Quiz Answer…

Of the five underworld nicknames we listed above, who did these nicknames belong too? Who were these men? And which of them was NOT connected to the Vito Genovese Family?

The answers…

“Louie Black” was Louis Saccaroma, a veteran Genovese Family associate who engaged in narcotics trafficking, gambling, prize-fight rackets and “fixed” matches. He later relocated down to Miami Beach where he worked with Trigger Mike Coppola’s crew, and in particular, soldiers Paul (Frankie) Carbo and Pasquale (Patsy) Erra.

“Black Bart” was Battisto Salvo, one of the earliest members of the Genovese Family’s Bronx faction. He was a highly respected soldier, most active in policy-numbers racketeering, bookmaking, shylocking and building-trade rackets. Salvo was an intimate of such iconic mafiosi as Vincent (Jimmy Blue Eyes) Alo, Tommy Milo, Modeste (Mickey Morris) Barra and the legendary Francesco (Frank Costello) Castiglia.

“Larry Black” was Lawrence Centore, another key Genovese Family soldier who mostly operated up in Bronx County. In his youth, he and his brother were active as armed robbers, strong-arm men and enforcers. Years later, Larry gravitated to policy-numbers and bookmaking rackets. He also became one of the biggest loansharks in the area. By the early 1980s, the Genovese Family administration had elevated Centore to a “capo” post.

“Black Alex” was Alexander Morelli, a longtime Genovese Family soldier and key functionary in Downtown Manhattan’s “Mulberry Street” crew of caporegime Pietro (Petey) DeFeo. Morelli was generally considered DeFeo’s main soldier, who handled day-to-day activities for his capo. He was active in gambling, loansharking, strong-arm work and waterfront rackets for DeFeo. By the 1980s, he was put in charge of the “gasoline racket” for his borgata.

And last on the list, but certainly not least, is the man in question, “Jimmy Black” or James Falco. Born in East Harlem, this man, (one of several mafiosi brothers,) was a low-key, but very active soldier within the Gaetano (Tommy Brown) Lucchese Family. Falco cut his teeth in the Harlem policy-numbers racket. But he also later became heavily engaged in shylocking and vending machine rackets throughout Upper Manhattan, Queens and Long Island. He served under capo Anthony Corallo, and later, after relocating to Miami Beach, served under his relative, capo Ettore (Little Eddie) Coco.
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So there you have it, folks…. Of the five mafiosi listed, the only one who was NOT affiliated with the Genovese crew was veteran Lucchese Family soldier James (Jimmy Black) Falco.