Over a year ago, I made a FOIA request for Philip Lombardo´s files. I was extremely excited when I received them the other day. Reading through them though, I noticed my excitment went down the drain. A lot is redacted and many, many names blackened. But worst of all, the info ends at 1969. WHY??? So no info can be found in them regarding the Genovese Family´s structure in the 1970s and early 1980s which was the main purpose of me requesting the files in the first place. So I´m hugely disappointed.

Anyway, here´s some info on Philip Lombardo found in the files. Not much in there to give anybody a hardon, I´m afraid.

Born 10-5-08 in NY City. Father´s name Filippo, mother´s Elenore Rotolo.

Aliases:

Ben Turpin
Benny the Squint
Ben DeMaio
"Cockeyed" Phil

Visited Mexico in 1937, probably in connection with drug smuggling.

Arrested 20 times for various offenses, but only once indicted and convicted.
He received a six months sentence in 1942 for unlawful sale and possession of narcotics. He pleaded guilty to that. One of his codefendants was Frank Livorsi (a made Genovese member).

In March, 1960 Lombardo was a witness of the Pasquale Genese marriage (Patsy Jerome, a mobster who became made guy in 1974 in the same induction ceremony as Vincent "Fish" Cafaro´s).

Lombardo was identified as a member of the famous 107th street mob in the 1930s and was a close associate with Charles "Charlie Bullets" Albero, John Ormento, Joseph Vento, Salvatore "Tom Mix" Santoro, Frank Livorsi and "Trigger" Mike Coppola, all made members of the Mafia.
Livorsi had been a bodyguard and chauffeur for Ciro Terranova, and scheduled to take over from him but the job went to Coppola instead.

Lombardo served as acting caporegima for Coppola on many occassions (as have several other soldiers in Coppola´s regime) whenever Coppola was out of town. He started out as a bodyguard and shooter for Coppola. One informant stated that Lombardo have considerable stature in the Genovese Family and once briefly served as underboss to Genovese. [Probably in 1957 before Jerry Catena was named underboss.]

Activities:

1, Narcotics
2, Gambling
3, Shylocking
4, operations in Manhattan´s Garment District
5, connected with Roxy Vending Machine Company (operated by made guy Angelo "4 cents" Salerno).

Lombardo had also a hat check concession at the Copacabana Night Club with another partner. At the end of 1959 they had a profit of 30,000 dollars which was meant to be split between him and the partner. But Vito Genovese took all of the money for himself, stating he needed it because he was having troubles. This was not well received by Lombardo and his partner.

While serving his prison term in 1942, Lombardo told prison authorities he had a 7th grade education, had no steady employment since 1932 due to his poor eyesight and was the major support of his mother. He also said that his income was derived from a "small bookmaking business".

When Coppola moved to Florida, Lombardo functioned as a courier and delivered packages to Coppola. [Probably packages of money.]

Residences:

1926-1931 303 East 107th street, New York, NY
1933 2187 Washington Avenue, Bronx, NY
1934 1213 Lawrence Avenue, Bronx, NY
1935 1218 Elder Avenue, Bronx, N
1936 1343 Purdy street, Bronx, NY
1950 324 Audubon Road, Englewood, NJ and also 1266 Olmsted Avenue, Ap 2G, Bronx, NY

Around 1960, Lombardo was employed by the large plastering company (Cottone Construction Company) in a supervisory capacity of the various projects which the company was engaged in. This was necessitated by the fact that without close supervison over the foremen and workers they would not do a proper day´s work. According to the owner of the company, Lombardo maintained a constant check over the employees by visiting the jobs at odd hours and seeing to it that they are performing the jobs for which they are hired. Lombardo had no set schedule of work and acts on his own in regard to these checks. The company owner said that Lombardo was an excellent employee and that he has no interest whatsoever in the company and has never been used in connection with any labor disputes or things of this nature. [Smells like a No Show Job to me...]
Lombardo was paid 250 dollars a week plus bonuses.

According to one informant, the Lombardos were protestants, not catholics. (!!!)

Another informant advised that he heard Lombardo was in some way involved with the disappearence of Joseph Bonanno.

In Oct, 1964 a complaint was filed by the Lombardo family regarding a break and entery into their residence located in Englewood, NJ. The culprits ransacked the house but left it in a hurry when the alarm rang. The family stated immediately after the break in, there did not appear anything missing from the house.

Lombardo frequented the vicinity of 116th street and 1st Avenue in the Italian Harlem section. Andy´s Colonial Tavern and a barbershop next door, were Lombardo´s places of business.

Around 1967, Lombardo moved to Hollywood, Florida and stayed there during the winter seasons. Mike Coppola died in 1966, but it wasn´t until late 1967, or early 1968, Lombardo actually took over Coppola´s old crew. This due to bad health.
When visiting New York, Lombardo was often seen with Patsy Jerome, Joe Paterra and Frank "Fabry" Serpico.

Lombardo was very close to Tommy Ryan. Not so much with Jerry Catena and Mike Miranda.

After Vito Genovese´s death in 1969, originally it appeared that Tommy Ryan would take over, but Lombardo was being prominently mentioned as the one to take over the leadership of the Genovese Family.

An informant stated that any new, potential member of the old Coppola crew had to appear before a "council", consisting of Coppola (when he was alive), Lombardo and "Fat" Tony Salerno in order to get accepted into the crew. This usually went down in restaurants where the new potential recruit was questioned. He then had to wait in another room while the council delibarated. If the new recruit was accepted, he was invited back for a lavish dinner. According to the informant, Lombardo had the final say, if the council was not in agreement.