Ah ha. That's really the issue here. How we define what we call "the Rizzutos." It seems that many have made the mistake of equating all of organized crime in Montreal with "The Rizzutos." Or thinking that everything, at least from an Italian OC perspective, falls under that umbrella there.
When the Rizzutos were on top in Montreal most if not all Italian mobsters in the larger Montreal area had to pay them a percentage. Why do you think a Calabrian like Sergio Piccirilli, who allegedly answered to Toronto, went to war with the Rizzutos?
Piccirilli isn`t a Calabrian himself but he does have connections to the Ontario clans and their backing. You`re right about him and other Italian-Canadian criminals having to pay the Rizzuto`s a street tax.
That`s why he went to see his Ontario associates and had their backing. This also proves Lamothes theory about the three level Rizzuto organisation which.
Piccirilli fell into the category of proven criminals who have their own interests and alliances, but ultimitely will go to whoever offers better protection and benefits.
It`s definitely an interesting relationship between the first two levels to see who can be possibly behind this mess. All indications seem to show a mixture of elements, more notably Ontario Clans, Sicilians not belonging to the Rizzuto core and Italian-Canadian criminals.
