State of the Pittsburgh family? And maybe WV

Hey guys first post.

I would like to preface this with I could be completely wrong, on both matters, but I figured I would ask.

But two questions: what is the status of the Pitt family? I've heard maybe a dozen wise guys and even less associates, any truth to this? Seems like it would be a solid place to make money as its big but not too big and has enough violent crime to actually take some of the heat away from like a shy business or some other small rackets. Anyone got anything on them?

Also, I read somewhere, can't find it now that years ago some LCN guys would 'escape' to the small mountains in WV? I could imagine, my parents lived there a while, and most of the police force was pretty easy going and would let almost anything slide. Also, I ran into a decent amount of pretty legitimate trattorias owned by other Italians from elsewhere, doesn't exactly mean they are connected by any means, but who knows.

No, there isn't a dozen members. Not even half that. Maybe only one - Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti.

The family was pretty active up through the 1990's, and there has been some residual activity by remnants in the 2000's, but the family itself is now gone.

The Pittsburgh family was still operating until 2006. The last three made members standing are Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti, Charles "Chucky Porter (defected) and Lenine "Lenny" Strollo (defected). Sonny Ciancutti's last bust was in 2000 and Frank "Sonny" Amato Jr and John Bazzano Jr were still operating until their deaths in 2003 and 2008. Pittsburgh had an unusually large number of associates, some who were respected as much as the made members. The Wheeling, WV faction died in 1990 after the conviction of Paul "No Legs" Hankish, the longtime boss of Wheeling. Hankish reported to Chucky Porter, the Pittsburgh Underboss from 1987-1991.

The place that many of the Pittsburgh wiseguys went to was a hunting camp in Tionesta, PA called Charlie's Roost and owned by longtime Pittsburgh Underboss Joseph "Jo Jo" Pecora. Many of the Bufalino Family, Philadelphia family and Genovese Family in NYC would meet with the Pittsburgh contingent up there to discuss business. Mike Genovese, Charlie Imburgia and Jo Jo Pecora would hold court after hunting, fishing and shooting high powered firearms for fun. I never read anything about the Pittsburgh guys going to the mountains of WV, I'm not saying you are wrong but I just never came across that in my 12+ years researching this family.

Tandem, sir......not sure where you'd hear a dozen made members around Pittsburgh......to the best of those in the know...many freelancers that handle vending, sports book but not much else.

There are quite a few former associates who still operate some gambling in Pittsburgh, Youngstown and Altoona/Johnstown. Also, sons and nephews of former members and associates still operate some gambling. Guys like John Conley, Frank Unis Jr, the Sabatini brothers, Manny Xenakis, Jeff Risha, Bobby I and his son Rodney and many many others. The family is not recognized any longer and only remnants are left fending for themselves.

Made Men

Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti b.1929
Robert "Bobby I" Iannelli b.1930
Mauro P. Matone b.1943

Associates

John Francis "Duffy" Conley Jr.
Ralph "Big Head" Maselli
John V. "Johnny A" Adams
Christopher Paul Hankish
William R. "Billy" Spina Jr
Salvatore A. "Sonny" Williams
Eugene "Nick the Blade" Gesuale

Members that flipped

Charles "Chuckie" Porter b.1933
Dante Strollo b.1927
Lenny Strollo b.1930

Associates or made men died since 2000

Adragna-Vito*
Amato-Frank Jnr.
Bazzano-John Jnr.
Capizzi-Anthony
Chiarelli-Eugene
Ferruccio-Pasquale
Genovese-Michael
Imburgia-Charles
Leone-John
Martrano-Anthony*
Romeo-Michael*


???

Imburgia-Anthony* Murgie
Romeo-Paul Jnr.*


Why the genovese family that rappresent the Pittsburgh family put a freeze on making new members in the family ? The genoveses wanted the end of the family ?

I admire your dedication to the lists that you post, Furio. I'm a Bronx guy. I don't know shit about Pittsburgh, but I just wanted to tell you that.

So if and when you accidentally get something wrong, don't let people get to you. You're a good kid and a valuable addition here.

I'm just throwing that out there because I've been meaning to speak up for awhile.

Non arrendersi mai .

Wiseguys used to escape to the WV mountains you say Tandem? Could you give me a list of a few places I need to help a guy I know out. See, he robbed an old lady and in November he is facing the prospect of a long prison term. He is very fat and smells like curry so I don't think he will hold up well. Also the prison system in his state doesn't do suboxene maintenance so he will be going through withdrawals for about a month, which I know won't be fun on top of getting his ass reamed out by a black man named Mango. If you could shoot me a PM and give me a list of places he can hide out that would be great.

has the philly family moved into pittsburgh at all? i would think theyd be right in there...

Oscar, I respect your posts. Any idea on whose currently active the Altoona way? Corbo passed, Verilla if still alive must be up there....

Sonny Ciancutti, Chucky Porter and Lenny Strollo are the last 3 made guys standing. Porter and Strollo defected to the government. The Pittsburgh family had hundreds of associates and there are many associates still living. The family died with Mike Genovese in 2006.

This link is the 1990 PA Crime Commission Reports on Organized Crime. Scroll down to page 113.

https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/133208NCJRS.pdf

Joseph "Little Joe" Regino ran that area for decades under John LaRocca. Regino was very close friends with Big John and was his neighbor down in Pompano Beach, FL. Once Regino was in semi retirement around 1982, John Verilla took over. After Verilla and his couple of cronies were indicted and convicted of murdering a drug dealer, Mike Genovese never put anybody back in charge because the gambling wasn't what it was. However, Alfred Corbo still ran a major book. Corbo was considered a "high ranking" associate and Verilla wanted to whack Corbo, but Mike Genovese told Verilla not to lay a finger on Alfred Corbo because his book brought in twice the amount of money that Verilla brought in. Corbo ran his operation out of Brunswick Billiards in Altoona along with Jack Miraglia, Samuel Rametta, Joseph Jacobs, Walter Nichols, Stephen St. Clair and Chris Boring. After Verilla was convicted in 1984, Corbo took over everything and was also associated Paul "No Legs" Hankish, a Pittsburgh LCN associate from Wheeling, WV; and Steven Hatzimbes, an associate of Pittsburgh LCN member Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti.

Besides Corbo and Verilla, the major gambling operatives in the Altoona area during the 1980s were Joseph "The Weep" Ruggiero, and Paul Folcarelli, also known as Paul Farrell. Ruggiero at one time was part of the Verilla organization. Folcarelli had been associated with Frederick Piera, a major gambling operative in Johnstown and with deceased Pittsburgh LCN member Gabriel "Kelly" Mannarino. Folcarelli has also been involved in loansharking.

From my understanding through some friends, Folcarelli and Ruggiero take football action.

If anything, Buffalo or Detroit would have scooped up Pittsburgh. Keep in mind that Philly can't just come into Pittsburgh and plant a flag. They have no contacts in politics, law enforcement or with any judges. That's like saying why didn't Chicago go into Milwaukee or Cleveland.

I can't imagine Joey Merlino (if he is indeed the boss) having any such contacts. I have a hard enough time believing he has those contacts in Philly, let alone Pittsburgh.

He's being watched way too closely for such meetings to take place, even through his emissaries. Just my opinion. I'm a New Yorker and part-time Floridian lol.

Aside from Mrbigglesworth, thanks for the responses. Now a follow up about the Pittsburgh family...

Seeing as Pittsburgh is or was Genovese turf, would it be considered disrespectful for say as it was put; for philly to be right in there? Would they have to clear it through NY?

Let's play hypothetical here, do any of you see anything in Pittsburgh sparking up again as far as LCN goes? Why, why not? And if so, through who?

Thanks for taking the time to answer guys, it's crazy what can't be found through searches on the web, but is found through someone else, appreciate it gents.

Hope you enjoy getting pounded by a Mr. T look alike in prison. That is if you don't succumb quitting the smack cold turkey

ahh i see, good point.

A few people on this board keep talking about some guy that robbed an old lady and is going to trial in November.

What is the name of the guy may I ask?

Just look in the mirror and you'll have the answer wiseass.

Ouch. Outed again. He must be on the run from someone he owes money too since he has the time to post on a board with new names OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER again. That or he's a loser that has no job and has to sit in Daddy's basement posting all day. Think I'll go with Mr. Bigglesworth and say loser posting in Daddy's basement!

Next time don't PM folks right way, that kind of gives you away don't ya think?

Yes I'm well aware a few members on this board think I'm that guy. I just want to know his name and any background info anyone might have to share.

I'll try a different approach....

I've got fucking really bad amnesia and forgot my fucking name so could someone tell me my name please?

Furio great list. Vito Adragna was an associate to that family before he transferred to San Jose in the early 1950's to help Angelo Marino with the cheese factory. His father Frank and brother George were both made into the Pittsburgh family. Vito was tapped to be made in 55 or 56' but had debts to payoff. He was sponsored by his father Frank in The 1960's and was made into the San Jose family. Anthony Martrano was with the Trenton crew of Bufalino family I believe. The Romeo's had connections to Manhattan and the Bronx. Michael I think was made with the Genovese family of NewYork. Paul Jr. Was only an associate.

If you have amnesia then why would you want to know your name? Wouldn't you forget it again?

Your vernacular is American. It doesn't jibe whatsoever with the English that's been written here in the past by Australians and New Zealanders (and we've had loads of such posters, some of them very high quality, like Sonny Blackstein and Mickey Meatballs).

The guy in question is a lowlife scumbag who keeps coming back here to wreak havoc on an otherwise peaceful and polite board, so many of us are a bit paranoid and possibly overreacting a bit. The best thing for you to do is to just try to fit in without going into the sections that this fella was famous for baiting people in (namely the Bronx, Harlem, Pittsburgh and Ohio).

I'm trying to help. If you want to tell me to stick it up my ass, go right ahead. But going on the offensive won't do your cause a bit of good here. Sit back and read for awhile. Make a post here and there. And THEN create your own threads. People who follow this mantra tend to last a lot longer than some of the guys who have been banned recently.

Easy PB, I too am giving Neo the benefit of the doubt, but like you said his vocabulary doesn't match up with someone from New Zealand, and I had a fling with someone from there for a couple of months back in high school.

Yeah I always thought there was a Trenton crew in the Bufalino family but could never prove it. Where did you find this out? Who else was in the Trenton crew, its capos, etc? I just do research in my free time and there's only anything out there about the upstate NY and northeast PA groups.

Really interesting stuff man. If you ever get the time I think we would all learn a lot from a big rundown of the SJ family. Like Toodoped does for the outfit. The knowledge of this forum is totally east coast based.

Also wondering which Genovese guys visiting that lodge in PIttsburgh

I'm a Maori and if there was another New Zealander on this board they could easily confirm it with a little Q&A.

BerrettM, I meant Scranton, not Trenton. You can find connected guys in other cities and towns and a hell of a lot of half-assed wiseguys in some out of the way places that were scared off by made members and associates in other cities.

I just woke trying to figure this thread out.

But if you are saying Skinny has rackets or people in Pitt .it may hold a little water.
We have a lot family that went to Pitt or Pitt to Philly from the last century .
These people from the west and north are reaching back out for some reason .
I have been hearing about a minor things going on from these towns lately and lots of family reaching out .

There were many family through the years pushed out west that were making waves in Philly and the shore

My English don't jibe with other New Zealanders who have been on this board because they almost certainly white boys.

Those white boys like to call themselves "kiwis" in reference to their nationality.

Good stuff, Serp. Thanks for the head's up. But you're not implying that Skinny actually has political connections in Western Pennsylvania, are you?

Nooooo ! Just was joining in .

Is all this the old DickNose

I hope not, but that's the implication.

Omg... Ban this guy

For what? I'm not that guy going up for trial in November.

Ok

Most of the connections between Philly and western PA were through Chester and that crew died with Idone. There were connections between members in Philly and Pittsburgh going back to 1910 and more than likely before that.

As it relates to modern era, a good portion of the Bruno members knew and were connected with some Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Scranton members. We're talking individual members of various ranks: family, business and naturally the mafia had a more solid commission/meet and greets back then, so it's very probable their administrations were on good terms. D'Elia had ties to Stanfa in the 90's.

However, those ties didn't carry on in after the Bruno years. Most of Scarfo's members were incarcerated leaving the old sleepy housecats who were 80 and still alive, hence technically can go on a mob chart. Stanfa added a few guys who didn't get swept up in 94. Most of the family today comes from Merlino, who were all local guys. They didn't have these contacts to the extent they did back in Bruno's day. And a good portion of ties to NY are through the Newark crew, what's going to happen to that once Licata and Centorino kick it. They're no spring chickens.

And consider the cultural difference. 300 miles might as well be 3000, one is considered the east coast the other the midwest or rust belt). But I'll say it's slightly possible. Look at short term Boston Bob Luisi up in NE. It was short lived but who's to say that can't happen in other cities?

As for Pittsburgh, made or not, that's still a city of tight connections. There may not be a formal organization, the players in that city may work together on a case by case basis. Alot of them have relatives in high places. It's not a conspiracy as much as it is left over residue from a bygone era. But I doubt anyone in Pittsburgh would be interested in joining Philly, and if they did they're most likely a wannabe trying to gain footing to play with the local big boys (and would probably get himself badly beaten if he went about it the wrong way).

My .00 cents.

That sounds good about the old mob stuff.

If you were responding to the thread .

If you were responding to me ,I was talking blood /family ties to people always associated .

Just in general, reading this thread got my 3 cylinders running.

Yes understood ....

Atardi rarely posts on this board, but he's one of the finest researchers you'll ever meet when it comes to turn of the 20th century through 1950's "gangsterism," and of the Italian American experience in general.

Age and attrition caught up to them like most other families. Italian immigrants aren't entering the U.S in record numbers anymore. If it was going to be anybody to run a tight ship, Frank Unis Jr from Aliquippa or Mauro Matone from Penn Hills...both high ranking associates.

Glad to hear about someone like him (Atardi)

Also funny what he was saying about PA 300 mi may as well be 3000.
I was upstate over the fathers day week with lots of family and friends.
A good friend of mine from St.Marys PA had a couple of his guys up from Pitt. that are partners in a couple food places there.
We were all sitting around a fire and shooting the shit,and I bring up some NY things and they elaborated .
I bring up some Philly things just in general and they had no clue about anything going on at all.

The Romeo's were out of Youngstown and grew up in Calabria with the Mallamo brothers and Prato brothers. Paul Sr. and Dominic Mallamo were both connected to NYC through Joe Profaci. Paul Sr. had a brother Michele (aka Old Mike) and Paul Sr had two sons, Paul Jr and Michael D. Romeo. The Romeo's and Mallamo's were also cumpare's of John Bazzano Sr and John Bazzano Jr as well as Antonio Ripepi. They all came from the same area of Calabria. Also made in Pittsburgh was Frank & Costenze Valenti, Costenze aka Stan was the son in law to Antonio Ripepi and Bazzano Jr was Ripepi's other son in law. Ripepi helped them get their own family in Rochester with the support of Big John LaRocca.

He's a junky fuck, pure & simple.

The hunting camp was in Tionesta, PA. I know for a fact that Squints, Chin and Tony have been there.

There have been others there in the past, Pittsburgh and the Genovese family have always been close since the formation of the families. Gagliano and Profaci maintained close relations with Pittsburgh as well.

Second that, and Fat Tony reciprocated by having the Pittsburgh heavies to his farm in Rhinebeck on several occasions.

Tony owned a ton of hunting property in Pittsfield as well. That's a forty-minute drive from Rhinebeck. He had a gorgeous cabin there, but that's not very common knowledge.

Serp....you are correct. It's my understanding that there have been some Philly guys using Pittsburgh associates' contacts to start their own rackets, but to the dismay of some posters....these have had to been cleared thru Pittsburgh...I must very respectfully disagree with the notion that Sonny C is the last man standing. That is an outdated notion....again, from what I understand.

ENJOY, Oscar!


Michael Genovese



La Motors, 632 Allegheny River Blvd, Verona, Pa...Headquarters of Michael Genovese.



Frank Unis

I have quite a few of Mike, but not that one. I have one of Unis from his 2009 bust but none of LA Motors.

Thank you so much njcapo. Do you have any other Pittsburgh photos you could share, anything on Anthony Murgie or Joe Regino, mine are a bit grainy. Thanks again, where'd you find those?

Squints was John LaRocca's go to guy in NY and they were very friendly through Russell Bufalino. As Mike Genovese's stature rose, he became closer to Chin. Back in the day, Joe Sonken from Chicago had a restaurant in Hollywood, FL on A1A called The Gold Coast Restaurant, which was a regular hangout for mobsters who had homes in South Florida. LaRocca and his right hand man Joseph "Little Joe" Regino both had homes in Pompano Beach and lived near Paul Castellano. Typically, Regino would pass messages between LaRocca/Mannarino and Russell Bufalino through Anthony "Guv" Guarnieri. LaRocca was also photographed for over 20 years meeting with Funzi Tieri a couple time per year. LaRocca was also especially close to Joe Zerilli in Detroit and was very close to the Northern California families in San Jose and San Francisco. His cousins in San Francisco, Alphonse and Pasquale LaRocca, both made members, took over their father's seafood company, LaRocca and Sons Fish Co., which started in 1906 and is still the dominant provider of seafood on the West Coast. Big John also was close to Salvatore Marino and his son Angelo Marino, Sal retired from the Pittsburgh rackets and moved his cheese company out to San Jose and his son Angelo sold the company to Sargento Cheese for over $35 million.

The crazy thing is how these mobsters were tied to so many others around the country. The Calabrese mostly knew each other around the U.S as did the Sicilians and Neapolitans. Most of the old timers we talk about were part of the Italian emigration in the early 1900's and all settling in different areas. The Calabrese tended to migrate to areas with work as laborers, especially the rust belt. Atardi and Antillar from Black Hand are experts in early Italian immigration, I learned alot about the early days from them.

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19841204&id=l_QdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7GEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6884,4108510&hl=en

Oscar you mentioned Joe Sonken's Place - My Wife and her ex use to go there several times a week during Winter months. I have only been there a few times because at the time when we lived there "I was too broke to PAY attention".

Below is an article OBITUARY from the Sun-Sentinel back in 1990

OBITUARIES
June 3, 1990|By MIKE BILLINGTON, Staff Writer
Joseph Sonken, the owner of a Hollywood restaurant reputed for years to have been a Mafia hangout, died on Saturday in Humana Hospital Bennett in Plantation. He was 83.

Mr. Sonken moved to Miami in the mid-1940s from Chicago, where police claimed he was involved in a major prostitution ring with noted underworld figure Peter ``Petey Arnold`` Arnstein.

Not long after moving to Florida, Mr. Sonken and Arnstein`s wife opened a Miami nightclub called Mother Kelly`s, and he quickly became a well-known figure.

When that club went out of business, Mr. Sonken moved to Hollywood, where he opened the Gold Coast Restaurant and Lounge in 1948.

According to police and a special investigative committee of the state legislature, the restaurant has been a Mafia meeting place since it opened. Investigators also have said the restaurant was used as a national relay center for organized crime families that wanted to pass messages to one another.

Police said using the restaurant as a message center allowed mobsters to circumvent wiretaps.

Mr. Sonken repeatedly denied that his restaurant was a Mafia hangout or a mob message center when he was called to testify before the Florida Legislature`s ``Little Kefauver`` anti-crime committee in 1968.

Police surveillance indicated, however, that dozens of organized crime figures stopped in for dinner and drinks at the restaurant on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway whenever they visited South Florida.

Among the most famous: John Gotti, reputed boss of the Gambino Mafia family in New York and considered to be the most powerful mobster in the country; Joseph Todaro, reputed head of the Magaddino crime family in Buffalo; and Edward Sciandra, said to be acting boss of the Bufalino crime family in Pennsylvania and New York.

Mr. Sonken, who often greeted visitors with his English Bulldog ``Bozo`` sitting at his feet, conceded that some mobsters had dined at his restaurant, but he was always quick to point out that judges, businessmen, politicians and families also frequented it.

Police tried on several occasions to put the cigar-smoking restaurant owner in jail.

He was arrested in 1972 by Broward Sheriff`s Office undercover deputies who charged him with illegal gambling. Detectives said they had placed bets with a bartender on jai-alai and horses. The charge was dismissed a month later, however, for lack of evidence.

Three years later, Mr. Sonken was indicted by a federal grand jury that charged him with attempted income-tax evasion and filing a false tax return. He was acquitted after a jury trial.

In 1978, agents of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement raided the Gold Coast Restaurant and Lounge, claiming Mr. Sonken stocked his storehouse with stolen groceries bought at cut-rate prices.

To make the arrest, the FDLE agents first sold Mr. Sonken $10,000 worth of anchovies, mushrooms and olive oil for $4,450.

The case was thrown out of court by Broward Circuit Judge Arthur J. Franza, who called the scheme ``a Keystone caper.``

Mr. Sonken, who never married, is survived by two brothers, Dr. Edwin Sonken of Skokie, Ill., and Dr. Paul Sonken of Denver.

Friends may call on Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Panciera Funeral Home, 4200 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood. Burial will be in Mount Sinai Cemetery in Miami.

Donations in his name may be made to Pet Rescue, 3440 NW 191st St., Miami.

This is about Joe Sonken's Place being sold in 1994.

Legendary Restaurant Shuts
Onetime Reputed Mob Hangout Closes After 45 Years
May 5, 1994|By DEBORAH RAMIREZ Staff Writer
HOLLYWOOD — If the walls could talk at Joe Sonken's Gold Coast Restaurant and Lounge, they might whisper Cosa Nostra.

Too late now. The 45-year-old Hollywood landmark and reputed watering hole for mafia honchos has served its last plate of Chicken Vesuvio and intrigue.

The pale gold restaurant overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway closed its aqua porthole doors on Friday.

The place now belongs to Miami Subs founder Gus Boulis, who bought the eatery at 606 N. Ocean Drive for an undisclosed price.

Jerry McDonald, a Plantation restaurant businessman, confirmed that he is trying to lease the property and reopen it before next year. He submitted plans to the city of Hollywood and wants to reopen as a "water-theme" restaurant by Thanksgiving.

Gold Coast had been in business since 1948, keeping police and FBI agents busy with surveillance activities and investigations of mob activities.

"If you were looking for members of organized crime, that's where you would find them," said Steve Bertucelli, a former organized crime chief for the Broward Sheriff's Office and in Dade County.

Some of the restaurant's patrons read like a list from Who's Who in the underworld.

The infamous included John Gotti, the Gambino family boss serving a life sentence for murder and racketeering, and Meyer Lanksy, the mob's late "financial genius" and reputed father of money laundering. Other mafia types were regulars in the red leather booths, listening to strolling guitarists sing Return to Rome.

The mafia bosses and their lieutenants who frequented Gold Coast did more than savor la dolce vita.

The restaurant served as their message center and meeting place, law enforcement officials said. Dinner conversations spanned narcotics, illegal gambling and fraud, according to police accounts and FBI files.

One investigation involving Gold Coast helped put Anthony "Guv" Guarnieri behind bars, Bertucelli said.

Guarnieri, a capo or captain in the Pennsylvania-based Bufalino crime family, went to prison in 1987 for racketeering and dealing in stolen property. But Gold Coast owner Joe Sonken was never caught doing anything other than feeding and entertaining hoodlums and racketeers.

Sonken, who visited the restaurant every day with English bulldog Bozo at his side, died in June 1990 at age 83. He was never convicted of a crime.

The restaurant outlived its reputation. After Sonken died, the mob went elsewhere and business in general declined.

"It's time for somebody else to come along and try something new," said Scott Springer, the owner of a car rental business across the street, who has been eating at Gold Coast for 20 years.

"[The restaurant) ran its course."

I read somewhere, maybe in an LE OC report that scarfo had family who were bookmakers in Pittsburgh area. Given the way all us calabrese say we all are cousins, it's plausible philly may have/had some connection to Pittsburgh. Do I think merlino has those connections? Nope. Unless he met them in the can. Merlino family is new to the mob. Chickie knew only local guys and anyone else outside was thru scarfo. But scarfos extended family appear to have been in OC since the 40s.

Scarfo's brother in law, Joe Nistico, was a bookmaker. Here are a few articles:

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19901010&id=Zx4hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b2QEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5385,5352218&hl=en (Copy & Paste)

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19901010&id=Zx4hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b2QEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5649,5959354&hl=en (Copy & Paste)

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/4687442-74/melocchi-former-gambling#axzz3eqLn3L5e

Thanks for posting these Friend! I've seen them before, but never posted them.

I remember the Gold Coast very, VERY well. And I was going to say that it bordered the Intracoastal, rather than A1A itself, but that old article beat me to it!

I remember it too. Can't believe it's been closed that long already.


And now thinking of old Florida places I am dying for some Bimini bread, conch chowder and steamers from Ernie's.

. Yes Whip and it is not just him but the others in that family that are keeping it going . I wish I could say more but to close to home ... Just like Oscar posted above ,but like I said there is still things going on with that ...

Hey PB,

Did I tell you I ran into Carmine's wife on Nantucket? The Carmine that was stabbed back in 2001 outside his joint...you know who I'm referring to.

Thanks pizza tanks giacomo it's nice to know that at least someone appreciates you.

You have a right to your opinion. Mike Genovese died in 2006. He made 5 guys during his reign. Sonny Ciancutti, Chucky Porter, Lenny Strollo, Joey Naples and Henry Zottola. I agree, there are many "former" associates still around, but they certainly weren't formally inducted. Pittsburgh did, however, hold in high regard, high ranking associates and many who are still living. And you're right, Sonny isn't the last man standing still alive. Lenny Strollo and Chucky Porter are still out and about...but they both defected and in Strollo's case, he testified against many people.

Yes, I remember you telling me. The guy down in Jupiter, right?

Yeah, the North End of the county off PGA

OMG

That is exactly what I was thinking

I would tell my wife I was F**ing starving and just run the red light at Sunrise and keep going south just get me to Ernies NOW!!.

Operating Style of Pittsburgh via 1992

First, as is true of other LCN families,
the Pittsburgh Family is hierarchical,
with a boss, top lieutenants,
soldiers, and associates. Charles
Porter functions as the "underboss"
while Charlie Imburgia serves as the
consigliere. It is Genovese's "management"
style to have direct and frequent
contacts with some of his chief
lieutenants, as well as with soldiers
and associates who are good moneymakers.
During LaRocca's regime,
when Genovese and Mannarino were
LaRclcca's chief lieutenants, they
were as powerful as the designated
underboss Joseph Pecora.
Second, Genovese, as boss, and his
top lieutenants typically go through
channels and have buffers between
them and the actual criminal activity.
At the street level, are the soldiers
and the many associates who report
to the Family hierarchy. Genovese is
in control of all members. Each
member, in turn, has a number of
associates who are required to report
to him. Furthermore, many of these
associates run their own operations
and have associates who report to
them.
Third, the Pittsburgh Family has
fewer "made" members than most
other LCN families. it has a network
of ambitious associates who benefit
from the resources and reputation of
the Family and, interestingly, consider
themselves a part of, or as belonging
to, the" organization." Some associates
may even believe that they are
"made" members, a status achieved
not by way of formal rites of initiation,
but by long-standing loyalty and
money-making prowess for the Family.
This belief is encouraged by the
Family hierarchy.
Fourth, while the Family may be
hierarchical and heavy-handed, its
money-making activities are decentralized
and entrepreneurial. A member
or associate has responsibilities to
make money for the Family (often
with his captain as conduit); but he
is not an employee, nor does he have
a supervisor in the conventional sense
of that word. A member's or associate's
stature in the Family is
based largely on his ability to make
money for himself and for the Family
by whatever means possible. In turn,
members and associates of the
LaRocca/Genovese Family have their
own, often interlocking, networks of
criminal associates and supporters.
Fifth, the Family typically receives
"tribute" of one kind or another on
the varied criminal enterprises which
take place within the territories occupied
by the Family. The hierarchy
"licenses" such criminal enterprises
and receives payments for restricting
market entry or for other services.
The Family also has mechanisms for
settling disputes (including the "sitdown"
meeting), whether these
occur between Family members or
with members or associates of other
LCN Families. Finally, in some instances,
it uses simple extortion, e.g.,
the "street tax" assessed on gambling
operators.
These organizational features have
allowed a comparatively "small" crime
family to exert a great deal of influenc&
and amass considerable wealth
in Western Pennsylvania.
"The Family Gets a Piece
of Everything"
The Family typically receives "tribute"
of one kind or another on varied
criminal enterprises that exist within
their territories. A close associate of
the Pittsburgh LCN has stated:
" As soon as the family found out
about it (an independent bookmaking
operation), they'd either want your
business or a piece of your business.
That's my experience. I've never
seen even a relatively small book
exist for very long without the family
wanting either the layoff or street
tax. "
The nature of the tribute-both in
the form of payment and its amount
-may differ by area, by type of criminal
enterprise, and by criminal entrepreneur
(i.e., whether he is a member,
an associate, or an independent).
Tribute is usually paid at each level of
the family hierarchy. That is, the
associate or independent pays the
member of the family who, in turn,
passes a portion of the tribute to a
higher-ranking individual. Eventually,
the boss gets a portion, as do all the
members along the chain.
The payment of tribute entitles the
associate to certain benefits. The
associate is entitled to the" resources
and reputation" of the family-meaning
that he can operate in his territory
without competition or interference
from other family-connected
operators/bookmakers. Further, the
associate has a ready source of funds
(i. e., loanshark loans) or he can seek
the Family's assistance to expand his
criminal enterprise.
Within the Pittsburgh Family, tribute
is funneled primarily through Charles
Porter who collects tribute from both
narcotics and gambling enterprises;
through Frank Amato, who has gambling
enterprises in North Braddock
and East Pittsburgh; through Thomas
Ciancutti, who operates gambling in
the New Kensington area; and
through John Bazzano, who has
gambling activities in Washington
County. Henry Zottola and Louis
Raucci are also conduits for tribute
extracted from criminal ventures. As
one close associate, who worked for
Frank Amato, explained, "Michael
Genovese, at some point, gets a
portion of everything."
The amount of street tax is "whatever
the Family can get" and is usually
negotiable, depending on the illegal
activity. Joseph Rosa, for example,
defrauded an insurance firm of approximately
$300,000 and paid the
entire amount to the Family. Familyaffiliated
bookmakers either pay as
much as 1 0 percent of their profits
in tribute or pay a flat monthly fee to
the Family. Drug deals usually command
a higher percentage of the
profits for the Family coffer; up to 25
percent has been demanded.
Tribute is received from bookmaking
operations (numbers and sports betting)
casino games (card and dice),
video poker (especially in the Youngstown,
OH, area), narcotics trafficking,
and thievery. In gambling
operations, the Family also profits
from the "layoff" of bets to Family
bookmakers. In one burglary incident,
the burglars had to use "mob guys"
to "unload the stuff (several hundred
thousand dollars worth of pharmaceutical
drugs)" so that the LCN
would get its cut. In the words of the
burglar/informant, "They stiffed us all
the way."
To the illegal operator, tribute is
perceived as a cost of doing business.
At the same time, some realize that
if they refused to pay, they'd "be
dead." Paying the tribute lessens but
isn't an absolute guarantee against
mob-involved rip-offs. The "beard"
117
and the use of "wise guy" information
by Family associates are common
ways of ripping off gambling operatives.
A beard is an individual who
places bets for others who are unable
to place bets because of their past
gambling successes. Wise guy information
is very confidential information,-e.g.,
information regarding a
"fixed game" or an injury to a key
player. Wise guy information originates
with coaches, trainers, players
or other inside sources. One "beard"
indicated that, using "wise guy"
information, he won 85 percent of the
time on basketball and 60 percent of
the time on football.
In other cases, a victim was set up
and robbed by associates of the
Family. The main role of one associate
of the Pittsburgh LCN was '\.0
conduct rip-offs of drug dealers,
especially smaller dealers who were
not connected to the Family. The
dealer's drugs and money are stolen
at gun point or are ripped-off by
purchasing drugs on credit, but never
paying the debt. Because the perpetrators
of these scams are associated
with the Family, the victims are
unable to avenge their losses.

So good

Why was put a freeze on made new members ? why after genovese dead in 2006 Bozzano don't made new members ?

Bazzano? He died in 2008 and by the time Mike Genovese died in 2006, the family wasn't as active and certainly had no formal hierarchy. Bazzano had the bloodlines, but never the leadership abilities to be a boss. He was a good Capo, made alot of money and all his kids were very successful.

My English don't jibe with other New Zealanders who have been on this board because they almost certainly white boys.

Those white boys like to call themselves "kiwis" in reference to their nationality.

Which Iwi are you fulla?

Also what are your thoughts for your RWC group? Looks like you're plain sailing apart from the Pumas but you shouldn't have much trouble there. Appalling about JC though wasn't it, who was he playing for again?

What?

If he's Maori he'll know what I mean.

Wenjue Liu!!!

Gesundheit!

Lol. Furio, I appreciate you too man.

You are very enthusiastic Furio. I know you enjoy the small families as do I, have you looked into the history of San Jose and San Francisco, many Pittsburgh mobsters went out there and John LaRocca's cousins were Alphones and Pasquale LaRocca from San Francisco. I think you'd enjoy those families

They were absorbed by the new Orleans family. Drove up in that van with the riffle holes cutt out on the side.

Hostel takeover.

They're taking over a dorm with a bunch of beds for college aged kids on Spring Break?

Tuhoe.

We'll take it out and the Pumas will just be a warm up.

JC's misses was driving and yeah it was a damn shame.

He played for the AB's and Hurricanes.

Tried to troll and it blew up in my face . on the other hand drove by McDonalds seen they had the mclobster roll for sale stop in and tried it wasn't impressed for 7.99$ taste good but no meat.

Anyway fellas, Punjab has been outed, let's get back to the topic if you still want to discuss.

You don't see those at the New York McDonald's. But a true New England lobster roll is one of my favorite things in the whole world during the summer. Right up there with cold little necks and beer steamed piss clams.

The Norwalk lobster festival used to put on a good show, and it's only about a 45 minute shot up I95 from Throggs Neck. But I'm not even sure if they do it anymore. It's been years.

Go to the Lobster Pound in Guilford, CT as well as the Madison Beach Hotel, can't go wrong with either.

Neo, England beat you Kiwi [BadWord] at the cricket last month, deal with it.

Yes, I'm well aware the BlackCaps are fucking embarrassing.

Update: Was just in Pittsburgh for a few days. I talked to some locals, old and young, I spent most of my time in downtown but they all said nearly the same thing, the area is becoming more affluent. More and more high rise apartments etc. More people choosing to move to Pittsburgh, pushing a lot of the crime out to the outskirts to certain neighborhoods, and of course the random robbings. But for the most part, the young guy, who happened to be African-American, said a lot of the crime is committed by African-Americans against tourists, or against each other.

Don't take my head off about my grammar or punctuation, I'm on my cell!

There is no Pittsburgh family, they are gone, dead and buried.

There were about 5 made guys and 10 connected guys as of 2011.

Fast forward to 2015 and as a family, they are no more.

Pittsburgh has been officially dead since October 31st, 2006 when Mike Genovese died. The family is no more, just remnants. Plenty of illegal gambling still going on, as it will always go on. Many of the fellas making book are former associates or high ranking associates.

Neo...don't rely on Wikipedia for your info...as much I as do know about Pittsburgh LCN, I can't tell you exactly the # of made guys left, but as far as connected guys go...there are hundreds, not 10. There is still a hierarchical structure that "controls" rackets and territorial disputes...there has been a lot written on this site in this regard and most of it based on very old (> than 15 year old FBI files)...I'm not a researcher, just been close to the game for years...just my two cents.

That didn't come from Wikipedia, and I highly doubt there are... OR EVER WAS...hundreds of connected guys with the Pittsburgh Family.

Just my two cents.

Oldschool, you are conversing with a sick yahoo who attacks elderly women. Don't entertain Punjab.

Ok, I wasn't aware of this guy (Neo)....I was about to refer him to you for the best info on Pgh, but obviously I won't be doing that.

Another aside - after reading what PB said. I didn't know the 'guy', Punjab I guess, was baiting people with Pittsburgh.. I guess I just posted this at the wrong time. But I would welcome any moderator to check my ip, and my email address against who I really am, rather than being berated by people like Mrbigglesworth And Rockstarman45... Not here to 'troll' , just here to learn about LCN and their history.

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. I remember those heady(?) days when Jo Jo Pecora was the subject of local underworld discussions. I get back there once or twice a year. From time to time I converse with relatives and others about crime and underworld activity. Several of the posts above are supported by what I've learned on those visits. Yes, Pittsburgh is experiencing something of an economic boom and that attracts crime. However, I also understand that there may be a couple of made guys who keep tabs on local activities, but that other cities' families share a piece of Pittsburgh's activities, influence, and control.

You' re spot on Oli. The idea of being dead, extinct without hierarchical structure is myopic and naive.

Just a quick question , why did strollo never admit to killing Joey Naples wen he flipped??

Good question Dom...to my knowledge, he continues to deny ordering the hit. I have heard that he even has gone so far as to blame the Gambinos, as Naples did have some sort of ongoing dispute with them. However, all clues point toward Strollo. The hard thing to understand in that regard is that he would have had to obviously gotten permission from Mike Genovese for the hit, and its pretty widely accepted that Strollo was not on Genovese' Christmas card list. In fact, Genovese distrusted Strollo so much that he sent Henry Zatolla (as only a soldier) to Y-town to watch over Strollo (a capo).

Lenny did NOT order the hit on Joey. In fact Lenny knew nothing about it until the next day. A more or less "independent" did it to gain favor with Lenny. Go figure, he was a US Marine trained sniper.

BTW: Zebo's last name is spelled Zottola. Yes, Henry was sent to keep an I on Lenny but at that time he was more than "only a Soldier". At that time Michael only spoke with Zebo and Chuckie Porter. Call them what you will, but they were at the top of the food chain under Michael.

So who did order it then pal ??

For whatever it's worth to you: No one order the hit - period! The reason I stated was exactly why it happened - pal.

thanks for that

You're welcome.

They should of whacked the sniper assuming Lenny Or Pittsburgh knew who acted as the lone wolf.

How 'bout if the Feds arrested him? They know who but No Cigar!

There you have it...I was hoping you would chime in Henry....Henry, did you hear about the beef Naples had with the Gambinos, or was that all b.s?

Not to say it was BS, but I never heard of it. As you know if I really don't know, I don't say it is or it isn't.

Fuck the Feds there to busy chasing the next bin laden , what's the point the guy already has life if I recall correctly

Depending of which guy as both the shooter and the boss that was convicted of another murder are still alive and living well and out of the can.

You're absolutely correct: "Fuck the Feds"!

The family's dead even if they could make new members it wouldn't help

Henry -- Amil Dinsio was the shooter, right?

He was hoping that by rubbing out Naples he would gain favor with Lenny and Bernie The Jew.

If you say so

I been sent for . On my way to meadows. Hopefully I don't get whacked

No wonder Henry liked you , your not A boocalone

LOL!

Definitely not dead. I'd say inactive is a better description.

Yes - Tionesta. You should see the pics on the wall of that place. Pretty impressive

Yes this is very true. The Pgh guys would go there (sometimes with kids and wives too).
Many of these guys are still around. They're old, but they're still respected.

The remaining living members in the family, which may be down to 1 at this point, certainly aren't enough to argue the family isn't dead. In case people have forgotten, the organization is what makes organized crime. There is no organized hierarchy left in Pittsburgh. Just remnants of a family that once was. You don't have to wait for the literal last guy to stop breathing before writing a family's obituary.

Again, we'll agree to disagree Ivy...there are more than 1 or 2 or 3 living made guys left and there are many, many associates conducting business as usual. The FBI and State Police don't even pay attention to these guys anymore...at least not like they used to...they still get harassed now and again, but not like the past.
And to the Pittsburgh Mafia Princess...you may be new here... just to be clear..Ivy is a tremendous poster and extremely knowledgeable, but we disagree on some "facts" when it comes to the Pittsburgh Family..."research" knowledge doesn't always equate with "steet" knowledge.

The number of made guys still alive in Pittsburgh are, at most, in the low single digits.

That said, there have certainly been recent cases of remnants of the family - associates or relatives of dead members being involved in things - mostly video gambling machines. But you see gambling still going on in several areas where there is no viable, organized family left.

Hi Yes, I'm new here. Someone told me about this board and I came to check it out. From what I've seen, you're absolutely right - research knowledge doesn't equate with street knowledge. There's a lot of truth here, but there is also a lot of misinformation.

I'm from Steubenville, OH just over the Pittsburgh border and I've kept up with mob stuff in this neck of the woods for quite a number of years. A close friend of mine's grandfather was a top Capo in the family for many years and I'd love to hear who you say are "made members" in the now defunct LaRocca Family? The only members I know to be made and still alive are Thomas Ciancutti, Lenine Strollo and Chucky Porter with the latter two having cooperated with the federal government. Please don't tell me that Bobby Iannelli is made...because he never was and never wanted to be. He along with Tony G were both independent numbers operators who had extensive political ties, hence why Big John allowed them to operate without paying tribute. Bobby I's son is one of my closest friends for 30 years, I met him back in the 1980's at a barbut game he used to run in Glassport with Primo Mollica and Auggie Ferrone. I've spent more time with his father and I can assure you that Bobby I went out of his way to avoid known members of the LaRocca's. I'd be interested to hear your "street" knowledge as I have a little myself.

I have a hard time believing that the FBI in Pittsburgh as well as the state police not paying attention. The state police have made a numerous amount of raids and busts in regards to video poker machines that included Joe Nistico (Nicky Scarfo's brother in law), Rodney Iannelli (Bobby I's son) as well as Kirk Mollica (Primo Mollica's son). So to the contrary, the state police are still focused on illegal gambling. Pittsburgh isn't NY or Chicago, it's hardly a threat for terrorist activity. In my honest opinion, I believe the FBI wishes they still had LCN to combat, it would make their jobs alot less boring in the Burgh than it already is.

I didn't see the second part of the heading. West Virginia hasn't operated as an organized crime entity since No Legs was sentenced in 1990. He died in prison around 1995. Paul was Lebanese ans his crew were mostly non Italians, his main guys were Jimmy Griffen and Buddy Jacovetty.