son of Theodore "Teddy" Persico and cousin of acting Colombo boss Alphonse "Allie" Persico. Frank was a stockbroker who was sentenced to five years in prison for a $15 million stock swindle. Frank was released on July 12, 2006; four months later, Frank died of a heart attack.
- Hugh "Apples" MacIntosh – an Irish-American enforcer for Carmine Persico during the 1960s. In 1969, MacIntosh was imprisoned on hijacking charges. In 1975, he was released and went on to control several clubs and loan sharking rings for Persico. In 1982, McIntosh was caught bribing an IRS agent for Carmine Persico early release. McIntosh was imprisoned after the Colombo trial and released on December 31, 1992. MacIntosh was later arrested for meeting with mobster Daniel Persico and was returned to prison. McIntosh died on November 10, 1997.
- Charles Ruby Stein – "loanshark to the stars", an associate and business partner to Nicholas Forlano. Stein ran gambling clubs on the Upper West SideUpper West SideThe Upper West Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan, New York City, that lies between Central Park and the Hudson River and between West 59th Street and West 125th Street...
of Manhattan. In the early 1970s, mobster Jimmy Coonan became Stein's bodyguard. Stein was murdered in 1977. - Nicholas "Nicky" BiancoNicholas BiancoNicholas "Nicky" Bianco was a Rhode Island mobster who became an influential member of the Patriarca crime family of New England.-Biography:Bianco was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island...
– a Gallo crew member, Bianco later joined the Patriarca crime familyPatriarca crime familyThe Patriarca crime family, also known as the New England crime family and the Providence crime family, is an Italian-American organized crime syndicate based in New England, specifically Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts, and is part of the Italian-American Mafia or "La Cosa Nostra"...
. Bianco died in prison in 1994. - Gerard PappaGerard PappaGerard Pappa , also known as "Gerry" and "Papa Bear" , was a former Colombo crime family associate and eventually a Genovese crime family soldier and known hitman, who was widely feared for his violent tendencies, which directly attributed to his own murder in 1980.-Biography:Gerard was 36 when he...
– a family associate who transferred to Genovese crime familyGenovese crime familyThe Genovese crime family , is one of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia . The Genovese crime family has been nicknamed the "Ivy League" and "Rolls Royce" of organized crime...
. Was murdered in 1980.
Government informants and witnesses
Members- Gregory Scarpa, Sr. – notorious hitman and FBI informant from the 1970s to 1994. Scarpa Sr. died in prison from AIDSAIDSAcquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
–related complications. - Carmine SessaCarmine SessaCarmine Sessa is an Italian-American mobster and hitman who became the consigliere of the Brooklyn-based Colombo crime family and played a key role in the family from 1991 to 1993. Sessa later became a government witness.-Murders:...
– consigliere and hitman. In 1993, Sessa became a government witness. - Paul "Paulie Guns" Bevacqua – former acting capo of the Gieoli crew. In 2011, Bevacqua became a government witness.
- Dino "Big Dino" Calabro – former capo involved in the 1997 murder of NYPD officer Ralph Dols. In 2009, Calabro was convicted of murder. On January 26, 2010 Calabro, facing trial for murdering a New York police officer became a government witness. Calabro is going to testify against mobster Joel Cacace, who allegedly ordered him to murder Dols.
- Anthony "Big Anthony" Russo – former acting capo, not related to Andrew Russo. In 2011, Russo was charged with the 1993 murder of Orena loyalist Joseph Scopo and agreed to be a federal witness.
- Joseph "Joey Caves" Competiello – former soldier, he was involved in the 1997 murder of NYPD officer Ralph Dols. In 2000, Competiello became a government witness and led the FBI to find the body of Colombo mobster William Cutolo.
- Joseph "Joe Campy" Campanella – former capo. In 2001, after surviving a assassination attempt, Campanella was arrested and became a government witness.
- Frank "Frankie Blue Eyes" Sparaco - soldier. Expected to testify against Michael Persico in the 1992 Devine murder.
- Rocco Cagno - soldier, his New Jersey house used for murder of mobster Vincent Angellino. Testified against Denis DeLucia and Joseph Lograno
- John Pate - capo who participated in the 1991 attempted murder of Victor Orena.
- Michael "Mickey" Souza - On July 20, 2010 Michael Souza became a government witness, testifying against Genovese mobster Anthony Antico.
- Salvatore "Big Sal" Miciotta - soldier who participated in four murders. Noted for having beaten up Lucchese underboss Anthony CassoAnthony CassoAnthony "Gaspipe" Casso is a former New York City mobster who served as underboss and acting boss of the Lucchese crime family until he was arrested in 1993, becoming a cooperating witness for the Federal Government...
in prison.
Associates
- John Franzese Jr. - son of underboss John Franzese. In 2004, became a government witness and testified against his father in his 2010 trial.
- Kenny "Kenji" GalloKenny GalloKenny "Kenji" Gallo is a Japanese-Italian American gangster-turned-informant and a former director and producer of pornographic films...
– former associate of Italian-Japanese heritage. worked for the Colombo family before becoming a government witnesses. - Joseph "Joe Pesh" Luparelli – a Colombo associate and bodyguard to Joseph Yacovelli. Luparelli was part of the team that murdered Colombo mobster Joe GalloJoe GalloJoseph Gallo , also known as "Crazy Joey" and "Joe the Blond", was a celebrated New York City gangster for the Profaci crime family, later known as the Colombo crime family...
. After the Gallo murder, a fearful Luparelli entered the Witness Protection Program and later testified against Yacovelli. - Salvatore "Crazy Sal" Polisi – a former associate of the Colombo and Gambino crime families. Polisi and his friends Dominick and Joseph Cataldo all joined the Mafia. In 1984, Polisi was arrested on narcotics charges and became an government witness. Polisi testified in John Gotti's 1986 trial.
External links
- La Cosa Nostra – State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation 1989 Report - The Colombo/Persico/Orena Family
- truTV on the Colombo family