The Di Cocco Crew of Schenectady, NY

Under the auspices of Paolo Di Cocco, bookmaking and gambling thrived in the quiet city of Schenectady with very little violence throughout its history.

https://thenewyorkmafia.com/di-cocco-crew-schenectady-new-york/

My hometown!

My friend Joe Juliano's father was supposedly a bookie. I used to work with him (son) from time to time people, mostly older guys would drop off money to him and he would give it to his dad. He told me his dad was in jail in the early 2000's I think and implied he was connected. I always take what people say with a grain of salt though.

Yes Dude, Schenectady is a cool little town. A unique situation there in that no solid crew or "regime" ever developed, yet they had a lot of action there. A lot of "semi-independents".

DiCocco was somewhat hooked. And of course you had Gene Campo who was allegedly a made guy from there that DiCocco was friendly with. And a few Bufalino guys who called Schenectady as well. Yet, no formal crew... I always found that a bit funny and weird in a sense.

Over the weekend I was hanging out with my dad, I had mentioned your post, more or less about OC and gambling in Schenectady. He said " Yeah the DiCoccos." Told me about a restaurant they had in late 70's with a backroom where gambling went on. He said he and his friend used to go there but could never work up enough courage to make a bet and or go back there.

Thanks for the insight into my area!

The place your father was referring to was Di Cocco's Luncheonette. A little Italian-styled cafe that served good homemade food and had a combo horse parlor/steady card game going on in the back through a double-locked door with a two-way mirror. I talk about it in my expose on them. Anyway, they ran it for years.

The NYS Police and Schenectady PD actually raided the place a few times in high-profiled sweeps.


And I wanna say you are very much welcome for that. I'm glad you enjoyed my story, and I'm glad it gave you more insight into your community from decades past.

PS: I'm also glad you and dad had a chance to chat about the old days. I'm sure it brought back a few memories to your father as well.