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Little Joe Shots Buffalo Crime Family Page

This page is still a work in progress and at the moment most of the information given is basically accurate in terms of the family members and what their positions within the crime family where at various times. During the Magaddino era the Buffalo crime family was one of the top American mafia crime families which has never had a major work regarding the crime family's history ever published. The book, "Mob Nemesis" by former F.B.I. agent Joe Griffin details specific information regarding his time as an agent within the Western New York area, along with certain investigations and some events surrounding these investigations that Griffin participated in during the late 1960's and early 1970's, but no more than that! Besides Griffin's book there are no published works regarding the history of the Buffalo crime family or it's top members other than a few small and general articles and bios that are presented on various well known organized crime/mafia websites.

When dealing with information regarding organized crime or American mafia history over the last 100 years the fact remains that most information published within roughly the first 30-40 years, basically from the 1950's-80's has continued to be a mixture of recorded fact, such as police and F.B.I. records, some accurate and credible, some not. Along with underworld rumors and speculation on the part of some investigative reporters and authors most books written regarding the American mafia and it's members are unreliable and inaccurate, not all the information, for the most part the information given that is accompanied with credible and reliable sources is either accurate or relatively accurate. It is not that any author or publisher wishes to mislead readers, in all honestly it is because until law enforcement and the media started receiving accurate information from informants such as the first mafia defector Joseph Valachi in the early 1960's practically all the past information had not been proven or substantiated. It is only through new investigative techniques such as phone taps, wires and bugs, along with a new batch of informants who are no longer just low level soldier, but mid and high level crime family members who are now willing to talk due to effect highly prosecutions brought on by the R.I.C.O. statute (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act) and harsher punishments such as longer prison sentences for crimes that once called for only a few years behind bars.

This all began in the mid 1980's and continued into the 1990's which was a time when nearly every American mafia crime family experienced a law enforcement onslaught never before seen by the bosses and top members as traditionally low level members were the ones who were easily investigated and prosecuted while top members and the bosses were insulated by layers of buffers and a quiet, low key manner of operating. It's only with the last 20 years that true crime authors and investigative reporters specializing in organized crime and the American mafia have been able to begin and finish book projects, news articles and reports by using these new, accurate and credible law enforcement records now obtained on a regular basis, not to mention the ability to interview informers and witnesses who are involved in spectacular organized crime cases. Another great tool for authors and investigative reporters are on line talk forums specializing in organized crime and the mafia such as the "Real Deal Forum" on the "Mafia International" website which hosts talks and debates dealing with an assortment of organized crime topics.

So until an accurate and credible book is published regarding the Buffalo crime family's history and that of it's members I will be frequently adding information to this page and changing any that needs to be changed as I come across new and accurate information surrounding the Magaddino/Todaro crime family of Buffalo, at one time one of the most powerful and influential criminal organizations in America! I invite anyone who feels they have good, solid information regarding the Buffalo crime family and it's members to add this information in the section at the bottom of this page I have entitled "Useful Information."

Contents [hide]
1 Current Buffalo Crime Family Members
2 Crews/Caporegimes
3 Soldiers
4 Associates
5 Utica Crew Members
6 Hamilton Crew Members
7 Inactive Members
8 Recently Deceased Members
9 Boss Succession
10 Underbosses
11 Consiglieres
12 Various Factions During the Buffalo Crime Family's Split
13 Former Caporegimes
14 Soldiers and Associates
15 Areas or Territories the Buffalo Crime Family Operated In
16 Known Buffalo Crime Family Informants
17 Useful Information
18 The Death Of The Boss
Current Buffalo Crime Family Members[edit]
As of late 2006 there have been rumors circulating that the Buffalo crime family, formerly the Magaddino crime family and most recently known as the Todaro crime family is under new leadership, in other words a new Boss. It has not been verified by local or federal law enforcement agencies, but the names of the people who are allegedly leading the new regime have been mentioned on various organized crime forums and are known and long time Buffalo crime family members. I will place their names within a separate Buffalo crime family hierarchy, but I will also label them under their official position within the crime family until it can be proven otherwise.

Boss: Joseph "Lead Pipe Joe" Todaro Sr. (semi-retired/retired?)
Update: Joe Todaro Sr. Died at the age of 89 on December 26, 2012 after a lengthy illness.
Acting Boss: Joseph "Big Joe" Todaro Jr. (runs the day to day operations for his father)
Underboss: Joseph "Big Joe" Todaro Jr. (semi-retired?)
Consigliere: Leonard "Tall Guy" Falzone (allegedly promoted as of late 2006)
Boss: (?) Leonard Falzone (rumored to have taken over for the retired Joe Sr. as of late 2006)
Underboss: (?) Benjamin "Sonny" Nicoletti Jr. (rumored to have been promoted as of late 2006)
Consigliere: (?) Joseph "Big Joe" Todaro Jr. (rumored to have taken the position while in semi-retirement, but still holds considerable power and influence)
Senior Adviser: Joseph "Lead Pipe Joe" Todaro Sr. (elder statesman of the crime family rumored to be in retirement, but still holds considerable power and influence as the top adviser and quite possibly still the real power in the family from the shadows. Todaro Sr. Died on Dec. 26, 2012) Victor Sansanese remains close to Joe "Big Joe" Todaro and has allegedly been a key adviser to "The Old Man" since 1987, mainly concerning the crime family's labor n union rackets. Now that Todaro Sr. has died, Sansanese's position within the new regime may not be secure or he may have become more influential. His true status is unknown.

Crews/Caporegimes[edit]
BiFulco Crew/Frank "Butchie Bifocals" BiFulco - overseer of Buffalo, New York area rackets and labor interests, currently in prison on arson charges. (IP/9/10/2012)
Nicoletti/Niagara Falls Crew/Benjamin "Sonny" Nicoletti Jr. - overseer of Niagara Falls, New York area rackets, recently released from prison.
Papalia-Hamilton Crew/Joseph Joey Paps" Pugliese - overseer of the Southern Ontario rackets in the Niagara region, Hamilton and Toronto area.
Carcone/Utica Crew/Russel "Russ" Carcone - overseer of Upstate New York rackets in the Utica area, took over the crew from his father, crime family member Benny Carcone.
sidenote - Gaetano "Tommy Chooch" Miceli was a former caporegime and overseer of the Buffalo crime family's North Buffalo, New York rackets which included North side gambling operations and Buffalo's annual Italian festival held on Hertal Ave.
Matthew "Steamboat" Billiteri is a Buffalo crime family member who may have been promoted to caporegime or acting capo status within the Buffalo, New York area in order to take over the crew of his brother Albert "Babe" Billiteri who is presently inactive and retired.
Soldiers[edit]
Annuncio "Red" Cannizzaro
Ronald "Ron" Cardinale
Joseph "Snakehead" Cardinale
Sam "The Priest" Cardinale
Robert "Bobby" Chimera
William "Cookie" Gigilia
Carmen Mambrino (son of "Frank-Babe Mambrino)
Michael Muscarella
Robert "Bobby" Panaro Jr. (former Las Vegas representative, Todaro family cousin, convicted in 1999 of the Fat Herbie Blitzstein murder in Las Vegas along side Los Angeles crime family soldier Steven "The Whale" Cino, Panaro received 7 1/2 years and I believe he has recently been released or is coming up for parole)
John A. Pieri (son of former Underboss/Consigliere Joseph A. Pieri Sr.)
Joseph Rosato
Victor Sansanese (son of former caporegime/acting underboss Danny Sansanese Sr.)
Vincent "Jimmy" Sicurella (recently released from prison)
Associates[edit]
Matthew "Steamboat" Billiteri Associate
Frank Billiteri (son of "Babe")
Peter Capitano (union and labor interests, brother of Sam)
Samual "Sam" Capitano (union and labor interests, brother of Pete)
Frank Falzone (family lawyer/counselor)
John Frorino
Peter Gerace (Todaro son-in-law)
Frank "Chici Botts" Grisanti
Joseph Lombardo
Larry Panaro (brother of Bobby Jr.)
Charles "Charlie" Pusateri
Joseph Sacco
Louis Tavano
Joseph Todaro III (grandson of Joseph Sr. and overseer of La Nova Pizza and Wing Inc.)
Anthony W tavano
Utica Crew Members[edit]
Benedetto "Benny" Carcone (former capo, semi-retired)
Pasquale "Paddy" Brindisi
Philip "Phil" Corelli
James "Jimmy" Feliciano
Frank Ferraro
Frank Marino
Anthony "Tony" Inserra (associate)
Frank Minicone (associate)
Philip Zammiello (associate)
David Pietras (associate)
Larry Tantillo (associate)
Tony Tadesco (associate)
Hamilton Crew Members[edit]
Ignazio "Harold" Bordonaro (son of Charlie, former lawyer)
"Cookie" Caruso (first name unknown)
Paul "Paulie" Cipolla (member from Guelph area)
Ralph Criminisi
Bruno "Bronzie" De Paolo
Joseph "Joey Dips" De Paolo
Michael "Mike" De Paolo
Daniel "Danny" Gasbarini (senior adviser)
Dominic Italiano (Papalia family relative)
Vincent "Vinnie" Lombardo
Frank Papalia (senior adviser and brother of Johnny)
Rocco Papalia (brother of Johnny and Frank)
Raphael "Jilly" Scibetta
Charlie Scibetta (Deceased)
Inactive Members[edit]
(may be deceased)
Albert "Babe" Billiteri Sr. (former Buffalo, New York area capo)
Benjamin "Sonny" Nicoletti Sr. (former Niagara Falls, New York capo and gambling expert)
Recently Deceased Members[edit]
Sam Amoia Jr. (a former soldier involved in telemarketing and narcotics operations, related to Sam Pieri)
John "Johnny Catz" Catanzaro (a former top soldier under Joe Todaro Sr. and overseer of floating card and craps games)
Samuel "Sam" Lagatutta Jr.
Bart T. Mazzara (former Flordia representative and operations overseer)
Donald "Turtle" Pinepinto (a former top soldier involved in union and labor activities)
Joseph R. Pieri (son of Joseph A. Pieri, former LIUNA 210 union executive and one of many overseers of the crime family's labor interests)
Daniel G."The Mutt" Sansanese (son of Danny Sansanese, former LIUNA 210 executive and one of many overseers of the crime family's labor interests)


Boss Succession[edit]
Joseph Peter "Don Pietro" DiCarlo - 1910-22 (born in Valledolmo (some sources such as Allen May say Vallelunga), Sicily in the Palermo province, died June 9, 1922 of a heart attack at age of 49. Recognized as the first official or sanctioned mafia boss of Buffalo. His uncle or coysin by marriage was Angelo Palmeri, his underboss n a Castellamarese faction leader. This family tie strengthened the family leadership in it's early years.)
Stefano "The Undertaker" Magaddino - 1922- 74 (born in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily in the Trapani province, died July 19, 1974 after officially leading the family for 52 years, the longest serving American mafia boss in history.)
Frederico "Freddie Lupo" Randaccio - Acting Boss 1962-67 (born in Palermo, Sicily, jailed 1967-79, paroled, retired, died ?)
Leaders of the dissident faction (acting bosses, not officially recognized by the Commission)
Salvatore "Sam" Pieri - 1969-70 (jailed June 1970)
Joseph "Joe" Fino - 1970-72 (at this time Fino carries the official underboss title, but he is promoted to acting status when Pieri is jailed, Fino is indicted & arrested September 15, 1971, stepped down in July 1972)
Samuel "Sam the Farmer" Frangiamore - 1972-74 (named officially boss by commission sometime after Magaddino's death in July of 1974)
Officially sanctioned Bosses
Samuel "Sam the Farmer" Frangiamore - 1974-84 (retired sometime from early to mid 1984)
Joseph "Lead Pipe Joe" Todaro Sr. - 1984-Present ? (semi-retired by mid 1990's, rumored to be retired as of 2006. Todaro Sr. Died on Dec. 26, 2012 at the age of 89)
Joseph "Big Joe" Todaro Jr. - Acting Boss 1995-Present ? (rumored to be semi-retired as of 2006)
Leonardo "Tall Guy" Falzone - 2006-Present (rumored to be the new boss, but not verified by local or federal law enforcement)
Underbosses[edit]
Angelo "Buffalo Bill" Palmeri - 1910-22 (a senior Castellammarese Clan member with strong connections across the United States. Palmeri is often labeled the first boss of the Buffalo crime family, but he was actually the senior Castellamarese faction leader in the Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY areas, who held a high level position within the crime family from the earliest years. He was a relative through marriage (uncle or cousin) and business partner of boss Joe DiCarlo Sr. and was his second in command until DiCarlo died in 1922. This family tie strengthened the crime family leadership between the non-Castellamarese n Castellamarese factions during the DiCarlo-Palmeri regime, but by the time of DiCarlo's death, Palmeri realized that Stefano Magaddino had become the true powerhouse within the Buffalo mafia and he fully supported Magaddino's succession to boss instead of DiCarlo's son Joe "The Wolf" DiCarlo Jr. The old man gladly became adviser to the new boss.
Charles C. Montana - 1922-32 (born in Montedoro, Sicily in the Caltanissetta province. He led the Montedoro faction, n was part of the crime family's top leadership or "inner circle", which was dominated at the time by the DiCarlo (Valledolmo/Vallelunga) faction n the Palmeri-Magaddino (Castallamarese) faction. Being part of the early regime's inner circle n being a wealthy, influential businessman, Montana was a close associate and business partner of both Giuseppe DiCarlo n his successor as boss, Stefano Magaddino. Montana was named second in command when Magaddino took over as boss in 1922. After Montana became more involved in local politics in the late 1920's and his business interests and influence continued to increase he needed to have a lower profile and try not to draw attention to himself as far as the rackets were concerned, so Magaddino named Montana to the #3 position in the crime family in 1932 after the death of Palmeri).
Angelo Aquisto - 1932-56 (a top caporegime in the Buffalo area, Aquisto is named to the #2 spot when Montana steps down to keep a lower profile. Aquisto allegedly commits suicide in 1956).
Frederico "Freddie Lupo" Randaccio - 1956-67 (A highly respected, feared and very powerful caporegime in the crime family who is made overseer of the southern Ontario operations in the early 1950's and then promoted to the #2 position after Aquisto dies. Randaccio's power and influence within the crime family grows to a level that by the early 1960's he is seen as Magaddino's certain successor, but on June 29, 1967 he is arrested and jailed along side his ally n Lt. Pasquale Natarelli on Dec. 11, 1967, due to information provided by soldier n informer Paddy Calabrese. He is sentenced to 20 years in prison, paroled in 1979. He allegedly held a senior advisory position within the crime family throughout his final years, but never regained the influence n power he once carried.)
Peter Magaddino - 1967-68 (After the arrest of Randaccio the boss names his son as acting underboss. This was definitely not a smart move as Peter was not respected within the crime family n the move created a great deal of animosity n a loss of respect for the boss throughout the crime family n it's factions. By mid-1968 Magaddino Sr. names a new official #2)
Joseph Fino - 1968-74 (Named the official #2 in June of 1968. Fino is promoted to the unofficial status (not sanctioned by the Commission in N.Y.) of Acting Boss over the dissident factions during the beginning of the crime family split/conflict. Fino is arrested and hit with gambling charges in September of 1971, but he maintains his official #2 position within the crime family until Maggadino passes away n Fino is ordered assassinated in early 1974 by the new regime (Pieri-Frangiamore) now in power. Fino was to be eliminated along with influential caporegime John Cammilleri, who was murdered in May of that year, but Fino hides out until he can arrange a meeting n come to terms with the Pieri-Frangiamore faction, who now controls the dissident faction. He agrees to retire and the new regime is named).
Daniel "Boots" Sansanese - 1970-72 (Named acting underboss by Fino, but he is sentenced to prison for jury tampering in April of 1972)
Salvatore "Sam" Pieri - 1974-81 (Paroled from prison in early 1974. Pieri and his faction remove the last obstacles to their takeover by mid 1974 and take control of the crime family. Pieri is named the #2 man by Sam Frangiamore, but Pieri is jailed once again n sentenced to 5 years on November 20, 1978. He allegedly retains his leadership position through his brother and associates, but when he is paroled in early 1981 due to illness he dies soon after on July 24, 1981 at the age of 70).
Joseph A. Pieri Sr. - 1981-84 (Promoted to the #2 position by Frangiamore after the death of his brother. Pieri Sr. makes a play for the leadership when Frangiamore retires in 1984, but he is passed over by the Commission in N.Y. for the more respected n influential mafia power in Buffalo...Joe Todaro Sr. Pieri Sr. is kept on as part of the new officially sanctioned regime by Todaro Sr., but demoted to the #3 position. It's a smart play by the new boss to placate Pieri n his supporters until the Todaro regime is completely secure. Pieri Sr. will be retired within 3 years n no longer be a power within the crime family)
Joseph "Big Joe" Todaro Jr. - 1984-2006 ? (Named as second in command within the crime family n is clearly seen as his father's right-hand-man n go-to-guy. By the mid-1990s Todaro Jr. has taken over as acting boss n seen by law enforcement as the successor to his father's throne. Rumor has it that it was not be n that Joe Jr. is presently the #3 man in the crime family, that he willingly stepped down sometime in 2006 and went into semi-retirement, but that he is still highly respected n maintains a great deal of influence within the crime family n over the most important decisions?).
Benjamin "Sonny" Nicoletti Jr. - 2006-Present ? (a top caporegime in the crime family, Sonny was recently released from prison after serving almost 5 years. He is now rumored to be the #2 man in the crime family as of 2006?).
Consiglieres[edit]
Angelo "Buffalo Bill" Palmeri - 1922-32 (Became the senior adviser to Magaddino and the #3 man in the new regime until he died in 1932)
Charles C. Montana - 1932-58 (Named the #3 man by Magaddino in 1932 after the death of Palmeri to insulate n protect him and his interests from the spotlight. Montana kept his power and influence and was still considered the #2 man in the crime family. He continued to operate in the shadows until he was exposed at the November 1957 Apalachin meeting. By 1958 Montana requested that he be allowed to step down from his position and retire due to all the publicity from the Apalachin debacle n the law enforcement heat caused by it. Magaddino was not happy and put him on the shelf, Montana died in 1967).
Antonino "Nino" Magaddino - 1958-68 (Stefano's brother replaced Montana and by the time of the insurrection in late 1968 Nino was in ill health. He continued to be his brother's trusted aide n adviser until he died in 1970).
sidenote - Vincent Scro, a caporegime and son-in-law to Magaddino may have taken over as the #3 man, the consigliere/adviser in the Magaddino regime until 1974 when an official boss was chosen by the Commission.
Joseph "The Wolf" DiCarlo - 1969-74 (Named as acting consigliere of the dissident faction. DiCarlo was not sanctioned by the full N.Y. Commission, but recognized by the Genovese crime family leadership, which represented the Buffalo crime family on the Commission. He stepped down in late 1974 when the new regime was sanctioned by the Commission).
Joseph A. Pieri - 1975-78 (Named as the #3 man in the newly sanctioned Frangiamore regime. He was promoted in 1978 when his brother Sam went to prison once again).
Vincent Scro - 1978-81 (acting consigliere, promoted while Joe Pieri takes over his brother Sam's position).
Joseph "Lead Pipe Joe" Todaro Sr. - 1981-84 After the death of Sam Pieri in 1981, Joe Pieri is named underboss and Joe Todaro Sr. named the #3 man...that is until he makes his move for the leadership soon after)
Joseph A. Pieri Sr. - 1984-87 After Joe Todaro Sr. is named the newly sanctioned Boss after his uncle Sam Frangiamore retires, Todaro Sr. names Pieri Sr. as the #3 man. This was a move to placate Pieri Sr. n his supporters in the crime family n too avoid anymore internal conflicts until Todaro Sr. is completely in control and has the loyalty of the whole crime family. The Todaro regime's power is soon solidified n the boss puts Pieri Sr. on the shelf n into retirement in 1987)
Leonard Falzone - 1987-2006 ? (A Todaro faction loyalist, who is promoted to consigliere in 1987. Falzone was a staunch Todaro loyalist is rumored to have been rewarded for his years of service to the old man by being named the successor to Joe Todaro Sr. sometime in late 2006 ?)
Joseph "Big Joe" Todaro Jr. - 2006-Present (rumored to be in the #3 position and semi-retired, but still a power within the Buffalo crime family n a highly respected member of the American L.C.N.?)
sidenote - if Joseph Todaro Jr. is the official consigliere, then the old man Joe Sr. who is the elder statesman of the Buffalo crime family is more than likely the senior adviser and still without a doubt holds enormous power and influence within the crime family.
Update: this may have been the way the present or latest Buffalo crime family leadership was set-up, but sadly on December 26, 2012, well known n loved Queen City businessman Joseph Todaro Sr., the founder of the #1 independent pizzeria in the United States, La Nova Pizza n Wings n the alleged boss of the Buffalo crime family died at the age of 89 following a lengthy illness. R.I.P. Joe....you will always be Buffalo's "Pizza Man"
Here is something that is of interest to those of you who have followed the Buffalo crime family's history or have researched the organization's history and leadership succession.
In regards to the Boss after Stefano Magaddino died in 1974, his official successor has been debated at times. Many believe that Sam "The Farmer" Frangiamore held onto the official title from 1974 until he retired sometime in 1984, being that he was the Acting Boss of the "dissident factions" at the time of Don Stefano's death. He was allegedly "officially sanctioned" by the Commission to be the new "Sitting Boss' of the Buffalo crime family sometime in 1974, the successor to Magaddino soon after the "Old Man's" death on July 19, 1974. Others such as organized crime authors and even former Buffalo prosecutor, crime writer and college professor, "Lee Coppola believe that Sam Pieri, who was a top mafia power in Buffalo, the Acting Boss of the dissident factions from 1969-70 was the true Boss of the Buffalo crime family and Magaddino's successor. This is not correct, Sammy Pieri was never the boss. Sam Pieri was jailed on a 5 year term in September of 1970 and paroled in early 1974 just before Magaddino's death. Sam Frangiamore had taken over as Acting boss of the dissident factions in 1972 after official underboss/dissident acting boss Joe Fino was forcefully removed from power n put on the shelf. Sam Frangiamore was named official Boss in 1974 by the Commission, but some believe it was for a 1 year probationary term and that he stepped down a year later in 1975 for Underboss Sam Pieri who assumed leadership of the crime family. This is incorrect, Sammy was never the boss and during that period he had to answer to his brother Joe Pieri Sr, who came from leading the Youngstown, Ohio rackets at that time for the crime family with Pieri brother in law Joe "The Wolf" DiCarlo Jr. to oversee the Pier-Frangiamore faction in Buffalo. Not true! Sam Pieri would be released from prison in early 1981 due to terminal health and died a few months later on July 24, 1981 at the age of 70. This is when some believe Sam Frangiamore was named official Boss and held the title until he retired sometime in 1984. Once again, not true.

sidenote - here is what the leadership succession would look like if Sam Pieri was the Boss from the mid 1970's:
Samuel "Sam the Farmer" Frangiamore - 1974-75 (held the tile on a 1 year probationary period and stepped down)Not correct.. Sammy remained the boss until the time his nephew Joe Todaro took over.
Salvatore "Samuel John's" Pieri - 1975-81 (jailed December of 1978, but held onto the tile while in prison, paroled early 1981, died a few months later on July 24, 1981 at the age of 70)
Samuel "Sam the Farmer" Frangiamore - Acting Boss 1978-81 (assumed the title officially after Pieri's death)
Samuel "Sam the Farmer" Frangiamore -1981-84 (retired sometime in 1984)
Joseph "Lead Pipe Joe" Todaro Sr. - 1984-2006 ? (officially sanctioned by the Commission)
sidenote - In terms of Underbosses for the alleged Pieri-Frangiamore regime (if Sam Pieri was Boss), Sam Frangiamore supposedly became Sam Pieri's #2 man when he stepped down in 1975 and Joe Pieri Sr. was supposedly named official Consigliere of the Pieri-Frangiamore regime in 1974 after Magaddino's death. After Sam Pieri was jailed in 1978 Sam Frangiamore was promoted to Acting boss and Joe Pieri Sr. was promoted to Acting Underboss while Vincent Scro took over as Acting Consigliere. Then when Sam Pieri died Sam Frangiamore was named the official Boss and Joe Pieri Sr. became his #2 man, either Joe Todaro Sr. was named official Consigliere as I believe or Vincent Scro took over the position. By 1984 a new regime was named to lead the Buffalo crime family which became known as the Todaro crime family. Not correct. Sammy was never the boss and Vinnie Scro was not the consigliere at that time.
Various Factions During the Buffalo Crime Family's Split[edit]
(insurrection against the Magaddino regime 1969-74)
The Magaddino Faction - Boss, Stefano Magaddino, Consigliere, Antonino "Nino" Magaddino, caporegimes, Peter Magaddino, Freddie "Lupo" Randaccio (incarcerated at the time), Charles A. Monatana (Magaddino son-in-law), Vincent Scro (Magaddino son-in-law), Roy Carlisi and Jimmy La Duca.
The Pieri-Frangiamore Faction - leaders/caporegimes, Sam Pieri, Sam "The Farmer" Frangiamore, Joe Pieri Sr., John Pieri (incarcerated at the time), Joe "The Wolf" DiCarlo, Anthony Romano and Paul "The Fox" Volpe (a Southern Ontario soldier/caporegime? based in Toronto who ran his own crew).
The Fino-Sansanese Faction (became the Todaro faction)not correct The Fino faction included John Cammilleri, Danny Sansanese, Salvatore Bonito,Frank Valenti, and Sammy Frangiamore, - leaders/caporegimes, Joe Fino, Danny "Boots" Sansanese, John Cammilleri and Joe Todaro Sr.
The Rochester Faction - caporegime, Frank Valenti (he sided with the dissident factions at the start of the insurrection, but by 1970 he used his connections to his father-in-law, Pittsburgh/La Rocca crime family capo, Antonio Pipepi, along with the the split and conflict within the Buffalo crime family to declare Rochester's independence from Buffalo and the start of the Rochester crime family.
sidenote - the rest of the caporegimes and their crews lined up behind one of the 3 main factions within Buffalo, these members included Pasquale "Patsy" Natarelli (incarcerated at the time), Albert "Babe" Billiteri, Benjamin "Sonny" Nicoletti Sr. Joseph Falcone of Utica, New York and the Canadian capos, Johnny Papalia, Santo Scibetta and Jack Luppino were considered neutral, but it has been stated that Johnny Papalia stayed loyal to Stefano Magaddino until his death in 1974 and then he went with the Pieri-Frangiamore faction which took over the Buffalo crime family after Magaddino's death, in other words he stayed loyal to who ever was the officially recognized boss.


Former Caporegimes[edit]
(some names include the areas the captains were based in and operated out of. names of social clubs or bases of operations are mentioned when available and nay additions concerning names of businesses, social clubs or any other location concerning any of the capos listed are more than welcomed. All additional information can be added at the bottom of the page under Useful Information and I will add it to the appropriate section and person.)

Angelo Acquisto - Buffalo, New York area, former underboss, committed suicide in 1956
Albert "Babe" Billiteri Sr. - Buffalo, New York area from mid top late 1960's up to the late 1980's or early 1990's, specialized in loansharking, retired or dead?
Simone "Don Simone" Barruso - born in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily in the Trapani province. Niagara Falls, New York area, possibly former underboss to Magaddino in the 1920's and early 30's, said to have moved his base of operations to the west coast buy the early 1940's, deceased.
Calogero "Charlie" Bordonaro - born in Montedoro, Sicily in the Caltanissetta province, his links to the Buffalo crime family may have started through John C. Montana. Southern Ontario caporegime based in Hamilton, representative for Stefano Magaddino from around 1940 until he died in 1963. The old Don was a Sicilian mafiosi and former Perri Gang member from the 1920's-30's, but by 1940 he and other former top Rocco Perri associates made new alliances with the Magaddino crime family, giving Bordonaro and his Canadian mafia group official Cosa Nostra status. There is some debate as to whether Bordonaro held the official title of caporegime or soldier in the Buffalo crime family, either way he was recognized as a Buffalo crime family representative in Southern Ontario and ran his own crew of soldiers and his own operations.
Giovanni "John" Cammilleri - born in Campobello di Licata, Sicily in the Agrigento province. Buffalo, New York area, overseer of union and labor rackets, member of Fino-Sansanese faction, assassinated in 1974 by the Pieri-Frangiamore faction, deceased
Benedetto "Benny" Carcone - Utica, New York area, overseer of Upstate New York rackets, retired.
Rosario "Clam Man" Carlisi - Niagara Falls, New York area (with interests in the Buffalo area), Magaddino loyalist and brother of Chicago Outfit boss Sam "Wings" Carlisi, present at the November 1957 Apalachin meeting, deceased.
Joseph "Joe" DiBenedetto/DeBenedetta - Buffalo, New York area, apparently another Castelllammarese clan/faction member and close associate of Stefano Magaddino's during "the bootleg wars" of the 1920s. A Buffalo crime family lieutenant under caporegime Philip Mazzara in the 1920s who took over the Buffalo mafia faction led by Mazzara after he was murdered in 1927. DiBenedetto was one of the caporegimes that ran the Buffalo rackets for Magaddino during the latter part of the 1920s until he was murdered in 1929 approximately 2 year after taking over for Mazzara, more than likely another one of the many killings associated with the bootleg wars in the Western New York and Southern Ontario areas during Prohibition. Joe DiBenedetto was occasionally referred to as "DeBenedetta" in the local news and on the day of his murder.
Joseph "The Wolf" DiCarlo - Buffalo, New York area, son of former Boss Joseph DiCarlo Sr., the younger DiCarlo took over his father's factionoverseer of Youngstown, Ohio operations and later Miami, Florida gambling operations, former consigliere of dissident faction, deceased.
Anthony Falange - Utica, New York area, took over the areas rackets after Joe Falcone stepped down as the official Buffalo crime family caporegime in the early 1970's to become the Consigliere or retire. Tony Falange had been involved in a conflict with underling Al Marrone over control of the areas rackets and some believe the leadership, Marrone who has been mislabeled as a Buffalo caporegime was assassinated in 1976 for apparently threatening Falange and trying to take over. Falange and various members of his crew were indicted and arrested in the early 1990's for a 1983 bombing and a plot to kill an F.B.I. informant, Falange who had been the area boss for roughly 16 years died just before the trial began.
Joseph "Joe" Falcone - Utica, New York area, seen as the Boss of the Upstate New York area, present at the November 1957 Apalachin meeting, retired in the early to mid and died in the early to mid 1990's while residing in an upstate New York nursing home.
Leonard Falzone - Buffalo, New York area, former Todaro faction loyalist and overseer of crime family's loansharking operations, former consigliere and rumored to be the present boss.
Joseph "Joe" Fino - Buffalo, New York area, former Magaddino loyalist and overseer of bookmaking/sports betting operations, led a dissident faction in the early to mid 1970's while acting boss, put on the shelf and retired in 1974/75, deceased.
Samuel "Sam the Farmer" Frangiamore - Niagara Falls area (with interests in the Buffalo area), former Magaddino loyalist, co-leader of a dissident faction in the early to mid 1970's that held the most power within the crime family, named boss after the death of Magaddino in 1974, retired and stepped down sometime in 1984, deceased.
James "Jimmy" LaDuca - Niagara Falls area (with interests in the Buffalo area), Magaddino loyalist and son-in-law, present at the November 1957 Apalachin meeting, deceased.
Giacomo "Jack" Luppino - A Calabrian Ndrangheta Boss originally from the area of Castellace di Oppido Mamertina, Luppino emigrated to Canada in 1956 and was believed by Canadian law enforcement and the media to have become a Southern Ontario representative for Steve Magaddino, based in the Hamilton area from 1956 until he died in 1984 it is not certain if "The Grand Old Don of the Canadian Cosa Nostra" was actually "made' into the Buffalo crime family or considered a Calabrian mafia associate who was officially affiliated with the American LCN.
Antonino "Nino" Magaddino - Niagara Falls area (with interests in the Buffalo area), brother of the boss Stefano, allegedly present at the 1957 Palermo meeting, former consigliere, retired in 1968 and died in 1970.
Gaspar Magaddino - Niagara Falls area (with interests in the Buffalo area), brother of the boss Stefano, allegedly present at the Palermo mafia summit in October 1957, his brother's narcotics lieutenant and an overseer in charge of the crime family's heroin operations, remained a top Magaddino faction member until his brother died in 1974, deceased
Peter Magaddino - Niagara Falls area (with interests in the Buffalo area), son of boss Stefano, allegedly named acting underboss in 1967 after the arrest of Freddie Randaccio, stepped down after Joe Fino was named to replace Randaccio officially in 1968, remained a top Magaddino faction member until his father died in 1974, deceased.
Albert "Al" Marrone - Utica, New York area, allegedly recognized as the Boss of the upstate New York rackets by the late 1960's or early 1970's, assassinated in 1976. The problem is that it may have been mostly media hype that turned Marrone into the Utica rackets boss, he may have well been an influential member of the crew, but information over the last few years indicates that Joe Falcone remained the true boss until the early 1970's until he retired.
Philip Mazzara - Buffalo, New York area, apparently a Castellammarese clan member and close associate of Boss Stefano Magaddino who led a Buffalo mafia faction loyal to Magaddino during Prohibition and the bootleg wars of Western New York and Southern Ontario in the 1920s. Mazzara was a Buffalo crime family caporegime who oversaw much of the Buffalo area rackets for Maggaddino throughout the 1920s until he was murdered in 1927.
Gaetano "Tommy Chooch" Micelli - Buffalo, New York area, former Todaro loyalist, overseer of North Side rackets which included gambling operations and Buffalo's annual Italian festival, deceased.
Charles A. Montana - Buffalo, New York area, son of John Montana, a Magaddino loyalist and son-in-law whop took over his father's interests in the late 1950s, he was a member of the Magaddino faction who found themselves opposed by dissident factions within the Buffalo crime family in the early to mid 1970's, deceased.
John C. Montana - Buffalo, New York area, a Magaddino loyalist based in Olean, New York he was a very successful businessman who owned a brewery with Magaddino during Prohibition and was named to the Buffalo City Council in 1928 and 1930, Montana owned the largest taxi service in Western New York, Montana became underboss of the Buffalo area rackets sometime in the 1920's and in 1932 was named consigliere, but was considered the #2 man in the crime family, he later strengthened his ties to the Magaddino family when his son married Magaddino's daughter, he was present at the November 1957 Apalachin meeting and because of his arrest and bad publicity he stepped down from his leadership position sometime in 1958 or 1959, he became estranged from his former mafia associates and was put on the shelf by Stefano Magaddino for allegedly not showing loyalty to the boss and the crime family, Montana died in 1967.
Pasquale "Patsy/Pat Titters" Natarelli - Buffalo, New York area, a former Magaddino loyalist who was jailed with his superior (underboss) Freddie Randaccio in 1967 on a 20 year sentence, allegedly became a Todaro supporter from prison and after being released from prison in the late 1970's, deceased.
Benjamin "Sonny" Nicoletti Sr. - Niagara Falls, New York area, considered the crime family's gambling expert in bookmaking, sent to Las Vegas in the late late 1980's and early 1990's to set up operations, semi-retired in the early to mid 1990's, deceased.
Benjamin "Sonny" Nicoletti Jr. - Niagara Falls, New York area, took over his father's crew in the early to mid 1990's, imprisoned in 2002, recently released and rumored to be the new underboss.
Frank "Frankie" Papalia - Crime family soldier based in Hamilton, Ontario, took over as acting capo for a while after the death of his brother Johnny in early 1997, is currently considered the senior adviser of the Hamilton (Papalia) Crew.
John "Johnny Pops" Papalia - Southern Ontario representative for Stefano Magaddino from 1956 until his assassination in early 1997 by a rival Calabrian Ndrangheta Cell (The Musitano Clan) based in Hamilton, Johnny was considered the "Godfather" of the Southern Ontario mafia from the 1960's until his death, but he began to lose respect and influence within the Canadian underworld by the early 1990's as changes caused Papalia and his organization to lose touch with associates, affiliates and rival crime groups who were the next generation of underworld leaders. Causes of Johnny's downfall also including a loss of power for the American crime families that had long held influence within the Canadian underworld and the emergence of powerful new crime groups like the bikers.
John "Johnny Ray" Pieri - Buffalo, New York area, brother of Sam and Joe Pieri, former narcotics lieutenant for Stefano Magaddino, jailed on narcotics charges in the 1960's, but maintained a defacto leadership position within the crime family from prison after his brothers and their supporters took over the crime family's leadership in the mid 1970's, deceased.
Joseph A. Pieri Sr. - Buffalo, New York area, brother of Sam and Johnny, held a top leadership position in the crime family from the early 1970's when the Pieri-Frangiamore faction took control of the dissident factions within the crime family, held the positions of underboss in the Frangiamore regime during the mid 1970's until 1984, he made a play for leadership seeking support from the Genovese and Colombo crime families in New York, but was rebuffed and was named consigliere for 3 years in the Todaro regime until he was placed on the shelf and retired in 1987, deceased.
Salvatore "Sam" Pieri - Buffalo, New York area, brother of Joe and Johnny, former Youngstown, Ohio representative with his brother-in-law Joe DiCarlo Jr., former narcotics lieutenant for Stefano Magaddino, jailed 1954-63, made a play for leadership of the crime family in 1969 during the insurrection, but was jailed shortly after, he continued to maintain a leadership position within the crime family through his brother Joseph and the Pieri-Frangiamore faction, but he was continuously plagued by jail terms throughout the 1970's, paroled for the final time in the summer of 1981 he died soon after. Sam Pieri's official position within the crime family from 1975-81 continues to be a mystery as he has been labeled a caporegime, underboss and boss, all that is known for sure is that he held a high level leadership position in the 1970's. I can assure you Sammy was never the boss.
Frederico "Freddie Lupo/The Wolf" Randaccio - Buffalo, New York area, a former Magaddino loyalist who was named in the early 1950's as the overseer of the Southern Ontario operations and underboss in 1956, a highly respected and very powerful crime family member who was seen as the successor to Magaddino, he was jailed on June 29, 1967 and sentenced to 20 years on December 11, 1967, paroled in 1979, Randaccio had lost his power and influence within the crime family, but not respect and was said to hold an advisory position within the crime family during his last years, deceased.
Carlo "Carl" Rizzo - Buffalo, New York area, a former Pieri faction loyalist, deceased.
Anthony "Tony" Romano - Buffalo, New York area, a former Pieri-Frangiamore faction member who sided with the Pieris against the Magaddino faction during the insurrection and opposed the Fino-Sansanese faction for the leadership, deceased.
Giacomo "Jake Russo" Russolesi - Rochester, New York area, one of the Upstate New York bosses under the Buffalo crime family flag, he took over from Stanley Valenti in the late 1950's when the Valenti was imprisoned, he was assassinated by the Valenti faction in 1964.
John C. Sacco - a former Magaddino soldier who ran burglary rings and fencing operations in the 1960's and 70's, he became a Todaro loyalist in the 1980's, but after his death in the 1990's it was rumored he had been an informer for years.
Daniel "Boots" Sansanese - Buffalo, New York area, former Magaddino loyalist who supported Joe Fino during the insurrection against the Magaddino faction, was named acting underboss to Fino in 1970, but was imprisoned in 1972 and lost most of his power and influence from there, deceased
Andrea "Andrew" Sciandra - born in Montedoro, Sicily in the Caltanissetta province. Buffalo, New York area, an early Buffalo mafia power and tavern owner who was aligned with John Montana and Stefano Magaddino in the 1920's and early 1930's. He also had family links to the Pennsylvania Sciandra family, deceased.
Santo "Don Santo" Scibetta - A Sicilian mafiosi and former Perri Gang from the 1920's-30's who apparently formed an alliance with the Magaddino crime family and the American LCN by 1940. Known to be a Southern Ontario representative for the Buffalo crime family, either a caporegime or soldier based in the Hamilton area until he died in 1985.
Vincent Scro - Niagara falls, New York area (with interests in the Buffalo area), a former Stefano Magaddino loyalist and son-in-law, he became the acting consigliere for the Frangiamore-Pieri regime when Sam Pieri was imprisoned in 1978, he later stayed close to boss Joe Todaro Sr. as an adviser in the 1980's and 90's, deceased.
Joseph Lead Pipe Joe" Todaro Sr. - Buffalo, New York area, a former Magaddino loyalist and an overseer of bookmaking operations in the 1960's, by the 1970's Todaro Sr. was a highly respected, powerful and influential caporegime and by the early 1980's had garnered enough support within the crime family to takeover, he became boss sometime in mid 1984 and runs the most successful independent pizzeria in North America, La Nova Pizza, semi-retired by the mid 1990's, unknown if he no longer carries the official title of boss and is fully retired.
Joseph "Pizza" Todaro Jr. - Buffalo, New York area, was a top soldier in the crime family in the 1970's and his father's closest aide, he took over as the acting capo of his father's crew in the late 1970's and early 1980's until he was named underboss by his father in 1984, he became acting boss and ran the day to day activities of the crime family by the mid 1990's, it is unknown what his official title is at present, possibly consigliere.
Constanze "Stanley" Valenti - Rochester, New York area, one of the upstate New York bosses to come under the Buffalo crime family flag from the early 1950's until he was jailed in 1958, he and his brother Frank regained power of the Rochester crime family/crew in 1964, deceased.
Frank Valenti - Rochester, New York area, he was second in command to his brother Stanley in the 1950's and they lost power to another faction within the crime family/crew then Frank regained power in 1964 and in 1970 he used the insurrection against Magaddino within the Buffalo crime family to declare the Rochester family's independence from Buffalo, but in 1972 the Valenti faction was overthrown by the Russotti faction and within months Valenti was sentenced to prison for 20 years, deceased.
Soldiers and Associates[edit]
Vito Agueci - soldier, part of the Hamilton-Toronto area Papalia crew and the Papalia-Aguecci heroin ring, became an informer, deceased.
Salvatore "Sam" Amoia Jr. - soldier, former overseer of telemarking firm under crime family influence, narcotics operations, deceased.
Joseph Bongiorno - soldier
Salvatore "George Raft" Bonito - soldier, section leader under Magaddino, deceased.
Paul"Rooster" Briandi - soldier, section leader during Magaddino era, deceased.
Samuel Brocato - soldier, section leader during Magaddino era, deceased.
Salvatore "Sam" Caci - associate, former LUINA local 210 president, Associate.
Pasquale "Paddy" Calabrese - soldier, soon after being "made" in 1967 he defected and testified against his caporegime Patty Natarelli and underboss Freddie Lupo Randaccio in 1968. First made meber of Buffalo crime family to defect and first person to enter the WITSEC program.
Steven "Flat Top" Cannarozzo - soldier, section leader during Magaddino era, overseer of numbers operations, deceased
Sam Campanella - soldier
Salvatore "The Priest" Cardinale - soldier
John "Johnny Catz" Catanzaro - former top soldier, Todaro loyalist and overseer of floating card and craps games in Buffalo area, recently deceased.
Louis "Louie" Ciminelli - soldier
Anthony "Tony" DeStefano - former top soldier in Upstate New York area, LIUNA member, overseer of union and labor rackets, deceased.
Daniel "Danny Boone" Domino - soldier, former LIUNA local 210 executive, status unknown.
Nicholas "Nick" Fino - soldier, brother of former acting boss/underboss/capo Joe Fino, overseer of bookmaking activities for Fino crew, deceased.
Samuel "Sam" Lagattuta Sr. - soldier, deceased
Samuel "Sam" Lagattuta Jr. - soldier, son of Sam Sr., recently deceased.
Frank "Blaze" LoTempio - brother-in-law of Sam Pieri, deceased.There is a misconception that he was a soldier, however, he was not associated with crime, just a relation to a powerful mob influence.
Albert "Al" Marrone - soldier, Uitca/Falange crew member, assassinated in 1976 for threatening to eliminate area boss Tony Falange and take over the rackets, often referred to as a Utica caporegime.
Nicholas "Sonny" Mauro - Associate, former Nicoletti and Falzone crew associate/member, known as the biggest bookmaker in Western new York, defected after being indicted in the 1990's, died in prison.
Salvatore "Sam" Miano - Capo, deceased.
Jack Minicone - soldier, Utica/Falange crew member, sentenced to 31 1/2 years in 1991 for his part in an 1983 bombing and for plotting to kill an F.B.I. informant, status unknown.
Fred Mogavero - Capo, owner of Buffalo area funeral parlor, deceased.
Anthony "Tony Gentile" Perna - soldier, section leader during Magaddino era, deceased.
Joseph R. Pieri Jr. - soldier, son of former underboss/consigliere/capo Joe Pieri Sr., former LIUNA 210 executive, recently deceased.
Pascal "Baggy Pants" "Pontaloons" Politano - soldier, section leader during Magaddino era, ran robbery and burglary crews, deceased.
Mike "Butch" Quarinci - associate, former president of LIUNA local 91 in Niagara Falls, deceased
Victor Randaccio - soldier, brother of Freddi Lupo Randaccio, former LIUNA local 210 secretary treasurer, deceased.
Salvatore "Sam" Rizzo - soldier, deceased.
Daniel "Mutt" Sansanese Jr. - soldier, son of former acting underboss/capo Danny Sansanese Sr., former LIUNA local 210 executive
Ronald "Ron" Scaccia - associate, former LIUNA local 214 president in Oswego, New York, status unknown.
William "Billy" Sciolino - soldier, allegedly became an informer and was murdered in 1980.
Michael "Mike Torch" Tascarella - soldier, section leader during Magaddino era, deceased.
Richard Todaro - soldier, brother of Joe Todaro Sr., former overseer of bookmaking operations for Todaro crew, retired.
Paul "The Fox" Volpe - soldier, former Southern Ontario representative based in Toronto, ran his own crew of Italian and Jewish gangsters, often mis-labeled a caporegime, assissinated in 1983.
Areas or Territories the Buffalo Crime Family Operated In[edit]
The Western New York Area (base of operations) - Buffalo City and other surrounding areas and towns in Erie County such as Amherst, Cheektowaga, Depew, Hamburg, Kenmore, Lackawanna, Orchard Park, Tonawanda, West Seneca and Williamsville. Niagara Falls and other surrounding areas and towns in Niagara County such as Lewiston, North Tonawanda and Orchard Park were known Buffalo crime family territory, especially for gambling operations such as bookmaking.
Upstate New York Area - The Rochester area came under the influence of the Buffalo crime family since the 1950's (more than likely even earlier). The Valenti family were believed to be representatives of the Buffalo crime family. The Valenti's were not "made" under the Buffalo flag, but some how came under the influence of Western New York mafia Boss, Stefano Magaddino and his crime family by the early 1950's. The Buffalo crime family had interests in gambling, especially bookmaking as the Western new York area was a hub for bookmaking operations and the smaller Rochester crime family would lay off bets with the Buffalo crime family. Buffalo also held enormous influence unions that were based Rochester, this gave the family control over construction and labor rackets in the area. Constenze "Stanley" Valenti was the first mafia Boss in Rochester to be affiliated with the Buffalo crime family, but he lost power in 1958 when he went to prison. This did not affect the relationship between the two mafia groups since Giacomo "Jake Russo"
Russolesi, Valenti's successor was apparently a Buffalo crime family member and the recognized caporegime in Rochester. Russolesi was murdered in 1964 by the Valenti faction who took over once again, but in 1969 they joined the insurrection against the Magaddino regime and sometime in 1970 Frank Valenti, the recognized Boss in Rochester at the time declared the Rochester crime family and independent group, no longer under the influence of the Buffalo crime family. This was done through Valenti's connections, official affiliation with and support of the Pittsburgh/La Rocca crime family, his father-in-law was powerful Pittsburgh caporegime Antonio Ripepi and Valenti was allegedly a Pittsburgh crime family soldier, this only adds to the confusion of how Rochester even ended up under Buffalo's influence for so long.

Utica was another Upstate New York area the Buffalo crime family held alot of influence in gambling and other rackets, the recognized Boss during the Magaddino era was Joseph Falcone. Buffalo held control over the unions based in upstate New York and the ones in and around Uitca were no exception, giving the Buffalo crime family more control over construction and labor rackets in the area. This relationship between the Utica crew/faction and the Buffalo crime family has carried through to Falcone's successors and is strong to this day with the current Utica leader, Russ Carcone.

The Southern Ontario Area - The areas of Niagara Falls, Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario were territories that came under the influence of the Buffalo crime family by 1940 when Stefano Magaddino created an alliance between the successors of Rocco Perri in the areas of gambling, narcotics, union and labor rackets. In the 1960's John "Johnny Pops" Papalia became the Buffalo crime family's caporegime in Ontario and another crime family soldier by the name of Paul Volpe ran his own crew and operations based in Toronto, while some of the more senior affiliates such as the "Dons", Santo Scibetta and Giacomo Luppino worked from Hamilton to Toronto and Guelph. By the 1960's Johnny Papaplia was recognized as "Ontario's Mafia Godfather", but by the mid 1980's Luppino and Scibetta had died and by the late 1980's the Buffalo crime family's influence began to wane as Papalia's power lessened each year as new up and coming crime groups such as the bikers began to move into Southern Ontario and Papalia lost touch with the newer generation of mafiosi. John Papalia and his top lieutenant in charge of the Niagara region were assassinated by a rival Calabrian Ndrangheta Cell based in Hamilton (The Musitano Clan) in the summer of 1997. By then the Canadian mafia's underworld power and influence had grown not only locally, but on an international level and with the American mafia being broken down since the early 1990's the Canadian mafia now has it's independence, but the Buffalo crime family stills holds some power and influence in Southern Ontario through Papalia's successors in Hamilton.
Youngstown, Ohio - The Buffalo crime family under the leadership of caporegime Joe "The Wolf" Di Carlo and his lieutenant and brother-in-law Sam Pieri ran gambling operations (bookmaking, numbers) in the Youngstown area from the mid 1940's top the early 1950's, but where either run out of town by law enforcement or possibly the Pittsburgh/La Rocca crime family who also held considerable influence in the area along with the Cleveland/Scalish crime family.
Parts of Pennsylvannia - With the former Pittston/Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area crime Boss, Joseph Barbara being a close associate of Stefano Magaddino and being from the same hometown of Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily the Buffalo crime family held strong connections to the Eastern Pennsylvania crime family. Magaddino's successors kept close business ties to Joe Barbara's successors in the Bufalino crime family after Barbara died in 1959 and Rosario "Russel" Bufalino took over the crime family. The Buffalo crime family held strong ties and a working relationship with members of the Eastern Pennylvannia crime family throughout Bufalino's reign, especially in the area of gambling (sports betting/bookmaking), and Buffalo held strong with Bufalino's successors in the late 1980's and 1990's such as Eddie "The Conductor" Sciandra and Billy D'Elia the alleged current Boss.
The Southern Florida Area (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood)- The Buffalo crime family held gambling interests in the Miami area under caporegime and longtime Buffalo crime family member Joe "The Wolf" DiCarlo who apparently went down south in the 1950's and set up a base of operations in Miami, an "open" area for all American mafia crime families and organized crime groups. Later on when the Buffalo crime family came under the leadership of Joe Todaro Sr. the old man set up a base of operations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the Diplomat Hotel. According to federal law enforcement agencies Joe Todaro Sr. was seen meeting with several crime family Bosses and other high level mafiosi in the Florida area throughout the late 1980's and 1990's. Todaro Sr. underworld power and influence apparently grew immediately after the New York "Commission Case" where several of the top mafia Bosses from the 5 Families were imprisoned for 100 years in 1987. Joe Todaro Sr. was seen meeting with Bosses such as Santo Trafficante Jr. of Tampa, Nicky Scarfo of Philadelphia, Edward Sciandra of Pittston Pennsylvania and members of the Gambino, Genovese and Bonanno crime families while the old man was relaxing in South Florida during the mid to late 1980's and where he continued to be semi-retired in the mid to late 1990's.
The West Coast/Los Angeles, California Area - Traditionally the Buffalo crime family has never had interests on the West Coast other than a common association of mafia leaders from the two historic crime families in question, the Magaddino crime family and the Dragna crime family. With expansion of territory and criminal interests beginning once again with the Todaro regime of the mid 1980's and the known crime family associations between the Todaro crime family and the Milano crime family through La Cosa Nostra members such as Buffalo soldier Bobby Panaro Jr. and former Buffalonian, Los Angeles soldier Steve "The Whale" Cino who's loansharking or "money lending" interests stretched into Southern Ontario, traditional territory for the Buffalo crime family. The Buffalo crime family has made inroads into the West Coast in concerning gambling and loansharking rackets, and in the early 1990's they made huge strides into the telemarketing industry by setting up large telemarketing firms in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Buffalo. The Buffalo crime family and it's members are know top have close ties with the Milano crime family of Los Angeles and it's leaders, Peter Milano, the longtime and current Boss of the L.A. crime family and caporegime Vincent "Jimmy" Caci, another Buffalonian who made his way out west. The two crime families more than likely have joint book making interests or "lay off" connections.
The Las Vegas, Nevada Area - After Joe Todaro Sr. became leader of the Buffalo crime family he sent members and associates of the crime family set up telemarketing operations based in Las Vegas and Buffalo and did very well making millions of dollars. The Boss also sent longtime crime family member and gambling expert, Sonny Nicoletti Sr. into Las Vegas in the early 1990's to set up gambling operations. The Nevada area was also a hub for the early telemarketing boom of the late 1980's and early 1990's, the Buffalo crime family had representatives, Richard J. Secchiaroli and Rocco F. Guadagna set up large telemarketing firms and bases of operations in the Las Vegas area. Later in the mid to late 1990's Buffalo crime family soldier and Todaro family cousin, Robert "Bobby" Panaro Jr. was sent to Las Vegas to co-ordinate joint gambling and loansharking operations with the Los Angeles crime family and it's Las Vegas representative, soldier Steven "The Whale" Cino. In 1997 Panaro and Cino were indicted and convicted on charges of plotting the murder of former Chicago Outfit associate and Spilotro Crew member, Fat Herbie Blitzstien in order to take over his loansharking operation. Both men were convicted in 1999 and Buffalo crime family soldier Bobby Panaro Jr. received 7 1/2 years (I believe he has been released from prison recently). The Buffalo crime family is alleged to still have gambling operations based in the Las Vegas area and possibly joint operations or at the very least a close working relationship with the Los Angeles/Milano crime family who has members that are close associates with Buffalo crime family members.
Known Buffalo Crime Family Informants[edit]
Vito Agueci - soldier, former Papalia-Agueci heroin ring member, imprisoned 1961, turned informer when his brother Albert was found trussed up and burnt to death near Rochester.
Pasquale "Paddy" Calabrese - soldier and former Natarelli crew member, first made Buffalo crime family informant and first LCN member to enter WITSEC program in 1967 after defecting and testifying against former underboss Freddie "Lupo" Randaccio and former caporegime Patty Natarelli, status unknown.
Russ DeCicco - former associate and Billiteri crew member, defected 1969, deceased.
Jimmy Fasanella - former associate and Falzone crew member.
Ronald Fino - former associate, son of former acting boss Joe Fino, became local 210 executive in 1973 with the support of Pieri-Frangiamore faction who supported him all the way into LIUNA's national executive board, known F.B.I. operative for more than 15 years, testified against various Buffalo crime family members, still alive and working as some labor consultant or something like that, but whereabouts unknown.
Nicholas "Sonny" Mauro - soldier, former Nicoletti Sr. and Falzone Crew member who was known as one of the biggest bookmakers in Western New York, defected, died in prison.
Faust Novino - former associate, drug dealer who murdered son of former caporegime Babe Billiteri in 1974, became informer after Todaro Sr. crew attempted to have him hit in 1976, the hit took place in an old warehouse on Connecticut St.
Gregory "Greg" Parness - former associate and Billiteri crew member, defected 1969, deceased.
David Petri - former associate and Falzone crew member.
Ronald "Ronnie" Raccuia - former associate of Falzone crew and Buffalo Common Council Chief of Staff, degenerate gambler, testified against Leonard Falzone in 19

90s.
John C. Sacco - Magaddino era soldier who ran a successful burglary ring and fencing operation, became a Todaro era caporegime, just before he died in the 1990's there were rumors that he was an F.B.I. informant.
William "Billy" Sciolino - soldier who was murdered in 1980 for allegedly being an F.B.I. informant.
Salvatore "Sammy" Spano - former associate and Falzone crew member, defected in 1990's.
Useful Information[edit]
This section is for anyone who feels they have some knowledge of the Buffalo crime family and it's members that would be beneficial to this page and may one day be useful in writing a book on the Magaddino/Todaro crime family of Buffalo. Also feel free to write down any suggestions regarding the this page such as a type of section you may want to see like "Famous Criminal Cases or Prosecutions" of Buffalo crime family members. Also any information on this page that you feel is incorrect should be corrected can be mentioned in this section. Joe Caddilac Caruana is heavily involved with loan shark activity and has been a strong arm in the Buffalo mob for many years.Caruana is a capo and runs North Buffalo. Rumored to split time in NC and Buffalo.
The Death Of The Boss[edit]
It's is sad to report that well known Buffalo businessman Joseph Todaro Sr., known as "Pappa Joe" by his family, friends n all those within the Buffalo community that respected n loved him has passed away after a lengthy illness on December 26, 2012 at the age of 89. Joe Todaro Sr. is the founder n patriarch of the world famous La Nova Pizza n Wings located at 371 West Ferry St. in Buffalo, New York. The original La Nova was begun by Todaro Sr. in North Tonawanda, New York (just outside the Queen City) in 1957 n moved to it's present lication on Buffalo's West Side in 1969. By the mid-1990s Joe Todaro Sr. and his family, which includes his son Joseph Jr. n Jr.'s wife Cookie, their kids Joseph Todaro III n sister Carla turned La Nova into the #1 Independent pizzeria in the United States (with yearly sales of over $25, 000, 000). The Todaro family is well known for their humanitarian n charitable works throughout the Buffalo community n elsewhere. In all truth n actuality, Joseph Todaro Sr. will also be remembered by his other name....Joseph "Leadpipe" Todaro Sr. Todaro Sr., along with his son Joe Jr. have allegedly been longtime members of the American mafia n allegedly headed the Buffalo crime family since the mid-1980s n according to law enforcement they still do. But it must be noted that both Sr. n Jr. have never been convicted of any serious crime or felony related to organized crime activities. The Todaro family name will be remembered for both organized crime (American mafia) n charity related circumstances, but no matter what, Joe Todaro Sr. created an empire....or two, that will be spoken of n envied for a long time to come. He was an old-school Italian-American, who came to live the American dream ...in a BIG WAY, and created a legacy that will live forever in the hearts n minds of those who knew him n those who knew of him!

Our condolences n love go out to his family.

Rest In Peace, Joseph Todaro Sr. 1923 - December 26, 2012

Riposa In Pace!

CENT' ANNI JOE!!!

The family is no more, haven't been for a while. Its over there.

Can you expand on this ? I haven't heard this

About 25 members left, not even half active. No way they're a viable family.

Ya im from The Buffalo area I hardly hear ne thing bout da family. Last I herd Leaonard Falzone took over but never hear shit.. mayb a little gambling.. Seems since Todaro Sr. died family went legit.. with all that La Nova Lute

Buffalo died while Joe Todaro was at the helm as he focused primarily on his flourishing pizza business. They haven't been active or relevant in a long time, probably closer to the late 1990's early 2000's. This has been covered time and time again on this site, look it up. Leonard Falzone? LOL...He's been in Vegas for years. Anybody who is left may have their own scams going on, but no structure or family hierarchy.

FuriofromNaples,

Wikipedia is one of the most unreliable sources for information FYI, I've told you that before, right?

That Wiki write up in the original post is from an old poster on the forums named LittleJoeShots. Let's just say he could be pretty long winded. If you can't tell, he was a bit of a "rah rah" guy when it came to the mob.

Anyway, back in 2012 it was reported the FBI had revised a chart of the Buffalo LCN family back in 2006 which showed 23 made members remaining but several have died since then.

So, it was reported in 2012 that the FBI had revised the chart in 2006? Or they revised it again in 2012, after revising it in 2006?

Thanks WG! Even though the FBI may have revised the chart, I don't recall the FBI calling the Buffalo wing of LCN a "threat" or a "concern" to public safety nor do I recall them saying in 2006 that Buffalo was a "viable" family any longer.

From what I can tell, Buffalo is not one of the families the FBI still recognizes as viable.

Below is the 2012 article that talks about the FBI revising their chart in 2006. However, people shouldn't read too much into that. Technically speaking, you could still make a chart of remaining members in other places where there really isn't a family left.


http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/Stories/2012/Sep18/Hudson.html

Another good article -

http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/Stories/2013/Jan8/TodaroNicoletti.html

When was the last major bust?

Yes,Oscar don't shoot me but this guy LittleJoeShots seemed reliable to me, it was a honest mistake.

I have no knowledge of the Buffalo family, but I have seen this question posed in other threads previously....namely, that if there hasn't been a major bust/trial that there is no organized crime....this is just simply not the case...most cities have little to no FBI presence that is the least bit dedicated to LCN activity...whatever presence they have is spent on counter-terrorism and/or white collar crimes. I am certainly not sure, but my guess is that a city the size of Buffalo probably only has 2 or 3 agents total...so how much time could they possibly give to watching an anemic and limping LCN....and this is the case in most cities outside of NYC.

Yer thats fair enough fella...I get all that....but er............

When was the LAST major bust.

I'm not upset Furio, just letting you know that wikipedia is not even close to being a good source of accurate information.

Oscar I found this list what do u think of it ?


Frank Bifulco: Retired and living in Florida
Harold Bordanaro: Retired in Canada.
Pasquale Brindisi
Russell Carcone: Living in Utica. Might still be active in gambling and theft.
Salvatore Cardinale
Paul Cipoli
Philip Corelli
Leonard Falzone: Living in Las Vegas
James Feliciano
Frank Ferraro
Peter Gerace
Dominic Italiano
Vincent Lombardo
Frank Marino
Robert Panaro: Living in Las Vegas
John Pieri
Joseph Pugliesi: Lives in Hamilton, Ontario. He is allegedly active.
Victor Sansanese
Vincent Sicurella: Retired in Buffalo. He is in poor health.
Joseph Todaro, Jr.: Inactive and working at La Nova.

I'm not an expert on Buffalo but I recognize many of the names. These guys may have some gambling and other scams they run, but nobody is kicking up to a traditional, structured hierarchy. It's every man for himself.

Brinidsi, Carcone, Corelli, Feliciano and Ferraro are all from Utica, right?

I think there were some other associates kicking around and a making ceremony as far back as 2004. No idea what hierarchy remains now, but something seems to have still been in place at that point. I think it's safe there's still a handful of guys handling gambling and other scores in that area.

It's very safe to say that. It's still going on in Pittsburgh & Cleveland...but no LCN in those cities any longer. Especially with associates and guys who are made that are younger, what else do they know how to do? The point I was making was that Buffalo has no traditional LCN family any longer. Only remnants

You would have to go back to the 1990s. Over the past 10 or 15 years you have 1 or 2 guys busted here and there for stuff like gambling or drugs. In 2006 LUINA local 210, a union that the family had a strangle hold over for decades was decalred free of mob influence after years of govt oversight. All the recent info about these guys shows the remnants of something that USED to be there.

THANKS Dellacroce

In my opinion, the last "major" case was LIUNA's takeover of Local 210 back in 1996. As said above, a decade later it was declared free of mob influence. There have been some relatively minor mob cases here and there since then but nothing that suggests a very active family.



Cases, or the lack thereof, are actually the best sign of mob activity - at least over the long term. Perhaps one can use your argument over a short period of time. Say, 5 or even 10 years. But as more time goes by, and the lack of mob cases in an area continues, that's a clear sign. It's not just a coincidence there are a lot of mob cases in New York, less so in Philadelphia, and none in Denver. Take Milwaukee for example. It's been 30 years since the last mob case there. Does anyone really believe there has been a formally structured, viable family operating there during that time?

Using that argument we can say 'Ndrangheta are well established and flourishing in NY. But they aren't. I'm of the opinion that the CN in Buffalo is a thing of the past, but I'm also of the belief that "the last major bust" isn't an indication of anything one way or the other.

And there really hasn't been a lot of mob cases in NY over the recent years, not made guys anyway. Mafia Takedown day was years ago, and not much came out of that other than waterfront investigations and parole violations. Asaro & Co. are being held and penalized over an airport heist from over 30 years ago, that isn't really a good indication of anything current. Associates and fringe players have had various arrests and cases for violations, failed extortion attempts and bookmaking, things like that. Is that a ideal indication of CN activity in NY? I wouldn't necessarily say so. Either way, a person can simply use that "when was the last major bust" argument any way they want and will have a valid point from either side of the spectrum nine times out of ten.

Not really. There have only been a few 'Ndrangheta-related cases in NY in over a decade.



The post above is perfect example of what I mean when people don't follow things closely enough to have any real understanding of the state of things.

"Mafia Takedown" day was only a little over 4 years ago. Hardly ancient history. And to just limit it to made members, in order to make your point, is sort of narrowing the goal posts. But even if we do that, just since Mafia Takedown Day, we've seen the indictments of almost 50 made guys in the NY families:

Bonanno acting boss Vincent "Vinny TV" Badalamenti, Bonanno captains Vincent Asaro, Jerome Asaro, Anthony "The Walker" Frascone, Thomas "Tommy D" DiFiore, Anthony "TG" Graziano, Nicholas "Nicky Mouth" Santora, Bonanno acting captains Vito Balsamo and Jack Bonventre, and Bonanno soldiers Ernest Aiello, Vito Badamo, Vincent Basciano Jr., Anthony Calabrese, Michael Palmaccio, John "Bazoo" Ragano, Anthony "Skinny" Santoro, and Michael "Mike the Butcher" Virtuoso.

Gambino captains Dominic "Big D" Cefalu and Alphonse Trucchio, Gambino acting captain James "Jimmy Boy" Dellaratta, Gambino soldiers Oreste "Ernie Boy" Abbamonte, Anthony Bazzini, Joseph Giordano, Joseph Isgro, Neil Lombardo, James "Tree Top" Outerie, William "Old Man Willy" Pazienza Sr., Joseph "Joey Boy" Sclafani, and Vincent Romano.

Genovese captains Pasquale "Patty Boy" Falcetti, Conrad Ianniello, Joseph "Pepe" LaScala, Daniel "Danny" Pagano, Anthony "Rom" Romanello, and Charles "Chuckie" Tuzzo, and Genovese soldiers Vito Alberti, James Bernardone, Salvatore "Sally KO" Larca, Peter Leconte, Dominick "Pepe" Pientranico, Anthony "Muzzy" Pucciarello, and Joseph "Joe Sass" Sarcinella.

Lucchese soldiers Salvatore Cutaia, Nicodemo "Nicky" Scarfo Jr, Carlo Taccetta, and Joseph Zaffuto.

Colombo consigliere Thomas "Tom Mix" Farese.

I could also go into more detail about the cases themselves since Mafia Takedown day that show the continued significant activity of the mob in NYC but, frankly, it gets old having to do other people's research for them.

It's not about just the "last major bust." It's about what patterns and trends are evident over an extended period of time. Those who have and continue to try to argue there are formally structured, viable, active families in places there aren't have little more than wishful thinking and outdated notions to go on.

You make a valid point, Ivy...however, when comparing the above cities to NYC in terms of bust activity simply isn't fair...NYC still has dedicated teams of agents devoted to CN...in the secondary cities there aren't enough FBI agents available to even handle counter-terrorism and white collar crimes, let alone a crippled LCN, which to my understanding, they are pretty much ignoring in these smaller cities.

Someone said they had a making ceremony in 2004...bet that guy is devastated haha....he shouldn't of bothered really.

Furio, can you trace back if decarlo came from nyc..close to daquila. palmeri was

First, the FBI prioritizes and devotes it's resources according to the threat level of who/what they're going after. In other words, the whole reason the feds have relatively little resources dedicated to the LCN in those areas outside NY is precisely because it isn't needed. As far back as the 1999 UN report on the LCN, it was said the LCN in New York remained a high priority while elsewhere, relatively speaking, it was a low priority because "things were under control."

Second, there are other law enforcement agencies available to investigate the LCN in addition to the FBI or the other feds. For example, the Massachusetts State Police have been involved in several cases against the New England LCN in recent years.

Third, the cases - or lack thereof - in a given area only support what the feds and mob experts have said. You can go back at least 15 years and the only families you will see listed consistently as being still around are the 5 NY families, New Jersey, New England, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Detroit is sometimes listed, sometimes not. Miami is sometimes listed simply because of the presence of the NY families there. That's it. Nowhere else does anyone have any argument about there still being a formally structured, active family.

Finally, people can use the excuses we keep seeing only so long. Eventually, with enough time passing by, they become weaker and weaker. At some point people have to recognize that the lack of mob cases in a certain area over the past 15, 20, or 30 years - not to mention the FBI and mob experts saying as much - is a clear sign of a family being gone.