Over a year ago, I made a FOIA request for Philip Lombardo´s files. I was extremely excited when I received them the other day. Reading through them though, I noticed my excitment went down the drain. A lot is redacted and many, many names blackened. But worst of all, the info ends at 1969. WHY??? So no info can be found in them regarding the Genovese Family´s structure in the 1970s and early 1980s which was the main purpose of me requesting the files in the first place. So I´m hugely disappointed.

Anyway, here´s some info on Philip Lombardo found in the files. Not much in there to give anybody a hardon, I´m afraid.

Born 10-5-08 in NY City. Father´s name Filippo, mother´s Elenore Rotolo.

Aliases:

Ben Turpin
Benny the Squint
Ben DeMaio
"Cockeyed" Phil

Visited Mexico in 1937, probably in connection with drug smuggling.

Arrested 20 times for various offenses, but only once indicted and convicted.
He received a six months sentence in 1942 for unlawful sale and possession of narcotics. He pleaded guilty to that. One of his codefendants was Frank Livorsi (a made Genovese member).

In March, 1960 Lombardo was a witness of the Pasquale Genese marriage (Patsy Jerome, a mobster who became made guy in 1974 in the same induction ceremony as Vincent "Fish" Cafaro´s).

Lombardo was identified as a member of the famous 107th street mob in the 1930s and was a close associate with Charles "Charlie Bullets" Albero, John Ormento, Joseph Vento, Salvatore "Tom Mix" Santoro, Frank Livorsi and "Trigger" Mike Coppola, all made members of the Mafia.
Livorsi had been a bodyguard and chauffeur for Ciro Terranova, and scheduled to take over from him but the job went to Coppola instead.

Lombardo served as acting caporegima for Coppola on many occassions (as have several other soldiers in Coppola´s regime) whenever Coppola was out of town. He started out as a bodyguard and shooter for Coppola. One informant stated that Lombardo have considerable stature in the Genovese Family and once briefly served as underboss to Genovese. [Probably in 1957 before Jerry Catena was named underboss.]

Activities:

1, Narcotics
2, Gambling
3, Shylocking
4, operations in Manhattan´s Garment District
5, connected with Roxy Vending Machine Company (operated by made guy Angelo "4 cents" Salerno).

Lombardo had also a hat check concession at the Copacabana Night Club with another partner. At the end of 1959 they had a profit of 30,000 dollars which was meant to be split between him and the partner. But Vito Genovese took all of the money for himself, stating he needed it because he was having troubles. This was not well received by Lombardo and his partner.

While serving his prison term in 1942, Lombardo told prison authorities he had a 7th grade education, had no steady employment since 1932 due to his poor eyesight and was the major support of his mother. He also said that his income was derived from a "small bookmaking business".

When Coppola moved to Florida, Lombardo functioned as a courier and delivered packages to Coppola. [Probably packages of money.]

Residences:

1926-1931 303 East 107th street, New York, NY
1933 2187 Washington Avenue, Bronx, NY
1934 1213 Lawrence Avenue, Bronx, NY
1935 1218 Elder Avenue, Bronx, N
1936 1343 Purdy street, Bronx, NY
1950 324 Audubon Road, Englewood, NJ and also 1266 Olmsted Avenue, Ap 2G, Bronx, NY

Around 1960, Lombardo was employed by the large plastering company (Cottone Construction Company) in a supervisory capacity of the various projects which the company was engaged in. This was necessitated by the fact that without close supervison over the foremen and workers they would not do a proper day´s work. According to the owner of the company, Lombardo maintained a constant check over the employees by visiting the jobs at odd hours and seeing to it that they are performing the jobs for which they are hired. Lombardo had no set schedule of work and acts on his own in regard to these checks. The company owner said that Lombardo was an excellent employee and that he has no interest whatsoever in the company and has never been used in connection with any labor disputes or things of this nature. [Smells like a No Show Job to me...]
Lombardo was paid 250 dollars a week plus bonuses.

According to one informant, the Lombardos were protestants, not catholics. (!!!)

Another informant advised that he heard Lombardo was in some way involved with the disappearence of Joseph Bonanno.

In Oct, 1964 a complaint was filed by the Lombardo family regarding a break and entery into their residence located in Englewood, NJ. The culprits ransacked the house but left it in a hurry when the alarm rang. The family stated immediately after the break in, there did not appear anything missing from the house.

Lombardo frequented the vicinity of 116th street and 1st Avenue in the Italian Harlem section. Andy´s Colonial Tavern and a barbershop next door, were Lombardo´s places of business.

Around 1967, Lombardo moved to Hollywood, Florida and stayed there during the winter seasons. Mike Coppola died in 1966, but it wasn´t until late 1967, or early 1968, Lombardo actually took over Coppola´s old crew. This due to bad health.
When visiting New York, Lombardo was often seen with Patsy Jerome, Joe Paterra and Frank "Fabry" Serpico.

Lombardo was very close to Tommy Ryan. Not so much with Jerry Catena and Mike Miranda.

After Vito Genovese´s death in 1969, originally it appeared that Tommy Ryan would take over, but Lombardo was being prominently mentioned as the one to take over the leadership of the Genovese Family.

An informant stated that any new, potential member of the old Coppola crew had to appear before a "council", consisting of Coppola (when he was alive), Lombardo and "Fat" Tony Salerno in order to get accepted into the crew. This usually went down in restaurants where the new potential recruit was questioned. He then had to wait in another room while the council delibarated. If the new recruit was accepted, he was invited back for a lavish dinner. According to the informant, Lombardo had the final say, if the council was not in agreement.

Still interesting, though, Hairy. So thanks for that .

Thanks for this Hairy

Interesting Fat Tony and Benny Lombardo woukd be the one's deciding who would stay?

Sounds like he was high up or boss material!

That didn't take long.

Notice they're talking about their specific crew, not the entire family.

What does it matter if its a crew? Everyone represents the family!

Sitting aside Benny making these decisions isnt to be overlooked!

what didnt take long? You making a snide comment if somekne has an opinion!

Nobody is overlooking anything. Fat Tony was a leader in the family but this particular report is only talking about his specific crew.

If you had read it more carefully, instead of being in such a hurry to get back on your Fat Tony soapbox, you may have noticed that.

Nobody is overlooking anything. Fat Tony was a leader in the family but this particular report is only talking about his specific crew.

If you had read it more carefully, instead of being in such a hurry to get back on your Fat Tony soapbox, you may have noticed that.


Had you read what I wrote I did not state he was the boss, made a comment which I found interesting. However you decide to play "Mafia God" and try to twist what people say. I made an observation. You and your opinion is as they say your own fantasy. Heard you had a date last weekend how did it go? Lotion in the basket?

You know very well what you were trying to imply. Nobody is trying to play Mafia god. You're just expected to stick to the facts like everybody else. Your observation was based on a misreading of the report.

Ivy, very simple, you cant tell me what i read or what I was trying to "imply", another thing if you want to oush buttons get your blow up doll out of the closet. I like many are so tired of your craziness.

Both of you... cut the shit out.

To original poster: How long did it take for them to send you that file?

You´re welcome guys.



14 months, which is longer than what it usually takes.

Hairy how long does it usually take aren't you located outside of the states ?

Yes I am. But I don´t think that has anything to do with it. FOIA sent me a letter saying that they had located 2,770 pages responsive to my request. My emmidiate reaction was "Wow! Great! I can write a book on him using those 2,770 pages." So it took a long time for them to go through all those pages. It may be why I got a little disappointed when it turned out that they were only sending me 500 pages. Freedom of information...pff...my ass!

DN, it usually takes 2 to 5 months, depending on how large the files are.

That sucks this guy is still alive and is lawyered up I don't know much about him but I'm sure he has in hand in a few pies and has a lot of info. past and presence that could open up a can of worms ...btw way is that service free of charge?

The guy died back in 1987. You can make FOIA requests on dead people only.
The service is not free of charge. 100 pages are free, but the rest of it cost 10 cents a page.

^ OIC Well that sucks they wouldn't give you the info after having to wait that long.

u got anyone else's?

Not on a specific mobster but on the Mafia in general. Old stuff.

does anyone know if benny in 1980,81 put bobby manna as consig. or was it chin who put bobby there. fat tony had a stroke in 81 i think funzi died that yr. but according to leonetti has manna doind all the traveling to chin in them after bruno's death great thread thou.

Bobby Manna was Chin's boy.