Pellegrino Morano
Encyclopedia
Pellegrino Morano was a leader of the Neapolitan
Camorra
gangs in Brooklyn, New York. He operated from his Coney Island gang and is considered the American "Grand Master" from roughly 1907-1917.
for power over the Italian-American underworld. In New York City
, the Camorra
ruled Brooklyn
until the early 20th century. However, in New Orleans, the Neapolitan
Camorra
rivaled the Sicilian Mafia
until the two absorbed after World War II
.
Camorra and had his base of operations in an Italian restaurant in Coney Island
. There he met frequently with underlings for dinner and was known to make his disdain for all Sicilians known by toasting, "Long life and prosperity to all Neapolitans, death and destruction to all Sicilians!"
Morano was sought out by Camorristi from across America seeking his advice and counsel. High ranking Camorristi like Andreo Ricci of working from the Navy Street gang. Morano led the Camorra's expansion into other areas of New York, but soon came into direct conflict with Sicilian mafiosi in Manhattan
, as Morano and his group tried to take over gambling and extortion
operations in the Sicilian enclaves of East Harlem and Greenwich Village
.
By 1914 the Morano and the Morello crime family
of East Harlem were at war for domination of the most lucrative rackets in the Italian quarters of New York such as the Italian lottery, extortion, and food distribution routes. Pellegrino Morano and his lieutenant, Alessandro Vollero
, the leader of the Navy Sreet Gang, were planning to eliminate their Sicilian rivals in New York and take over the Italian underworld completely. Camorra leaders from across America had met in New York several times in a council of war and it was decided that the other Camorra groups would support their New York brethren against the Sicilians.
The Brooklyn Camorra's major move was expansion into the territory of the Morello crime family, the top Sicilian mafia group in New York which was based out of East Harlem, Manhattan and by 1914 the hostilities had increased and a shooting war began between the two mafia factions. The war between the Neapolitans and Sicilians had raged for close to two years when Morano decided to strike at the heart of the Sicilian leadership.
and his bodyguard, Charles Ubriaco arrived at the Navy St. Cafe in Brooklyn for a sit-down with Morano. As Morello and Unbriaco reached the sidewalk in front of the cafe a five man hit team fired at the two Sicilian mafiosi in broad daylight. The Camorra leaders were sure that they would have no problems with possible witnesses in the community, but Morano and Vollero were arrested within days of the murders due to the defection of a recently inducted Camorra member who was used as one of the shooters.
Instead of wiping out the mafia the Camorristi lost their leader as Morano was prosecuted for his involvement in the murders of the Sicilian leaders and was eventually convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 1917. He showed no signs of nervousness or fear after the guilty verdict was read and as the mafia leader was being removed from the courtroom, Morano was surrounded by dozens of Italians who braved the guards and bowed, showered him with kisses on his hands and forehead and wept for him. Morano was allegedly deported back to Italy in 1919.
began to form.
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
Camorra
Camorra
The Camorra is a Mafia-type criminal organization, or secret society, originating in the region of Campania and its capital Naples in Italy. It is one of the oldest and largest criminal organizations in Italy, dating to the 18th century.-Background:...
gangs in Brooklyn, New York. He operated from his Coney Island gang and is considered the American "Grand Master" from roughly 1907-1917.
Background
The Camorra had a presence in Italian communities all across America from the mid-19th century and was considered a major rival of the Sicilian MafiaMafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
for power over the Italian-American underworld. 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...
, the Camorra
Camorra
The Camorra is a Mafia-type criminal organization, or secret society, originating in the region of Campania and its capital Naples in Italy. It is one of the oldest and largest criminal organizations in Italy, dating to the 18th century.-Background:...
ruled 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...
until the early 20th century. However, in New Orleans, the Neapolitan
Neapolitan
Neapolitan may refer to:* Neapolitan, of or pertaining to the city of Naples, Italy and sometimes its wider Duchy or Province of Naples** Previously a nationality, during the time of the Kingdom of Naples or the Neapolitan Republics* Neapolitan cuisine...
Camorra
Camorra
The Camorra is a Mafia-type criminal organization, or secret society, originating in the region of Campania and its capital Naples in Italy. It is one of the oldest and largest criminal organizations in Italy, dating to the 18th century.-Background:...
rivaled the Sicilian Mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
until the two absorbed after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Boss of bosses
Morano was the godfather of the BrooklynBrooklyn
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...
Camorra and had his base of operations in an Italian restaurant in Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
. There he met frequently with underlings for dinner and was known to make his disdain for all Sicilians known by toasting, "Long life and prosperity to all Neapolitans, death and destruction to all Sicilians!"
Morano was sought out by Camorristi from across America seeking his advice and counsel. High ranking Camorristi like Andreo Ricci of working from the Navy Street gang. Morano led the Camorra's expansion into other areas of New York, but soon came into direct conflict with Sicilian mafiosi in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, as Morano and his group tried to take over gambling and extortion
Extortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
operations in the Sicilian enclaves of East Harlem and Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
.
By 1914 the Morano and the Morello crime family
Morello crime family
The Morello crime family is the direct ancestor of the Genovese crime family, the oldest of New York City's Five Families.-From Corleone to America:...
of East Harlem were at war for domination of the most lucrative rackets in the Italian quarters of New York such as the Italian lottery, extortion, and food distribution routes. Pellegrino Morano and his lieutenant, Alessandro Vollero
Alessandro Vollero
Alessandro Vollero was a New York mobster and a high ranking member of the Brooklyn Camorra crime organization. Vollero served as a lieutenant to gang boss Pellegrino Morano during the Mafia-Camorra War of 1916....
, the leader of the Navy Sreet Gang, were planning to eliminate their Sicilian rivals in New York and take over the Italian underworld completely. Camorra leaders from across America had met in New York several times in a council of war and it was decided that the other Camorra groups would support their New York brethren against the Sicilians.
The Brooklyn Camorra's major move was expansion into the territory of the Morello crime family, the top Sicilian mafia group in New York which was based out of East Harlem, Manhattan and by 1914 the hostilities had increased and a shooting war began between the two mafia factions. The war between the Neapolitans and Sicilians had raged for close to two years when Morano decided to strike at the heart of the Sicilian leadership.
The Navy Street murders
The Neapolitans had approached the Sicilians previously with the idea of a meeting to see if an accord could be reached between the two Italian crime groups. On September 7, 1916 Morello crime family leader, Nicholas MorelloNicholas Morello
Nicolo Terranova , also known as Nicholas "Nick" Morello, was one of the first Italian-American organized crime figures in New York City...
and his bodyguard, Charles Ubriaco arrived at the Navy St. Cafe in Brooklyn for a sit-down with Morano. As Morello and Unbriaco reached the sidewalk in front of the cafe a five man hit team fired at the two Sicilian mafiosi in broad daylight. The Camorra leaders were sure that they would have no problems with possible witnesses in the community, but Morano and Vollero were arrested within days of the murders due to the defection of a recently inducted Camorra member who was used as one of the shooters.
Instead of wiping out the mafia the Camorristi lost their leader as Morano was prosecuted for his involvement in the murders of the Sicilian leaders and was eventually convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 1917. He showed no signs of nervousness or fear after the guilty verdict was read and as the mafia leader was being removed from the courtroom, Morano was surrounded by dozens of Italians who braved the guards and bowed, showered him with kisses on his hands and forehead and wept for him. Morano was allegedly deported back to Italy in 1919.
Legacy
The Camorra/Mafia war in New York ended soon after Pellegrino Morano was convicted and sent to prison. By 1920 the balance of power had shifted and the Sicilians began to dominate the City's underworld. The remaining Neapolitans in New York aligned themselves with the various Sicilian mafia groups within the city boroughs and the five New York crime familiesFive 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:...
began to form.