what about the theory that someone in Anastasia's brugad was selling buttons for $50,000?
Don Cheech was selling membership. Nice theory on Joe Scalici, but his murder just help Biondo crew get more support. Vito Genovese and Tommy Lucchese were already planning on killing Double A long before Joe Biondo crew, and Joe Riccobono were put on a hit list. Not a sicilian Vendetta. Anastasia was just crazy to deal with and a killer. I dont know about Joe Riccobono, but Joe Biondo and his crew were protecting Alberti who was raking in money from narcotics, and was not kicking up a lot to Albert Anastasia, so Anastasia put hits out for Joe Biondo and anyone else protecting Alberti. Biondo crew also had strong connections to the Genovese and Lucchese families. One of the stupidest moves on Albert Anastasia part was ordering the murder of his underboss, who actually kept both Vito Genovese and Tommy Lucchese at bay. I would not doubt Anastasia was getting a cut of the money and feared Frank could out him to the Commission. After the smoke was cleared, Tommy Lucchese approached Carlo Gambino who despite what is written about his involvement of the murder, evidence points to Carlo Gambino being far removed from being involved, Tommy Lucchese pulled strings and started the gossip mill turning to allow Carlo Gambino to ascend to Underboss and later to Boss of the Gambino family. Honestly Tommy Lucchese is truly an underrated boss. Trafficante did not know about the hit. He was surprised by it and got out of New York as fast as he could.
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What you have related here is a "well worn" (and incorrect) theory that has been regurgitated over and over for over fifty-years already. And in truth it holds little merit. Aside from my explaining in great detail about the true events that actually took place which "directly," and indirectly, led to Anastasia getting whacked out. Consider this. It is often said that sometimes by looking at the chronology of how things play out can "speak" to us abut what really took place. In this particular case the chronology does not speak to us, it "screams" to us about what truly took place. Let's take a real good look shall we?
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A) June 17, 1957, Anastasia's underboss, Frank Scalici, is shot to death inside a Bronx fruit and vegetable market.
B) Also June, 1957, Carlo Gambino is almost immediately elevated by Anastasia to be underboss in Scalici's place. (to appease the Palermo faction)
C) Also June,1957, within days the remaining Scalici brothers (all mafiosi themselves) go on the lam after Frank's killing. Just previous to this Joe Scalici vows to kill his brother's murderer.
D) Within a month, by July, 1957, the Palermo faction intercedes with boss Anastasia to try and get him to rescind the murder contract put on Joe Scalici. Albert solemnly grants this request to his underboss Carlo Gambino who is representing all the Palermo/Sicilian factions. Albert verbally promises no harm will befall Joe Scalici.
E) Sometime in late August, 1957, after his receives word from key members of the Palermo faction (whom Joe completely trusts and has put his very life in their hands) promises him that all has been forgiven by Anastasia and its now finally safe for Joe to return home. Formal promises have been made between "made men" so they tell Joe to come home.
F) September 10, 1957, less than three weeks later Joseph Scalici disappears forever from his Bronx neighborhood.
G) Once Joe Scalici disappears it becomes obvious to the Sicilians that Anastasia has broken his word. They decide they cannot coexist with him any longer and plans are immediately set in motion to kill the boss. Over a period of several weeks they decide on a firm assassination plan and proceed to set it in motion which will change the course of underworld history in this country.
H) October 25, 1957, less than one month later Albert Anastasia is shot to death at the Park Sheraton Hotel in Midtown.
I) Only days after Anastasia is killed, underboss Carlo Gambino is formally "elected" to serve as "represenante." He is elevated to become boss of the borgata, renaming it the Gambino Family.
J) Three weeks later the infamous "Apalachin Meeting" is held to explain to bosses across the entire country what actually took place with the bloody events and turmoil in NYC. (during this same time period Vito Genovese has also seized power from Costello).
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Side Note: Underboss Vito Genovese making his move against boss Frank Costello months earlier in May, 1957, was NOT the reason Carlo and the others moved against Anastasia. But can be viewed as "emboldening" underboss Gambino and his faction. Two underbosses both moving on their superiors, but for two completely different reasons. With Costello removed from power, Gambino and his men could breath easier. Especially since they also gained a strong ally in Genovese.
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Now people are free to believe whatever gets them through the night. But do I really need I say more to prove my point here? The events pretty much speak for themselves. (not to mention all the other information I've provided here to explain why Anastasia was murdered).