I read something on another forum, I cant substantiate it. So it's not anything confirmed, but I read, i think it was Anthony Todaro? That the Todaros gave the go ahead on Papalia, and that the Violis were sore over it.
From what i read it wasnt really the Rizzutos. But I'm in no way qualified to validate any of that, so it's just speculation.
The Luppino family and the Buffalo crime family have had a relationship lasting for decades I can't see the Todaro's using the Musitano's to kill Papalia. It would of been contracted out to the Luppino's.
@Ciment: Does it matter that Manning indicated Buffalo didn't order the Musitanos to hit Pops; rather, they gave their permission for it to happen?
By the way, I've attached the intelligence picture manning posted for those who don't do twitter. Here is the twitter exchange
MANNING: Police recorded conversation between Pat Musitano and two UK males circa 1998, just after the Paplia homicide. I have over 2,000 docs I’ve not even looked at yet, but you’d be shocked how often #hamont officers come up as ‘subjects’
COMMENT: Is that Johnny Catz from Buffalo?
MANNING RESPONSE: What I was thinking....
COMMENT: So Buffalo was still tight with Musitanos after Pops hit?
COMMENT: I heard rumors Buffalo ordered it, but never believed it then... Always thought, and think it was reported that, it was Musitanos moving in on Buffalo’s control of area rackets since Buffalo had been greatly weakened by Local 210 going into federal trusteeship.
MANNING'S RESPONSE: Never ‘ordered’ it, but permission was given. Also have intel reports suggesting the Papalia brothers knew what was going to happen.
The theory that Buffalo would give the go ahead, permission or contract to the Musitano's to have Papalia hit, does not make sense in my opinion. The Rizzuto's being behind it is more believable. They were allies with the Musitano's.
I believe more Peter Edwards and Antonio Nicasso's theory that Rizzuto wanted to expand into Ontario and Papalia,Violi and Luppino's were in his way.
Let's entertain that Buffalo gave permission then the Luppino/Violi's would have to have been consulted and be part of the decision because of their long history with the Buffalo crime family. What benefit would the Luppino's get from this. All that would do is give more power to their enemies. Rizzuto and Musitano's were allies and the Rizzuto's are no friends of the Luppino/Violi's.
Unless, and it would not surprise me with the Rizzuto's, that it was their ultimate goal or plan between Buffalo/Musitano/ and Rizzuto's to oust the Papalia and then proceed to the oust Luppino/Violi's ?
But that would start a war with the Commisso's because of their family ties with the Luppino's.
