To think that Cleveland was once a fuckin powerhouse crime family is amazing to think about. How many guys do they have left?
Geez...I guess Pittsburgh didn't exist?
Cleveland has none left and the non existent Pittsburgh doesn't count.
Also you cannot forget Kansas City. At one time, that family was as tough and ruthless as anyone.
Pittsburgh getting no love FOH.
They were definitely not top tier but had to be on that next level with their connections and territory they held in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia , Florida, Cuba, among others.
Heck, in the early 80s Pgh associate Nick the blade Gesuale still had a brothel operating in NYC with Pgh and NY approval.
Pittsburgh was super tight with Detroit, Buffallino, and even California. Laricca was even stopped by the FBI in Cali while with made guys from there. Said he was there in business, Big John gave them nothing.
They always had connections to Chicago also, even under Chucky Porter and Jo Jo Pecora, that all came out in testimony at Porters trial.
Same with Philly.
Anyway, Pittsburgh had as many connections as any of the big families, just many fewer made guys.
