Tony Caponigro controlled a huge bookmaking and numbers operation in northern New Jersey. Jersey City and Newark. That area is also full of Genovese guys. The Genovese guys wanted those money making rackets for themselves. When Bruno was alive, a sit down was held, where Carlo Gambino used his influence with the Comission to get a favorable ruling for Caponigro, against Funzi Tieri. Meaning, Caponigro got to keep his rackets. When Carlo Gambino died, Bruno (Caponigro) lost their protector. This is when the Genovese made their play to take over the northern NJ rackets. They had Bruno and Tony Cap killed. They also were able to work with Scarfo to get access to Atlantic City rackets.
Why was Caponigro set up? Because they could, for the reasons outlined by SilentPartnerz above, and because Caponigro was an ignorant greedy bastard. The Genovese's played him like a cheap harmonica.
