Is there any activity going on in pittsburgh lcn related.ive heard there dead it just seems like theyd b able to keep sonething going there.its not to far from philly and theyve been able to keep a family goin even thru all the bs thats happened there.was it weak leadership or something.are there still some guys active n kicking up to somebody?

Im pretty sure the only active pittsburgh lcn guy left is sonny ciancutti. He runs a pretty big gambling ring and theres been a couple of cases against him over the years. But as for any structured family in pittsburgh, its been pretty dead for a while now. They kind of went the same way as the bufalinos where they stopped making guys and the only guy left is the boss who still tries to do his own thing.

Sad but True ;-( Best that JCB1977 chimes in.

I highly doubt it. They are just independent operators the old school LCN is dieing out. I'm sure there is a million wannabe's running around.

Why do they stop making people?

For whatever reason, New York supposedly forbade the Pittsburgh family from making new members after a certain point.

Anyway, like others said above, there is not structured family there anymore. But, as we've seen in recent years (including last week), there are still people with mob connections involved in gambling and what not.

But y stop making people or listening to new york.theyd have a rite to keep there fam around id think.look how dysfunctional philly has been and they still make people. Never had to stop.i doubt they would if told to.if merlino is boss there they would b made n fuk what n.y says prolly.idk what my point is.must b lonely bein the only made guy around.or could be nice if theres some wannabes payn you all the time

The LaRocca Crime family officially stopped inducting new members by 1998, when they found out that Underboss Chucky Porter had been talking from prison for over 8 years. The only guys made under Michael Genovese were Sonny Ciancutti and Chucky Porter from Pittsburgh in 1986, Lenny Strollo and Joey Naples from Youngstown in 1987 and Henry "Zebo" Zottola around 1989. Prior to finding out that Chucky Porter was cooperating, there was supposed to be a ceremony around 1997-1998 which would have included: Anthony Imburgia (Pittsburgh), Frank Unis Jr.(Aliquippa), Bobby Poghen (Youngstown), Rocco Feruccio (Canton)and Geno Chiarelli (Pittsburgh). New York kept putting Mike Genovese off about new blood and then the Chin got indicted and all plans for a making ceremony died with his indictment. Michael Genovese was old school and would not initiate new blood without approval. Once Dom Cirillo became acting boss, he and some other higher ups in organization shelved the idea of making any new blood from Cleveland or Pittsburgh and from what I understand from my FBI contact in PA, they also put a moratorium on the Bufalino Crime Family making new blood.

Pittsburgh is wide open territory. Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti, the last official made guy standing, spends his days at The Meadows racetrack gambling on every horse that's racing. He still has a network of bookmakers that give him a weekly envelope, but most of the guys who are making book do not acknowledge him. Sonny is tight with Jeff Risha, Ralph Masselli, the Sabatini brothers and Bobby Ianelli. Sonny has millions stashed away as he still lives in a dumpy, 2 bedroom house in Arnold, PA. He and his wife never had kids and he has always had the reputation of still having his First Communion money.

Part of the reason Philly is so dysfunctional is because they are making people who are not worthy. Merlino is a prime example of "how not to be" an effective mafia leader. Mike Genovese was very old school, a quiet yet autocratic leader who stayed in the shadows and ran an empire...over 20 years on top without an arrest...1985-2006 (RICO YEARS). Mike would not have done anything without approval, it was just the way he operated. Keep in mind, the NY Genovese Family represented Pittsburgh, Cleveland and the Bufalino's. They all danced to the Genovese tune. Like Milwaukee or KC under Chicago, the families faded away after the Las Vegas Skimming trials and the defection of the Angelo Lonardo, the highest ranking Mafioso ever to cooperate at that time (1985).

Also remember, Sonny Ciancutti is in his 80's, he doesn't have the time or the muscle to rebuild a once small but proud organization.

Great insight but do u see ny lifting the moratorium anytime soon or is it over for them.

Pittsburgh is so far from other families like New York and Philadelphia, I don't understand why they would take orders from them on whether or not they could initiate new members ?

Pittsburgh has "ALWAYS" been under the supervision of NY, as NY represented most east coast smaller families. Ever since John Bazzano Sr. (former boss of Pittsburgh) was ice picked to death in Brooklyn in 1932 for not getting permission from the commission to whack the Volpe brothers.

Jace-New York represented the LaRocca Family, Scalish Family and Bufalino Family as well as the Philadelphia Family and Buffalo family since the beginning of LCN. I know I'm missing one or two, but you get what I'm saying? Chicago represented Milwaukee, Kansas City etc.

It's been over for Pittsburgh for over a decade. Age and attrition caught up to them like most other families outside NY & Chicago. New England, Detroit and Philadelphia are waning as well. Detroit may be in the best shape of the three that I just mentioned but it will be interesting to see how Jackie "The Kid" Giacolone's reign will be once he takes over for Jack Tocco.

Haven't things changed drastically since 1932 ? Past 20 years the New York Families can't even kill their own turncoats. A few live openly in area, like Bill Cutolo's son. Pittsburgh would seem out their reach now.

Again, while Mike Genovese was boss, he adhered to the strict rules of LCN and did as he was told. By the time he died in 2006, the only guys left that were made were Sonny Ciancutti and John Bazzano Jr. Lenny Strollo and Chucky Porter both cooperated, otherwise Mike Genovese would have handed over everything to Chucky Porter. Sonny and Bazzano did not have the leadership qualities needed to run an effective criminal organization. Mainly, their business was illegal gambling. They had no experience in labor racketeering, extortion, prostitution and fencing in stolen goods. At the end of the day, Mike could have made more men but due to his allegiance to Cosa Nostra, he felt that the boss is the boss is the boss and he wasn't going to change the rules. Personally, I think Mike got to the point of "fuck it," I'm 85 years old and whatever is going to happen will happen. Plus, the guys that were left in the late 1990's to the early 2000's just didn't have what it took to run a crime family, except for Henry "Zebo" Zottola but he died in 1998. Lenny Strollo from Youngstown may have been one of the sharpest, business minded guys but he cooperated by 1998 (plus he was out of Youngstown, so he probably wouldn't have been chosen as Boss). Other than that, Frank "Sonny" Amato, Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti and John Bazzano Jr. were not going to be chosen by Mike to lead the family.

Pittsburgh & philly are comparable lol.

Nobody said that...if you read, you will know

Here is an article from 1991 from the Pennsylvania Crime Commission that staes "at the time" the LaRocca Crime Family was the strongest in the state.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ASweAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7JYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6909,5475204&dq=larocca+crime+family+strongest+in+state&hl=en

JCB,

Your knowledge is impressive. What can you tell me/ the board regarding the relationship between Pittsburgh & Altoona? Past & present. Much appreciated.

Pittsburgh had control of the following areas: Greater Pittsburgh, Northeast Ohio (Youngstown/Canton), Altoona/Johnstown, Erie, PA, Jamestown, NY and Wheeling, WV. John LaRocca's close friend Joseph "Little Joe" Regino was in charge of the Altoona/Johnstown area for decades. In the early 1980's when Regino began to get older and went into semi-retirement, the reigns of Altoona were passed to a guy by the name of John "Jack" Verilla. Verilla had his own crew that consisted of Alfred Corbo, Carl Venturato, John Caramadre, Vincent Caraciollo and Denny Colello. Verilla, Caramadre and Caraciollo were convicted in the murder of a drug dealer and were sentenced to life imprisonment in the mid 1980's. They all died in prison.

Here is a chart on the LaRocca Crime Family from 1980-1990. This took me over 3 years of research to put this together.

LaRocca Crime Family

Hierarchy

Boss- John Sebastian LaRocca (took over in 1956 from Frank Amato Sr and died December 1984)
Boss- Michael James Genovese (took over in 1985 and died 10-31- 2006)
Underboss- Gabriel "Kelly" Mannarino (LaRocca's Underboss from 1956, died July 1980)
Underboss- Joseph "Jo Jo" Pecora (imprisoned from 1985 and died March 3, 1987)
Underboss- Charles "Chucky" Porter- 1986-1999 (cooperated secretly from 1992-1999) Released from prison in December 2000, living back in Penn Hills, PA.
Consigliere- Charles "Charlie Murgie" Imburgia (died in 2002) Consigliere since the early 1960's.

Capo Regimes

Capo- Antonio Ripepi- Clairton, PA (father in law to John Bazzano Jr.) died in 2000
Capo- Joseph Sica (grandfather to infamous drug dealing rat Joey Rosa and father in law to former Capo Frank Rosa) died 1991
Capo- Frank Rosa- (son in law to Joe Sica, father of drug dealer/rat Joey Rosa) died on January 28, 1982
Capo- Joseph "Little Joe" Regino- (Controlled illegal gambling in Altoona/Johnstown, PA) died June 18, 1985
Capo- Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti- Protege of Gabriel Mannarino, Controlled all Illegal gambling in New Kensington, PA. Last made man left, 82 years old
Capo- Pasquale "Patsy" Ferruccio- (Video Poker kingpin, considered the mafia's leading expert) Canton, OH. died March 31, 2006
Capo- Domenico "Big Dom" Mallamo-Ran Youngstown, OH rackets since the 1940's (semi retired by 1982). Died in April 1987. (Was made in NYC and over in Reggio, Calabria Italy)
Capo- Vincenzo "Brier Hill Jimmy" Prato- Ran Youngstown, OH rackets since 1980-81. Died in 1988.
Capo- John Bazzano Jr.- Son of legendary mob boss John Bazzano Sr and son in law to Antonio Ripepi. Died in 2008.
Capo- Frank "Sonny" Amato Jr.- Son of legendary mob boss Frank Amato Sr (who stepped down in 1956 and was longtime Capo for LaRocca and died in 1973) Jr. died in 2003.



Soldiers (Made Men)

John Fontana- Ran illegal gambling in Monroeville, PA. Died on April 1, 1984.
Michael Traficante- Ran illegal gambling around Indiana, PA. Died in 1986.
Samuel "Sammy Fashion" Fashionatta- Ran illegal gambling in Altoona/Johnstown, PA. Died March 11, 1985
Louis Volpe- Infamous brother of the "Volpe Brothers" who ran gambling in East McKeesport/Turtle Creek, PA. Died June 3, 1987
Anthony "Wango" Capizzi- Ran gambling junkets for Pittsburgh family and worked closely with Bufalino Crime Family and Buffalo LCN. Died March 21, 2007
John "Jack" Verilla- Ran illegal gambling with Sammy Fashion in Altoona/Johnstown, PA. Died in prison September 10, 1988
Joseph "Little Joey" Naples- Ran illegal gambling in Youngstown, OH with Lenny Strollo. Naples was Jimmy Prato's protege. Murdered August 19, 1991.
Lenine "Lenny" Strollo- Ran illegal gambling with Joey Naples in Youngstown, OH. Convicted in 1999 and cooperated. Out of prison and living back in the Youngstown area.
Henry "Zebo" Zottola- Acted as liason between Youngstown faction and Pittsburgh. Oversaw Youngstown operations and reported to Genovese/Porter. Died in 1998.
Louis Raucci Sr.- Ran gambling, narcotics and fencing stolen property in Verona, PA. Answered directly to Porter/Genovese. Was said to have sit on the "left" side of Mike Genovese


Pittsburgh Associates:

John V Adams- He ran the Green Door Club, an after hours illegal gambling spot. Reported to John Bazzano Jr and Chucky Porter.
James "Jimmy" Ameris- Sports and numbers bookmaker in New Kensington, PA. Reported to Sonny Ciancutti.
Ronald "Farmer" Brown- Owned the BBS Coal Company. Extortion, illegal gambling and enforcer. Reported to Chucky Porter.
Eugene "Geno" Chiarelli- Narcotics, extortion and robbery. Reported to Chucky Porter (was convicted in 1990 as part of the Porter trial)
Anthony Durish- Narcotics, extortion and robbery. Reported to Chucky Porter and Louis Raucci. (was convicted in 1990 as part of the Porter trial)
August "Augie" Ferrone- Major bookmaker, interstate illegal gambling, partners with Primo Mollica. Reported to Chucky Porter and Sonny Ciancutti.
Primo Mollica-Major bookmaker, interstate illegal gambling, partners with Augie Ferrone. Reported to Chucky Porter and Sonny Amato.
Anthony Gesuale- Narcotics, loansharking, extortion, illegal gambling. Reported to Chucky Porter and Sonny Ciancutti.
Eugene "Nick the Blade" Gesuale- Major Narcotics distributor, loansharking and extortion. Reported to Chucky Porter and Louis Raucci.
Daniel "Speedo" Hanna- Illegal gambling, collections of tribute money to Pitt LCN. Reported to Sonny Ciancutti and Michael Genovese.
Steven Hatzimbes- Illegal gambling, worked with Jimmy Ameris and Daniel Hanna. Reported to Sonny Ciancutti.
Anthony "Tony" Grosso- Largest numbers operator in the country. $30 million/year, employed over 5000 numbers writers. Imprisoned in 1986. Reported to Genovese.
Robert "Bobby I" Ianelli- Major numbers/sports bookmaker. Took over part of Tony Grosso's numbers operation with the Williams brothers. Reported to Genovese
Salvatore Williams- Major numbers/sports bookmaker. Took over part of Tony Grosso's numbers operation with Bobby Ianelli. Reported to Genovese
Adolfo "Junior" Williams- Major numbers/sports bookmaker. Took over part of Tony Grosso's numbers operation with his brother and Bobby Ianelli. Reported to Genovese
Anthony "Ninny" Lagatutta- Ran back door, high stakes card games as well as sports bookmaking. Reported to John Bazzano Jr.
Samuel "Sammy" Lanzino- Sports bookmaking and fencing stolen property. Reported to Sonny Ciancutti.
John "Johnny Boy" Leone- Narcotics trafficking, illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion. Reported to Chucky Porter.
Michael "Mikey" Martorella- Sports and numbers bookmaking. Reported to Chucky Porter and Sonny Amato.
Louis "Louie" Masco- Illegal gambling and principal operator of the Cecil Italian Club. Reported to Sonny Ciancutti and Sonny Amato.
Mauro Matone- Narcotics trafficking and fencing stolen property. Reported to Chucky Porter.
Peter Mercurio Sr.- Sports and numbers bookmaking. Associated with Steve Hatzimbes gambling network. Reported to Sonny Ciancutti.
Anthony "Murgie" Imburgia- Nephew of Consigliere Charlie Imburgia. Owner of Verona Auto Sales. Reports to Chucky Porter and Mike Genovese.
Felix "Phil" Pitzerell- Owner of Pitzerell's Restaurant, illegal gambling and fencing stolen property. Reported to Chucky Porter and Louis Raucci.
Ronald Plisco- Plisco was Sonny Amato's key representative in illegal gambling. Reported to Sonny Amato and Chucky Porter.
William "Billy" Porter- Brother of Chucky Porter. Extortion, narcotics trafficking & robbery. Reported to Chucky Porter.
Michael Rosenfeld- Narcotics distribution. Reported to Chucky Porter and Louis Raucci.
Gerald Sabatini- Sports/numbers bookmaking and narcotics trafficking. Reported to Sonny Ciancutti.
John Sabatini- Sports/numbers bookmaking and narcotics trafficking. Reported to Sonny Ciancutti.
Robert Sabatini- Sports/numbers bookmaking and narcotics trafficking. Reported to Sonny Ciancutti.
Joseph Scolieri- Sports.numbers bookmaking. Reported to Chucky Porter and Louis Raucci.
Paul Scolieri- Sports/numbers bookmaking. Reported to Chucky Porter and Louis Raucci. (Part of Bobby Ianelli gambling network).
Meyer Sigal- Owner of Daily Juice Company, employed Joe Sica and Louis Raucci as ghost employees.
Frank Unis Jr- Ran the largest sports bookmaking/numbers operation in Beaver County. Reported to Joey Naples/Paul Hankish/Genovese/Gambino Family.
Rocco Viola Jr.- Chucky Porter's first cousin and real estate developer. Employed Porter as a consultant/ghost employee.
Manuel Xenakis- Sports/numbers bookmaking, part of the Sabatini brothers gambling enterprise. Reported to Sonny Ciancutti.


Youngstown, OH Faction:



Ernest "Ernie B" Biondillo- Chief Lieutenant to Joey Naples. Ran gambling in Campbell, OH. Murdered June 3, 1996. Reported to Joey Naples.
Frank "Ball Bat Frankie" Lentine- Ernie Biondillo's right hand man, ran dice/card games/robbery and sports bookmaking in Campbell, OH. Reported to Joey Naples.
Bernard "Bernie The Jew" Altshuler- Major money maker for Pittsburgh. Ran the All American Club illegal casino in Campbell, OH. Reported to Henry Zottola/Lenny Strollo.
Lawrence "Jeep" Garono- Lenny Strollo's chief lieutenant, collected gambling proceeds from local bookmakers. Reported to Lenny Strollo/Henry Zottola.
Dante "Danny" Strollo- Bagman for brother Lenny, liason between payoffs to corrupt public officials. Ran gambling at All American Club in Campbell, OH.
Michael "Cyrak" Serrecchio- Largest numbers/sports bookmaker/fencing stolen property in Youngstown. Operated Mr. A's Eatery. Reported to Naples/Strollo.
Joseph "Joey Cyrak" Serrecchio- Son of Mike "Cyrak" Serrecchio. Ran numbers for his dad/fencing of stolen property.
Joseph Perfette- Ran illegal gambling in Trumbull County/Warren, OH. 25% kicked up to Cleveland until 1983, then reported directly to Charlie Imburgia (Consigliere).
Jack DeSarro- Largest numbers/sports bookmaker in East Liverpool, OH (about 30 miles south of Youngstown). Reported to Naples/Strollo/Henry Zottola.
Robert "Bobby" Poghen- Debt collector/enforcer/hitman/illegal gambling. Reported to Naples/Strollo.
Paul "Pinto" Holavatick- Joey Naples' driver/enforcer/hitman/debt collector.
Raymond Hertz- Lenny Strollo's stepson. Owner of Stagecoach Inn Bar. Illegal gambling/numbers. Reported to Lenny Strollo.
Samuel "Sam" Vona Sr./Jr.- Both father and son ran extensive numbers/sports bookmaking in Struthers, OH. Reported to Naples/Strollo.
Thomas "Tommy" Peters- Owned Patsy's Lounge, numbers/sports bookmaking. Reported to Naples/Strollo.
Gary Goodrick- Enforcer/numbers/sports bookmaking/barbut dealer. Reported to Naples/Strollo.
Jack Malys- Ran illegal gambling/barbut/craps/numbers at the Greek Coffee House in Campbell, OH. Reported to Naples/Strollo.
Peter Cascarelli- Worked for Naples at Youngstown United Music (Vending Company), robbery/fencing stolen property. Reported to Naples.
Amil Dinsio- One of the biggest bank robbers in American History (1972 Laguna Niguel, CA heist). Robbery/burglary. Reported to Naples/Strollo.
James Dinsio- One of the biggest bank robbers in American History (1972 Laguna Niguel, CA heist). Robbery/burglary. Reported to Naples/Strollo.



Altoona, PA Faction:

Alfred Corbo- Sports/numbers bookmaking. Reported to John Verilla/Joe Regino
Joseph Ruggierio- Sports/numbers bookmaking. Reported to John Verilla/Joe Regino
Victor Schiappa- Sports/numbers bookmaking. Reported to John Verilla/Joe Regino
Carl Venturato- Sports/numbers bookmaking- Reported to John Verilla/Joe Regino
John Caramadre- John Verilla's chief lieutenant. Sports/numbers bookmaking/murder for hire. Reported to John Verilla/Joe Regino.
Vincent Caraciollo- Enforcer for John "Jack" Verilla. Testified against Verilla and Caramadre for murder of John Clark, narcotics trafficker. Reported to John Verilla.
Dennis "Denny" Colello- Enforcer/debt collector for John Verilla.


West Virginia Faction

Paul "No Legs" Hankish- Wheeling, WV "Godfather." Paul was Lebanese and was closely associated with Jo Jo Pecora/Chucky Porter. Controlled all illegal gambling/narcotics trafficking in the West Virginia area. Got his legs blown off in the 1960's after a bloody war with Bill Elias, former West Virginia "boss." Closely associated with Joey Naples and Demus Covello of the Gambino Crime Family. Naples was godfather to his son Chris Hankish and Demus Covello was godfather to his daughter. One of the biggest moneymakers for LaRocca/Genovese. Convicted in 1990 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Reported to LaRocca/Genovese/Porter/Pecora
Chris Hankish-Ran gambling/video poker/narcotics for his father in Scott Twp., PA.
James "Jimmy" Griffin- Paul Hankish's "right hand" man and partner in gambling/narcotics organization.
Charles "Buddy" Jacovetty-Paul Hankish's "left hand" man and partner in gambling/narcotics organization.
Charles "Chucky" Joseph- Owned and operated the Lightning Rod Club in Wheeling, WV, an after hours illegal gambling style casino.
Theodore "Teddy" Tsoras- Ran illegal gambling/narcotics distribution

Thank you for the insightful remarks and information JCB1977. Excellent post as always.

No problem Jimmy Two Times. Any questions you may need on Pittsburgh/Youngstown/Cleveland, let me know and I'll get you the most accurate information.

Here is some info from the 1985 PA Crime Commission on Pittsburgh and the Altoona faction. Scroll down to page 5 and Pittsburgh/Altoona starts there.


http://clevelandmob.com/files/Penn1985Rptpart5and6005.pdf

Both New England and Philadelphia, as small and waning as they may be, are in much better shape than what's left of the mob in Detroit.

That's not the case according to the FBI, that's only according to you , when your opinions are represented by you, to be facts

Uh, yeah, it actually is. Compare the cases against the New England or Philadelphia families to those of the Detroit family in recent years. The first two are obviously much more of a priority than Detroit. All you have to go on is the hype Scott continues to sell and you're more than happy to buy it.

theyve been building a r.i.c.o case against the philly family for the past 10 years, they are lucky that they didnt tie any of the murders because they could have easily done so. if they tied the murders into the case then it would be just as big of a case as the 2001 trial