2012: the return of Vito?


"If Vito sets foot in Montreal, it will pass." This sentence is a policeman who said to me in late summer. At that time, nobody would have found a reason to doubt it. Seven months earlier, the extermination of the Sicilians had been sealed with the last breath of the father of Vito Rizzuto, the old patron, Nicolo, who was killed in the kitchen of his house.

You had to have powerful men in as orderly process, without reply, to the elimination of a clan that had ruled the Mafia in Montreal for 30 years. And at the end of last summer, these men seemed to be in the saddle and have established a new order.

However, on September 16, everything changed with the attempted murder against Raynald Desjardins, and strife between the former allies who had caused the fall of the Sicilians have come to light.

He who aspired to become the new sponsor, Salvatore Montagna was killed, and Desjardins, considered by police as a number 1 of organized crime in Quebec right now, is in prison for the murder.

Is not

Who can become the sponsor does not cease to ask for it this week? The answer: nobody. The Calabrian and brother-in-Desjardins, Joe Di Maulo? At the age of 70 years, it is not interested, we are told. The Calabrian Moreno Gallo? The referee is back in jail recently and is also younger. The businessman Domenico Arcuri, whose name comes up frequently in recent months? Former ally of Montagna would be occupied to protect themselves from these days, they say.

There are still on dry land "men of honor," or clan leaders who have a little scale and influence, but the title sponsor they are not interested, too busy doing business.

I do not think the great families of New York or Ontario can send an emissary in the light of the fate that was reserved for Montagna.

While some believe that the arrest of Desjardins will end the bloodshed, I fear the contrary, in the absence of leadership and those who refer the settling of accounts will continue in the Mafia, as was perhaps the case for the murder of Lorenzo Lo Presti and the attempted murder against Antonio Pietrantonio.

The stars align

Should a man do some unanimity, respected and charismatic, with an iron fist in a velvet glove.

This is exactly what was Vito Rizzuto before being imprisoned in the United States and its succession, Francesco Arcadi in mind, saw the storm.

Vito Rizzuto was an outstanding arbitrator, a mediator of conflicts that knew everyone happy and keep the peace between the various criminal organizations, the Hells Angels, gangs and other criminal underworld in order.

Vito Rizzuto is released from prison in next October. He still has important allies in Montreal and outside, waiting, lurking in the shadows.

A few months ago, he said the depth of his dark cell in Florence, Colorado that will wait to see who will come to him. The parade may be about to begin.

But the Rizzuto clan no longer exists. If he comes back and gets his blessing, Vito will run alone. It will be closer to new families of New York with his clan which had broken for years and deal with influential by Calabrese.

It surely will not leave unpunished the murder of his son, but must have permission to avenge him.

If, after his release, Vito returned to Montreal to settle there again, it will be a strong sign that he is back in the good graces of the Montreal Mafia. Especially if it ensures that it is a businessman and he cut all ties with organized crime then this is again saying that the sponsor.