New magazine highlights gangster lifestyle
First issue features several Staten Island models, with a New Springville resident on the cover
Sunday, July 08, 2007
By PETER N. SPENCER
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A new Mafia magazine with a Staten Island flavor may give some residents another reason to gripe about the borough's negative image.

But for those who've always wanted to be a gangster, Mob Candy has got you covered.

Claiming to be "The Underworld Magazine of Mafia Politics, Pleasures and Power," Mob Candy promises an inside job on "The Life," from hit-men confessionals and pictorials of getaway cars, to tips on pulling off the perfect smash-and-grab or buying bada-bling-bling for that special cumare.

The first issue features articles on Don Carlo Gambino's legacy; 50 years of mob "rats;" the FBI vs. Italian Americans, and a profile of Christian (Chris Paciello) Ludwigsen of Eltingville, a mobbed-up former Miami nightclub owner who once dated pop star Madonna and was the getaway driver in a 1993 Richmond Valley home-invasion murder.

And of course, there's plenty of "candy," in the form of several Staten Island models. New Springville resident Mercedes Maia adorns the cover in pinstripe lingerie, with her finger on the trigger of a silver semi-automatic pistol. On the inside pages, Ms. Maia, a bartender from "Level One Lounge" in Annadale, poses crawling on a bar in leather corset, and little else.

New Dorp native Laura Siani and New Springville resident Priscilla Manella are also in the premiere issue.

Pleasant Plains resident Danielle DiPietro, one of three Islanders featured in the MTV "True Life" documentary, "I'm a Staten Island Girl," joins Ms. Maia in some of the photos.

Ms. DiPietro, who also happens to be the magazine's vice president of advertising and sales, doesn't think Mob Candy will elicit the same negative responses the reality show did when it aired last fall.

"Most of the responses we've had have been very positive. People tell me 'I can't wait until it comes out,'" Ms. DiPietro said during a phone interview at the periodical's first public event -- a children's fund-raiser in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

'STORIES ARE REAL'

"The stories are real. Nobody can really take offense to them," she added.

The magazine is a collaboration of Brooklyn-born Frank DiMatteo, a manufacturer-distributor of steel framing and former publisher of porn mags, and Tyrone Christopher, a clothing designer who gave the publication its name. The two got together after a chance meeting in a Manhattan lounge, when DiMatteo complimented Christopher on a "Dutch Schulz" style varsity jacket he was wearing.

Their goal was to create a magazine that captures the "dress, favorite meals, smoke & jewelry to old school tradition and values" of mobsters -- a sort of Maxim for wiseguys -- Christopher said in his on-line "rapsheet" bio.

But those thinking it's another tongue-in-cheek look at the Mafia, fuhgeddaboudit.

"This is completely meant to be serious. ... This is something that just hasn't been done yet," Ms. DiPietro said.

I'll tell you, that's pretty shameful stuff. I'm sure Carlo Gambino would be very pleased.

I mean, the magazine wants to re-create the "old school values and traditions" of mobsters?

Isn't just publishing a magazine about them contradictory to that statement?

Is there anything left in this world,that corporate devils dont have to sell out.

This magazine seems to have gotten a pretty fair share of media attention in the NYC area. I've seen it in the newspapers and on several television stations.

The TV stations all pretty much appear to take the same attitude in their coverage: showing the magazine, interviewing the ex-pornmeister publisher, then a couple of minutes of "rebuttal" from somebody who complains about how Italian-American stereotypes are being perpetuated and why, oh why can't they talk about Columbus, Marconi, et al, and all the positive things, etc., etc. (The only ones they always seem to omit mentioning are Don Ameche and Meucci. BTW, for more about Meucci, click here.)

So, we'll see. There are plenty of Mob wanna-be types out there, so this guy'll probably sell a few issues. It all hits the fan...er, newsstands later this month.

Signor V.

Thanks, Signor V.

Accurate and tasteful, Italians as gangster, shows and movies do not offend me as an Italian-American. A magazine like this, however...

But as you say, the guy has a history as a porn publisher, so you know just what you're dealing with.

A lowlife.

Where's Silvio when you need him?

Columbus as a slave trader offended his sensibilities.

Columbus as a slave trader offended his sensibilities. [/quote]

He only likes it when they're traded for sex at the Bada Bing.

A man has to have some values I suppose.

You know, I know I'm being a hypocrite here because I don't want to condone gangsterism, but wouldn't it be nice if the real wiseguys woke this asshole up (you know, a stern talking to ) before this shit went to print?

It shows you just how things have changed. Could he have published this tripe in Carlo Gambino's day? Shit, John Gotti's day, for that matter.

10 years ago could he have gotten to the publishers?

The old men are slipping.

(My apologies to Don Cardi).

I was hoping Cardi would have caught that and ran with it!!

I guess he's the one who's slippin'.

[quote=pizzaboyI was hoping Cardi would have caught that and ran with it!!

[/quote]

Leave it to me to dash your hopes. Sorry.

That's arguable.

But, their cover model's boobs aren't real - and that offends me more than words can say.

Signor V.

You mean those Staten Island cuginettes have fake boobs?

Aw, come on. Next thing you'll be telling me is that their tans are fake, too. And that they're NOT natural blondes.

You are all full of shit! ahhemm PB**cough cough Vitelli **ahem.

(Except you Beth, you're the only honest one who's posted here ).

Every single one *cough**ahem PB ahem* Vitelli cough** of you who has berated this magiazine would buy it in a heartbeat if you found it on the newstand! And you all know it!

We're all part of the same hypocricy PB. But don't ever think that it only applies to Don Cardi.

Actually, I have no intention of buying the magazine.

And, here's why:

Looking past the glorification of the Mob lifestyle, let's focus on articles: if they are giving Mob histories, I can get all I want from websites like Crime Library, GangLand, and an obscure little something called GangsterBB (to name just a few).

If they are going to spotlight cars and women young enough to be my daughter - sorry, not interested. Mob wanna-be nightlife? Ditto.

I have no idea what the newsstand price will be, but I think I'll put the money toward things I really need - like hookers and hard drugs. (J/K! )

But, if I do get seriously bored, I may just check out their website.

Signor V.

I think this is going to sell a lot of subscriptions from being buying it for other people. Someone says "Oh Pizzaboy loves the mafia, let me get him a subscription" anyone really into the Mafia wouldn't buy this crap.

The girl is hot...they should make a magazine with all of those women, possibly with less clothing...that I'd buy lol

I would NEVER buy a piece of trash like that and I'm VERY offended by the insinuation that I would.

The mob in America and Italian-American history interest me in general. Trash like that is for people who are into "porn" and "shock value." As a matter of fact, I'm going to bring it to the attention of my chapter of OSIA (Sons of Italy).

Offended? It was a joke (see smiley faces, etc.)



Although, after reading some of your posts lately over in the general discussion thread, I could have sworn that you were into porn and shock value!





*joking PB, just joking*

I must admit I'm intrigued by this magazine and I just might buy the premiere issue. Course I'll openly admit I'm a sucker for anything mob related whether it glamorizes the mob or not.

You all buy the books and the DVDs. The only way for the mob too not "advertise" their activities would be to start again from the beginning, with hundreds of new Italians - the old one: Bellomo, Ligambi, et al would have to be "whacked", as they are compromised!

If he was on the cover.....

What the F**K are you rambling on about now?

Your all taling about the mob magazine and how in Gotti's day it wouldn't happen. Above I have put a scenario where the mob can go back to normal.