Pittsburgh crime family
Encyclopedia
The Pittsburgh crime family, also known as the LaRocca crime family, is an American Mafia
crime family
based in Pittsburgh
, United States
.
sides of the city and the "Neapolitan Camorra
" which controlled the East end of the city. In the early 1920s, the two faction became involved in bootlegging
, the illegal making, selling and transporting of alcohol. Throughout the Prohibition era
the factions fought in the city for control over the Italian neighborhoods of Larimer
, Homewood
, Hill District and Downtown. In the outer suburbs of southwestern Pennsylvania
the factions fought over New Kensington
, Arnold
, Wilkinsburg
, McKees Rocks
, Wilmerding
and Braddock. During the late prohibition era from 1926 to 1933 there were over 200 murders in Allegheny County.
During Stefano Monastero regime as boss in the late 1920s, he rivaled other Pittsburgh gangs and a Chicago
gang, he and his brother were eventually murdered on August 4, 1929. Giuseppe "Yeast Baron" Siragusa regime as boss was cut-short do to his allegiance to the Castellammarese Clan
in New York City
, he was murdered on September 13, 1931 days after Salvatore Maranzano
was murdered.
and Wilmerding
. The alliance ended when the Volpe brothers began expanding into East Liberty
and the North Side, Bazzano sent a hit-team on July 29, 1932 murdering three of the Volpe brothers. The surviving Volpe brothers went to the Commission
in New York and it was decided Bazzano would be held responsible for his unsanctioned hit. Bazzano's body was found on August 8, 1932 in Red Hook
, Brooklyn he had been stabbed and strangled to death.
John LaRocca
took control of the crime family and reigned as boss for nearly thirty years. In 1957, LaRocca attended Apalachin Meeting
with capos Gabriel Mannarino and Michael James Genovese. LaRocca escaped the federal authorities but Mannarino and Genovese were unsuccessful and were arrested. LaRocca and capo Mannarino became partners with Tampa crime family
boss Santo Trafficante, Jr.
in the Sans Souci hotel-casino in Havana, Cuba. In 1959, Fidel Castro
took control of Cuba and forced out all the mobster in the country. Through bribery LaRocca became a powerful Mafia boss by controlling politicians, police officers and other official in the Pittsburgh area. His family also maintained control of laborers unions through local 1058. LaRocca influence also grew through close ties to Gambino crime family
boss Carlo Gambino
, Bufalino crime family
boss Russell Bufalino
, Philadelphia crime family
boss Angelo Bruno
and Kansas City crime family
boss Nick Civella. In the 1960s, LaRocca's family started a conflict with the Cleveland crime family when they expanded into Youngstown, Ohio
. In 1964, LaRocca supported Frank Valenti
's takeover of the Rochester crime family
from Jake Russo. LaRocca died on December 3, 1984 and was succeeded by Michael Genovese
as boss of the Pittsburgh crime family.
trail to his three top men, Charles "Chucky" Porter, and Louis Raucci Sr. Another change the mob had was finding new people for the Family at this time. The two chosen were Joseph Naples and Lenine "Lenny" Strollo who were inducted in 1987. However the major fall the Mafia took over the years and decline of political and governmental power led to the murder of Naples by Strollo in 1991 and the arrest of Thomas Ciancutti in 2000 for "running a gambling ring in Fayette County
".
throughout the Mahoning Valley
. In the 1970s the faction gained control over the Youngstown gambling rackets while sharing some of the profits with the Cleveland crime family.
General:
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"...
crime family
Crime family
A crime family is a term used to describe a unit of an organized crime syndicate, often operating within a specific geographic territory. The term is used almost exclusively to refer to units of the Mafia, both in Sicily and in the United States, although it is occasionally used to refer to other...
based in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Prohibition era
In Pittsburgh the Italian underworld was broken into two ethnic faction the "Sicilian Mafia" controlling the North and SouthSouth Side (Pittsburgh)
South Side is an area in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, located along the Monongahela River across from Downtown Pittsburgh. The South Side is officially divided into two neighborhoods, South Side Flats and South Side Slopes. Both the Flats and the Slopes are represented on Pittsburgh City...
sides of the city and the "Neapolitan 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:...
" which controlled the East end of the city. In the early 1920s, the two faction became involved in bootlegging
Rum-running
Rum-running, also known as bootlegging, is the illegal business of transporting alcoholic beverages where such transportation is forbidden by law...
, the illegal making, selling and transporting of alcohol. Throughout the Prohibition era
Prohibition in the United States
Prohibition in the United States was a national ban on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol, in place from 1920 to 1933. The ban was mandated by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, and the Volstead Act set down the rules for enforcing the ban, as well as defining which...
the factions fought in the city for control over the Italian neighborhoods of Larimer
Larimer Township, Pennsylvania
Larimer Township is a township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 590 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:It is located approximately at 39.8015 by -78.9488...
, Homewood
Homewood (Pittsburgh)
Homewood is a predominantly African American neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, officially divided into three neighborhoods: Homewood North, Homewood South and Homewood West....
, Hill District and Downtown. In the outer suburbs of southwestern Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania consists of the western third of the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. Pittsburgh is the largest city in the region, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people, and serves as its economic and cultural center. Erie, Altoona, and Johnstown are its...
the factions fought over New Kensington
New Kensington, Pennsylvania
New Kensington is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania situated along the Allegheny River northeast of Pittsburgh. The population was 14,701 at the 2000 Census. The mayor of New Kensington is Tom Guzzo , elected in 2009. He succeeded Mayor Frank E. Link , elected in 2001.-History:New...
, Arnold
Arnold, Pennsylvania
Arnold is a city in Westmoreland County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is a suburb of Pittsburgh, part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 5,667 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, Wilkinsburg
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
Wilkinsburg is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States adjacent to the city of Pittsburgh. The population was 15,930 at the 2010 census, having lost more than 13,000 in the 70 years since 1940, when 29,853 people were enumerated...
, McKees Rocks
McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
McKees Rocks, also known as "The Rocks", is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, along the south bank of the Ohio River. The borough population was 6,104 at the 2010 census.In the past, it was known for its extensive iron and steel interests...
, Wilmerding
Wilmerding, Pennsylvania
Wilmerding is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,190 at the 2010 census. It is located southeast of Pittsburgh. At the start of the twentieth century, it had extensive foundries and machine shops of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company. In 1900, the...
and Braddock. During the late prohibition era from 1926 to 1933 there were over 200 murders in Allegheny County.
During Stefano Monastero regime as boss in the late 1920s, he rivaled other Pittsburgh gangs and a 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...
gang, he and his brother were eventually murdered on August 4, 1929. Giuseppe "Yeast Baron" Siragusa regime as boss was cut-short do to his allegiance to 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 ....
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...
, he was murdered on September 13, 1931 days after 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"...
was murdered.
Bazzano vs. the Volpe brothers
After the murder of Siragusa, the family came under the control of Sicilian John Bazzano, who was selling sugar and yeast to home breweries allowing them to manufacture illegal alcohol. Bazzano formed an alliance with the eight Volpe brothers which he allowed to operate out of a coffee shop in Middle Hill. The Volpe brothers already had control over the Neapolitian faction and illegal rackets throughout the Turtle Creek ValleyTurtle Creek, Pennsylvania
Turtle Creek is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh. The population was 5,349 at the 2010 census. George Westinghouse gave life to the place by constructing a manufacturing plant nearby. Turtle Creek takes its name from a small stream that flows into the...
and Wilmerding
Wilmerding, Pennsylvania
Wilmerding is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,190 at the 2010 census. It is located southeast of Pittsburgh. At the start of the twentieth century, it had extensive foundries and machine shops of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company. In 1900, the...
. The alliance ended when the Volpe brothers began expanding into East Liberty
East Liberty (Pittsburgh)
East Liberty is a culturally diverse neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's East End. It is bordered by Highland Park, Morningside, Stanton Heights, Garfield, Friendship, Shadyside and Larimer, and is represented on by Patrick Dowd...
and the North Side, Bazzano sent a hit-team on July 29, 1932 murdering three of the Volpe brothers. The surviving Volpe brothers went 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...
in New York and it was decided Bazzano would be held responsible for his unsanctioned hit. Bazzano's body was found on August 8, 1932 in Red Hook
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 :...
, Brooklyn he had been stabbed and strangled to death.
The LaRocca era
Vincenzo Capizzi, became the new boss after Bazzano's murder, but he eventually resigned in 1937, and was replaced by Frank Amato. As boss Amato, began expanding his influence over the gambling rackets in and around Allegheny County, but in 1956 he became ill and resigned becoming underboss.John LaRocca
John Sebastian Larocca
John Sebastian LaRocca was boss of the Pittsburgh crime family from the 1950s until his death in 1984.Born in Sicily, LaRocca and his family emigrated to the United States in 1910, settling in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. As a young man, LaRocca went to work in the coal mines...
took control of the crime family and reigned as boss for nearly thirty years. In 1957, LaRocca attended Apalachin Meeting
Apalachin Meeting
The Apalachin Meeting was a historic summit of the American Mafia held on November 14, 1957, at the home of mobster Joseph "Joe the Barber" Barbara in Apalachin, New York. The meeting was attended by roughly 100 Mafiosi from the United States, Canada, and Italy...
with capos Gabriel Mannarino and Michael James Genovese. LaRocca escaped the federal authorities but Mannarino and Genovese were unsuccessful and were arrested. LaRocca and capo Mannarino became partners with Tampa crime family
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:...
boss Santo Trafficante, Jr.
Santo Trafficante, Jr.
Santo Trafficante, Jr. was one of the last of the old-time Mafia bosses in the United States. He allegedly controlled organized criminal operations in Florida and Cuba, which had previously been consolidated from several rival gangs by his father, Santo Trafficante, Sr...
in the Sans Souci hotel-casino in Havana, Cuba. In 1959, Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
took control of Cuba and forced out all the mobster in the country. Through bribery LaRocca became a powerful Mafia boss by controlling politicians, police officers and other official in the Pittsburgh area. His family also maintained control of laborers unions through local 1058. LaRocca influence also grew through close ties to Gambino crime family
Gambino crime family
The Gambino 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 group is named after Carlo Gambino, boss of the family at the time of the McClellan hearings in 1963...
boss 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...
, Bufalino crime family
Bufalino crime family
The Bufalino crime family, also known as the Pittston crime family, or the Scranton Wilkes-Barre family, was an American Mafia crime family active in Northeastern Pennsylvania cities of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Pittston...
boss Russell Bufalino
Russell Bufalino
Russell A. Bufalino also known as "McGee" and "The Old Man" was the boss of the Northeastern Pennsylvania crime family from 1959 to 1989...
, Philadelphia crime family
Philadelphia crime family
The Philadelphia crime family, also known as the Scarfo crime family, Bruno crime family, Philadelphia Mafia, or Philly Mob, is an Italian American criminal organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is one of the most active American Mafia families outside of the Five Families of New York...
boss Angelo Bruno
Angelo Bruno
Angelo "The Gentle Don" Bruno was a Sicilian-American mobster who ran the Philadelphia crime family for two decades. Bruno gained his nickname and reputation due to his preference for conciliation over violence.-Early years:Born in Villalba, Sicily, Bruno emigrated to the United States in his...
and Kansas City crime family
Kansas City crime family
The Kansas City crime family, also known as the Civella crime family, is a Mafia family based in Kansas City, Missouri.-Early history:...
boss Nick Civella. In the 1960s, LaRocca's family started a conflict with the Cleveland crime family when they expanded into Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
. In 1964, LaRocca supported Frank Valenti
Frank Valenti
Frank J. Valenti was boss of the criminal organization known as the Rochester crime family from 1964 to 1972...
's takeover of the Rochester crime family
Rochester Crime Family
The Rochester crime family was a criminal organization based in Rochester, New York. It was considered a part of the American Cosa Nostra, also known as the Mafia.-History:...
from Jake Russo. LaRocca died on December 3, 1984 and was succeeded by Michael Genovese
Michael James Genovese
Michael James Genovese was an alleged boss of the Pittsburgh crime family. References to Michael Genovese as the brother of Vito Genovese are to a different Michael Genovese; Michael James Genovese was first cousin to New York mob boss Vito Genovese.-Early years:Genovese was born to Ursula...
as boss of the Pittsburgh crime family.
Genovese's leadership
Since the bootlegging and ammunition trading industries were finished, Genovese turned to gambling and drugs. By this time, around the 1980s, the mob was slowly losing its influence on the government so the FBI quickly saw the path the Mafia was about to take and so the FBI pursued them. The FBI quickly traced Genovese's cocaineCocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
trail to his three top men, Charles "Chucky" Porter, and Louis Raucci Sr. Another change the mob had was finding new people for the Family at this time. The two chosen were Joseph Naples and Lenine "Lenny" Strollo who were inducted in 1987. However the major fall the Mafia took over the years and decline of political and governmental power led to the murder of Naples by Strollo in 1991 and the arrest of Thomas Ciancutti in 2000 for "running a gambling ring in Fayette County
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area....
".
Current status
After the conviction of the top members in the late 1990s, and the death of many important members in the last decade the family has few to any members left.Boss (official and acting)
- 1910s–1920 – Gregorio Conti – retired
- 1920–1925 – Salvatore Calderone – retired
- 1925–1929 – Stefano Monastero – murdered on August 6, 1929
- 1929–1931 – Giuseppe "Yeast Baron" Siragusa – murdered on September 13, 1931
- 1931–1932 – John Bazzano – found dead on August 8, 1932 in Red Hook, Brooklyn
- 1932–1937 – Vincenzo Capizzi – retired to Italy
- 1937–1956 – Frank Amato – stepped down, becoming underboss.
- 1956–1984 – Sebastian "John" LaRoccaJohn Sebastian LaroccaJohn Sebastian LaRocca was boss of the Pittsburgh crime family from the 1950s until his death in 1984.Born in Sicily, LaRocca and his family emigrated to the United States in 1910, settling in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. As a young man, LaRocca went to work in the coal mines...
– he died on December 3, 1984.- Ruling Panel 1978–1980 – Michael Genovese, Gabriel Mannarino (died July 1980) and Joseph Pecora (imprisoned 1979)
- Acting 1980–1984 – Michael Genovese – promoted to boss
- 1985–2006 – Michael James GenoveseMichael James GenoveseMichael James Genovese was an alleged boss of the Pittsburgh crime family. References to Michael Genovese as the brother of Vito Genovese are to a different Michael Genovese; Michael James Genovese was first cousin to New York mob boss Vito Genovese.-Early years:Genovese was born to Ursula...
– died on October 31, 2006 - 2006–2008 – John Bazzano Jr. – died on July 28, 2008
- 2008–present – Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti
Underboss (official and acting)
- 1920s–1929 – Salvatore "Sam" Monastero – his brother Stefano was boss
- 1936–1956 – Sebastian "John" LaRoccaJohn Sebastian LaroccaJohn Sebastian LaRocca was boss of the Pittsburgh crime family from the 1950s until his death in 1984.Born in Sicily, LaRocca and his family emigrated to the United States in 1910, settling in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. As a young man, LaRocca went to work in the coal mines...
– promoted to boss - 1956–1973 – Frank Amato – died 1973
- 1973–1987 – Joseph "Jo Jo" Pecora – imprisoned 1979-1983, died 1987
- 1987–2006 – John Bazzano Jr. – took over after Pecora died; became boss in 2006
- Acting 1987–1995 – Charles Porter – convicted in 1990 and sentenced to 28 years, defected to the government in 1999.
- 2006–2008 – Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti – became boss in 2008
- 2008–present – Robert "Bobby I" Iannelli
Consigliere
- 1956–1985 – Michael James GenoveseMichael James GenoveseMichael James Genovese was an alleged boss of the Pittsburgh crime family. References to Michael Genovese as the brother of Vito Genovese are to a different Michael Genovese; Michael James Genovese was first cousin to New York mob boss Vito Genovese.-Early years:Genovese was born to Ursula...
– promoted to boss - 1985–1989 – Pasquale "Pat" Ferrucci – controlled gambling in the Canton, Ohio area, imprisoned in 1991
- 1989–2002 – Charles "Murgie" Imburgia – his nephew Anthony Murgie was connected to the Genovese 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...
. - 2002–2006 – Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti – became underboss
- 2006–2008 – Robert "Bobby I" Iannelli – became underboss
Youngstown faction
The faction operates in Youngstown, OhioYoungstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
throughout the Mahoning Valley
Mahoning Valley
The Mahoning Valley is a geographic valley encompassing the area of northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania that drains into the Mahoning River. The Mahoning River empties into the Beaver River, which empties into the Ohio River. The Mahoning River flows through Lawrence and Mercer counties in...
. In the 1970s the faction gained control over the Youngstown gambling rackets while sharing some of the profits with the Cleveland crime family.
- 1960s–1988 – James "Jimmy" Prato – died 1988
- 1988–1991 – Joey Naples – protege of Prato, he was murdered in 1991
- 1991–1999 – Lenine "Lenny" Strollo – nephew of Prato, imprisoned and defected to the government in 1999.
Current members
- Boss – Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti – he took over Kelly Mannarino's New Kensington gambling rackets. In 2002, Ciancutti was given probation for controlling gambling operations in Allegheny and Fayette counties.
- Underboss – Robert "Bobby I" Iannelli – controlls a sports bookmaking operation, he also took over Tony GrossoTony GrossoTony Grosso was an American bookmaker from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-Biography:Anthony M. Grosso was born December 9, 1913. A native of Pittsburgh's Hill District, beginning in 1938, he was involved in running an illegal daily lottery in the area...
's old numbers and illegal gambling operation. - Soldier – Geno "Eugene" Chiarelli – he was released from prison in 2008
- Soldier – John V. Leone
- Soldier – Mauro P. Matone
Associates
- John Francis "Duffy" Conley Jr. – he controlled an illegal video poker machine ring in Pittsburgh. In 2006, Conley was arrested for running illegal gambling operations.
- Ralph "Big Head" Maselli – he controls gambling operations in Pittsburgh
- John V. "Johnny A" Adams – he controls gambling operations in Pittsburgh
- Christopher Paul Hankish
- Salvatore A. "Sonny" Williams
Former members
- Frank Amato – a former boss Amato controlled rackets in New Kensington and West Virginia he expanded the crime family's territory throughout Allegheny County. He stepped down as boss becoming Underboss to LaRocca. He died in 1973.
- Sebastian "John" LaRoccaJohn Sebastian LaroccaJohn Sebastian LaRocca was boss of the Pittsburgh crime family from the 1950s until his death in 1984.Born in Sicily, LaRocca and his family emigrated to the United States in 1910, settling in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. As a young man, LaRocca went to work in the coal mines...
– a former boss. Under LaRocca's leadership the crime family became a powerful force in Pittsburgh's labor unions. He established rackets in Ohio, while sharing some of the illegal income with the Cleveland crime family. LaRocca also formed an agreement with Tampa crime family boss Santo Trafficante operating casino's in Havana, Cuba. In 1957, LaRocca attended the Appalachian conference with Michael James Genovese and Gabriel "Kelly" Mannarino. He later died on December 3, 1984. - Michael James GenoveseMichael James GenoveseMichael James Genovese was an alleged boss of the Pittsburgh crime family. References to Michael Genovese as the brother of Vito Genovese are to a different Michael Genovese; Michael James Genovese was first cousin to New York mob boss Vito Genovese.-Early years:Genovese was born to Ursula...
– a former boss. Genovese leadership the crime family became involved drug distribution in the Midwest and Northeast. His crime family also took control over rackets in Ohio after the Cleveland crime family members were imprisoned. Genovese also had members attempt to infiltrate an Indian casino near San Diego. His crime family also tried to take control of the McKees Rocks gambling rackets. After the 1990s defection of his underboss Charles Porter and capo Lenny Strollo, Genovese's family lost power. He stayed boss until his death in 2006 at the age of 87. - John Bazzano Jr. – a former boss. Bazzano's father John Sr. was boss of the Pittsburgh family before beining murdered in 1932. During the 1950s, he joined his father-in-law Antonio Ripepi crew operating gambling rackets in the Monongahela Valley. Bazzano was released from prison in 1981 and was promoted to capo controlling Kelly Mannarino's old crew. He later became underboss to Genovese and became boss in 2006. On July 28, 2008 Bazzano Jr. died.
- Joseph "Jo Jo" Pecora – a former underboss who controlled gambling rackets in West Virginia, he was imprisoned from 1979-1983 on illegal gambling charges and died in 1987
- Gabriel "Kelly" Mannarino – a former capo who controlled the New Kensington rackets. He died on July 18, 1980 from cancer.
- Antonio Ripepi – a former capo who controlled Monongahela ValleyMonongahela RiverThe Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
gambling, with his son-in-law John Bazzano Jr.; he died in 2000. - Pasquale "Pat" Ferrucci – a former capo who operated in Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. He worked with the Cleveland family and died in 2006.
- Frank "Sonny" Amato Jr. – a former soldier who operated in East PittsburghEast Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaEast Pittsburgh is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, about southeast of the confluence of the Monongahela and the Allegheny rivers at Pittsburgh. The population in 1900 stood at 2,883, and in 1910, at 5,615. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 1,822, having fallen from...
, BraddockBraddock, PennsylvaniaBraddock is a borough located in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 10 miles upstream from the mouth of the Monongahela River. The population was 2,159 at the 2010 census...
, Turtle CreekTurtle Creek (Pennsylvania)Turtle Creek is a tributary of the Monongahela River in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. At its juncture with the Monongahela is Braddock, Pennsylvania, where the Battle of the Monongahela was fought in 1755...
and North Versailles. - Frank ValentiFrank ValentiFrank J. Valenti was boss of the criminal organization known as the Rochester crime family from 1964 to 1972...
– a former soldier in the early 1960s he took over the Rochester familyRochester Crime FamilyThe Rochester crime family was a criminal organization based in Rochester, New York. It was considered a part of the American Cosa Nostra, also known as the Mafia.-History:...
. - Louis Raucci Sr. – a former soldier, he took over Joseph Sica Penn Hills rackets. In 1990 he was imprisoned, he died in 1995.
- Joseph Sica – a former soldier who controlled rackets in Penn Hills, he retired in the 1980s and died in 1991.
- Anthony "Wango" Capizzi – a former soldier who operated in Las VegasLas Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
with the Bufalino familyBufalino crime familyThe Bufalino crime family, also known as the Pittston crime family, or the Scranton Wilkes-Barre family, was an American Mafia crime family active in Northeastern Pennsylvania cities of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Pittston...
. He died in 2007 - Henry "Zebo" Zottola – he died in 1998
Rival
- Antony "Tony" GrossoTony GrossoTony Grosso was an American bookmaker from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-Biography:Anthony M. Grosso was born December 9, 1913. A native of Pittsburgh's Hill District, beginning in 1938, he was involved in running an illegal daily lottery in the area...
– controlled gambling in the Pittsburgh area, the FBI never categorized Grosso as an organized crime member. Grosso was linked to Chuckie Porter, and he had ties to the Pittsburgh political system allowing him to run his organization unscathed for many years and unconnected to organized crime. He was eventually arrested by law enforcement and he served significant jail time, ultimately dying while incarcerated. His organization has no members left operating in the Pittsburgh area today. Grosso's antics were so legendary Hollywood loosely based the movie "Lucky Numbers" starring John Travolta on them.
See also
- Robert DugganRobert DugganRobert Duggan served as Allegheny County District Attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from January 1964 until his death in March 1974. -See also:* District Attorney* Pittsburgh Police* Allegheny County Sheriff* Allegheny County Police Department...
- Eugene CoonEugene CoonEugene L. "Gene" Coon was a long-time Sheriff of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and an influential figure in the local Democratic party.-Early Life:...
General:
- Crime in PennsylvaniaCrime in Pennsylvania-Statistics:In 2008 there were 351,814 crimes reported in Pennsylvania including 701 murders. A full list can be found....
Sources
- Capeci, Jerry. The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Mafia. Indianapolis: Alpha Books, 2002. ISBN 0-02-864225-2
- Devico, Peter J. The Mafia Made Easy: The Anatomy and Culture of La Cosa Nostra.
- Porrello, Rick. To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia. 2004