I don't want to get into a pis*ing match with any other members,but for my money JCB1977 is the gold standard when it comes to Pittsburgh Mob Stuff.
I am in my late fifties,born and raised in Allegheny County,and related to several people who were involved in criminal activity from the early seventies up to the late eighties. My uncle was a mid level numbers operator and my dad worked for him.
Several of my cousins as well as myself worked at after hours clubs which featured casino style gambling.
We were not "Mob guys",just everyday hustlers,who worked straight jobs,and did what we could on the side for a few bucks,and frankly,for the fun of "getting over".If you're from Pittsburgh,you would recognize my Family name,but that's because we also have a lot of successful legitimate business people,not for any criminal activity.
The two names I heard the most in connection with the numbers were Grosso and Ianelli. It was common knowledge on the street that neither one was "made",but were not to be screwed with nonetheless. Of course,having that reputation didn't exactly hurt them when negotiating,so it cut both ways.
Around here,any Italian with a hustle was "in the Mafia" according to the average citizen.
So to JCB1977,keep up the good work. You are an impeccable source and I always look forward to your "Burgh stuff".If some of the other posters actually lived here,they would realize how spot on you have been.
