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even in San Francisco there was a large Italian presence, there aren't a big families, as New York, the family of San Francisco has always been small, and is now even extinct.
San Francisco Crime Family In San Francisco, California
Founded by Francesco Lanza
Years active 1930s-2006
Territory Northern California
Ethnicity Italian, Italian-American made men and other ethnicities as "associates"
Membership Unknown
Criminal activities Racketeering, loansharking, extortion, prostitution, bookmaking, drugs, and gambling
Allies Bonanno, Los Angeles, Dallas, San Jose
The San Francisco crime family was a Mafia crime syndicate in San Francisco. The syndicate was organized in the early 1930s by Francesco "Frank" Lanza. The San Francisco family was a very small organization with 20-25 made members.
[edit] Francesco LanzaFrancesco "Frank" Lanza became the first crime boss after a gang war that ended in 1932. Lanza guided the crime family during the prohibition era. He was the co-owner of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf and a bootlegger, pimp, loan shark and drug dealer. After Lanza's death on July 14, 1937, he was succeeded by Anthony Lima.
[edit] Lima and AbatiAnthony Lima took over the crime family. Lima and his underboss, Michael Abati, planned the murder of Chicago gangster, Nick DeJohn. Both were arrested for the murder. Eventually charges were dismissed. Lima lost power after he was convicted on April 27, 1953 of grand theft. Michael Abati stepped into the role in 1953. Abati replaced Lima as boss. His underboss James "Jimmy the Hat" Lanza was one of many mafia leaders spotted by the police at the 1957 Apalachin Meeting. In 1961, Abati was deported to Italy for being involved in criminal activity.
[edit] James "Jimmy the Hat" Lanza boss 1961-2006Francesco Lanza's son, James Lanza, became the syndicate's new head. Lanza held the position from 1961 to 2006 during which he extended the family's connection through other syndicates. LIFE Magazine published his picture and listed him as the crime boss of San Francisco in the late 1960s. Lanza had a close friendship with the San Francisco mayor Joseph Alioto. Lanza also made solid ties with other LCN bosses that included Joseph Civello of Dallas and Joseph Cerrito of San Jose. His long time underboss, Gaspare "Bill" Sciortino was the cousin to the underboss of the Los Angeles crime family Samuel Sciortino. In his book, Aledena "Jimmy the Weasel" Fratianno said he reported to Lanza in 1973 when he moved to the Bay Area after his release from prison. A few years later, he ended his friendship with Fratianno. Lanza complained about him being in San Francisco. In 1977, when Fratianno heard he had a hit on him, one of the charges was that he was bringing too much attention to the existence of the San Francisco crime family. Lanza was believed to have given permission for the murder of former New England Crime Family associate, turned government witness Joseph Barboza in 1976. Lanza died of natural causes on February 22, 2006.
LANZA, James J.
http://www.americanmafia.com/Cities/San_Francisco.htmlWednesday, February 22, 2006
The San Francisco LCN Family was built out of the ashes of bloody bootlegging war that took place from 1928-1932. Previously, during the ill-faded Prohibition era, gangsters worked in criminal harmony to ensure peace and prosperity with their colleagues. This all would end with a series of murders. When the smoke cleared a small but once prosperous crime family would emerge.
On April 28, 1928 bootlegger Jerry Feri, San Francisco’s leading crime lord, was murdered in his apartment. His suspected murderer, Alfredo Scariso, was an accomplished bootlegger as well and he too was murdered on December 19 of that year. His body was found with multiple gun shot wounds and dumped in the area of Fair Oaks. On December 23 Mario Filippi, a suspect behind the Scariso murder, was found shot to death. Frank Boca, another suspect in Scariso’s death, was found murdered in his car on July 30, 1929. The next murder was that of the so-called “Al Capone of the West”, Genaro Broccolo, he was found dead on October 30, 1932. The final murder was of Luigi Malvese. He had made a reputation as a hijacker, bootlegger and gun running racketeer. He was shot down on May 18, 1932 while walking through an Italian neighborhood in the middle of the day.
The bloody onslaught led to the rise of Francesco Lanza. He would organize the La Cosa Nostra syndicated in San Francisco and be seen as the first true crime boss. He derived his income from bootlegging, prostitution, loan sharking, gambling and narcotics. He operated the famous Fisherman’s Warf of San Francisco with a business partner. His partner, Giuseppe Alioto would also found the International Fish Company. On July 14, 1937 Lanza died of natural causes. His son, Joseph, would later become boss over the San Francisco rackets.
Anthony J. Lima was succeeded as the next crime boss following Lanza’s death. Lima’s career is earmarked by the murder of Chicago gangster Nick DeJohn. It was believed that Lima and his underboss, Michael Abati, ordered his murder. Eventually the charges were dismissed. On April 27, 1953 Lima was sentenced to the California State Prison for grand theft. His power faded and his role was replaced by Abati.
Michael Abati would rule as street boss from 1953-1961. While boss he attended the raided mob summit known, as Apalachin in November 1957 along with is underboss Joseph Lanza. Abati was one of many who were picked up by the local police of Apalachin, NY for suspicion. The intense focus from law enforcement and the press resulted in further investigations into his activities. As a result of this he was deported back to Italy on July 8, 1961. He died of natural causes on September 5, 1962.
Joseph “Jimmy” Lanza would rise to become the most successful crime boss of San Francisco. His rule, from 1961 through 1989, was unprecedented. He would watch as his small crime family grew to include 15-20 “made” members. He was well represented in Las Vegas, NV by close associate William “Bones’ Remmer. He was their link to the casino skims. He represented the San Francisco LCN family’s interest from early 1940s to 1952 before being convicted of failing to report nearly $1 million in unpaid taxes.
Lanza was also very well connected to many other La Cosa Nostra crime family bosses. Most particular were Joe Cerrito of San Jose and Joseph Civello of Dallas. His long time underboss, Gaspare “Bill” Sciortino, was the first cousin to the underboss of the Los Angeles LCN Family Samuel Sciortino. In 1976 Lanza was believed to have given permission for the murder of former New England LCN Family associate, turned government witness. Joseph “The Animal” Barboza. Lanza paved the way for Los Angeles crime family capo and former Cleveland LCN Family associate Aladena “Jimmy the Weasel” Fratianno to open operations based out of the City by the Bay. Later Lanza would make he successfully had him removed due to the attention he had drawn upon the local crime family. This was a good move because later Fratianno would testify in multiple mob-related trials on behalf of the US government. On June 19, 1989 Joseph “Jimmy” Lanza died from natural causes at the age of 73.
The current status of the San Francisco LCN Family is unknown and is considered dormant. Law enforcement articles from investigations allege that Frank “Skinny” Velotta may the underboss or possible crime boss of San Francisco. He is a former burglar and associate to the previously mentioned Frattiano. A possible key player in the near extinct crime family is Angelo Commito.
James J. Lanza Died peacefully on February 14, 2006, in San Mateo, CA. He was born on October 25, 1902 to Francesco and Caterina Lanza in Sicily. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area since 1925. A pioneer in Fisherman's Wharf as one of the founders of the upscale restaurant known as the Exposition Fish Grotto. A winemaker and wholesaler of specialty Italian food products in SF at the present location of the Transamerica Building. He is survived by his son Frank C. Lanza and daughter-in-law, Patricia A. Lanza; his grandsons, James, Louis and Anthony Lanza, all of whom followed in his footsteps as restaurateurs in New York and Tampa Bay; his great-grandsons Matthew and Steven Lanza; and his nephews and nieces, Frank L. Lanza, Nicolina Puccinelli and Paul Pieri. Above all he was always concerned with the well being of his family and friends and will be greatly missed. A private family service was held at Saint Mathews in San Mateo and a Graveside Service was held at the Italian Cemetery in Colma. Donations in his memory can be given to the Mills Peninsula Hospital Foundation, 1783 El Camino Real, Burlingame CA 94010, or Habitat for Humanity of Westchester, 529 Main St, New Rochelle, NY 10801.
[edit] BossesFrancesco Lanza (1932–1937)
Tony Lima (1937–1953)
Michael Abati (1953–1961)
James Lanza (1961–2006)
[edit] Current statusIn February 2006, long time family Boss Joseph "Jimmy" Lanza died. Now, the Lanza Family is extinct
