Steve Crea Official Luchese Boss

Gangland announced today that Vic Amuso stepped down.Crea is now in the big seat.

Oh damn this is big news! good post Ronnie!

I guess, but it's not at all unexpected. The guy has been at or near the top of the Luccheses for over twenty years. So to me this is almost anti-climactic.

It should be noted that there's no love lost between Crea and Amuso. Amuso and Casso provoking a civil war with the Bronx and Jersey factions of the family is what led to their downfall.

And whatever rebuilding they've been able to do should be credited to Stevie's businesslike, non-violent (for the most part) approach to running the show. Had Amuso and Casso been left on the street, I honestly believe they both would have gotten popped no later than the mid-1990s.

Vic Amuso couldn't shine Stevie's shoes. As a leader or as a businessman.

Technically, Amuso was told via a message in the can he wasnt the official boss anymore and that he shouldnt protest, so he didnt voluntarily step down. Important distinction to make I think. We all know what happens when a Boss refuses to step down just look at Carmine Persico.

Two new official bosses, Cefalu with the Gambinos and now Crea with the Luccheses. Capeci also talked about how some older Lucchese guys who are being released are getting back into the fold peacefully. Guys like Frank Lastorino and Eugene Castelle.

That was my point, Dapper. If Amuso were on the street, I doubt he would have survived the '90s.

Yeah, Gaspipe would have taken him out probably if he wasnt picked up by the feds, and then Gaspipe would have been popped by somebody lol

How many luchesses are on the street right now?
How strong is the jersey faction after that last indictment?
This Crea seems to be heavily involved with union and labour activity.

That's always been his bread and butter. He has very close ties to all three DiNapoli brothers (two in the Genovese family, one in his own), and they've made an absolute fortune in the construction business (everything from drywall to concrete). He's not your average street guy.

Pizzaboy when do you think Persico will also stepped down?

I read that Vic and Gas were gonna whack Crea but the hit team was arrested or someting like that

Do you mean willingly?

Because he'll willingly step down when they carry his lifeless body out of prison .

I don't say willingly, but after everything that has happened to the Colombos a new boss, maybe a man on the streets and not in prison, could maybe regroup the family.

I would never say never with these guys, but with that particular family it will be tough. The Feds really seem to enjoy kicking them while they're down. So In my opinion, their regrouping really depends on whether or not the Feds keep piling on the indictments.

It's also important to note that it happened at all. Some people say that the title doesn't necessarily mean anything if the guys in prison for life. But it obviously does or why would the family even have bothered to suggest that Amuso step down? Crea's official position was underboss, though he may have more or less acting as the boss for some time, but only after Amuso stepped down did Crea become the official boss.

Amuso must have still had a good number of people on the street still loyal to him for them to have accepted him as the boss all this time. Then alot of those guys have probably gone to prison and now this guy feels its the right time for him and his people to step in uncontested.

The new Gang Land article also identified a new Lucchese captain - John (Big John) Castellucci. He has apparently taken over the Brooklyn crew once run by Joey Tangorra and Eugene Castelle, and later Domenico (Danny) Cutaia. Capeci wrote that sources say Castelle now reports to Castellucci, who is his brother, despite the different last names.

A more recent photo of Crea and a photo of Big John

In the early 1990s, several Amuso/Casso loyalists, including George Zappola and Frank "Spaghetti Man" Gioia, Jr. hatched a plot to kill Crea, and take over the family. They planned to lure Crea to a sitdown and then murder him. However, the plot fell through after Zapolla, Gioia, and the rest of Amuso/Casso regime were indicted and imprisoned.

Yep, case in point Nicky Scarfo Jr. In his recent indictment, the transcripts talked about how Scarfo Sr was telling Jr to make sure he gives the old man/Amuso his cut.

yep, that new man will probably be another persico relative

I wonder who steps up now as Underboss and I havent heard anything about Joe Caridi since he got out the can...

do you mean that eugene castelle real surname is castellucci? it was another surname's mistake... maybe police wote it wrong in some indictments... thats coz castelle sounded strange to me

Yep. Exactly.

Somebody on the RD forum said that Castellucci is the original name and Castelle is the Americanized version. Don't know if that's the case or not. But they are brothers.

castellucci is the real surname and castelle is americanized i bet

That's pretty much what m2w said.

I wonder if this gives a domino affect to like the genovese or bonannos. luccheses must of made a new official boss because of the gambinos

Is it possible that Cutaia is the new underboss?

I found an article in the Herald Statesman published in Nov 3, 1984. Together with a police officer and others, Crea was charged with murder conspiracy in 1983:

"The 43-year-old Yorktown Heights resident — a 19-year
veteran of the Pelham Manor force — was indicted in June
1983 along with Neil Formisano,37. and Steven Crea, 36, on
charges of conspiring to murder Devon Smith, 20.
The men, Carollo charged, planned to take justice into their
own hands, believing that Smith had sexually attacked one of their wives.
During the three-week trial, Carmine DeNisco admitted allowing his alleged co-conspirators and the victim to view Smith at Pelham Manor police headquarters on June 9. 1982. At the time, Smith was under arrest as a suspect in the rape of two Pelham Manor girls. He was later released, but rearrested on Nov. 5 for a separate attack on two Pelham girls.
DeNisco also admitted keeping Formisano who he considered a good friend, informed about the progress of the case. Crea and two others, including ex-middleweight boxer "Crazy" Bobby Halpern, were arrested outside of Smith's
Bronx home on Aug. 13, 1982 with guns and handcuffs. Charges
agsinst them from that incident were later dropped.
But DeNisco denied being involved in a murder plot. He said
that any information he gave Formisano was a matter of public
record. He also denied Carollo's charge that he conspired
with the men in lieu of interest payments on $25,000 they had
loaned him. He did admit during a taped conversation, however,
that he thought Smith might get beaten up by the men.
DeNisco also denied assertions that he tried to delay
Smith's second arrest in November at the request of Formisano.
Pelham police officers, testifying for the defense, said DeNisco had no control over when or how Smith would be arrested.
The alleged conspiracy was uncovered accidently as investigators tapped Formisano's telephone during a probe into allegations that Con Edison was being defrauded of millions of dollars in a meter-tampering and bill-fixing scheme.
Formisano and Crea are to be tried next week on the same conspiracy charges DeNisco faced."

I think, but I´m not sure, the woman who was raped was Crea´s wife.
Murder conspiracy charges against Crea was later dismissed. But he was convicted of the less serious charge of second degree conspiracy to commit assaualt.

I remember when that happened, Hairy. You know me by now, so you know that I'm no mob apologist, but when someone fucks with your wife or daughter, all bets are off. If I was on such a jury, they'd NEVER get a conviction on such a case.

Off topic, that newspaper (The Herald Statesman) is now called The Journal News, so seeing that article really took me back. God, I'm getting old .

Oops...Sorry. I Didn´t mean to make you feel old.
If it´s any consolation...we are all getting older...

I think exactly the same. In my opinion if they killed the rapist, they should have got a medal. But was he at least convicted for the rape or remained unpunished?

Speaking of rapists, anybody noticed how every other day in the papers a teacher in NYC is accused of touching kids/sexual assault? It is crazy the number of perverts in our school system...

Pales in comparison to what's happening out her in LA.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-teacher-arrests-20120224,0,7501054.story

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0222-substitute-teacher-20120222,0,5056611.story

Anyone with a subscription have a permanent link I can use for a Wikipedia ref once it goes off the main page?

I'm surprised this isn't getting the same attention Cefalu got.

it possibly isnt because with cefalu they can use the name gotti in the article and in which would raise the sales on new york newspapers

That was another weird thing. No one even gave Peter Gotti's name when Dom got the top job - there was some talk about the "Gotti clan" but everyone forgot about Pete.

Why would the Gambinos putting a new official boss in place have any bearing on what the Luccheses or another family does?

well its seems strange. all of the sudden in a space of less than a year weve seen two families make two new official bosses. im not saying gambinos influenced lucchese but maybe for this to happen it could generally influence other families to do so

I agree with Short here Ivy. It is a bit startling based on the trend of the past 20 or so years in every single family. I don't think it is bizarre that he is speculating as to there possibly being some connection.

I'm surprised a guy like Lastorino wasn't shelved when he got out of prison, especially since he killed Patty Testa for no reason other than him being close to Vic Amuso. One of the guys who plotted to kill Crea along with Lastorino, Conte, Gioia, and Zappola was Frank Papagni. Papagni gets released in 2015 supposedly, the reason why I mentioned this is because there is almost no iformation at all on Papagni.

That's the thing about mob life; sometimes it's just not prudent to hold a grudge. In the American mob, you can forget all of that "a Sicilian never forgets" stuff. If it's financially beneficial for all parties to bury the hatchet (no pun intended), they sometimes do.

Another Luchese guy recently released was Michael DeSantis, he was the guy who was supposedly going to kill Al D'Arco when Al ran out of the hotel in Manhattan.

Yeah, it really isn't smart to hold a grudge in that life. Lastorino seems to be particulary crazy and brutal though. Even his son went off his rocker and tried to kill a guy last year and wound up getting killed by the cops. If I remember correctly he was trying to kill the brother of a made guy. I remember reading in Capeci article a few years back that another Lastorino son was running rackets for his father, and was beefing with another made guy, I don't know if Lastorino's son is a made guy himself.

yeah lastorino's son tried to whack ray argentina's brother, they even had the video on the news it was crazy

OK, so we have official bosses for the Gambinos and Luccheses. As well as Carmine Persico, for the Colombos. Somebody else said recently that Allie Persico will probably become official boss once Carmine dies. I agree with that. I could see the Bonannos eventually naming a new official boss. Vinny Basciano would have been it if he hadn't gotten life. But I'd be rather surprised if we see the Genovese ever install a new official boss.

i cant see ally becoming new boss. i think the colombos will just ignore what carmine wants (if it is one of his sons). i can see the genovese naming one actually. since there the most secretive. its gives them an advantage to have an official boss on the streets

Im trying to think of candidates for Official Boss for the Bonannos, Rabito and Santora? I doubt it, they never seem to be out of jail long enough to make much of a difference. TG? Highly doubt it, especially since Mob Wives. Vinny TV? Vincent Asaro? Frank Porco? I feel like Bruno Indelicato would be a candidate for some admin spot when he gets out in 2023.

Also, Ally Boy is never getting out, right? Would be the best for the Colombo's to dump the Persico's and name a new boss. They probably want to, but are still afraid of Carmine and co.

Stevie Crea was always going to become the official boss ever since he was dropped parole late 2009. In my humble opinion I also believe that whilst Vic Amuso was playing the lightening rod behind bars Crea was calling the shots and played a mediated role between Vic Amuso and the immediate crime family before being announced the official boss in stature.

Crea looks a lot like the actor Frank Vincent (Vincente).

I'd love to find out if I could find a way to see the records of visitation between Crea and Amusso where Amusso's at

If the family was going to ignore the wishes of the Persicos, they would have already replaced Carmine by now, since he's never getting out of prison either. And part of the reason the Genovese are the most secretive is because, as law enforcement has stated, they have kept their lines of reporting "less clear" than the other NY families.

Ivy, you think the Genovese have a boss that only the top Capos are aware of?

ivy i dont get the less clear part. what do you mean?

I wanted to say same.

i think he looks more like johnny sack. (the recent pic)

If you're asking do I think there is one guy that has replaced Vincent Gigante as the official boss of the family, no I don't. Looking at the last 15 years or so, the family has been run by several top leaders, with one of them occasionally stepping up as the acting boss. At other times, indictments have labeled more than one guy as the "acting boss," which is essentially the case when the family is being run by committee.



In the past, law enforcement has said that the Genovese family has kept their hierarchy "less clear" than that of the other families. Not just when Gigante stayed in the background while Fat Tony acted as the boss, but also in more recent times by keeping information between members and crews in the family to a minimum, so as to prevent one member or crew effecting others if he/they get indicted or flip.

One ranking member visiting another ranking member in prison is very rare. Even if you could get around a government imposed visitation restriction (which is always a possibility), you'd have to be crazy to do so. It would attract waaaaaay too much attention.

i highly doubt crea ever visited amuso in the can,

Amuso's eyes and ears on the street was Domenico "Danny" Cutaia the capo of the Brownsville Crew. Cutaia was the former messenger between the imprisoned Amuso and the crime family often times visiting Vic in the can and passing messages outside.On October 25, 2009, he was sentenced to three years in prison for bank fraud.His projected release date November 21, 2012. But he has tons of health problems and was literally going crazy last I heard.

I get the feeling that the post is passed around that select few members. I'm curious who makes the final say with things.

Hmm, good, well actually GREAT info. Thanks Pizza and Dappah. So then the question changes to, How many times did Cutaia visit Amuso?

Vic is at USP Beaumont Texas

correct

Name Register # Age-Race-Sex Release Date Location
VITTORIO AMUSO 38740-079 77-White-M LIFE BEAUMONT USP

we will very likely never know that answer

He got beat up by Scarpa Jr. at Butner, right?

I thought he did a few years at Allenwood also, right?

I know Beaumont is no joke though.

Dapper, he was in Atlanta for quite a while if my memory is correct

correct

Correct and yes I think so as well

Amuso was also in FLorida for a bit, Coleman I believe. The guy seems to get around...

Strax, Yep!!! He totally does. I saw other pics where he looks like Frank.

Maybe he gets a good dose of diesel therapy when they move him. Seems to get moved around alot. Maybe their thinking was keep moving and it will interupt his links to the family.

Likewise I doubt Vic Amuso and Stevie Crea ever met face-to-face whilst Amuso was behind bars but I still get the feeling, in some form or another, word was passed along the vine from Vic Amuso to Stevie Crea. Perhaps a middle-man or a trusted "connected" figure?

Either way it is very certain that Crea could have taken the heritable of the family as soon as he was dropped parole. They didn't call him Wonderboy for nothing!

There has been no verified source claiming this change.

Two points - How does Capeci know this. Why does Capeci think this has happened?

Does he also think that Persico has retired too?!

Carmine will likely only give up the title when he dies.

persico and gotti used the same strategy, making their families fulkl of relatives in order to keep the power for many years

FBI sources which they FBI probably confirmed through wiretaps/informants

Capeci wouldn't do an article on it if he wasn't pretty dang sure.

True.

You gotta hand it to him. Like him or not, he almost never prints bullshit.

How often does Capeci write mob articles for gangland? Is it even worth paying for?

Once a week.

Whether it's worth it depends on your interest and your income, I guess.

I'm surprised there's enough happening now for one article a week!

Nicky I pay 5.00 US a month and have done so ever since day one as a paysite. Some articles are very good and here lately not as good as the were in the late 90's and early 2000's. I will always be a memeber and have viewed the site since sometime in the 90's not sure when I first found it. To answer your question its worth ever penny (IMO) to subscribe.

Thanks Ronnie, always wondered if it was worth getting it, as I do enjoy when people post parts of his articles here.

Although some of youse have met, some of you have not. In the past 10 to 15 years, I have been connected to plenty of circles that many of you can not enter.Al tough you speak of my friends, most notably, Steve Crea. Do not forget, the years of strife my very close friend has gone through to get to his position. Most of you, speak of these men as if you can hold the position, that is why I will see you all when it is collection time, but for the most part, play your position, and maybe one day, you can reach this spot. Unevitably, I am and will remain the Underboss of the Luchese Crime Family until my death. For the reason that I can get into circles that none of you may enter, I was chosen to be Don Crea's Sotto as he calls me. Now, I ask you gentlemen to remember that as an Underboss, I can have you all hung. Now when Steve was released parole in 2009, we pickes a ruling panel due to the fact, that the agencys harrasment for non inditements was taking a tole on their asses. The ruling panel will remain and I will be the Underboss of the Luchese Crime family until I part. Due to the fact , that my good friend is aging , hopefully, and inevitably, one day , we may be able to eat a decent meal with out having pictures taken in public. Now , that you all know who the Under Boss is to Steve Crea, I recommend that you try to be a bit more ideal to understand how, why, and what we do , for a reason. Hopefully, every body remains healthy, and we all pray tonight to enjoy our familys. God Bless America, God Bless you guys, and Good luck to your futures. Congratulations, to everybody and all the new blood.
May I remind you Parisi, that you are not allowed to call him that.

I also go by Louie Fingers.

Oh my god, I'm rolling.

Wtf just happened

I do believe the one and only Louie Fingers (his mother?) has joined the forum!! He likes his steaks boiled and from what I can understand he will be making collections from you guys on here and you'd BETTER PAY OR ELSE!

This is prob somebody from the other site having a little fun...

Lemme tell yous guys about dis joka ova hereeee, fuhgeddaboooout it. Yous thinks yous can come to MY racket and take money from MY clientele? FUHGEDDABOOOOUT IT
Dis is gonna staht a wahhr. YOU WANNA GO TO DA MATTRESSESES?

Some of yous may be wondering why a Canadian is tahhhkin' like such a wiiiiizeguy, and all I can say iz, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS


... This is kinda fun

the hell you say? I won't believe it...I won't!!

Canadian, eh?

Damn yall done run off another good one LOL

sometimes the truth is hard to believe...

We’re gonna do a hit now, we’re gonna do a real hit. We’re going back, back to some real in your face Cosa Nostra…

Holy Mother of God.

I'm looking forward to seeing George Zappola back on the streets. His projected release date is March 3, 2014.

Lol i went to look at pogos chart to see who the underboss is and its unknown, so i am officially claiming myself as underboss,, or as he calls me "undies". Good day to all.

How long would any of you guys give Crea? He's the first official boss since Amuso, and the family is firmly under his control (thought it probably has been for awhile). Stevie is a business man and apparently keeps a low profile. Plus several Lucchese members are getting out within the next two years.
Can he keep the Lucchese's going?

In this day and age you really dont have much time at all, if he was smart and a business man he would retire at the end of the month, move to Belize with his newewt gf and open a bar right on tue beach empire style.

In this day and age you really dont have much time at all, if he was smart and a business man he would retire at the end of the month, move to Belize with his newewt gf and open a bar right on tue beach empire style.

I dunno why it keeps doing that.

Some people can hold out longer than others. I mean Joe Massino held out for thirteen years. Ligambi for 12. I think he could make it for half a decade, but not much more.

Are they in Belize surrounded by tropical women making tons of legal dough selling $8 bers to tourist? Dont think so.

Are they in Belize surrounded by tropical women making tons of legal dough selling $8 bers to tourist? Dont think so.

Very true. But these guys know the life they lead. They know that there's only two endings for them at this point: whacked or life in prison. Like you said it's only a matter of time. But somone like John Gotti wouldn't last a month today. Someone who's low key could be six months to a full decade that's how wide the range is.

I agree with you there Joe, ever word of it. Its jus a shame to watch guy after guy that could just walk aay loaded and barring anyone flipping on you spend th est of their life actually doing what they strive to have, a easy life. Hell Casso could have walked away after a month of being th underboss and just disappeared, bet he wishs.he did now.

I honestly think it's the power factor. Once you have power you want more. It's never enough, you want more and more until one day it all comes crashing down right at your feet. That's why these guys can't walk away, even if your rich like Crea is or powerful like Casso. The life is too irresistable

The underboss was on here a lil bit ago, he post anwhere?

Hear what you saying joe, if they was tue ype of guy to walk away when they were ahead then they would have never gotten to the position they were to make that money in th first place. Firs safe i opened wit $100,000 in it you would never hear from me on th streets again, forget about power that amounts to nothing in the end.

Hear what you saying joe, if they was tue ype of guy to walk away when they were ahead then they would have never gotten to the position they were to make that money in th first place. Firs safe i opened wit $100,000 in it you would never hear from me on th streets again, forget about power that amounts to nothing in the end.

Is there an official Lucchese Underboss daniel? Crea is the boss, but there's been no confirmed report Caridi got a bump. Apparently he's still consigliere. Any possible candidates?

A guy got on here yesterday and claimed to he, so i decidied to claim th title as well today. I wouldnt have a clue, im not very up to date on th current family memberships, i prolly cold name a dozen active guys lol.

Haha yeah not a lot goin around. Lucchese Family is okay at the moment. No major recent indictments

Nice News, by that I mean well informed!

So, The Gambino's now have an Official Boss, Dominick Cefalu a Sicilian Old Timer.

The Lucchese's have an official Boss, Steven Crea.

Now it's just the Genovese's, Colombo's and the Bonnano's that need to re-organize.

To be honest the Colombo's haven't got anyone willing or worthy of securely taking the top spot from Carmine cause the entire administration except for Farese who is out on bail and is top man outside of jail

Possible candinates for Underboss
Street bosses-Aniello Migliore, Joseph DiNapoli, Matthew Madonna or former acting underboss Eugene Castelle assuming he's not still in prison

DiNapoli and Madonna are done. They are both under indictment (out on bail) and will likely die in prison even if given light sentences. Isn't Migliore retired?

I always thought the Bonannos would have a new Official Boss since they have around 25 Sicilian born members

I think Badalamenti will take over the Bonnanos officially when he gets out.

What's up with them anyway? They got people running their crews?
And I've heard Migilore is still active. Though he's old, he's not Matty Ianniello. Healthy and not under indictment.
Also on your regard with Vinny TV, it's very likely he'll get the top spot. They need leadership up at the top. He's willing to take that on I think.

Farese bail was revoked after two days and he was sent back to jail

http://www.fivefamiliesnyc.com/2012/06/colombo-family-consigliere-busted-for.html

Think Crea has made anyone recently???

There hasn't been a damn thing on Crea since he was named boss. Who knows what he's been doing, but keeping quiet seems to be number one on his priority list. Pretty similar situation after Domenico Cefalu was named the Gambino Boss.

Guys get made every year in NY.

Who do you think is a better boss.. Cefalu or Crea?

Havent heard much on either side to make a valid choice. Both are solid, but I think Crea is a bit stonger IMO because of his historical activities involving labor racketeering, construction and the fact that he was an amazing earner.

To be honest, they are both low key and keeping quiet. If you ask me, that is what makes the perfect La Cosa Nostra type Mafia boss as it's how the old school ran things. For me, IMO as long as they don't make headlines but keep the money flowing, they are a good boss.

I agree.. Have there been any mob hits/attemps in the us this year??

^^^Nope, not that have been reported at least.

It's funny you mention being Crea being stronger and I would agree because he was/is a great breadwinner. But overall I think the Gambino's are stronger. They have less guys in jail and several are due to be released within the next year

The Gambinos are much larger/stronger and thus bring in more money, obcourse. I was just referring to Crea as an individual leader. The Lucchese's also have a ton of guys coming out as we speak in the next few years, a bunch of heavy hitters who all went away during the amuso/casso regime. Here's a taste of some guys coming out from that family in the next few years courtesy of Pogo on RD:

John Baudanza/41 (IP/8/2/2015)
Anthony “Bowatt” Baratta/69 (IP/9/25/2012)
Dominick Capelli/55 (IP/9/30/2013)
George "George Goggles" Conte/51 (IP/3/10/2014)
Domenico "Danny" Cutaia/75 (IP/11/21/2012)
Salvatore Cutaia/52 (IP/8/22/2016)
Frank “Frankie Pearls” Federico/80 (IP/2/20/2016)
James “Froggy” Galione/47 (IP/12/24/2015)
Frank "Frankie Bones" Papagni/54 (IP/11/24/2015)
Michael Perna/66 (IP/8/02/2015)
Michael “Mad Dog” Taccetta/60 (IP/9/20/2015)
Joseph "Joey Flowers" Tangorra/58 (IP/12/09/2014)
George "Georgie Neck" Zappola/49 (IP/3/03/2014)

Some of those guys tried to kill Crea in the early nineties. Can they get back into the fold without much trouble?

Thats the big question. Frank Lastorino has been out for quite a while now and according to a recent gangland is involved in the family. Another guy Thomas "Tommy Red" Anzeulotto is also out with no restrictions and Michael DeSantis is also out but under strict restrictions. I think everybody will fall in line, things are running smoothly for that family for the most part in NY in recent memory.

Yeah took awhile didn't it? It just goes to show what a stable, money making Boss can do for a family as opposed to violent psychopaths like Casso and Amuso who nearly ruined the Lucchese's. If they can avoid more indictments within the next few years they'll be on the rise again.

Out of both crea and cefalu heres things to consider
Cefalu-Made in the old country a zip runs his family like a mustache pete most likely
Crea-Good earner, supposed high amount of legitimate income traditional american mafiosi

Basically its comparing a Americanized boss to a Sicilian hard to say