Carsia, Michael "Hoppy"
* soldier
* involved in drug trafficking and illegal gambling
* owner of the Carsia Management Company
* born around 1948
* reported to be still alive and living in Hazleton, PA

Michael 'Hoppy' Carsia, Hazleton, died due to a heart condition. Carsia, owner of the former Can-Do Coal Sales Co. in Hazleton, was convicted of filing false tax returns in 1975.

It's my understanding that at a certain point the NY families froze the Bufalino and Pittsburgh families from making new members.

any idea on why that may have been done?

any idea on why that may have been done?

There's really three guys, not counting D'Elia. Insalaco, Carsia and Scalleat. They were never a big fam.

Scalleat lives in Las Vegas. That comes from an acquaintance of his that I know. His son owns a restaurant out there. That's at least the info as of 2009.

Fratello, Charles "Charlie Lips"

* passed away on July 24, 2004

....This information is incorrect.

Isn't Big Billy a snitch ?

Here is the link that gives the Russell Bufalino complete FBI file although it is redacted with names missing in order to protect confidential informants.

http://citizensvoice.com/news/bufalino

Foreword: The Bufalino Crime Family, also known as the Pittston Crime Family was a national mafia organization based in Eastern Pennsylvania. While the Bufalino family shared their home state with the likes of the Philadelphia Crime Family and the Pittsburgh Crime Family, they made the best of it, sharing ties with both organizations but at the same time operating on a higher, more organized level. The Bufalino crime family has always been under shadow, and much of that is due to the limited number of members. However, this is exactly how boss Russell Bufalino wanted it. The less people knew, the better, and this approach served him when he ordered the murder of Jimmy Hoffa. Many other crime bosses could have been convicted. Fortunately for Russell, his name wasn’t even on the map with the general public. Traditionally, they have dominated all criminal activity in Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton, Endicott, and by the 60’s, had moved in to Miami, South Jersey, and Western New York as well. Unique to this family is ties to coal mining unions and an absolute emphasis on fencing stolen goods, more so than loansharking and gambling. The following is a timeline or Russell Bufalino’s criminal activity, as well as his right hand man James David Osticco, rising star Anthony Guarnieri, murderous Charlie ‘Lips’ Fratello, and likely most intelligent member Edward Sciandra.

Territory: Pittston, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Endicott, Binghamton, Wilmington and Smyrna, Delaware. Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. Through Ignatius Cannone, they controlled alcohol traffic in Central New York in Endwell. Patsy Monachino and Patsy Sciortino did business in Auburn, New York. The Monachinos had turf in Canada.


1907. The Italian-American coal mining community battles with Sicilian black-handers of the Wyoming Valley and Pittston areas. A priest from the area writes a letter informing the public, documenting that a witness against the Black Hand fled the county only to be killed later, and another man was dumped in to a mineshaft. At the time, these were the men who dominated Pittston organized crime.

At the time, the mafia lacked the sophistication to procure protection from the police. For this reason, a major arrest was made by Pittston Police Chief Joseph Loftus. Twenty-two Black Hand members were charged, and the Black Hand sent three letters to city officials threatening them with assassination.

1938. Russell Bufalino moves from Buffalo, NY to Pittston Pennsylvania.

1945. Union leader Min Matheson begins organizing dress makers to rebel against corrupt mobbed up factory owners. At this point, Pittston mob leaders used kickbacks to government to prevent union trouble when they broke labor laws. She formed her own dress companies to challenge Pittston’s.

1949. In response, Min Matheson’s brother was murdered with an ice pick, and company members began beating labor strikers organized by Min.


Rise to Power.

1953. Bufalino begins his garment industry rackets. He buys out 7 dress factories, and anyone who wants to get in to the garment industry has to make arrangements with him. Because of his contacts in New York, he is the only one who can help dressmakers receive contracts. Thus, they have to kickback to him. In this sense, every factory owner pays him per contract. Next, he obtains a hold of all gambling by collecting tax from every Pittston bookmaker. At this time, his silent partners are the retired boss Santo Volpe, and his uncle Charles Bufalino.

In addition to taxing bookmakers, he becomes one himself. Taking bets at an office near the Martz bus terminal in Scranton, on horses and sporting events, while backing a floating craps game nearby. At this point, games can only operate with his permission.

1956. Bufalino, James David Osticco, and industrialist associate William Medico are invited to a fishing trip in Bimini, West Indies as a thank you for financial backing in heling Atlas Chain & Manufacturing company move to Pittston. Bufalino gave the money through William Medico. $10,000 was later paid to Medico Industries for moving an air compresser to Pittston, in addition to $80,000 earlier. From here, they flew to Havana.

Bufalino is now the Acting Boss of the family, as the stress of the Apalachin fiasco has taken its toll on Barbara.

Frank Sheeran begins driving Russell Bufalino around town. Russell will only do business in person, and is frequently seen in the company of his best friend, Angelo Bruno, with whom he has business interests.



1957. Apalachin Meeting ends in disaster. The meeting is raided and the embarrassment causes boss Joe Barbara to retire. Russell Bufalino inherits the family. Anthony Guarnieri was only a soldier at this time, but an attendee. Capos included Dominick Alaimo, Ignatius Cannone, Angelo Sciandra, James David Osticco, Patsy Turrigiano, and Emanuel Zicari. Soldiers Salvatore ‘Vicious’ Trivalino, Patsy Monachino, and Patsy Sciortino also attended. Bartolo Guccia, a Barbara friend and handyman was also present.

The heat from the Apalachin meeting means James David Osticco loses his job as Teamsters local official in Scranton.

According to Frank Sheeran, Bufalino becomes the Acting Head of the Mangano Crime Family after the assassination of Albert Anastasia.

1958. Many dressmakers sign on to Min Matheson’s dressmaking union for increased wages, frustrated with the dressmaking conglomerate PGMA, which is backed by Bufalino and Tommy Lucchese.

Matheson is called to a meeting by Abe Chait, a garment industry figure. She is greeted by Bufalino, Angelo Sciandra, and Dominick Alaimo. She refers to them as animals from the sewers, then nearly panics when a Chait lietenaunt grabs her arm. In her panic, Matheson reveals that she’s the face of the strike, while the decisions are being made by a

1959. Fidel Castro topples Fulgencio Batista’s regime in Cuba. With Batista’s blessing, Bufalino had owned a racetrack and a major casino near Havana. Castro boots all mob figures off the island.

1960. James David Osticco, a labor shakedown man becomes the family’s Underboss.

1967. After the conviction of Fred Randaccio, Russell Bufalino moves in on Buffalo and Buffalo-Canadian rackets.

1969. Medico Industries receives $3 million dollar contract to produce nuclear warheads against Vietnam. It is widely speculated that this contract, as well as a previous $12 million in army contracts is the work of Bufalino-affiliated Daniel J. Flood. Medico Industries has been receiving contracts since the 1950's, often from Detroit. Bufalino is reported to be active in the fencing of jewels and furs and precious metals, and acting as a frontman for investor William Medico.

William Medico is hailed as one of the biggest employers in the Pittston area, a city of 13,000 between Scranton and Wilkes-Barr. He and his 4 brothers donate countless amounts to charity and hand out contracts to over 400 workers.

1970. Louis DeNaples compliments Bufalino on the ring he’s wearing during a prizefight. Bufalino gives the ring to DeNaples out of flattery.

1972. Carrie Sciandra’s car is destroyed in a flood. DeNaples gives Bufalino two Fiats. Bufalino visits DeNaples Auto Parts and purchases a Cadillac. DeNaples home catches on fire, so Bufalino gives him three suits.

1974. Stefano Maggaddino of nearby Buffalo, New York dies. Bufalino sends lieutenants to upstate New York to scout for rackets he can move in to. Reportedly, many Buffalo members were answering to Bufalino for quite some time.

1975. Bufalino is reported establishing ties with Philadelphia crime boss Angelo Bruno.

Bufalino gives two quotes after being acquitted of a minor extortion case. First, to the Buffalo Evening News, “It [the trial] turned out the way I anticipated.” Next, to the Rochester, New York Democrat and Chronicle, “I’d like to retire, but they won’t let me retire. I’ve got to pay my lawyers”.

1976. Bufalino is reported meeting with Los Angeles capo Michael Rizzitello.

1977. Bufalino hosts a joint meeting with Louis Volpe of Pittsburgh, Sam DeCavalcante of NJ, and Colombo capo Thomas Dibella. The meeting is hosted in Miami. After this meeting, Bufalino sent New Jersey capo Anthony Guarnieri, soldier Charlie ‘Lips’ Fratello, and Underboss James David Osticco to break in to new rackets in Florida. The operation is simple and effective. The trio supply bars with stolen liquor and use these bars as fronts for bookmaking and the fencing of other stolen property.

Mafia members William Medico and Fred Correale are listed as the driving force behind the growth of Pennsylvania cable television. Louis Pagnotti, a corrupt politican holds stock in Verto Cable TV Co. while Medico and Correale receive money from Gans Inc., a powerful cablecompany.

Cappy Guimento assists Colombo soldier Frank Gagliardi in collecting a debt in Hazleton. Gaglardi receives a stake in a local motel.

Bufalino is sentenced to 4 years for threatening to kill a jeweler. Michael Sparber, a Bufalino associate, is convicted as well. If Bufalino was not convicted, many local businessmen were quoted as saying they would lose their faith in the criminal justice system.

Bufalino is reported spending half his time in his Southern New York territories.

1978. Bufalino and cousin Angelo Bufalino go on trial with Louis Joseph Sciandra for horse race fixing. All but Louis Joseph Sciandra are acquitted.

Bufalino is now under investigation for selling labor peace trough Country-wide Personnel, a company operated by Eugene Boffa.

Bufalino is released from prison for 2 days for his 50th wedding anniversary.

1979. Russell Bufalino hosts an Italian American Civil Rights League/birthday dinner in Wilkes-Barre. It goes to show he commands a tremendous amount of national respect if national figures show up for his birthday party. He sits with James David Osticco and organizes the seating so Louis DeNaples can be nearby. Cappy Guimento is reported to act as the conduit between Bufalino and Osticco to DeNaples.

1980. Lawrence Bufalino’s food importing company is burnt to the ground.

Joseph L. Roman is convicted of embezzling 7.3 million from his own bank, First Federal Savings and Loan. At least $130,000 was kicked back to the Bufalino mob through being invested in to associate Sam Graziano's Supper Club 100. 22 other individuals received strikingly similar loans.

Pittsburgh soldier Anthony Capizzi unsuccessfully applies for a junketeer license to open poker games for Bufalino crime family members.

Russell Bufalino is convicted of conspiracy to commit murder against the jeweler who put him away for extortion. He is sentenced to 10 years in prison and puts Edward Sciandra and James Osticco in charge. William D’elia, Bufalino’s driver, acts as his messenger to the two acting leaders.

The PCC reports, “There are no Magaddino or Genovese crime families. The members in these families are now under the control of Russell Bufalino”.

1980-1989. The family continues a pattern of racketeering. Anthony Guarnieri expands his loansharking racket within Florida. Ed Sciandra embezzles from MCA Records, inc. with help from Eugene Quantico. James David Osticco begins trafficking in stolen properties, and the soldiers of the family add narcotics and pornography to their repertoire.


1981. Agawam, Massachusetts. Bufalino associate Joseph Muruca is gunned down.

Bufalino hitman Frank Sheeran is convicted of labor racketeering and fraud, resulting in an 18 year sentence.

Bufalino is released from jail on May 8th. He immediately hosts meetings with made members at Aldino’s Manor Restaurant in Wilkes barre, and Arrow Distribution Company in Kingston. His travel is restricted by probation officers.

Eric Holder terminates the RABFAM investigation in order to use a RABFAM witness to corroborate details in a 1977 jury tampering case which will convict James David Osticco.

1982. The PCC (Philadelpha Crime Commission) is tipped off that a Bufalino associate has begun a racket selling counterfeit clothing to West Side Clothing. West Side Clothing is owned by Joseph Louis Sciandra.

Edward Sciandra is released from a one year prison stretch for tax evasion and immediately opens up his racket, a bookmaking operation within Manhattan.

Samuel Graziano becomes a target in the investigation of liquor industry infiltration. He dies 2 years later of natural causes.

1983. Pennsylvania's garment industry booms. Joseph Hoover is in on a scheme to sell counterfeit clothing, a popular racket at the time, and sells counterfeit sweaters to undercover agents. It's been said he associates with James David Osticco, who conducts business out of an office in the Medico building. Soldier Jack Parisi, a former killer for the Mangano Family utilizes jobs as production manager of Nuremberg Dress Co. and Supervisor of Madison Dress Co as a cover for labor racketeering. Capo Angelo Sciandra expands his garment interests in to NY, and owns a Pittston clothing store called Ann-Lee Frocks, of which James David Osticco has a share.

In NY, capo Emanuel Zicari ostensibly worked at Endicott-Johnson Shoe Co.

James David Osticco is found guilty alongside Samuel Lovecchio and Charles Cortese of jury tampering. He is sentenced to 3 years incarceration for the jury tampering, and an extra 5 years incarceration for conspiracy to commit arson. Osticco and Casper 'Cappy' Guimento, a professional gambler who ran illegal card games had delivered dynamite to government witness Charles Allen to bomb a crane company in Smyrna, Delaware as part of a labor shakedown. Osticco served 5 years. Reportedly, Charles Allen was a Teamsters enforcer. Casefile: http://pa.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.19830713_0000038.MPA.htm/qx

The PCC reveals that the Scalleat Brothers have set up a front company called A & J Sales in Hazleton, PA. The business receives a 6% commission of all cardboard containers sold through Cardinal Container Corporation, owned by Joseph A. Lopez. The CCC subsequently goes under investigation. A year later, CCC filed for bankruptcy, likely the Scalleats doing. Lopez didn’t seem upset. It’s likely they robbed the company together.

Phillip T. Medico, Bufalino family capo and president of Medico industries dies. Two of his brothers were Bufalino members as well. Several incriminating tapes used to convict Osticco and co. were recorded by government witness Frank Parlopiano (died 2001) at Phillip's Medico Industries building in Plains Township, PA. Medico Industries was a significant hangout for the Bufalino family, and Phillip Medico was a top earner.

Bufalino associate Ellis Klepfer is sentenced to two years for attempting to bribe officials of Local 481, Bakery, Confectionery and Tobacco Workers International Union. The next year, he is convicted again of interstate transportation in the aid of bribery. His son Michael Klepfer is indicted for the union bribe.

1982. Salvatore ‘Vicious’ Trivalino, Appalachian attendee retires after 33 years of service, having been recruited in 1949.

1984, June. Frank Cannone, a Bufalino soldier has his gambling ring busted up by state police. Associates Andrew Quinlan and Richard Ellers are arrested as well.

1984. Michael Delgaizio, Edward Sciandra and Charlie 'Lips' Fratello were indicted together. Delgaizio gets 5 years probation.

After years of service to the family, William ‘Big Billy’ D’elia becomes a made man.

Having been sent to Florida recently to break in to new rackets, Charlie 'Lips' Fratello murders a ‘Michael Johnson’, and is charged for it soon after.

Aldo Magnelli, Bufalino capo/soldier dies. Aldo was the executive director of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, a coveted political position. Among his employees is his nephew John Durbin Jr. A decade later, Durbin Jr. will raise money to donate to gubernatorial candidate Tom Ridge, who once elected gives Durbin the same position of PA Turnpike Director.

1987. Undercover officer Dave Green poses as a seedy liquor hijacker to indict south Florida mobsters. He befriends Bufalino associate Eddie Musso, who introduces Green to Florida capo Anthony 'Guv' Guarnieri, 30 years after Apalachin, Guarnieri has risen from soldier to the new Underboss. Ronald Simeone and James Robert Camuso are indicted as well.

1988. James David Osticco is released from prison. It is unknown if he takes over his old Underboss position, or officially hands it over to Guv Guarnieri.

William D’elia’s name comes up in a $3 million dollar money laundering operation. The money was paid through bogus advertisements in an Exeter, PA paper called ‘The Metro’. The money is believed to come from a drug and prostitution ring.

1989. Angelo Sciandra retires to St. Louis, Missouri.

Late 80’s. Ed Sciandra meets with Joseph Todaro and Nicky Scarfo Sr. in Florida.

1990. Two years out of prison, James David Osticco dies. Former (acting?) Underboss Anthony Guarnieri dies in prison on racketeering charges from the Dave Green case.

Michael Insalaco is reported by the PCC to have operations in Lehigh Valley County, bookmaking and slot machines in Allentown, PA. He is reported to work with other racketeers mostly led by a criminal named George Sam. He is now 53 years old.

1991. Nine unconnected bookmakers and numbers runners are indicted within Allentown, PA. Restaurant owner Peter Belletieri, a nephew of the Scalleat brothers is named as Bufalino Crime Family associate.

1993. Michael Insalaco and members of Medico Industries donate campaign funds to Pittston politicians. http://www.city-data.com/elec2/elec-WEST-PITTSTON-PA.html

1994. Bufalino dies, William D’elia becomes the new boss. The Pittsburgh Crime Family has been banned from inducting new members, and rumor indicates the same is true for D’elia’s family.

He forms ties to the Philadelphia Crime Family under John Stanfa. When Stanfa becomes enraged at John Veasey and Phillip Colletti for failing to kill Joey Merlino, Stanfa plots to lure them to Wilkes-Barre where D’elia will bury them.

1998. After Stanfa’s life sentence, D’elia cozies up with Ralph Natale and introduces him to the Colombo Family.


2004. William D’elia is reported meeting with Joe Ligambi.

D’elia is placed in to Atlantic City’s ‘Black book’.


2007. Charlie ‘Lips’ Fratello appeals his murder case and is released from prison.







Living Members

Michael Insalaco. AC gambling junket operator.

Albert Scalleat. Brother of Joseph Scalleat, deceased. Owner of 3025 J.f.s., Ltd. Domestic business corporation aged 26 years, 1 month. Secretary and Treasurer James F. Sheedy.

Steve Cavano replaced Charlie Lips in Florida after his 1984 murder conviction. This would make him Guv Guarnieri’s #2.

----

Michael 'Hoppy' Carsia. Ran Hazletown, PA rackets jointly with Joseph Scalleat of the Scarfo Family. Joseph Scalleat handled politics while Hoppy Carsia controlled the street rackets.


Making money in Pittston, Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.

Luzerne County coal mine unions had long been controlled by the Bufalino Family. After the coalmines dried up, the big employer was the garment industry, in which the Bufalino family profited tremendously through counterfeiting. The bread and butter of the family was fencing stolen goods, in which their members were often indicted. Numerous front companies were set up to hide the illicit activity. For example, Bufalino himself operated out of a curtain store, Penn Drape & Curtain Co. As time went on and garment and coal interests dwindled, William D’elia pushed what was left of the family in a white-collar direction, surviving off of kickbacks from politicians. During the family’s golden years, sports books would be run out of Binghamton, counterfeiting, fencing and labor racketeering out of Pittston, and Russell’s driver, D’elia ran the family’s waste management interests. The family’s higher ranks would invest their money in to legitimate businesses.

Deceased Members

These days, not many Bufalino family members remain. Some say the New York families flexed their muscles and shut down recruiting for Pittston (Bufalino) and the Pittsburgh crime family. In any case, one notable deceased member is Angelo Sciandra. Angelo was one of two brothers to former boss John Sciandra. John Sciandra was overthrown and murdered by Joe Barbara. Despite this, Angelo remained a capo throughout Joe Barbara’s rule, even attending Apalachin. He is seen in this photo with Bufalino in a white suit, smiling. Next to him is Bufalino’s Underboss, James David Osticco. Despite his longtime service to the crime family, Bufalino seemed to favor Sciandra’s son Edward. Edward would rise through the ranks fast enough to become Bufalino’s #3 man, only behind James David Osticco. Under indictment, Bufalino had threatened to personally kill a bartender who had randomly signed a check using his name in 1977. Moving even further, Bufalino let Edward lead during this time. Bufalino had married Sciandra’s Aunt, Carrie Sciandra.

Other former made members include Jack Parisi, Louis Marconi, and Samuel ‘Kooch’ Marranca. Cappy Guimento, and possibly Samuel Loveccio and Charles Cortese. Salvatore ‘Vicious’ Trivalino was at Apalachin. Bartolo Guccia, Bufalino’s handyman, was eventually made as well. Bufalino’s ‘40s bodyguard, Modesta Loquasta was probably made as well. Potentially made members were Luigi Pagnotti and Nicholas Benfanti, and Frank Cannone and Anthony J. Musco were made men running bookmaking in Binghamton. The Monachino Brothers, Patsy and Sal Monachino were made men and had interests in Beverage companies in Auburn, and controlled Utica, New York. Patsy Sciortino was made and ran rackets in Auburn, New York.

I wrote this, my crowning achievement I guess. This is an information dump of everything on the subject.

Bufalino Family Timeline
by BarrettM

Where did you find the name "Salvatore 'Vicious' Trivalino"? I haven't seen the name anywhere before you wrote this. I have reports on Apalachin and his name isn't there.