AG: 16 charged in connection with alleged illegal gambling operation in McKeesport
WPXI.com
September 5, 2013


McKEESPORT, Pa. — A city councilman, a police chief and 14 other people have been charged in connection with an alleged video gambling ring operating in and around the McKeesport area, Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced Thursday.

Police said they seized more than 300 video gambling machines from about 70 locations around McKeesport in the monthslong investigation. Authorities also seized more than $1 million in cash.

Among those charged were Forward Police Chief Mark Holtzman, McKeesport Councilman Daniel K. Carr, two former McKeesport police officers, and the suspected ringleader of the alleged gambling ring, Ronald "Porky" Melocchi, of West Newton, the attorney general sad.

Kane said the investigation began in October 2012 when the Organized Crime Section of the Office of the Attorney General – in cooperation with the Pennsylvania State Police – initiated a wiretap on the cellphone being used by Melocchi.

Through his company, Black Alley Vending, Melocchi was installing, servicing and maintaining video gambling devices in bars, restaurants and other businesses in the McKeesport area, Kane said. Back Alley Vending was based in Glassport, Pa.

The investigation eventually grew to include alleged illegal lotteries and sports betting, Kane said.

Investigators said most of the seized video machines were equipped with "knock-off switches" and internal meters, which made them illegal gambling devices.

Below is a complete list of the defendants and the charges against them.

Ronald Melocchi Sr.,54, West Newton, is charged with two counts of corrupt organization, one count of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, one count in criminal use of a communication facility, one count of lotteries, one count of pool selling and bookmaking and two counts of conspiracy.

Kirk A. Mollica, 46, Elizabeth, is charged with two counts of corrupt organization, one count of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, one count of lotteries, one count of gambling devices and two counts of conspiracy.

Ronald D. Prest, 65, White Oak, is charged with two counts of corrupt organization, one count of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of gambling devices and one count of conspiracy.

Terence P. McNelis, 52, Pittsburgh, is charged with one count of corrupt organization, one count of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, one count of lotteries, one count of pool selling and bookmaking and one count of conspiracy.

Daniel K. Carr, 55, McKeesport, is charged with two counts of corrupt organization and two counts of gambling devices.

Eugene Thomas Kowalski, 65, North Huntingdon, is charged with two counts of corrupt organization, one count of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, one count of gambling devices and one count of conspiracy.

Robert H. Bogesdorfer, 67, Irwin, is charged with two counts of corrupt organization, one count of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, one count of gambling devices and one count of conspiracy.

Timothy John Minkus, 31, West Mifflin, is charged with two counts of corrupt organization, one count of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, one count of gambling devices, one count of lotteries and one count of conspiracy.

Frank C. Reese, 61, McKeesport, is charged with two counts of corrupt organization, one count of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, one count of gambling devices and one count of conspiracy.

James A. Cerqua, 57, Clairton, is charged with two counts of corrupt organization, one count of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, one count of gambling devices and one count of pool selling and bookmaking.

Rodney Elia Iannelli, 53, Pittsburgh, is charged with two counts of corrupt organization, one count of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, one count of lotteries and one count of conspiracy.

Mark P. Holtzman*, 57, McKeesport, is charged with two counts of corrupt organization, one count of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, one count of gambling devices and one count of conspiracy.

Catherine Gouker, 55, Belle Vernon, is charged with one count of gambling devices and one count of pool selling and bookmaking.

Arthur D. Pero, 56, McKeesport, is charged with two counts of lotteries.

Jeffrey F. Risha, 59, Belle Vernon, is charged with one count of pool selling and bookmaking.

Mark Novakovich, 55, White Oak, is charged with one count of gambling devices.

*Mark Holtzman currently is the chief of police in Forward Township, Allegheny County. He did not hold that position at the time of the events described in this press release, Kane said.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/ag-16-charged-connection-alleged-illegal-gambling-/nZnWQ/

Looks like one of the guys involved (Risha) was in the 2001 gambling bust that involved Pittsburgh LCN member Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti. I don't even recall reading about the raids last December. There were the Pennsylvania Coin raids but that was a couple months before that.


AG targets illegal Mon Valley gambling ring, 16 people charged
By Jason Cato
September 5, 2013

A low-key illegal gambling investigation focused on a McKeesport coffee shop blossomed into the bust of a million-dollar operation headed by a linchpin nicknamed “Porky” and involving Mon Valley police officers, a Frank Sinatra impersonator and a man with ties to a Pittsburgh crime family.

Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced on Thursday the arrests of 16 people involved in the suspected gambling ring resulting from a two-year investigation. District Judge Thomas Caulfield arraigned all the defendants and released them on non-monetary bonds.

At the center of the investigation is Ronald “Porky” Melocchi Sr., 54, of West Newton. Investigators initially became interested in illegal gambling at the Coffee Pot, a defunct business Melocchi owned in McKeesport, court documents state.

“Ronald Melocchi was known to law enforcement as a vendor of illegal vending machines,” prosecutors wrote in a grand jury presentment. “What was unknown was the size of his operation.”

By the end of their investigation, agents with the attorney general's organized crime unit and state police in December seized 354 video gambling machines from about 70 locations supplied by Melocchi's Glassport-based Back Alley Vending. They also uncovered a numbers racket and sports betting operation reaching across Allegheny, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Authorities seized more than $1 million in cash.

Melocchi is charged with two counts of conspiracy and corrupt organization, and one count each of dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, criminal use of a communication facility, lotteries, pool selling and bookmaking.

Neither he nor his attorney, Bruce Carsia, returned calls seeking comment.

“This was not a mom-and-pop operation,” said Kane spokesman Joe Peters. “You see the magnitude before you even begin to comprehend the impact on families and other areas. It snowballs into other crimes.”

Among those charged was Forward police Chief Mark Holtzman, 57, who was hired in January. Holtzman serves on the McKeesport Area school board.

Prosecutors said Holtzman took over running Melocchi's Coffee Pot in August 2012.

A message left at Holtzman's McKeesport house was not returned. Officials with the school district and Forward could not comment on his status.

Holtzman retired from the McKeesport police in 2011. Two other retired McKeesport officers — Ronald Prest, 65, of White Oak and Arthur Pero, 56, of McKeesport — were charged, as was Daniel Carr, 55, who serves on McKeesport City Council and owns Viking Restaurant and Lounge, where investigators said they seized 16 video gambling machines in two raids.

“I don't even know why I am here,” Carr said as he entered Caulfield's Forest Hills courtroom. He declined to answer questions about the gambling machines before leaving.

Neither Prest nor Pero could be reached for comment.

James Cerqua, 57, of Clairton, who serves on that city's municipal authority board, also declined to comment after his arraignment. Investigators said he helped secure two bowling alley locations for the illegal gambling operation.

Robert H. Bogesdorfer, 67, of Irwin — better known as a Sinatra impersonator who goes by the stage name Bo Wagner — hung up when reached by telephone.

Jeffrey Risha, 59, of Belle Vernon found himself facing illegal gambling accusations from state prosecutors for at least the third time, according to court records.

His attorney, James Davis of Uniontown, declined to comment on the current charges or his client's past.

“That would not be appropriate,” Davis said.

An informant working with state police said he was introduced to Risha, accused of being a bookmaker who took sports wagers, as part of the investigation.

The state attorney general's office in 2001 charged Risha with gambling offenses related to an operation tied to Thomas “Sonny” Ciancutti, a member of the Western Pennsylvania crime family headed by the late Michael Genovese. Prosecutors said Risha was a key Ciancutti aide who oversaw the organization's sports book and illegal lottery operations in Fayette County. He lived in Uniontown at the time.

Mark Novakovich faces one count that he allowed illegal gambling machines to be placed inside Twin Oaks Lounge, his White Oak business.

“I feel like I'm a small minnow in a large pond,” said Novakovich, 55, of White Oak. “We're in a business just trying to make a dollar. We're not trying to get rich.”

In March 2011, an undercover state trooper visited the Coffee Pot and saw video poker machines in the back as well as a manager making payouts to players, court papers state.

The investigation widened once investigators discovered the connection with Back Alley Vending and saw a number of “collectors” regularly visiting other businesses known as “stops” to collect Melocchi's cut, the documents said. In some instances that was 40 percent of the take, but usually it was half, court papers detailed.

Some business owners testified before a grand jury that they were paid up to $5,000 to allow placement of the machines, which were labeled “For amusement only” but never were played just for fun, one witness testified.

Business owners told the grand jury that they made between $75 and $1,000 per week from the machines, court papers state.

Melocchi's federal tax returns showed gross receipts at Back Alley Vending of more than $300,000 from 2010-12, according to court papers, but a former employee estimated only 30 percent came from legitimate business leases of jukeboxes, pool tables and video games.

In October, investigators wiretapped Melocchi's cell phone and in December used sealed search warrants to raid 70 businesses — mostly bars but also bowling alleys, coffee shops, restaurants, private clubs and convenience stores.

A few locations not targeted moved their machines to the curb after the raid and called police to have them removed, court papers state.

The more than 300 video poker and slot machines confiscated are similar to casino machines except for “knock-off” switches and other accounting devices associated with illegal gambling and which make them unlawful. All of the machines were found in municipalities that charge fees to license such devices presumed to be legal.

Canonsburg, Glassport and West Mifflin each charge $500 per machine, prosecutors said. McKeesport charged $240 for up to two machines, $1,500 for four and an additional $250 for each machine after that.

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/4653630-74/count-charged-counts#axzz2e5LlNyDv

A slap on the wrist and these guys are set for the rest of thier lives, ahhhh the working man is truly the sucker

Very seldom do gambling busts of this type result in any kind of serious punishment.I'm sure it's the same in any part of the country,but here in Western Pa,there have only been a couple cases where guys went away as opposed to paying a fine and getting probation.A lot of money is still made in illegal video gambling and sports/numbers betting,so from time to time a pinch goes down,envelopes change hands,the judges and lawyers play "nudge,nudge,wink wink" and everyone gets back to work till the next "anti-crime crusade".

FYI- Kirk Mollica is the son of deceased bookmaker Primo Mollica, one of the biggest bookies in Western PA under LaRocca/Genovese and was very close to Chucky Porter. Jeffrey Risha was and is a key lieutenant of Sonny Ciancutti and was part of the Ciancutti bust back in 2000. Rodney Ianelli is the infamous Robert "Bobby I" Ianelli's son. Bobby Ianelli wasn't made, but he took over the legendary Tony Grosso's numbers operation over with Sal & Adolfo Williams, which is a $30 million per year operation in which Rodney is in the process of assuming total control.


http://m.wpxi.com/news/news/local/ag-16-charged-connection-alleged-illegal-gambling-/nZnWQ/

Mon Valley gambling arrests reflect old mob connections
Jason Cato
September 14, 2013


Roots of an old crime syndicate family tree have resurfaced in a gambling case in the Mon Valley, an area rich with tradition of mobsters cozying up to public officials.

Some members of a million-dollar gambling ring state authorities busted last week have direct links to Pittsburgh's former La Cosa Nostra, a Tribune-Review investigation found.

Authorities charged 16 people, targeting a businessman they said bought into the game through a deceased associate of the LaRocca-Genovese organization. Prosecutors charged the sons of two former mob associates and a key lieutenant, according to court records and reports of the former Pennsylvania Crime Commission.

“The sons obviously didn't fall too far from the tree,” said Roger Greenbank, a retired FBI special agent who helped dismantle the Pittsburgh Mafia.

Authorities broke the Pittsburgh Mafia with high-profile federal convictions in the 1980s and 1990s, including cases against underboss Charles “Chucky” Porter and his top lieutenant, the late Louis Raucci Sr.

Deaths and attrition of inducting members also played a role in the demise, Greenbank said. Unlike the old days, those still in the game operate independently without paying tributes, or kickbacks, to the mob, he said.

“There's no real structure anymore. There's no real family,” said Greenbank, now employed by the state Gambling Control Board. “It's gone in Pittsburgh.”

Yet that past casts long shadows.

Prosecutors on Sept. 5 charged Ronald “Porky” Melocchi, 54, of West Newton with heading an illegal poker operation that dabbled in numbers and sports betting rackets. They claim he did so through a McKeesport storefront that allegedly functioned as an illegal casino, and through Back Alley Vending, a Glassport business authorities said he bought from Primo Mollica, a Pittsburgh mob associate who controlled illegal gambling in the Mon Valley until his death in 2001.

“He was a major bookmaker and gambler,” Greenbank said of Mollica.

Melocchi wasn't interested in discussing the case.

“I have no comment, thank you,” he said upon answering the cell phone investigators tapped last year.

In 1976, federal authorities busted Mollica and 13 others, including a former mayor and a magistrate, for taking part in a $3 million-a-year gambling ring centered in Clairton, McKeesport, Glassport and Elizabeth.

Just before Mollica's five-year probation ended, Pittsburgh police in 1981 again arrested him for running a sports-betting business from a Squirrel Hill house.

In 1983, New Jersey State Police raided a suite at Caesars Boardwalk Regency Casino Hotel in Atlantic City and arrested Mollica for running a multimillion-dollar, nationwide illegal sports-book operation.

When state prosecutors filed charges last week in Melocchi's case, Mollica's son, Kirk, 46, was among those arrested. He declined to comment when reached at his Elizabeth home.

Court records list Kirk Mollica's M&M Coffee Shop in Glassport at the Monongahela Boulevard address of Melocchi's Back Alley Vending, which operated out of a garage on Oak Way. K Prime Investments in 1988 bought the property from Primo Mollica, county real estate records show. State records list Kirk Mollica as K Prime's president.

MORE FAMILY TIES

Others charged in the case with ties to the former Pittsburgh crime family include Rodney Iannelli, 53, of Ohio Township and Jeffrey Risha, 59, of Belle Vernon. Prosecutors in 2000 arrested Risha for his involvement in a Fayette County sports betting and illegal lottery ring connected to one of Pittsburgh's last made mobsters, Thomas “Sonny” Ciancutti, 84, of New Kensington.

Iannelli and Risha could not be reached for comment.

Iannelli's father, Robert “Bobby I” Iannelli, 83, ran sports-betting and numbers rackets in connection with the Pittsburgh family, the crime commission reported.

In his autobiography, “Where the Evidence Leads,” former governor and U.S. attorney general Dick Thornburgh said the first successful wiretaps used in Western Pennsylvania took down Robert Iannelli's enormous sports-betting ring in 1970 and led to the first prosecutions under the Organized Crime Control Act the following year.

Another mob connection to the Melocchi case surfaced in December when investigators raided 70 locations and seized more than $1 million. Among the places searched was the Clairton home of Joe Nistico, 73, who was not charged.

Greenbank said Nistico is the nephew of the late Philadelphia mob boss Nicodemo Scarfo, who came to Western Pennsylvania in 1986 to meet with Pittsburgh gangsters because Nistico complained they wanted half of his sports-book business.

Nistico could not be reached for comment.

ON PORKY'S TRAIL

In 2008, Internal Revenue Service agents and state police visited Melocchi as part of another investigation. At the time, he acknowledged having as many as 400 illegal video gambling machines and said he brought in up to $900,000 a year from those and legal machines such as pool tables, jukeboxes and video games, court documents state.

Two years ago, state investigators began targeting the Coffee Pot, Melocchi's former Sixth Street business in McKeesport that authorities claim became a crossroads of illegal video poker, numbers and sports betting.

When he wasn't aware investigators were listening in October and November 2012, Melocchi discussed plans to start another gambling business for his sons and others in his circle, fearing his 70-location operation was getting too big, transcripts revealed.

“Yinz all can make a payday,” he said during a taped call cited in a 134-page arrest affidavit.

In another conversation, investigators recorded Melocchi saying he wanted to mimic the business practices of John “Duffy” Conley, Western Pennsylvania's former video poker king, who spent more than a decade in prison for gambling convictions.

“It's what Duffy used to do,” Melocchi told an informant. “You form satellite operations. Everybody works out of the same hub, but nobody really knows that.”

Conley, 50, of Robinson said he did not know Melocchi but had heard of him.

“They believe I was the biggest and had too many machines, and that's why they went after me,” said Conley, whom authorities once accused of having 4,000 machines.

MCKEESPORT CONNECTIONS

The dangers of illegal gambling include running the operations without oversight to protect consumers. The ill-gotten, untaxed proceeds often pay for political influence, said state investigators.

“When you have money of this magnitude, it often leads to other problems,” said Joe Peters, the attorney general's spokesman and former federal mob prosecutor.

Wiretaps recorded Melocchi bragging about his connections with McKeesport's administration and police force.

“I do whatever I want in that town,” Melocchi told an informant in July 2012, according to an affidavit.

Asked if that assertion is true, McKeesport Solicitor Jason Elash said, “Absolutely not.”

Over the past two years, Melocchi and his family donated $4,050 to the campaign of Mayor Mike Cherepko, who denies the money bought influence. Melocchi donated thousands to other Mon Valley Democrats, including state Sen. James Brewster, a former McKeesport mayor, and Reps. Marc Gergely of White Oak, Bill Kortz of Dravosburg and Ted Harhai of Monessen. All said they returned the money or donated it to charity.

Investigators charged three former McKeesport police officers in connection with Melocchi's operation, including Forward police Chief Mark Holtzman.

Ronald “Eke” Prest, a former McKeesport police sergeant, was Melocchi's partner at Back Alley Vending, authorities said.

Prest referred questions to his lawyer, though he could not provide an attorney's name.

“I don't even know,” said Prest, 65, of White Oak.

Among the first places authorities raided in December was Viking Lounge, a McKeesport establishment owned by City Councilman Daniel Carr — who sneaked out the back door as agents filed in the front. He faces charges and did not return calls seeking comment.

Melocchi believed the bust was politically motivated and that it had to do with Carr.

“Dan is a very good friend, and Dan is getting powerful,” Melocchi told an informant. “And with his powerfulness, he created a lot of enemies, and that's part of the problem.”

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/4687442-74/melocchi-former-gambling#axzz2f0CXt7PF

Joe Nistico, the brother in law to Nicky Scarfo, ran to him and Leonetti in the 1980's about Mike Genovese wanting 50% of his action to operate in Pittsburgh: Check out these articles:

1. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pa0qAAAAIBAJ&sjid=z2MEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5903,3018603&dq=chucky+porter+and+phil+leonetti&hl=en

2. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Zx4hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b2QEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5385,5352218&dq=chucky+porter+and+joe+nistico&hl=en

Copy and paste the above links into the search bar.

Anybody got anything on Pittsburgh? No responses?

The Risha family involvement with gambling dates back a couple of generations, to the 1930s, at least, in Fayette County.

Jeff's uncle,Patrick Risha Sr. was the Superintendent of the West Mifflin School Board,who was suspected of numerous illegal activities during his tenure. He worked out of his home for the last several years of his life,and died before a full scale criminal investigation was to commence.His son, Pat Risha Jr.is a small time fringe guy who recently fronted a strip club called Club Marquis. The club was protested by many West End resident and business organizations,including Onala,a drug and alcohol recovery center which is next door to the club. After a protracted legal battle,and the (reputed) paying off of a City Council member,the club opened for a short time,then closed after a series of criminal complaints. The club reopened under the name Controversy and is open at this writing.

Nothing new,just a sideline on the guy who killed Mike Genovese's brother,Fiore. His name is Nick Gelormini,and as a younger man,was called "Sick Nick",more for being mental,than for being tough.He was always getting f***ed with by the guys at the Red Eagle,and finally snapped. He wanted to kill Gesuale,but couldn't get him,so he shot Fio instead. He was determined to be mentally incompetent. The bottom line is that pretty much every day,for the last 25 plus years, weather permitting,Nicky sits on the curb in front of his family's house in the West End and waves at cars.He looks homeless and is obviously seriously crazy. Everyone knows him,and they beep and wave when they go by,but I'll bet few people are aware of his past.

Nothing new,just a sideline on the guy who killed Mike Genovese's brother,Fiore. His name is Nick Gelormini,and as a younger man,was called "Sick Nick",more for being mental,than for being tough.He was always getting f***ed with by the guys at the Red Eagle,and finally snapped. He wanted to kill Gesuale,but couldn't get him,so he shot Fio instead. He was determined to be mentally incompetent. The bottom line is that pretty much every day,for the last 25 plus years, weather permitting,Nicky sits on the curb in front of his family's house in the West End and waves at cars.He looks homeless and is obviously seriously crazy. Everyone knows him,and they beep and wave when they go by,but I'll bet few people are aware of his past.

I'm well aware of the Risha name. I am from Youngstown originally, born and raised, as my great Uncle, Domenico "Big Dom" Mallamo, who was in charge of the rackets in Youngstown for Pittsburgh for over 40 years, until he went into semi-retirement by 1981 and passed away in 1987 as his nephew, Vincenzo "Brier Hill Jimmy" Prato took over in 1982. My Uncle was close to Big John LaRocca, Kelly & Sammy Mannarino, Mike Genovese, Joseph "Little Joe" Regino, Joe Sica, Louis Volpe, Antonio Ripepi, Sonny Amato and he actually baptized and was Godfather to John Bazzano Jr.

Jeff Risha has been a lifelong "student" of Sonny Ciancutti, one of the primary bookmakers in Western PA and took over Kelly Mannarino's book when Kelly died in December of 1980. Jeff Risha's power grew when Sonny took over New Kensington in 1986 and he worked closely with Ralph "Big Head" Masselli and a few other Ciancutti lieutenants.

Funny story, when Mike Genovese found out it was Nicky who killed Fio, Big John LaRocca had to fly into town from Pompano Beach, FL to settle him down as Mike wanted retribution. After it was determined he was crazy, Mike never bothered with him again. If you've ever met or had a conversation with Mike's son, Michael A. Genovese, he has some great stories about his dad and is a really nice guy, works at the Post Gazette.

I had heard that Michael decided to give Nick a pass because of his (Nick's)mental state and LaRocca's involvement,but I think that if he wanted to,in the ensuing years when he was Boss,he could have exacted revenge without too much heat. The fact that he let it go,to me ,is a tribute to his sense of fairness. Don't get me wrong,Genovese was not a nice guy,but at least he did the right thing in this case. Speaking of Nicky,he has some pretty cool stories as well,they just involve planets other than ours.

Michael was fair and very polite, never wanted to bother the public. People knew who he was and he didn't need to advertise it. He was as old school as they came and at the end of the day, it was about $$$. Lou, do you know Chucky Porter? Michael Genovese (Mike's son) told me he ran in to him about 6 months ago at an Italian restaurant that his father used to frequent a lot with Big John and that Chucky looked completely out of it, possibly dementia.

Wasn't the younger Risha involved in a frack water disposal company? Maybe with a relative of one of the guys arrested in this latest gambling roundup?

He may have been, but in all honesty, Jeff Risha (while having a longtime sportsbook) was such a relatively minor player in the grand scheme of things. He got to use Sonny's name, but other than that, he wasn't a major crime family member by any means...In fact, this is probably the most I've ever talked about him and it's only because he recently got pinched for a gambling charge.

good thread. tell more stories please..i'm bored at work thanks guys

Check out this great article from the Youngstown Vindicator in 1982 that gives incredible detail on the Pittsburgh v Cleveland mob war that broke out over control of the Youngstown rackets:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5h9AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZVgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3004,418494&dq=a+deadly+game+cleveland+pittsburgh&hl=en

Copy and paste to your browser, great read.

Has anybody ran into or seen Chucky Porter while out and about in Pittsburgh?

I only ran into Chucky a few times when I was a younger man,and only because I was with people who knew him,and introduced me as a courtesy. Hi,nice to meet you,etc. Strictly social. In fact,it wasn't until after the first time I met him that my friend told me who he was. I had no idea.

Any of the other fellas that you have met Lou? I met Chucky when I was 14 years old, right before he went on trial. He came to Youngstown for a few days and was invited to a dinner that my uncle hosted at my grandma's house. I remember him being very polite and he took a liking to my cousin who has down syndrome. He was trying to work out a deal with the DeBartolo Corporation to build a shopping mall on property that he and his cousin, Rocco Viola, owned in Cranberry Township, PA.

I met Grosso a bunch of times back in the 80's. My uncle ran a decent size mid-level numbers book with my father. Neither one was made but my uncle was pretty well connected.His deal was to turn in anything over $2.00 and he could book the rest. It was a nice arrangement back then. On different occasions,I would be introduced to various guys at social or political functions. I met Bobby I. two or three times,but a lot of the people I met were small to mid size guys.

Speaking of Grosso,it was a shi**y move that they pulled on him when he went down on his last bust. After the Feds get done with him,he has to do state time. It's no secret that they were getting revenge on him for embarrassing them by exposing the scumbag cop that he took care of for so long. Tony was a lot of things,but he really had a sense of honor and trust. I don't want to get into a tirade here so I'll just leave it at he was a true gentleman.
One quick funny anecdote:
A buddy of mine was telling me about his Grandpa who was some kind of gangster way back when.He wound up getting shot in the street. His Grandma and Mother never talked much about it. One day he mentioned that his Mother's maiden name was Monastero. I almost spit my drink through my nose. He had no clue who Stefano was,or the role he played in early Pittsburgh OC.For 20 minutes he sat there,jaw wide open,while I filled him in.

Hey Lou,

I never met Bobby or Tony. My great uncle who ran the rackets in Youngstown for a long time was close to Tony at one time, but he never cared for Bobby I that much. My uncle's closest friend in Pittsburgh was Antonio Ripepi. He was very close to Big John, Charlie "Murgie" Imburgia (lived in Warren, OH-Pittsburgh Consigliere) and Kelly Mannarino as well and went into semi retirement by 1982-1983. He definitely still got his envelopes from the numbers business in Youngstown, but he said he wasn't a big fan of Michael Genovese as he supported Jo Jo Pecora to be the next boss because he knew Michael did not share in the profits the way Big John did. He had no problem with Michael, but he said he knew his cut would be less because Michael demanded a bigger percentage as soon as he took over. My uncle died in 1987 and his nephew "Vincenzo "Brier Hill Jimmy" Prato took over, Jimmy told me that if my uncle were alive when Michael promoted Chucky Porter to underboss, he would have had a coronary.

One thing I'll say about Michael is that he allowed his associates to earn and allowed them to use his name. Even though Michael only made 5 guys during his 21 year reign, he allowed "high ranking" associates to run their book with the support of the family. Guys like Primo Mollica, Augusto Ferrone, Frank Unis Sr., Frank Unis Jr. (Aliquippa), Duffy, Paul Hankish, the Williams brothers, the Sabatini brothers and Bobby I...these guys were some of the largest bookmakers in Western PA and operated for years with the support of the LaRocca Family. I look at things today and its amazing how vastly it has changed...almost the entire culture changed in that region.

im sure ya great fictitious uncle was the guy running from danny greene, so they had to call in ny!! clown serious cmon man what are ya on down there infall riva?? bath salts again??

LOL

OOPS - Maybe you need to know more of what JCB1977 says. From experience, I happen to know what he says is really the way it was!

sooo bc he rewrites facts im suppose to vote him in office or something? cmon henry the fanboy, imnot on here to argrue or any of it but sometimes you guys need to get pulled back a little bit, i mean i can copy a story from jerry capeci or in his case rick porello, doresnt make what i say creative or me a genius. just sayin.

Ain't that the truth. From my experience,Mckees Rocks,Stowe,Coraopolis and surrounding areas have really gone to s**t as far as the old ways.Back then,everybody knew the "local guy" and there was a mutual understanding.They did their business,and if someone was down on their luck,they would try to help out with a job lead,or a couple bucks,or some other kind of help. Every body kept to themselves,and things went smooth.I can remember back when Duffy was starting to take off,he would walk into a bar that had his machines,buy a round or two for the house,and kick the bartender a serious tip. If someone was on a machine,he would make sure that they got some free credits.
If you wanted to operate a "poker parlor", Duffy would pay all the expenses for the rental,utilities and "permits",and you got a percentage with no money investment on your part. Inevitably,you got the a***oles who couldn't be happy with that arrangement,so pretty soon he had you find your own place,sign your own lease, and put your own money up. He ran a beautiful business,took care of a lot of people,and had a lot of respect.