A group with territory mainly in South Philadelphia and South Jersey,
it also has influence in upstate Pennsylvania, North Jersey and the surrounding Tri-state area.

Upper Echelon Members of Various Leadership Roles
1.) JOSEPH "JOE" IDA (previous Boss, connections to Vito Genovese and Joe Bonanno of New York. Joe Barbara of upstate New York and Santo Trafficante of Florida.)
2.) ANGELO BRUNO (Overseer of small gambling empire/Top Boss. Most Influential in this area with long standing ties to Carlo Gambino of NY and Russell Bufalino of Pennsylvania)
3.) ANTONIO "MR. MIGGS" POLLINA (Interim power/acting boss between Ida and his rival Bruno)
4.) GUISEPPE "JOE" RUGNETTA (Longtime Consigliere/Representative of the Calabrian Faction)
5.) MARCO "SMALL MAN" REGINELLI ( Original head of New Jersey Faction, Highly Important Member with ties to the NY Families. Mentor to Bruno.)
6.) IGNAZIO "NATZ" DENARO ( Bruno's Underboss)
7.) DOMINIC "BIG DOM" OLIVETO ( Another Interim Power, successor to Reginelli's position of prominence. Rival of Bruno. )

CAPOREGIME

FELIX "SKINNY RAZOR" DI TULLIO
PASQUALE "PATSY" MASSI
NICHOLAS "NICKY BUCK" PICCOLO
JOSEPH SCAFIDI
PHILLIP "CHICKEN MAN" TESTA
JOSEPH SCIGLITANO
JOHN "JOHNNY KEYS" SIMONE
ALFRED IEZZA


SOLDATO/SOLDIERS (Membership spread genarally in South Philly, South Jersey and Northern Jersey)
The Criminal Expertise: Bookmaking, Numbers, Illegal Casinos/Games. Loansharking, Sports/Boxing Infiltration, Freelance/Small-scale Drug Trafficking

LUIGI QUARANTA
ANTONINO "NINO" CALIO
FRANK MONTE
SANTO "CHESTER SAM" IDONE
AUGUSTINE AMATO
ROCCO SCAFIDI
MICHELE MAGGIO
FRANK "BLINKY" PALERMO
RALPH "BLACKIE" NAPOLI
CHARLES "PINKY" COSTELLO
DOMINICK "MIKEY DIAMOND" DEVITO
VINCENT "JIMMY CHRISTY" GIOELLA
DOMINICK LE PORE
VITO GENNA
BRUNO D'ELIA
JOHN BOTTE
ALBERT "LULU" ESPOSITO
JOSEPH "JOE GIBBONS" LAZZARO
EDWARD CAMINITI
ANGELO TURCO
SANTO ROMEO
MICHELE "NEW YORK MIKE" MACALUSO
ROCCO DI CONDINA
JOSEPH "JOE BUCK" PICCOLO
DEMETRIO PENNESTRI
FRANK "CHICKIE" NARDUCCI
NICODEMO "LITTLE NICKY" SCARFO
JACK PARISI
FRANK PICCOLO
LEONARDO GALANTE
FRANCESCO DONNIANNI
MARIO "SONNY" RICCOBENE
CARMINE "LITTLE C" BATTAGLIA
FRANK ALTADONNA
JOSEPH FUSCI
DOMINICK FESTA
GUISEPPE CARO
MICHAEL TRAMANTANA
SALVATORE "CHUCKIE" MERLINO
FRANCESCO "DON CHEECH" BARALE
ROCCO "ROXEY ALLEN" AULETTO
MICHELE ROMEO
ANGELO "SKUTCHIE" CHIRICO
JOSEPH LANCIANO
ERNIE PERRICONE
GAETANO "BIG TOM" SCAFIDI
FRANCESCO "FRANK CARUSO" NICOLETTI
PETER MAGGIO
FELIX BOCCHICCHIO
VINCENZO "UPSTATE JIMMY" AMATO
CARL "PAPPY" IPPOLITTO
FRANK SINDONE
ALFRED ANGELICOLA
MICHAEL CAMMAROTA
SAM PUNGITORE
PETER CASELLA
ANTHONIO "TONY BANANAS" CAPONIGRO
HARRY "THE HUNCHBACK" RICCOBENE

Once again this is not the Bible or 100% accurate but merely a generalization of the landscape during this period of time. I am not an expert on Philadelphia and I am sure some of our members who are (and personally known of certain things) will correct me, tell me to add to or subtract from the list. Hopefully this can be an enlightening thread. Many of these lesser know guys have interesting mob stories. Hopefully some clarity can be made about the power of the ANGELO BRUNO Family at that time.

Interesting info regarding the Philly Mob - they actually started out as part of the Castellammarese Clan in Williamsburg up until 1931, then split off as their own family. John "Nazzone" Avena took over after Maranzano's death in 1931. I remember reading in Joe Bonanno's book that he insulted Salvatore Sabella's brother Michele, Michele asked Sal to come over to New York while Joe called on Steve Magaddino for support, but Maranzano took Bonanno under his wing.

Some questions to ask though:
1. Was Sabella asked by Bonanno to step down or did he retire voluntarily?
2. Who was Angelo Bruno's sponsor and when was he inducted into the Philly Mob?
3. It is true that Salvatore Sabella's related to Mike "Mimi" Sabella (one of the Bonanno mobsters involved in the Donnie Brasco scandal and a loyal henchman of Carmine Galante), but how?

Good Questions.
1.) You are confusing MICHELE "MIKE" SABELLA of the later donnie brasco era and his (I believe Uncle or at least older cousin) DOMENICO "MIMI" SABELLA. Mike was sometimes referred to as "Mimi" as well. Yes, they were related to the original Boss SALVATORE SABELLA.
Being on the losing side of the Castellamarese War, he was not seen as part of the new guard by LUCIANO. He was probably asked to retire and because of the impending violence chose wisely. And Although Bonanno would be losing a Castellamarese ally "in theory", he probably felt safer being able to remove a future problem.

2.) I don't know who actually sponsored ANGELO BRUNO for membership.
I know his ties to the like of Carlo Gambino go back to prohibition, so its safe to he was a ringer to be made.... He did take the "criminal alias" "BRUNO" after an early family power JOE "Bruno" DOVI. ANGELO was also taken under the wing of Nj Gambling Chief MARCO REGINELLI. HARRY RICCOBENE had a pleasant memory of BRUNO coming up. Its also been said that BRUNO was alittle more handy with a gun in his younger days, then given credit for. I'd say he was probably widely endorsed.

3.) I answered in #1.

This is missing Joe Rugnetta.. idk when he became Brunos Consig i thought as soon as he took over?

Check #4 in the Upper echelon

Lol my bad i saw Giueseppe and skimmed past.... was he brunos consig from day 1? Doesnt he have a son or nephew thats still involved?

I think Joe Rugnetta’s nephew is Dominic Rugnetta... Guy is a few years from being 100 years old. I doubt he’s still active; but you never know.

Thats the name thanks Zavattoni .. didnt know he was that old

Harry Riccobene was quoted as saying, "The only reason Bruno got it was because I didn't want it." I know he was exaggerating but I wonder If Ricconene was ever really in the running for the top spot during that time and did he even have the capabilities of a Boss.

I read on a less than trustworthy site that Joe Ida was a puppet for Vito Genovese. Is there any truth to that? Obviously under Bruno the family was Gambino-oriented.

Before Bruno, the New York Bosses kept a tighter "grip" on the head of that and many of the other smaller Families. I know that Philly had connections to Vito Genovese and Albert Anastasia. During the Castellamarese War, they shown allegiance to Salvatore Maranzano. Joe Ida was connected to Vito Genovese. I am sure on some level Don Vitone was using Ida to position himself better. Once Bruno came to power, Gambino loosened the grip on Philadelphia. Hence, Bruno's Commission seat.

As Sicilians Gambino and Bruno became simpatico. So much so that I believe they truly liked each other. They were constant companions. As a Napolitano Vito didn't have that same connection I think. Although I could see him staying closer to the mainlanders like Rugnetta, etc.

A good example of this was his tight connections to Pittsburgh with the Volpe brothers. When they were killed, Genovese was instrumental in retaliating against the Sicilian Gianni Bazzano.

Genovese was definitely dependable when it came to defending his interest. He could be a good short term ally. VERY SHORT TERM.

Yeah , prodical son!!

"They were constant companions"......They together had homes in Fla. basically next door 2 each other & had casino junkets in London in tandem w/ each other.

Isn’t there a rumour that Paul Volpe got whacked by Scarfo over some stuff in AC.? Also, any truth to Scarfo and Papalia being friends? If so, how did that friendship come to be?

maybe one of our Philly guys can provide some clarification because I don't know the answer

I think we are talking different era's, and vastly different interests and crews here. I'm not sure that a Papalia and Scarfo would have ever even had the opportunity to meet, let alone do business with one another... Is it possible? Or course, But Scarfo was not an interstate, let alone international type guys. His rackets ran along the same "local" lines as well. Whereas a Johnny (Pops) Papalia was from Canada and heavily into big time narcotics trafficking. Two vastly different focuses. Also the Philly crew in general never really dealt with the Bonanno/Cotroni/Papalia faction to any great degree.

So my answer would have to be a pretty firm no.

No. Paul Volpe was killed by Buffalo, Scarfo had nothing to do with it, but Scarfo and his uncle made a beef to Angelo Bruno about Volpe in AC, who sided with Volpe. When Bruno was killed, Volpe got out of town while Nicky Buck, Scarfo and their crews took over what they could to salvage what they felt Volpe owned them. Volpe was giving Bruno fat envelopes which is why Bruno sided with him. One of Volpe interests went to a Genovese soldier who was in Bobby Manna crew that gave a strong foothold for them in AC, but Scarfo and company did not beef and felt it was better to make a peaceful alliance with them. John Papalia actually attended a party for the Piccolos, Scarfo was in attendance, if Papalia was friends with anyone to Philly, it would have to be Frank Piccolo, Ralph Napoli, Frank Simone, and a couple of Philly guys he was locked up with, one of them being Peter Casella. Papalia was extradited to New York in the 60s where he rubbed shoulders with a few Philadelphia members.

I came across an interesting report done by Villanova University. It was geared primarily towards what it called "The lawful Mafioso". The report, enlightening me to some of the lucrative and quiet Legitimate businesses and businessesmen in the Family during this time.
I uncovered a connection between Philadelphia member and Legit businessman NINO CALIO and NY MANGANO member GUISEPPE "THE PEASANT" TRAINA, thru a Yeast Company.... Its interesting how the the lines get crossed in CN

You have struck on a sub-subject very important to me. Not only the "infiltration" of legitimate business by so-called mafia members, but also the very legit investment of their personal monies into what they felt would be lucrative businesses and industries in order to elevate themselves and that of their blood families for the future.

I view these type of mafiosi as "visionaries" if you will in that although they may also have been knee-deep in illegal rackets like their mob contemporaries, they were astute and sharp enough to take their racket profits and "reinvest" those monies into business.

If you give a good look to some (many actually) of these "sharper" and more business oriented mafia members, you start to see deep patterns of extremely intelligent legit investments. Not only that, but also the successful "operation" of those businesses after they got into them which was no small matter.

Whether they be retail type shops, wholesale companies, manufacturing, or controlling entire segments of commerce, etc., it took plenty of brainpower to accomplish the vast goals they set for themselves.

These type guys were not "hoodlums" per se, or "dese and dose" push-noses. They were basically sharp, ballsy businessmen with a distinct "edge". A Cosa Nostra edge for sure, but an edge nonetheless.

I find THIS aspect of the Italian underworld the most fascinating of all.

Another businessman was member MICHELE MAGGIO, of the Maggio Cheese company. In the report I've read, a CI noted that Maggio was a very prominent guy before Bruno's rise, and could've been considered a upper echelon guy.

Thanks man! That is some great information, I thought that it was a beef over gambling, seeing as Papalia had a huge stake in gambling in Ontario and Scarfo in AC and Volpe had run a foul of them both. So Papalia and Scarfo got the OK from Buffalo, as well as friends in NYC, to killed Volpe. I appreciate the insight!

Scarfo did not kill Volpe, but he is one of the mobsters that beefed about Volpe and was not the only one, both the Gambinos and Genovese families had beefs, Elisabeth does not get mentioned but Fat Louie had some sort of beef with Volpe. This got back to Buffalo who already had complaints from Canada long before Volpe moved to AC. The root of this is the Pieri's. Salvatore was one of Volpe protectors. When he died Joe Sr set the wheels in motion for Volpe to be killed. Scarfo never pulled the trigger or was involved in the hit.

The Volpe Character sound just like that. A character..... the smaller Families like Pittsburgh isn't a strong point for me

I’m pretty sure Michele Maggio is the one who sponsored Bruno. It’s been a while but I believe I read that in the book Before Bruno. I highly recommend that book which is very thoroughly researched. The author Celeste Morello is a relative of the Morellos if I’m not mistaken. Her great grandfather was a prominent member of Sabella’s gang. It’s broken up into three parts starting in the 1880s but I read the last installment which chronicled 1946-1959. She spent like 15years researching and interviewed tons a mafiosi who apparently trusted her because of her family history. Very good info in that book and I’m sure even more in the others.

Yes... I have that book,,sold 2 me @ the Italian Market by Ms. Morello & autographed back in 2004..she was very nice to talk 2 & the book is great...she sits @ a little table when the weather is nice & sells her wares. Also sometimes gives mob tours or @ least back then she did.

The book was very informative. I was able to read the about the 1946-1959. It was helpful. Philly has an interesting history during that time, it should be explored more.

Do you have any idea where I may be able to find these books? Have heard about them and even looked for them online a few times with no luck. They are probably the only books on Philadelphia I have yet to read.

Since Ive gotten them straight from the source (the author) i could not tell you...sorry.

Anyone have info on Nicky Scrfo's uncle NICKY BUCK PICCOLO? What rackets was he involved in? How was his reputation in Philadelphia?

[BadWord].

?

No problem hoodlum. Since I posted this I was able to find all 3 books online and they should be here Friday. Gonna take them up to the Poconos with me and enjoy the fresh air and some Philly mob history...should be a good weekend.

My man Barracuda.......u know thats Frank Sindones nickname.....I hope u have a great time up there..always loved the Pocos....Rent a canoe w/ the family, maybe catch a fish...play hide & seek w/ ur grandchildren...if u have them...Live life dude....&...read the books!!!..& eat good!!

[/quote]
My man Barracuda.......u know thats Frank Sindones nickname.....I hope u have a great time up there..always loved the Pocos....Rent a canoe w/ the family, maybe catch a fish...play hide & seek w/ ur grandchildren...if u have them...Live life dude....&...read the books!!!..& eat good!![/quote]

What was Frank Sindone's rackets and reputation in the streets?

What was Frank Sindone's rackets and reputation in the streets?[/quote]

Major shylock and gambling operator. Involved in floating crap games in the 1960s. Sponsored for membership first by Joseph Piccolo then by Angelo Bruno. Harry Riccobene and Ernest Perricone tried, unsuccessfully, to blackball him for membership. Used Chickie Ciancaglini as his main driver/ bodyguard and right-hand-man. Sponsored Ciancaglini for membership. Authorised Ciancaglini to give out loans in his absence. Had a numbers game with Phil Testa and another ran by Ciancaglini and associate Charles Warrington. Ciancaglini was also tasked with collecting money from a numbers game run by the Riccobenes. Sindone had wanted to retire to California in the late-70s and give an equal piece of his loan shark operation to Bruno and Testa but wasn't given permission to retire. Used Frank's Cabana Steaks as his headquarters and had Ciancaglini run it. Also had a piece of Cous' Little Italy.

According to George Fresolone and Frank Friel, Sindone was a popular choice to take over the family following Bruno's murder. According to Nick Caramandi, Sindone was untrustworthy and had come up with a hit list that included Scarfo and Frank Narducci. When he was killed his operations were split up between Ciancaglini, Salvie Testa, Frank Monte and Chuckie Merlino

Thanks @Chin_Gigante
You seem very knowledgeable about this crew. Can you help lay out the reputation and rackets of the Caporegimes of this Family during this time???
Or anyone's knowledge and opinions

Here's some of what I've got for Reginelli, Rugnetta and Denaro. I'll write up some more on other top ranking guys during the 1950s and 1960s if I get the time:

Marco Reginelli:
- Underboss for Joseph Ida
- The real power in the family behind Ida
- Frequently identifies as the head of the 'Greaser Gang'
- Main activities of the Greasers were numbers, liquor and betting on horse races, as well as seasonal gambling in football, baseball, basketball and boxing
- Was partners with Angelo Bruno in Penn Jersey Vending Machine Company
- Owned the Casablanca Night Club in Camden with Pasquale Massi
- Had Louis Campbell oversee numbers and dice games in Camden

Joseph Rugnetta:
- Served as a captain under Ida
- Partner in South Philly Grill
- Nephew and inducted member Domenic Rugnetta was a bartender at the Grill
- Briefly became acting boss of the family when Ida fled
- His conduct as acting boss made him enemies and the family held an election to replace him
- Demoted to underboss when Pollina took over
- Shifted to consigliere under Bruno and became head of the Calabrian faction
- Still commanded a great deal of respect in the family
- Exercised control over the family's operations in Chester as all members there were Calabrians
- Rugnetta's first wife was the sister of the mother of the Piccolo brothers
- Rugnetta financially helped the Piccolos when their father died
- Rugnetta, Nicholas Piccolo and Joseph Sciglitano delayed an induction ceremony in 1969 because no Calabrian candidates had been proposed and they did not want to go to South Jersey for the ceremony
- After he died, Phil Testa and Nicky Scarfo were caught on tape talking about how, rather than being a neutral mediator, as consigliere Rugnetta had held a grudge against Scarfo and tried to get him killed

Ignazio Denaro:
- Served as a captain in the 1950s
- Owner of the Internazionale Cafe
- Involved in loan sharking and gambling
- Told Bruno that Pollina wanted to cut his legs off, leading to Bruno becoming boss
- Promoted to underboss under Bruno
- Said to be the one in charge of the Sicilians while Rugnetta was in charge of the Calabrians
- Got into a dispute with Bruno in the early 1960s and talked to Rugnetta about it, who advised him to sit down with Bruno
- Instead, Denaro went over Bruno's head to Carlo Gambino
- Denaro was then admonished for going over Bruno's head and told not to do it again
- No-one had told Bruno to make Denaro underboss so he could take him down if he wanted without permission from the Commission
- Bruno and Denaro once got into a heated argument over Denaro talking to FBI agents at his cafe
- It was briefly feared that he would not be able to stand up under law enforcement pressure in the 1960s
- Testa, Scarfo and Piccolo were in favour of hitting Denaro
- Was still active in family affairs by 1969

@chin_gigante
Interesting. Thanks. Can you do the Caporegime when you have an opportunity?

Some stuff on a few of the captains:

Gaetano Scafidi:
- Brother of member Joseph Scafidi
- Father of members Rocco Scafidi and Salvatore 'Sam' Scafidi
- Was against Sam becoming a member
- Involved in Black Hand extortions
- Owned a candy store
- Died 1958

Joseph Scafidi:
- Father of member Samuel Scafidi
- Partners in a numbers operation with Bruno and others
- Resided in Bridgeton, NJ
- Wept with joy when Rocco Scafidi was reinstated as a member in 1960
- Bruno set Samuel Scafidi up with Charles Costello to get him started in the cigarette vending machine business

John Cappello:
- Father, also called John, was a member
- Inducted in 1943 or 1944
- Participated in three murders before being made
- Promoted to captain by Pollina
- Crew consisted of old-timers who didn't cause any problems
- Opened a crap game with Frank Sindone in the 1960s

Pasquale Massi:
- Identified as having 8 members in his crew
- Knew Tommy Luchese, Joe Profaci, Albert Anastasia, Anthony Accardo and Sam Giancana
- Also talked about visiting 'Charlie' (likely Luciano)
- Operated St George Motel and had been partners in the Casablanca in Camden with Marco Reginelli
- Was considered to become boss after Ida
- Bruno tried to interest him to purchase a pier on Delaware Avenue from the city to build a night club there
- Involved in planning Calogero Sinatra's visit to the US
- Owned a lot of land in Italy
- Took an extended trip to Italy in the 60s
- Joseph Lanciano acted as captain in his absence
- Was under heavy surveillance by Italian police
- Suffered a heart attack in Italy and recovered in a hospital in Rome
- Had a heart attack on the boat back to the US
- Gets taken down after it is discovered that he was caught having homosexual relations
- Somehow his life was spared
- Lanciano took over the crew

@chin_gigante
You're a wealth of knowledge. Could you expand on member CHARLES "PINKY" COSTELLO if you know any more on him?

Also some members whose names get over looked CARL "PAPPY" IPPOLITTO, SANTO "CHESTER SAM" IDONE, RALPH "BLACKIE"NAPOLI and JOHN "JOHNNY KEYS" SIMONE, any info on them would be an interesting addition

Some of the stuff I have on other characters around that time as well as some more stuff on people I've already talked about:

Antonio Pollina:
- Born 1892 in Caccamo, Sicily
- Wanted to become a priest but his family could not afford it
- Worked as a labourer with his father until joining the army
- Fought in WWI and won commendations
- Worked as a supervisor in argiculture after the war
- Inducted into the Mafia in Caccamo
- Left Sicily around the time of Mussolini's arrests of mafiosi
- Went by the name Dominick Pollina
- Worked in a wholesale grocery business in Pittsburgh
- Worked as a picker on a farm in New Jersey
- Partnered with John Scopoletti and non-Italians during Prohibition
- Used the money he made from supervising stills to get involved in loan sharking
- Participated in the 1927 murders of Joseph Zanghi and Vincent Cocozzo
- Acquitted of the murders 1933
- Jacob Duplinick disappeared 1939 and was presumed murdered to prevent him from testifying about Pollina's involvement in liquor
- Was quite charitable to those in need during the Depression
- Serving as a captain by the 1950s
- Lived a few houses away from Angelo Bruno
- Sometimes described by informants as disagreeable and egotistical
- Had a job as a supervisor at Maggio Cheese Company
- Accused of abusing the Maggios
- Financed Peter Casella's heroin operations
- Elected acting boss to replace Joe Rugnetta
- Accused of lying about Bruno and wanting to kill him out of jealousy
- Taken down by the Commission in favour of Bruno
- Continued to hang around after that but his presence was not generally appreciated
- Unsuccessfully petitioned Bruno to make him consigliere in the 1970s after Rugnetta died

Philip Testa:
- Son of early family member Salvatore Testa
- Inducted after his participation in the 1950 murder of Joseph Sadia
- Proposed for membership by Alfred Iezzi, according to Ralph Natale
- Had a reputation for being gruff and particularly rude to law enforcement
- Promoted to captain by Pollina
- Proposed Frank Monte and Frank Narducci for membership
- Apart from Monte and Narducci, his crew consisted of old men
- Became Bruno's de facto right-hand-man in the 1960s
- Involved in numbers and loan sharking
- Operated out of Virgilio's Restaurant
- Differences with Bruno eventually led to their feud in the late-1970s
- More willing to resort to violence than Bruno

Frank Barrale:
- Born 1882
- From Belmonte Mezzagno, Sicily
- Potentially a boss before Sabella
- Said to be feared and scorned
- Died 1958

Ignazio Denaro:
- One of John Avena's bodyguards
- Inherited some money from Avena's gambling operations

Felix DiTullio:
- Born 1907
- From Abruzzi
- Active as a bootlegger during Prohibition
- Identified as the getaway driver in the murder of a guy called 'Indian Nuts' in around 1934
- Involved in the 1936 murder of Pius Lanzetti
- Described as a ladies' man
- Exempt from paying tribute because of the amount of work he did
- Involved in bookmaking and loan sharking
- Involved in opium
- Operated out of the Friendly Tavern
- Named one son Marco after Reginelli and another Dominick after Oliveto
- Died 1966

Carl Ippolito:
- Inducted 1962 with Ralph Napoli
- Invested money with Bruno in a Havana casino
- Known to associate with Sam DeCavalcante
- At times served as acting captain for John Simone
- Murder of Alvin Feldman was delayed because he owed Ippolito money

Joseph Lanciano:
- Born 1906 in Santa Caterina, Calabria
- Nicknamed 'Jack Williams'
- Owned a luncheonette
- Sometimes referred to as a sleeper member
- Acted as captain for Pasquale Massi and later officially replaced him

Joseph Sciglitano:
- Born 1896 in Seminara
- No police record
- Identified as a captain in Chester 1960s
- Ran the Delaware Valley Beverage Company

Gaetano Scafidi:
- Hated for his involvement in extortions
- Referred to as the King of the Black Handers
- Involved in counterfeiting and arson

Joseph Scafidi:
- Reliable killer
- Participated in many murders with Peter Casella
- No-one said anything bad about him even behind his back
- Provided the FBI information on some old-time members

John Simone:
- Born in Florence, PA
- Grew up around Niagara Falls, NY
- Distant cousin of Bruno
- Partners with Sam DeCavalcante in Atlas Exterminating Company
- Got the contract to remove roaches from Trenton Police Department and would go there once a month
- Ran a large numbers operation in New Jersey
- Long-time friend of Gambino member Nicholas Russo
- Had connections to John Tronolone from Cleveland
- Had been arrested in Cleveland for an assault with intent to rob
- Worked at Casablanca Night Club in Camden owned by Reginelli
- Promoted to captain by Pollina
- Spent a lot of time in Florida
- Charles Costello and Carl Ippolito served as acting captains for him on different occassions
- Originally controlled the North Jersey members until they became their own crew
- Told Liborio Milito and Joseph D'Angelo that he had been involved in 50 hits

Ralph Napoli:
- Inducted 1962 with Carl Ippolito
- Provided the shotgun that was used in the Bruno murder
- Promoted to captain 1981 at the behest of Bobby Manna
- Demoted 1984 for sending an associate to deliver important messages to New York
- Scarfo was also upset with how Napoli was running the crew and giving too much away to the Genovese people
- Joseph Licata wanted to have Napoli killed in 1989 but Anthony Piccolo would not give permission
- Bumped back up to captain at some point after George Fresolone flipped
- Taken down again after Licata and Joseph Sodano complained to Stanfa that he was senile

Santo Idone:
- Participated in the murders of Dominick Caruso and Alvin Feldman
- Also told Phil Leonetti that he had once crushed a man's windpipe while strangling him
- Promoted to captain after Joe Rugnetta died

Interesting.... a a few questions come to mind.

1.) Was Dominick Pollina still an active figure after Bruno was made official Boss?

2.) What rackets were Carl Ippolito, Blackie Napoli and Santo Idone in?

Can you expand into guys like HARRY RICCOBENE, TONY BANANAS CAPONIGRO and NICKY BUCK PICCOLO during this time?

And any info on these lesser known members: JOSEPH "JOE GIBBONS" LAZZARO, FRANCESCO "FRANK CARUSO" NICOLETTI and VINCENZO "UPSTATE JIMMY" AMATO???

Just some side info. The newark Nj faction was started by ( I think ) relatives of Angelo Bruno. They lived in Newark , the iron bound/ down neck section and had a few rackets going which prabably caused some issues with another crew which was likely the genovese. Since Bruno was a big shot in Philly and close to Carlo Gambino, a deal was probably made and they were given the ok to operate under the auspices of philly.

Well JOHN "JOHNNY KEYS" SIMONE ran North Jersey operations and according to @chin_gigante, were distant cousins.

This is by no means extensive and you can probably find out a lot more yourself through some creative searching on the Mary Ferrell database.



Pollina was still active somewhat after Bruno took over though he was somewhat ostracized and thought of as an annoyance. He attended Bruno's daughter's wedding in 1962. He lent money to Mickey Diamond and, when Diamond was killed, tried to collect it from Nick Caramandi. He caused a scene at Pat Spirito's clubhouse but Spirito could not do much as he had not been introduced to Pollina as a member. Joseph Ciancaglini had to come down and defuse the situation. Pollina apologised to Caramandi and left. Before he died in 1993 he gave an interview to Celeste Morello and told her he believed God was keeping him alive to torture him.

Riccobene was in prison during the period discussed in this thread for his heroin conviction. He had last been on the street in 1952 and started giving the FBI information while inside.

Carl Ippolito:
- Born 1908 in Trenton
- First arrested 1931 for a robbery
- Other arrests included robbery, tax violations and operating an illicit still
- Reported being self-employed with Arco-Rex Amusement Company
- President of Trenton Vending Services Inc
- A crap game run by Ippolito for Bruno closed in 1959 after only one week due to lack of business
- In 1962, Ippolito told Bruno he had obtained 350 sheets paper that could be easily destroyed for use in a numbers office
- A "Tony Pinto" from New York turned in $50,000 to $60,000 anually in numbers bets to Ippolito for John Simone
- Ippolito also received edge-off bets from a man identified as "Sailor" from NJ
- Bruno contemplated telling Ippolito to use Michael Tramantana and Frank Pollastrelli to assault an employee who was stealing from Maggio Cheese
- The FBI passed this information on to the police and the assault never happened
- Bruno at one point praised Ippolito as an efficient hijacker
- Had a share of a craps game in the 1970s along with Phil Testa, Frank Narducci, Frank Sindone and Charles Warrington
- Ippolito and Warrington also had a craps game in Andalusia, PA
- Headed gambling operations in Bucks County until they were passed to Albert Pontani
- Charged with racketeering 1981 but ruled unfit to stand trial
- Died 1985

Santo Idone:
- Born 1920 in Bagnara, Calabria
- Arrived in US 1936 and lived in Fort Lee, NJ
- Joined the army 1942 and became a citizen
- Discharged 1946 and moved to Chester
- Promoted to captain after Joseph Rugnetta's death
- Santo Romeo, Domenic Rugnetta, Joseph Scalleat and Antonino Sciglitano were under Idone
- Got involved in bookmaking in the 1960s
- Ran bookmaking and video poker in Chester and elsewhere in Delaware County
- Also involved in loan sharking and extortion
- Got involved in video poker in the early 1980s
- Split his time between Pennsylvania and Florida
- Supported Nicky Scarfo to become boss on the condition that he got along better with the Piccolos
- Scarfo gave Idone the contract on Riccobene associate Thomas Auferio
- It was believed that Auferio had fled to Hazleton, so Joseph Scalleat was tasked with tracking him down
- Scalleat never managed to find Auferio
- Mediated a dispute between the Gambino and Philadelphia families over video poker
- Alfonso Sanbe tried to install poker machines in locations owned by Idone associates
- After being the target of attempted assaults, Sanbe went to the Gambinos and Louie Milito was sent to negotiate on his behalf
- Sanbe stopped stepping on toes and Idone called off the assaults
- Sentenced to 20 years for racketeering 1990
- Released 1998 and died 2005

Ralph Napoli:
- Gambler and loan shark from North Jersey
- Arrests for bookmaking and assault
- Sent to Yardville 1971 for refusing to answer questions from the State Commission of Investigation
- Assumed some of Caponigro's operations when he was killed
- Arrested 1985 in a raid where 400 video poker machines were confiscated
- Charged in a 1990 NJ case with racketeering and gambling
- Died 2003

Antonio Caponigro:
- In the 1950s was cooperating with Frank Carbo in controlling boxing
- Caponigro's cousin (future member) Anthony Ferrante was manager for middleweight Joey Giardello and was said to be increasingly bold with other managers
- Identified as having inherited the production of illicit alcohol after Marco Reginelli died
- Harold Konigsberg believed that Caponigro had about 10 to 12 made guys under him in the 1960s
- One source said the guys under Caponigro fight for the best jobs because he treats them so well
- Because Caponigro was in charge of operations in Newark, some sources falsely believed he was a captain in the 1960s
- Sam DeCavalcante was caught on tape discussing Caponigro, saying he had more class than Bruno or anyone else in Philadelphia
- DeCavalcante, Louis Larasso and Frank Majuri all agreed that Bruno should have made Caponigro a captain
- Caponigro was a little hurt that he was still under John Simone
- In 1958 he was already quoted as considering killing Bruno because he perceived Bruno as coming up too fast
- Took over some numbers businesses from Jewish racketeers after Longy Zwillman died
- Got into a beef with Ruggiero Boiardo in the 1960s over a monte game
- Caponigro generally stayed in Down Neck to avoid getting in the way of Boiardo in the First Ward
- Took over Anthony Veniero's gambling operations
- Owned the 311 Club

Nicholas Piccolo:
- Ran Piccolo's 500 before it became Cous' Little Italy
- Inducted about 5 years before Scarfo and the rest of the Piccolos
- Involved in numbers with his brother Joseph
- Nicky Scarfo worked for the Piccolo numbers operation but quit in 1962
- Considered to succeed Joe Rugnetta as consigliere
- Eventually became consigliere after Frank Monte but was already getting senile
- Died 1989

Charles Costello:
- Born 1910
- Brother of Joseph Costello, who died in the 1960s
- Cousin of Angelo Bruno (not first cousin)
- Arrested for attempted extortion, conspiracy to violate tax laws and receiving stolen goods
- Convicted on a 1931 extortion charge and received six months in jail
- Prior to 1941 worked as a car salesman
- Reputation as a gambler
- Split his time between Trenton and Miami
- President of JC Vending Machine Inc
- JC Vending reported gross sales revenue of $400,000 per year in 1960
- Arrested 1969 for running numbers out of JC Vending
- Second wife Madeline Kelley was formerly the secretary and treasurer of JC Vending
- Divorced first wife Julia and married Madeline Kelley 1960
- Julia was the mother of Costello's son and inducted member Joseph J Costello
- Joseph J Costello shot and killed Frank Matthews at JC Vending 1961
- Matthews was a small time hoodlum with no known connections to the Costellos
- Matthews had entered JC Vending looking for Charles
- Joseph feared Matthews was attempting a holdup
- A struggle then ensued as Joseph tried to get Matthews off the premises
- Joseph shot Matthews in the head and he died almost instantly
- Charles flew up from Miami to get his son released on bail
- Joseph pled guilty to a weapons offence and received a suspended sentence
- Joseph was identified as a member by May 1965
- Joseph was believed to be involved in financing narcotics operations
- Arrested with his brother Charles Jr for running numbers out of a social club 1979
- Had connections to African-American numbers operations in Trenton
- Charles Sr entered semi-retirement after the murder of Bruno
- Charles Sr died 1994 and Joseph died 2007

Michael Tramantana:
- Arrests include robbery and tax violations
- Known as a hijacker and bootlegger during Prohibition
- Once charged with murder and fled to South America
- Operated a mine in Bolivia
- Operated Eton Cleaners in Trenton

All I know about Vincenzo Amato is that Riccobene believed he was either under Joseph Rugnetta in 1952 or reporting direct to Marco Reginelli. His fingerprints were also checked in connection with the 1954 murder of Marshall Veneziale but came back negative.

Joseph Lazzaro was at Dante's Restaurant with Frank Narducci and got into an argument with Joseph Malito, who was a friend of Bruno's, in 1964. Malito was later murdered but it was believed he was killed by the husband of a woman he was seeing. Lazzaro worked at a ziganette game run by Albert Esposito.

Frank Nicoletti was born 1897 in mainland Italy. Came to New York 1921 and became a citizen 1928. Was aligned with the Lanzetti gang before coming in under LCN. Served in the army. Involved in numbers and worked as a loan shark for Pollina and Denaro. Also identified as a bagman. Joseph Sadia spread rumours that Nicoletti's wife was having an affair with former boss Salvatore Sabella. Bruno and Testa killed Sadia while Nicoletti drove the getaway car. Nicoletti and his brother Leonard were inducted 1952. Invested in a London casino along with other members of the family in the 1960s. Sometimes referred to as the treasurer of the family under Bruno. Died 1990.

Does anybody know who and when the drugs came into the picture with this Family?

At least as far back as the early 1950s with Pete Casella who was pinched in a large heroin conspiracy case with a bunch of NYC guys. He did a bid on that case. But I have a feeling that Philly goes back even further with babania, say the late 1930s-1940s. I just can't think of any particulars now

Harry Riccobene started dealing in drugs in the 1920s and was first arrested for narcotics in 1932, receiving two years in prison. While the more senior mafiosi generally stayed away from drugs, the younger guys started getting involved during Prohibition. Frank Piccolo got involved in narcotics by the early-1920s and Peter Casella was another figure with early drug convictions in the 1930s. The Lanzetti gang was a significant player in the drug trafficking scene at that time, obtaining narcotics from New York and selling them in Philadelphia, but the LCN family avoided getting involved in an organised way. Salvatore Avena (son of boss John Avena) said that his father was warned by Dominick Pollina to stay away from narcotics and the Lanzettis. The general attitude towards drugs was laissez-faire, however. Not wanting to get involved but not willing to turn down the proceeds.

Associates Raymond Martorano and Frank Sindone had drug convictions by the 1950s. Riccobene was sent away for a long stretch in 1952 and Casella got stung by undercover agents in 1958 bringing 37 pounds of heroin down from New York (it was also believed that Pollina and Angelo Bruno were financing his deals). Joseph Ida was linked in his FBI files to narcotics being smuggled from France and Italy. Marco Reginelli, Felix DiTullio and Louis Campbell were identified as regular opium users. After the heat that came down on drug traffickers in the 1950s however (and the lengthy sentences received by Riccobene and Casella) Bruno got more cautious and was picked up on tape a few times warning his guys not to associate with known dealers or else risk being caught up in drug cases.

The Sicilian Gambinos set up shop in South Jersey in the early 1970s with Bruno's blessing. Some members of the Philadelphia family would buy heroin from the Gambinos and sell it to non-mob distributors, who would then sell it on to street dealers. Bruno was not opposed to this but was opposed to the family getting into drugs in an organised fashion. This irritated members involved in heroin who knew they could make several times more from junk if they were allowed to do so in a coordinated fashion. Antonio Caponigro was one of these guys who wanted to get more involved in drugs.

Raymond Martorano got involved in meth in a big way and Bruno made money off of that. Harry Riccobene got involved in meth himself and, when Scarfo took over, he was organising the shake downs of drug dealers and P2P importers. Ralph Natale was also involved in meth once he became boss.

How about Unions? Did Philly have any during Bruno's time?

Bruno had connections to Teamsters Local 107 in Philadelphia and the Teamsters unions in New Jersey. He also had connections to Roofers Local 30.

The unions they fully controlled were Bartenders unions in New Jersey. They had Local 170 and Local 54 and got the two merged. Local 54 was then what they used with the casinos in Atlantic City.

Now if we can just get the legitimate businesses together, we'll have a decent look at this Borgota during this time.

Did Philly have guys operating in NY? And what were if any, Bruno's rackets or business interests outside of Philadelphia?

I am so happy that" chin gigante" beat me 2 the punch w/ more wealth of knowledge than I could possibly supply....as a child..My father was "friendly" w/ Angie..cause of my pop's position @ Keebler Cookies as a union procreate @ G & Hunting Park Aves....it's now torn down..but I do remember as a kid Angie visiting our home during the holidays & dad was always happy....& also dad telling me "I'll be right back" on trips not so often 2 a house on the end of Snyder Ave....he always came back w/ pastries..I-95 did not excist in those days so my dad i think took Delaware ave.......anyways... I in late teen yrs. knew some of these men..and they were 2 me & my personal family GENTLEMEN ...Carl pappy Ippolito was Angies cousin and came 2 my older sisters wedding reception @ what was then "Gillards"..an Irish hall ...on Castor Ave. Thanx 4 the mems..!!! Hoodlum

Where did the Philly Family rank in Nj presence compared to the other Families? And were they in any way stronger then the Decavalcantes?

In the 1970s, Antonio Caponigro backed a monte game in the Bronx in the back of a garage on 181st Street run by Joseph Licata. Licata was also in charge of Caponigro's shylock money to drug dealers who played in the monte game as well as six-figure loans to guys from the garment district. The monte game moved to Mulberry Street in the late-1970s and partnered with a couple of Gambino captains. Businessmen, artists, wiseguys and drug dealers would bet at the game. Caponigro's brother-in-law Alfred Salerno owned a jewellery booth in the diamond district in Manhattan.

In the 1980s, George Fresolone briefly moved the wire room for his bookmaking operation to an apartment in Manhattan and then to Queens until they got busted.

Joseph Sodano was partners with the Gambino family in some gambling business in New York and had connections to Frank LoCascio and John Gotti.

John Praino was a high-stakes Bronx bookmaker who came to the North Jersey crew of the Philadelphia family for protection from the other families. Praino just wanted to be left alone and had to be talked into being straightened out in 1990.

Fresolone believed that Caponigro's New Jersey operation in the 1970s was more powerful than the DeCavalcantes or any of the Jersey crews of the New York families (and this was before Caponigro was made consigliere). Fresolone said Caponigro's power stemmed from the money he made, the number of guys under him and his willingness to participate in murder.

Did Philly have any rackets or members in Florida? And did they have specific members who operated in New York?

John Praino operated out of the Bronx.

Philadelphia has something of a tradition of high-ranking guys splitting their time between home and Florida. Guys like John Simone, Santo Idone, etc. Now Joey Merlino. Haven't had a Florida crew though. Simone's operations were still based out of Trenton. Idone's operations remained based out of Chester and the surrounding area.

They had legitimate business in New York City and Florida. Florida some of the members had a second house and maintained a trusted associate or two down there. They supposedly had a made member there in eastern Florida, who was once part of the Lanzetti gang in Philadelphia, but made peace with Joe Bruno after the convictions of the top members in 1940, through Joe Ida. The guys name is unknown, and was involved in gambling, cigarette machines, owned a restraunt, and boat repair shop. Direct with Joe Ida, served Angelo Bruno, retired in the late 1960s, and passed away sometime in the 1970s. Bruno had an aluminum company down there, and a second home in the Miami area. Nicky Scarfo had a home in Ft. Lauderdale, and Joey Merlino lives in Boca Raton.

How was Philadelphia comparable to The Bufalinos? How did Angelo Bruno stack up to Russell Bufalino?

Simple....Russell had all of northern Pa.....whear as Don Bruno.had southern pa. & south N.J. & Atlantic City......Bruno controlled everything in phila...had all the unions tied up including my old man @ Keebler cookie co. @ what was then @ G & Hunting Park ave.....it's not there anymore..but Russell held a small but strong hold on Angie....sad 2 say...the 2 were peas in a pod...got along well despite the travel arrangements ...Russell was more powerful in his seat than Don Bruno...BUT they were good friends...I can attest 2 that & so can my mother...Good Night.

Good observation. Generally until recently, guys like Bufalino ( Patriarca, Marcello etc) have been seen as second Bananas to the NY bosses and the full extent of their power not fully examined or understood.

Russell also was a more influential man than Bruno due 2 his presence on his seat on the commision during the 50 & 60s..it is my understanding that Russell was high in ups the of the Genovese ppl. as well as the rest of N.Y.......he was big way b4 Don Bruno was boss circa 59'.

In my opinion, Philly was an overrated Family, and I mean that with all due respect, but I think because its a major city, the impression is that it was a powerhouse crew. And I'm saying this in comparison to the other east coast Families. With that being said, this is a hypothetical question but What does everyone think of Philly and The Decavalcante's as one group? I think we would be talking about a powerful regime. Who do you think would've been Boss? Bruno or Sam the Plumber?

Bruno had Carlo's support. That made him and his borgata untouchables.
The answer to your question about Sam the Plumber, is whom he had allegiance with. I always assumed he was with the Genoveses, but some folks claim he was pretty much independent.

As someone said earlier at this thread, Tony Bananas had big operation in Jersey. Funzi wanted to get it. It was a great move: Caponigro is made believe he has Frank's ok, Bruno is dead and AC is there waiting someone just to grab it. Frank has a legit reason to get rid of Tony B, kills him and takes over rackets in Jersey. All that was the beginning of the end for Philly crew and big win for the Genoveses.

I always said, in my opinion, one of the biggest "mafia what-ifs" is: What if Philly and Jersey had been one Family??? Who would've lead Bruno or Sam The Plumber?? How powerful could that have been???

I just listened to a podcast about a guy operating in Jonestown, Pa named Russell Shorto who was supposedly connected to a philly guy named "Little Joe". Does anybody have knowledge of these guys, Ive never heard of them. I thought maybe this "Shorto" was with the Bufalinos but I couldn't find anything, maybe one of our philly guys know about this Little Joe?

Id bet money little Joe is Joe Scalleat he was a philly fam soldier out of Hazleton which isnt far from Jonestown..its odd he was w Philly since Hazleton is most definitely Buffalino turf and Russ’s house was like 30 min outside Hazleton

Joseph Regino. He was actually with Pittsburgh family and a close confidant of LaRocca. He ran Johnstown and surrounding areas. Big in the gambling scene. His strongest and one of his key associates who was an enforcer was Samual Fascionatta. I believe both died in the 1980s around the same time of each other. They did business with Bufalino and Philadelphia guys in the gambling scene. Friend of Henry's I think has more information on him and the guys he was around. I think he was a capo of 3 to 4 soldiers.

Sammy Fashionatta helped control the town of Altoona, PA., for LaRocca. He and Jack Verilla worked together. The brash Verilla later fell hard. While Fashionatta continued on low-keyed and successfully.

Maybe Friend Of Henry knows of the Pittsburgh connection for this Russell Shorto? Apparently he had pinball machines

Hes talking about Jonestown which in eastern pa not far from reading.. johnstown is outside Shittsburgh theres no way this Little Joe is Philly soldier and any farther west than Harrisburg.. im telling u its Joe Scalleat from Hazleton