Current members
Ray Argentina
Ray Argentina is a soldier in the Brooklyn faction. His younger brother Peter Argentina is an associate in the family.[1] In 1992, Argentina along with Louis Daidone, Alan Taglianetti and Robert Molinelli were found guilty in the $1.2 million robbery of an armored truck in Brooklyn in 1988.[2][3] In 2001, Argentina was indicted along with Louis Gampero and Ken Cardona they were charged with a $3.2 million illegal mortgage fraud activities in Brooklyn, upstate New York and Long Island, and running a cocaine ring in Long Island.[4][5][3] On April 5, 2019, Argentina was released from prison.[6]
Carmine Avellino
Carmine Avellino (born July 15, 1944) is a capo and younger brother to mobster Salvatore Avellino. On April 20, 1983, the FBI recorded conversation between Salvatore Avellino Jr. and his brother Carmine Avellino about a craps game that Carmine opened up, it caused Aniello Migliore to complain to Underboss Salvatore Santoro about the game cutting because it was cutting into his profits, Salvatore Avellino Jr. told his brother Carmine, that he should have spoken to Joseph Capra before opening the game.[7] In 1984, Avellino and his brother Salvatore had a sitdown with Bonanno crime family members Steven Cannone, Joseph Massino, Salvatore Vitale over King Caterers.[8] It was decided that Avellino would leave King Caterers, a Farmingdale, Long Island company that sold pre-cooked dishes to street vendors alone because the company was protected by the Bonanno family.[9] On January 29, 1988, Carmine Avellino was added to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement exclusion list.[10] In 1995, Avellino was indicted along with his brother Salvatore Avellino, Anthony Baratta, Frank Federico and Rocco Vitulli for the August 1989, murders of Robert Kubecka and Donald Barstow.[11][12][3]
Avellino was released from prison on February 25, 2004.[13] On May 13, 2014, Avellino was charged with sending Lucchese associates and brothers Michael and Daniel Capra, in 2010 to collect a $100,000 loan and assaulting a 70-year-old man.[14] In May 2014, the FBI observed a sit-down on Long Island between Avellino and a member in Avellino's crew Michael DeSantis along with Brooklyn capo John Castellucci and a member of Castellucci's crew John Cerrella over an illegal criminal activity between DeSantis, Cerrella and Castellucci.[15] On August 12, 2016, Avellino pleaded guilty to an extortionate collection of credit conspiracy. On May 23, 2017, Avellino was sentenced to 1 year of house arrest, 5 years' probation and fined $100,000.[16] His attorney stated during the trial that Avellino had suffered 2 heart attacks and is suffering from Parkinson's disease.[17]
Salvatore Avellino
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Main article: Salvatore Avellino |
Anthony Baratta
Anthony "Bowat" Baratta (born July 3, 1938) is a made man and former capo in the family.[18] In 1978, Baratta was made into the family and operated with the Bronx faction.[18] Baratta owned a restaurant in East Harlem and regularly spent time at Rao's on Pleasant Avenue.[19] In the early 1980s, Baratta was promoted to capo of the "Harlem Crew", controlling the Pleasant Avenue narcotics ring in East Harlem and other rackets in the Bronx and Long Island.[20] Baratta placed soldier Joseph Massaro in charge of running his Long Island topless bars operations.[20][21] In 1980, Baratta and Massaro started a feud with the Bonanno family, when Massaro began taking over the Bonanno's topless bars.[21] FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone, who was working undercover in the Bonanno's as "Donnie Brasco", heard of the two families having a sit-down over Long Island topless bars.[20][21]
In November 1989, Baratta along with boss Vic Amuso, underboss Anthony Casso, capos Al D'Arco, Sal Avellino, Peter Chiodo, Bobby Amuso and Frank Lastorino inducted Richie Pagliarulo, Mike DeSantis, Frank Federico and two others into the family.[22] In January 1991, boss Vic Amuso and underboss Anthony Casso went into hiding and promoted Al D'Arco to acting boss, Baratta was promoted to acting underboss and Steven Crea to acting consigliere.[19] In 1991, Baratta serving as acting underboss viewed a Genovese family list of proposed new members, he commented to D'Arco, after seeing the name Ralph Desimone "He is a rat.".[23] A sit-down was arranged between the two families. The Genovese family acting boss Liborio Bellomo, acting underboss Michael Generoso and consigliere James Ida attended the meeting to discuss "Ralph Desimone" with Lucchese's acting boss Al D'Arco and Baratta as acting underboss.[23] The Genovese leaders asked Baratta about Desimone he said "Desimone had been a government witness", the Genovese leaders leave saying "will take care of it".[23] On June 13, 1991, Desimone's dead body was found in a trunk of a car at LaGuardia Airport.[23]
In early September 1991, Amuso demoted D'Arco and created a "Ruling panel" to run the family, Baratta became a member along with Salvatore Avellino, Frank Lastorino and Alpnonse D'Arco.[24] Baratta was also given control of the Garment center racket with Sidney Liberman.[24] Amuso transferred Patty Dellorusso, a soldier in charge of running the airport rackets from Al D'Arco crew into Baratta's crew.[24] Baratta was in charge of arranging the panel meetings the first was held in East Harlem.[24] On September 18, 1991, Baratta along with capo Frank Lastorino and soldiers Mike DeSantis and Frankie Frederico conspired to kill Alphonse D'Arco in the Kimberly Hotel in Manhattan but failed, D'Arco defected on September 21, 1991, and became a government witness.[25][26] The ruling panel continued to control the family in October 1991, they inducted (made) Thomas D'Ambrosia, Joseph Tortorello Jr., Frank Gioia Jr., Gregory Cappello and Jody Calabrese into the Lucchese family.[18] In June 1992, Baratta was jailed [18] on murder and racketeering charges.[18][27]
In November 1993, Baratta took a plea deal [18] and was sentenced to fifteen years in prison.[28][3] In January 1995, Baratta was indicted along with Carmine Avellino, Frank Federico and Rocco Vitulli on the August 1989, murders of Robert M. Kubecka and Donald Barstow two executives of a Long Island trash-collection company.[29][30] In September 1996, Baratta was imprisoned in the Otisville Federal Correctional Institution.[28] He began working with DeCavalcante crime family associates in trafficking Asian heroin.[28] On September 23, 1997, Baratta along with Albert Puco and twelve others were arrested and charged with conspiracy to sell narcotics.[31] Baratta was sentenced to eight years in prison. Baratta was released from prison on September 25, 2012.[32]
John Baudanza
John Baudanza is a soldier, who operated in his father-in-law Domenico Cutaia's crew.[33] His father Carmine and uncle Joseph are both members of the Colombo family.[34] During the early 1990s, Baudanza worked with his cousin Joseph M. Baudanza running stock fraud crimes for the Colombo family.[34][35] He married Danielle Cutaia the daughter of Domenico Cutaia a capo in the Lucchese family.[33][34] In 1995, he was inducted into the Lucchese family.[33]
On March 23, 2006, Baudanza was indicted along with his father Carmine, his uncle Joseph, Colombo family soldier Craig Marino, Colombo family associates Craig Leszczak, Robert Podlog and Arthur Gunning on racketeering charges related to operating a "pump and dump" stock scam.[36][34] He pleaded guilty on April 17, 2007, to extortion charges. In December 2007, he was sentenced to seven years in prison.[37] In February 2008, Baudanza was indicted along with his father-in-law capo Domenico Cutaia, soldiers Salavatore Cutaia, Michael Corcione, associates Steven Lapella, Victor Sperber, Louis Colello, and John Rodopolous on loansharking, illegal gambling and extortion charges.[38] He was released from prison on July 31, 2015.[39]
Dominick Capelli
Dominick "Nicky Pepsi" Capelli is a soldier in the Bronx crew of former capo Salvatore DiSimone operating a large illegal gambling operation in Westchester.[40] On October 1, 2009, Capelli was indicted along with acting capo Andrew DiSimone and associates John Alevis, Peter Veltri, Tomislav Dobrilovic, Seth Trustman, Steven Mayer, Clemente Castracucco, Edgar Concepcion, Paul Cuzzo, Ernest Cuzzo, Anthony Cuzzo, Vincent Laface, Thomas Mantey, Paul Aust, Philip Mercurio, Michael Silverman, Anthony Garcia and Osama Ghoubrial on bribery and illegal gambling charges uncovered during the federal investigation dubbed "Operation Open House".[41][42] On September 30, 2013, Capelli was released from prison.[43] On March 27, 2018, the New York State Attorney Generals Office - Organized Crime Task Force concluded its investigation deemed “Operation The Vig Is Up” and three separate indictments were released the first charged Capelli and his crew based out of New Rochelle with loan sharking and bookmaking activities the second charged Michael Lepore and Vincent Tardibuono with running an online bookmaking operation via website and the finale indictment charged Lucien Cappello with criminal sale of a controlled substance.[44] Capelli was arrested and charged along with his crew of associates Robert Wagner, Frank McKiernan, Anthony Martino, Michael Wagner, Steve Murray, Seth Trustman, Richard Caccavale, Robert Wagner Jr. and Jessica Bismark on loan-sharking operation operating from the Bronx and Westchester County that collected interest payouts exceeding a million dollars just during the approximately one-year investigation.[45][40]
John Capra
John "Johnny Hooks" Capra (born April 6, 1940) was a capo with operations in the Bronx and Westchester. During 1969 to 1973, Capra controlled a heroin distribution network from Pleasant Avenue in East Harlem.[46] In 1973, Capra was indicted along with his associate Steven "Beansie Dellacava on drug trafficking charges related to heroin and cocaine.[46][47] In February 1995, Capra was indicted along with capo Joseph Giampa, Gennaro "Gerry Giampa" Vittorio, Joseph Gaito, James McManus, Benjamin Segarra and Elliot Porco and charged them with RICO, conspiring to import narcotics, transport stolen vehicles and establishing a gambling operation.[48] The indictment revealed that Capra was made member in the Lucchese family but was a member of a different crew other than the Giampa crew.[48] In the early 2000s, the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice secretly recorded conversations during one of these conversations Matthew Madonna discussed how they placed John Capra in charge of the New Jersey crew in order to bring back peace between the factions.[49] Capra was later succeeded as capo of the New Jersey crew by Nicodemo S. Scarfo, who was later replaced by Ralph V. Perna.[49] In 2005, Capra was indicted along with Lucchese family associates Al Alvarez and Mark Denuzio, Genovese crime family soldier Pasquale Deluca, Gambino crime family acting boss Arnold Squitieri, acting underboss Anthony Megale, capo Gregory DePalma and others on extortion charges in Westchester and illegal gambling charges in the Bronx.[50][51][52] Capra received an eighteen-month sentence[53] and was released from federal prison on September 10, 2008.[54]
Michael Capra
Michael "Mikey Cap" Capra is a made member in the Bronx faction and a former acting captain. In 1994, Capra along with Genovese capo James Messera, Genovese soldier Ernest Muscarella, Lucchese soldier Peter "Jacko" Vario, Lucchese soldier Michael Labarbara Jr. and others came under a corruption investigation for their involvement during the 1980s of the Mason Tenders District Council of Laborers International Union.[55] In 1995, Capra was identified as an acting capo in the Lucchese family during a trial of capo Joseph Giampa and his crew members.[48]
Joseph Caridi
Joseph "Joe C." Caridi (born 1949), is a former acting underboss, and Consigliere in the family. He resides in East Northport. He was nicknamed by the media the "Tony Soprano of Long Island" for running his crew from "Sinderella" a strip club in Brentwood similar to the "Bada Bing!" in the TV crime drama The Sopranos.[56] In the early 2000s, he worked closely with former acting boss Louis Daidone and was picked up in wiretaps discussing loan sharking, extortion and drug dealing with Daidone and other Brooklyn faction mobsters.[57]
On November 14, 2002, the Suffolk county police arrested Caridi who was listed as the underboss along with Aniello "Neil" Colello, Ronald Galiano, Milton Bialostok,[56] John Cerrella, Vincent Mancione, Carmelo Profeta, Vincent Salanardi and other wiseguys, who were charged with enterprise corruption.[58] The charges included loan-sharking, gambling, construction payoffs, restaurant extortion and other profit-skimming operation that stretched from Suffolk County to the Bronx.[59] In December 2002, Caridi, along with capo John Cerrella and others, was indicted on extortion charges.[60] Caridi's crew took control of the Hudson & McCoy Fish House restaurant in Freeport, Long Island, after the owner asked him for help.[60] The owner's partner, Lewis Kasman, a Gambino crime family associate, had been stealing money from the restaurant. Caridi's crew successfully removed Lewis and started stealing up to $10,000 per night from the restaurant.[60] He also forced the owner to buy his Italian bread from a Colombo crime family soldier.[60] After the indictment soldier Vincent Salanardi began cooperating with the government while he continued to collect gambling debts. On March 23, 2003, Caridi pleaded guilty to extortion, to federal tax evasion and to running a sports betting operation from his home in East Northport.[61] As part of this federal plea agreement, the State of New York dropped its November 2002 charges.[61] On November 27, 2009, Caridi was released from prison.[62][63]
Vincent Casablanca
Vincent "Vinny" Casablanca (1967) is a soldier operating from the Bronx. In August 2016, Casablanca was indicted along with 45 other mobsters from the Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese, Bonanno, and Philadelphia crime families; he was charged with conspiracy to extort and contraband cigarettes.[64] On October 30, 2018, he was released from prison.[65]
Paul Cassano
Paul "Paulie Roast Beef" Cassano (1979) is a soldier in the Bronx faction. On August 4, 2016, Cassano, was indicted along with 45 others on charges of criminal activities throughout the East Coast.[66] On May 31, 2017, Cassano along with Street Boss Matthew Madonna, Underboss Steven Crea Sr., Consigliere Joseph DiNapoli, Capo Steven Crea Jr., and others were indicted and charged with racketeering, murder, narcotics (cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescribed medication), and firearms offenses.[67][68] The indictment charged Cassano and Lucchese soldier Vincent Bruno with the 2012 attempted murder of a Bonanno family associate.[67][68] In 2012, a group of Bonanno family associates forced their way into a Lucchese family Bronx social club and one of the Bonanno associates offended Underboss Steven L. Crea.[67] After the intrusion Steven Crea ordered his son capo Steven D. Crea Jr. to have the Bonanno associate killed and Crea Jr. passed the order to Cassano and Bruno.[67] The next night Cassano and Bruno went to kill the Bonanno associate in his Bronx residence but they failed. The murder was never carried out and the dispute between both was settled.[67] In 2017, Cassano pled guilty to attempted assault in aid of racketeering and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.[69][70][71] Cassano was released from prison on September 20, 2018.[72]
John Castellucci
John "Big John" Castellucci (born June 18, 1959), (surname alternatively spelled Castelucci), he is also known as "John Castelle",[73] is the former capo of the "Brooklyn faction".[74] Castellucci has two brothers, Eugene Castelle, a member of the Bensonhurst crew, and Anthony Castelle, the owner of "Coney Island Container", a private carting company that came under investigation for a suspicious fire in 2009.[75] On November 12, 2000, Castellucci was indicted along with acting underboss Eugene Castelle, capo Joseph Tangorra, soldiers Joseph Truncale and Scott Gervasi and associates Lester Ellis and Robert Greenberg on drug trafficking, extortion and loansharking charges.[76] Castellucci was released from prison on October 20, 2004.[77]
In 2010, Castellucci was under investigation of the Independent Review Board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for his connection with the Lucchese family.[73] Castellucci become a Local 282 member in April 2006, which he was permanently barred from holding membership in or any position within the IBT.[73] During the investigation it was reported that Castellucci worked for Andrews Trucking Corporation a company controlled by alleged Gambino family associate Joseph Spinnato.[73] The investigation also reported that Local 295 principal officer Anthony Calagna and Local 295 steward Patrick Dellorusso, were both members of the Lucchese family while Locals 813 and 1034 member Bernard Adelstein, Local 522 member John Ferrara and Local 560 member Onofrio Mezzina were found to be associates of the Lucchese family.[73] Castellucci was observed during the investigation on March 9, 2010, at a social club at 3205 Westchester Avenue in the Bronx for a "walk and talk" with Steven Crea, who the FBI identified as the head of the Lucchese family.[73] In 2013, a secret initiation ceremony for John Pennisi was conducted in a Staten Island home by acting boss Matthew Madonna and Castellucci.[78] In May 2014, the FBI observed a sit-down on Long Island between Castellucci a member of his crew John Cerrella and Long Island capo Carmine Avellino and a member in Avellino's crew soldier Michael DeSantis over an illegal criminal activity between DeSantis, Cerrella and Castellucci.[15]
On May 31, 2017, John Castellucci along with Street Boss Matthew Madonna, Underboss Steven Crea Sr., Consigliere Joseph DiNapoli and other members of the family were indicted and charged with racketeering, murder, narcotics (cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescribed medication), and firearms offenses.[67][68] In January 2019, Castellucci and Joseph DiNapoli pleaded guilty and await sentencing.[79] He was sentenced to 37 months in prison and received a $150,000 fine on racketeering conspiracy.[71][80] In May 2019, government informant John Pennisi testified that Castellucci's-Brooklyn crew (formerly Amuso-Casso's old crew) is now based in Tottenville section of Staten Island.[81] On January 18, 2022, Castellucci was released from prison.[82]
John Cerrella
John "Johnny Sideburns" Cerrella is a soldier in the Brooklyn faction. Cerrella once served as an acting capo of Domenico Cutaia's crew. Cerrella was raised in Harlem, New York before moving to Florida.[83] During the early 1970s, Cerrella became an associate to Genovese family member Pasquale "Paddy Mac" Macchiarole, who's crew operated in New York and Florida.[83] Cerrella relocated to Broward County, Florida after members of the Macchiarole crew were murdered.[83][84] While hiding out in South Florida, Cerrella began working with twin brother Carmine and Peter Romano.[85][86] The Romano brothers eldest brother was Vincent "Big Fish" Romano a soldier in the Genovese family who operated in the Fulton Fish Market.[85] Cerrella along with his friend Thomas "Tommy C" Chiantese became associates to Vincent Romano and the Genovese family in Florida.[85] With the support of the Romano brothers and the Genovese family the team of Cerrella and Chiantese opened Sunshine valet and parking service to extort rival valet businesses in the Fort Lauderdale area.[85] In 1977, Cerrella and Tommy Chiantese were indicted for extorting valet businesses during 1974 and 1975.[85][87] Cerrella received a 16-year prison sentence and Chiantese received a 13-year prison sentence.[87] On March 22, 1978, NYPD discovered two dead bodies inside the trunks of cars parked 10 block away from each other the first was Pasquale Macchiarole, who was Cerrella's old mentor and the second was Patrick Presenzano, a member of Genovese family who was active in the narcotics trade in the Fulton Market area.[88]
In 1983, Cerrella was released from prison and continued working the Vincent Romano.[84] In 1998, Cerrella was indicted along with Vincent Romano and others on illegal gambling charges.[89] After his release from prison Cerrella became a made member of the Lucchese family joined the family's Brooklyn crew. In 2002, Cerrella was indicted along with consigliere Joseph Caridi, soldier Vincent Salanardi and others.[60] The group was charged with extorting the Hudson & McCoy Fish House restaurant in Freeport, Long Island.[60] On November 27, 2009, Cerrella was released from prison.[90] In 2011, the FBI discovered a list of contacts that included Cerrella and others in Bonanno family soldier Mike Virtuoso's butcher shop on Graham Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.[91] In May 2014, the FBI observed a sit-down on Long Island between Cerrella his Brooklyn capo John Castellucci and Long Island capo Carmine Avellino and a member in Avellino's crew soldier Michael DeSantis over an illegal criminal activity between DeSantis, Cerrella and Castellucci.[15]
George Conte
George "Georgie Goggles" Conte (born July 25, 1960) is a soldier, and former capo.[3] In 1991, Conte along with other capos inducted five new members into the crime family.[27] The ceremony was held in a Howard Beach, Queens and Conte filled in for capo George Zappola and sponsored Frank Gioia Jr.[18] In January 1996, Conte and George Zappola were indicted and charged with murdering James D. Bishop, the former head of the painters union and the murder of a mob boss in California.[3][92][93] In 1996, Conte was indicted along with soldier James Galione and other members on drug dealing charges in Brooklyn.[94] In 1996, Conte was convicted of three additional murders based on the testimony of Frank Gioia Jr.[3] He was released from prison on March 10, 2014.[95]
Michael Corcione
Michael "Mikey Bones" Corcione is a soldier and former acting capo in Domenico Cutaia's crew.[96] In 2008, Corcione was indicted along with capo Domenico Cutaia, soldiers John Baudanza, Salvatore Cutaia, associates Steven Lapella, Victor Sperber, Louis Colello, and John Rodopolous on loansharking, illegal gambling and extortion charges.[38] On July 3, 2012, Corcione was released from prison.[97]
Tindaro Corso
Tindaro "Tino" Corso (born 1961) is a soldier and former acting capo of the "Prince Street crew" with operations from Staten Island and Manhattan. Corso was indicted along with Anthony Tortorello in 1997.[98] On May 31, 2017, Corso along with Street Boss Matthew Madonna, Underboss Steven Crea Sr., Consigliere Joseph DiNapoli, Capo Steven Crea Jr., Capo Dominic Truscello, Capo John Castelucci, Soldier(s) Joseph Venice, James Maffucci, Joseph Datello, Paul Cassano, Christopher Londonio and Associate(s) Terrence Caldwell, Vincent Bruno, Brian Vaughan, Carmine Garcia, Richard O'Connor, Robert Camilli and John Incatasciato were indicted and charged with racketeering, murder, narcotics (cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescription medication), and firearms offenses.[67][68] The indictment builds on charges previously filed against Lucchese soldier Christopher Londonio and Lucchese associate Terrence Caldwell who were charged in February 2017 with racketeering offenses, including the murder of Michael Meldish in the Bronx on November 15, 2013.[99][100] He was later sentenced to 30 months in prison on racketeering conspiracy.[71] Corso was released from prison on October 29, 2021.[101]
Anthony Croce
Anthony "Sonny" Croce (born December 24, 1932)[102] is a soldier and former acting capo. In November 2008, Croce was arrested for running a sport gambling ring operating in the Bronx and Manhattan.[103] In October 2009, Croce along with Joseph DiNapoli, Matthew Madonna, Gary Medure, Michael Guerriero and 24 other associates of the Lucchese family were indicted on bribery, loansharking, gun trafficking, extortion, gambling and racketeering charges.[104][102][105] In November 2009, Croce was indicted in "Operation Night Gallery" along with soldier Joseph Datello on illegal gambling charges.[106] He controlled the sports gambling operations from Datello's bar "Night Gallery" in New Dorp, Staten Island.[107] The indictment also stated Croce would have conversations with mobsters on the streets of the Financial District and the Staten Island Ferry.[107] On December 21, 2009, he was released from prison.[108]
Salvatore Cutaia
Salvatore Cutaia is a soldier. He was a member of his father Domenico Cutaia's crew. His son Joseph Cutaia is an associate in the Lucchese family. In 2008, Cutaia was indicted along with his father capo Domenico Cutaia, soldiers John Baudanza, Michael Corcione, associates Steven Lapella, Victor Sperber, Louis Colello, on loansharking, illegal gambling and extortion charges.[38] On February 24, 2010, Cutaia was indicted along with father capo Domenico Cutaia, soldier Carlo Profeta, his son associate Joseph Cutaia, associates Eric Maione and Nicholas Bernardo, Bonanno family capo Anthony Mannone and associate Jerome Carameilli and John Rodopolous on racketeering and extortion charges.[38][109] Cutaia was released from prison on September 14, 2016.[110]
Patrick Dellorusso
Patrick "Patty" Dellorusso, also known as Patty "Red" Dello Russo, is current consigliere and capo. He served as acting underboss during 2017 until 2020. Dellorusso is a longtime member of the old Vario crew from Brooklyn. On February 5, 1989, Dellorusso along with Louis Daidone and another associate shot and killed Lucchese associate Thomas "Red" Gilmore on the orders of boss Vic Amuso, who had become suspicious of Gilmore being an informant.[111][112] In February 1991, Dellorusso along with Thomas "Tommy Red" Anzellotto murdered Larry Taylor who was a close associate of former Lucchese soldier Bruno Facciola.[113] In early 1991, Amuso transferred Patty Dellorusso, a soldier in charge of running the airport rackets from Al D'Arco crew into Anthony Baratta's crew.[24] In September 1991, during Alfonso D'Arco declaration he told the federal government that Patrick Dellorusso was the head of Lucchese family's rackets in the air-freight industry.[114] D'Arco also stated that Dellorusso controlled Lucchese family associate Anthony Razza who has served as the secretary-treasurer of Local 851.[114] Dellorusso is a former shop steward at Local 295, and a former labor relations director for the Amerford International Corporation, an air-freight company.[114] In 1993, Dellorusso was indicted along with Anthony Calagna on money laundering and witness tampering chargers.[115] The indictment stated that Dellorusso along with others were involved in union corruption involving air freight companies in New York and Chicago; the group extorted three Teamsters locals; two in New York local 295 and local 851 and the third was local 705 in Chicago.[73][115] Dellorusso was also accused of conspiring to murder a Lucchese associate, Vladimir Jadick, who had cooperated with law enforcement officials.[115] Dellorusso was later barred by the courts to any membership to the national teamsters administrator's.[116]
In May 2019, law-enforcement agents stated that Dellorusso became the family's new acting underboss in 2017, when imprisoned boss Vic Amuso changed the family's leadership.[81] During May 2019, testimony of government witness John Pennisi it was revealed that in 2017, Dellorusso instructed Pennisi to reach out to Amuso's son-in-law Joseph DiBenedetto about sending a message to his father-in-law Amuso.[15] Dellorusso wanted the message sent to Amuso to inform Amuso that he and Michael DeSantis were ready to takeover the leadership of the family after Matthew Madonna and Steven Crea were arrested.[15] When Pennisi went to speak to his friend Joseph DiBenedetto about the message for Dellorusso, he learned that Eugene Castelle was requesting a message sent to Amuso about Castelle's own ability to take over the leadership of the family.[15] Pennisi learned that Dellorusso sent a letter to Amuso in prison and received a letter back with Amuso's approval for Dellorusso and DeSantis to takeover the administration positions.
Michael DeSantis
Michael "Big Mike" DeSantis is the current acting boss of the family. DeSantis is a member of the Brooklyn faction and a supporter of Vic Amuso.[81] In November 1989, DeSantis was inducted into the crime family along with Richie Pagliarulo, Frank Federico and two others, with the ceremony being conducted by boss Vic Amuso, underboss Anthony Casso, and capos Al D'Arco, Sal Avellino, Peter Chiodo, Bobby Amuso, Frank Lastorino and Anthony Baratta.[22] On September 18, 1991, DeSantis, along with capos Anthony Baratta and Frank Lastorino and soldier Frankie Frederico, conspired to kill Alphonse D'Arco in the Kimberly Hotel in Manhattan, but failed.[25][26] DeSantis walked into the Kimberly hotel wearing a bulletproof vest and a gun in his waistband, but D'Arco spotted the gun. While DeSantis went to hide the gun in the bathroom, D'Arco made his escape, eventually defecting and becoming a government witness.[25][26][81] In April 1993,[18] Michael DeSantis was indicted and jailed along with Frank Lastorino and Richard Pagliarulo on murder conspiracy, extortion and other racketeering charges.[117] DeSantis served 18 years in prison for his involvement in two 1980s murders for the boss.[81] On June 28, 2010, he was released from prison.[118] In May 2014, the FBI observed a sit-down on Long Island between soldier Michael DeSantis, along with his capo Carmine Avellino, and capo John Castellucci, along with Castellucci's crew member John Cerrella, over an illegal criminal activity between DeSantis, Cerrella and Castellucci.[15] DeSantis violated his parole restrictions during the sit-down but did not return to prison because he had a shoulder replacement surgery and was able to stay in home detention until his parole restriction ended on June 28, 2015.[15]
During the May 2019 testimony of government witness John Pennisi, it was revealed that in 2017, imprisoned-for-life boss Vic Amuso sent a letter to underboss Steven Crea stating that DeSantis would take over as acting boss, replacing Bronx-based Matthew Madonna.[81] If Amuso's orders were not followed, he approved of murdering a number of Bronx faction members.[81] DeSantis took over as acting boss after Madonna and Crea both stepped down and agreed to Amuso's orders.[15]
Joseph DeSena
Joseph "Joe Cafe" DeSena is a capo operating from Caffe Napoli in Little Italy.[119] DeSena began his criminal career as an associate in the Gambino family before becoming a member of the Lucchese family.[119] In the early 2010s, DeSena was an associate of Gambino family capo Ignazio "Uncle Iggy" Alonga.[120] His nephew Pete Tuccio is a Gambino family associate and the former driver for Philadelphia boss Joseph Merlino.[119][120]
Joseph DiBenedetto
Joseph "Little Joe" DiBenedetto is a soldier in the family's "Brooklyn crew". DiBenedetto is the son-in-law of boss Vic Amuso.[121] In May 2000, DiBenedetto was indicted along with capo Joseph Tangorra, associate Joseph Fama and Andrew Steckler on loansharking charges.[121] In 2001, he was charged along with capo Josph Tangorra and Joel Goldman with looting union pension funds, extortion, loan-sharking and received a no-show job from one of the two construction companies named in the indictment.[122] The charges also claimed DiBenedetto serve as a shop steward for the Cement and Concrete Workers Local 20.[122] In 2002, he was indicted along with underboss Steven Crea, capo Dominic Truscello and soldier Domenico Cutaia on loansharking and construction racketeering charges.[123] It was revealed during the trial that both DiBenedetto and Vic Amuso held hidden interest in DiFama Concrete, and prosecutors identified the owner of DiFama Concrete, Joseph Fama as an associate in the Lucchese family.[124] On October 28, 2008, he was released from prison.[125] In 2019, government witness John Pennisi revealed that in 2017 he was requested by Patrick Dellorusso to reached out to fellow Brooklyn crew member and childhood friend Joseph DiBenedetto. Pennisi was supposed to have DiBenedetto pass on a message to his father-in-law Vic Amuso about the interests of Patrick Dellorusso and Michael DeSantis taking over the administration positions in the family.[15] When Pennisi went to speak to DiBenedetto about the message for Dellorusso, he learned that Eugene Castelle was requesting a message sent to Amuso about Castelle's own ability to take over the leadership of the family.[15] Pennisi testified that DiBenedetto was upset about all the Brooklyn members who had been contacting in efforts to send messages to Amuso.[15]
Joseph DiNapoli
Joseph "Joey D." DiNapoli (born July 12, 1935)[102] is the former consigliere in the Lucchese family. He has two brothers, Vincent and Louis, who are both members of the Genovese crime family.
In 1969, DiNapoli was arrested in New York on gambling charges.[126] In 1973, DiNapoli was charged with Pat Dilacio with possession of two kilograms of heroin with intent to distribute in December, 1971; Dinapoli was also charged with Frank "Butch" Pugliese on narcotics charges.[127] DiNapoli was arrested with Vincent Papa they had a suitcase containing $967,450 in cash.[127] In 1974, DiNapoli was convicted along with William Alonzo, Joseph Ceriale, Donato Christiano, Vincent D'Amico, John Gamba, Louis Inglese, Angelo Mamone, Frank Pugliese, Warren C. Robinson, Frank Russo, Henry Salley, John Springer, Carmine Tramunti and Hattie Ware on numerous counts federal narcotics laws.[127] During the case it was revealed that DiNapoli was a major loanshark and was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment.[127] In 1975, DiNapoli was convicted of extortion and tax evasion and was sentenced to twenty-one years in prison he was released from prison in 1982.[126] DiNapoli worked along with his brothers for the Genovese family boss Anthony Salerno construction extortions rackets.[128]
In 1993, DiNapoli was indicted on federal loansharking charges; he was convicted in 1995 and sentenced to thirty months in prison.[126] In 1995, DiNapoli was indicted twice the first was on federal mail fraud conspiracy charges and the second indicted was on New York state racketeering charges.[126] The second indictment was released on May 17, 1995, Dinapoli along with his brother Louis DiNapoli were indicted for illegally obtaining $5 million in asbestos-removal and construction contracts from New York City and New York state agencies that were intended for minority-owned companies.[129] It appeared that the three companies were owned by an African-American man, a Hispanic man and a woman, but their efforts had been plagued by abuses, including allegations that many companies benefiting from the programs were controlled by white businessmen.[129] He was later convicted in that case and sentenced to three years in prison.[126] In 1996, DiNapoli pleaded guilty in the federal mail fraud conspiracy case.[126] On September 17, 1999, DiNapoli was released from prison.[130] In 2000, after the Lucchese Construction Group indictment, DiNapoli was identified as a capo in the family, when Philip DeSimone and Arthur Zambardi who were soldiers in his crew were arrested along with Steven Crea and others.[131]
In 2003, imprisoned boss Vic Amuso put a ruling panel which consisted of capos Aniello Migliore, Matthew Madonna and DiNapoli in control of the family.[132][133][134] On December 18, 2007, New Jersey law enforcement indicted and arrested DiNapoli along with Matthew Madonna, New Jersey faction capos Ralph V. Perna, Nicodemo Scarfo Jr. and other members and associates of the Lucchese family.[135] The indictment revealed that during investigation "Operation Heat" law enforcement agencies uncovered a $2.2 billion illegal gambling, money laundering and racketeering ring from New Jersey to Costa Rica.[136] On October 1, 2009, DiNapoli was indicted in New York along with Matthew Madonna and 27 others in a racketeering scheme that made approximately $400 million from gambling, loansharking, gun trafficking and extortion.[137][138] On February 12, 2016, DiNapoli pleaded guilty in New Jersey to racketeering in Operation Heat and was sentenced on April 20, 2016, to three years in New Jersey State prison.[139][140] Also on April 20, 2016, DiNapoli was sentenced to one to three years in prison for his 2009 New York illegal gambling indictment. It was decided that both the New York and New Jersey sentences will be served concurrently in a New Jersey State Prison.[139][141][142]
On May 31, 2017, family consigliere DiNapoli along with Street Boss Matthew Madonna, Underboss Steven Crea Sr., Capo Steven Crea Jr., Capo Dominic Truscello, Capo John Castelucci, Acting Capo Tindaro Corso and other members of the family were indicted and charged with racketeering, murder, narcotics (cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescribed medication), and firearms offenses.[67][68] The indictment builds on charges previously filed against a reputed Lucchese soldier and associate in February 2017 with the murder of Michael Meldish in the Bronx on November 15, 2013; Matthew Madonna, Crea, and Crea Jr. were charged and suspected of serving as co-conspirators in the Meldish gangland execution too.[67][68][99][143] In January 2019, DiNapoli and John Castelucci pleaded guilty and await sentencing.[79] In May 2019, during the testimony of government witness John Pennisi it was revealed that in 2017, imprisoned for life boss Vic Amuso sent a letter to Underboss Steven Crea which stated that DeSantis would take over as acting boss replacing Bronx based Matthew Madonna.[81] It was also revealed by law-enforcement agents that Andrew DeSimone became the family's new Consigliere in 2017 replacing DiNapoli.[81] He was later sentenced to 52 months in prison and received a $250,000 fine for racketeering conspiracy.[71] On January 11, 2023, DiNapoli was released from prison.[144]
Andrew DiSimone
Andrew DiSimone (sometimes spelled DeSimone) the former consigliere in the family. His father was former Lucchese family capo Salvatore DiSimone.[15] On October 1, 2009, DiSimone was indicted along with soldier Dominic Capelli and associate John Alevis on bribery and illegal gambling charges.[41][145] The bribery charges dated back to 2006 and 2007 when DiSimone and others tried to bribe a NYPD sergeant and a detective, who were posing undercover in "Operation Open House" as corrupt officers, to protect illegal gambling operations around the city.[146][147] On August 7, 2013, DiSimone was released from prison.[148] In May 2019, law-enforcement agents stated that Andrew DeSimone became the family's new Consigliere in 2017, when imprisoned boss Vic Amuso changed the family's leadership.[81]
James Galione
James "Jimmy Frogs" Galione is a soldier.[149] In October 1996, Galione was indicted and charged with running a crack-cocaine ring that operated in Bensonhurst and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn since 1992.[94] In 1997, Galione and Lucchese family associate Mario Gallo pleaded guilty to the 1989 murder of Bonanno family associate Constable "Gus" Farace.[150] In 1997, Galione pleaded guilty to murder, firearms and drug-trafficking charges and was sentenced to 22 years in prison.[3] He was released from prison on December 24, 2015.[151]
Louis Gampero
Louis "Louie Jet" Gampero is a soldier who is also associated with Jets Towing company. In March 2001, Gampero along with Ray Argentina were charged with racketeering, mail fraud, wire fraud and bank fraud.[5] On April 11, 2008, Gampero was released from prison.[152] On July 10, 2017, Gampero was observed by a law enforcement surveillance team meeting with Gambino crime family capo Andrew Campos in the Pelham Bay diner.[153]
Thomas Gelardo
Thomas "TJ" Gelardo (1942) is a soldier in the Bronx faction, who lives in Tuckahoe, New York.[154] On May 22, 1984, Gelardo along with Daniel Meyers were convicted of extorting a social club used for gambling and promoting illegal gambling.[155] The extortion dated back to July and December 1982, when Gelardo and Meyers began beating and threatening Alfred Ciarcia, a bookie for control of the Rainbow Social Club, in Mount Vernon.[155] On July 18, 2006, Gelardo pleaded guilty of filing false income tax returns, health care fraud, and mail fraud.[156] On April 19, 2007, Gelardo sentenced to a year prison sentence for conspiring with a Brooklyn doctor, to defraud the IRS and to fraudulently obtaining benefits from Local 348.[157][158] On May 2, 2008, Gelardo was released from prison.[159] In June 2014, his nephew Thomas Gelardo was on trial for assaulting his porn star ex-girlfriend.[160]
Joseph Giampa
Joseph "Joey" Giampa a former capo operating in the Bronx.[161] Giampa ran an auto shop on Boston Post Road in the Bronx.[161] Along with his brother Santo "Jay" Giampa, he ran a loan sharking racket in Hunts Point Markets in the Bronx.[161] In 1982, Giampa was inducted into the Lucchese family.[162] In 1990, Giampa was order by Vic Amuso and Anthony Casso to murder his capo Michael Salerno.[161] After Salerno was murdered Giampa was promoted to capo of the old Salerno crew.[162] On May 23, 1992, Giampa was arrested along with his brother Santo Giampapa and charged of murder of Michael Salerno.[162] In 1992, Giampa and his brother were acquitted of the murder charges.[163][164] In December 1993, Giampa and his stepson Gennaro Vittorio decided to trust Richard Sabol, a government informant in establishing a company to import and export large amounts of heroin and cocaine in Bergen County, New Jersey.[163] Giampa then began planning with capo Anthony Baratta to smuggle drugs and firearms into New Jersey.[163] In February 1994, Gennaro Vittorio learned from New York City police officer Vincent Davis that Sabol was a government informant.[165] In August 1994, Giampa was indicted along with Gennaro Vittorio, Joseph Gaito, Guy Fatato, Benjamin Segarra, Louis Dorval, Elliot Porco, and John Capra on racketeering charges.[163] In 1994, his brother Santo Giampapa died of natural causes.[164] In August 1995, Giampa was found guilty of conspiring to establish gambling operations and racketeering in New Jersey.[166] In 2000, after the Lucchese Construction Group indictment, Giampa was identified as a capo in the family, when Anthony Pezzullo a soldier in his crew was arrested along with Steven Crea and others.[131] On September 21, 2001, Giampa was released from prison.[167]
Joseph Lubrano
Joseph "Joey Relay" Lubrano (born October 26, 1970, New York), also known as "Giovanni", "John", "Big Joe" is a capo in the family with ties to mobsters on Arthur Avenue in The Bronx.[168] Lubrano's crew operates around the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island and Westchester. In 1996, Lubrano was wrongfully sent to prison for beating a black police officer in 1994 and was released two years later.[169] During the trial, it was alleged that Lubrano was a member of the Lucchese recruitment gang, The Tanglewood Boys.[169] In 1997, Darin Mazzarella, a member of the Tanglewood Boys became a federally protected witness. Mazzarella gave information to investigators and prosecutors about the Lubrano assault; he admitted participating in the assault with Alfred "Freddy Boy" Santorelli, the son of Anthony Santorelli, and asserted that Lubrano was not a Tanglewood member.[169]
In May 2010, Lubrano was listed on wanted poster by the FBI for armed robbery and racketeering.[170] The FBI identified Lubrano as a capo with close ties to mobster in Arthur Ave area of the Bronx.[168] Lubrano had been charged in an indictment and charged with armed robberies in and around New York City and an illegal bookmaking operation.[168] On September 11, 2010, Lubrano was captured in Yonkers, New York in girlfriend's home.[168][171] He was later convicted and sentenced to 57 months in federal prison.[172] Lubrano was released from prison on October 31, 2014.[173]
In 2016, it was revealed by government informant Anthony Zoccolillo that in 2001, Lubrano and Steven Crea Jr. were partners in a Bronx gambling club.[174] Informant Zoccolillo also stated that both Lubrano and Crea Jr. started their criminal careers in the Tanglewood Boys recruitment gang.[174]
James Maffucci
James "Jimmy the Jew" Maffucci (1948) is a soldier. On May 31, 2017, Maffucci along with Street Boss Matthew Madonna, Underboss Steven Crea Sr. and others were indicted and charged with racketeering, murder and other crimes.[67][68] He was sentenced to 37 months in prison for extortion and extortionate extension of credit.[71] On October 1, 2021, Maffucci was released from prison.[175]
Marco Minuto
Marco "Big Marco" Minuto (born 1937), also known as "The Old Man", is a soldier operating in the Bronx faction. He worked for Lucchese capo Joe Giampa and controlled the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx.[176] Minuto's family-owned ice business supplied the needed ice to most of the tenants in the Hunts Point Produce Market.[176] In 2001, Minuto was indicted along with Russian mobster Alex Lukov and five others for operating a four-year scheme to sell bootleg gasoline to Long Island gas stations, costing New York State millions of dollars in tax revenue by buying gas in New Jersey and smuggling it into New York.[177] On August 15, 2006, Minuto was released from prison.[178] On August 4, 2016, Minuto at the age of 80, was indicted along with 45 others on charges of criminal activities throughout the East Coast.[66][179]
Frank Papagni
Frank "Frankie Bones" Papagni (born July 18, 1957) is a soldier.[18] In 1991, Papagni attended a making ceremony in Howard Beach, Queens.[27] At the induction ceremony, a man he called his cousin Frank Gioia Jr. became a member of the Lucchese family.[3] In 1993, Papagni along with George Zappola and Frank Gioia Jr. plotted to have Steven Crea killed.[180] In 1993, he was convicted of fraud, extortion and attempted murder, including a plot to kill John A. “Junior” Gotti.[3] Papagni served as consigliere in the mid-1990s.[181] In 1996, Papagni was indicted along with George Zappola, George Conte and Frank Giacobbe on murder charges.[182] The 1996, indictment charged Papagni with two 1992 murders: the first was the murder of Gambino crime family associate Frank Mariconda and the second was the murder of Richard Taglianetti.[182] Papagni would later receive a 20-year prison sentenced.[3] Government informant Frank Gioia Jr. later testified that he helped Papagni murder Frank Mariconda, who had disrespected Papagni's girlfriend in a bar.[3] He was released from prison on November 24, 2015.[183]
Joseph M. Perna
Joseph M. "Little Joe" Perna (born October 31, 1969) is a soldier and son of Ralph V. Perna.[184] He is currently a member of the Brooklyn faction. His brothers John and Ralph M. are members of the New Jersey faction. On May 18, 2006, Perna was released from prison.[185] On November 10, 2007, in his Toms River home his brother John and his cousin Joseph R. Perna were made into the Lucchese family by Joseph DiNapoli and Matthew Madonna and other members of the family's hierarchy.[184] On December 18, 2007, Perna along with his father Ralph V., his brothers John and Ralph M., his wife Roseanna and other members and associates of the New Jersey faction were arrested on gambling, money laundering and racketeering charges.[135] On May 14, 2010, Perna was indicted along with thirty three other members and associates of the New Jersey faction on the 2007 charges of gambling, money laundering and racketeering.[186] The indictment revealed that Perna and Michael Cetta financed a scheme to smuggle drugs and cell phones into East Jersey State Prison with members of the Nine Trey Gangsters (a set of the Bloods) and corrupt corrections officer.[186] In January 2016, Joseph and his brother John Perna each received 10 year sentences, while his father Ralph V. Perna received an eight-year state prison sentence for pleading guilty to running a multibillion-dollar gambling enterprise, and his brother Ralph M. had charges still pending.[187][140] He was released from prison on December 15, 2019. Perna is a close friend of Philadelphia crime family boss Joseph Merlino.[120]
Joseph R. Perna
Joseph R. "Big Joe" Perna is the current acting captain of the New Jersey faction for George Zappola. His father Michael J. Perna was a powerful member of the New Jersey faction before his death. On November 10, 2007, Perna was inducted in the Lucchese family along with his cousin John Perna inside of the Toms River home of his cousin Joseph M. Perna.[184]
Ralph V. Perna
Ralph Vito "Ralphie" Perna (born April 15, 1946) is the former capo of the New Jersey faction. Perna's father Joseph Perna was a mob bookmaker and shylock during the 1960s operating from Newark, New Jersey.[184][188] His brother Michael J. Perna was also a member of the New Jersey faction. Perna's three sons Joseph, John and Ralph M. are members of the New Jersey faction.[184] On August 18, 2006, Perna was released from prison.[189] On December 18, 2007, Perna along with Joseph DiNapoli, Matthew Madonna, Martin Taccetta, his three sons Joseph, John, Ralph M. and twenty five other members and associates of the New Jersey faction were arrested on gambling, money laundering and racketeering charges.[135] The arrests resulted from the investigation "Operation Heat", which alleged that the New Jersey faction ran an illegal gambling operation that earned approximately $2.2 billion over a 15-month period and smuggled drugs and pre-paid cell phones into a New Jersey prison.[136][190] On May 14, 2010, Perna was indicted along with DiNapoli, Madonna and twenty nine other members and associates of the New Jersey faction on the 2007 charges of gambling, money laundering and racketeering.[191] According to the indictment Perna "allegedly became top capo of the New Jersey faction of the family when Nicky Scarfo Jr. was deposed in 2007".[186] In 2012, New Jersey state began investigating the possibility of money laundering for legal costs in Perna's case.[192] In January 2016, Ralph V. received an eight-year state prison sentence for pleading guilty to running a multibillion-dollar gambling enterprise, while two of his sons, John and Joseph, each received 10 year sentences. His third son, Ralph M., had charges still pending.[187][140]
Carlo Profeta
Carlo Profeta (born October 10, 1942) is a soldier and former acting capo in Domenico Cutaia's crew. He once served as a bodyguard to Gambino family mobster Roy DeMeo.[193] In early 2009, Profeta had a sitdown with Bonanno family capo Anthony Mannone about a Lucchese soldier who owed him $200,000 in a loanshark debt.[193] On February 24, 2010, Profeta was indicted along with capo Domenico Cutaia, soldier Salvatore Cutaia, associates Joseph Cutaia, Eric Maione and Nicholas Bernardo, Bonanno family capo Anthony Mannone and associate Jerome Carameilli on racketeering and extortion charges.[109] In February 2011, Profeta and associate Eric Maione pleaded guilty to extortion charges.[194] On July 23, 2013, Profeta was released from prison.[195]
Frank Salerno
Frank "Skinny Frank" Salerno, also known as "Frankie", is captain of a crew operating in Westchester and the Bronx.[196] He is a nephew of former Lucchese captain Michael Salerno. In 1993, Frank Salerno was indicted along with others on federal charges of illegally dumping construction and demolition debris into landfills.[197] In 2006, Salerno was charged with defrauding customers from his car dealership Ultimate Motors, Inc., by failing to forward proceeds of car sales to the owners of cars that it sold on consignment, selling vehicles that it did not own, and failing to deliver vehicles to purchasers after receiving payment for car sales.[198] In April 2012, Frank Salerno went to the Tuckahoe police station to help his son Adam Salerno who was arrested for driving with a suspended license, before leaving the police arrested Frank with a warrant from Atlantic County, N.J. for passing bad checks.[199] In May 2020, Salerno was identified in an FBI surveillance photo meeting with Lucchese members acting boss Mike DeSantis, consigliere Andrew DeSimone, soldier Anthony Villani, soldier Anthony Baratta and caporegime George Zappola in Jefferson Park.[196]
Alfred Santorelli
Alfred "Freddy Boy" Santorelli is a soldier and acting capo of his father's Bronx crew. His father is Lucchese family capo Anthony Santorelli. In the 1990s, Santorelli and Darin Mazzarelli were the leaders of the Tanglewood Boys, a recruitment gang for the Lucchese family.[200] In 1994, his father Anthony Santorelli was observed by an FBI agent, dumping evidence in the murder of Louis Balancio.[200] On November 14, 2001, Santorelli was released from prison.[201]
Anthony Santorelli
Anthony "Blue Eyes" Santorelli is a capo operating in Westchester and the Bronx. In the 1990s, Santorelli led The Tanglewood Boys, a recruitment gang for the Lucchese family.[200] His son Alfred "Freddy Boy" Santorelli was a member of the gang.[202] In 1994, Santorelli was observed by an FBI agent, dumping something into a garbage can, which turned out to be clothes covered in blood.[200] A DNA check on the blood led to members of the gang being arrested for murdering college student Louis Balancio at a Yonkers sports bar.[200] In 2000, after the Lucchese Construction Group indictment, Santorelli was identified as a capo in the family, when a soldier in his crew Joseph Truncale was arrested along with Steven Crea and others.[131] In December 2003, his older brother Leonard Santorelli, the owner of CMS, a company that prints and distribute bank reports and documents was under investigation by law enforcement agencies in London and New York for allegedly bribing merchant banks to win contracts and his ties to his brother Anthony Santorelli.[203]
Carlo Taccetta
Carlo Taccetta (born July 10, 1972) is a soldier and son of Michael Taccetta the former capo of the New Jersey faction. In 2004, the New Jersey Commission of Investigation stated that Carlo Taccetta began to take over after his father was imprisoned but New York leaders did not recognize his role.[204] He was imprisoned on weapons charge and released on November 29, 2004.[205] On January 26, 2014, Taccetta was arrested with 65 pounds of marijuana.[206] He was charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.[206] He was released from prison on February 13, 2020.
Michael Taccetta
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Main article: Michael Taccetta |
Joseph Tangorra
Joseph "Joey Flowers" Tangorra (born August 2, 1949) is a soldier, and former capo of the "Bensonhurst Crew". In September 2000, Tangorra was indicted along with acting boss Steven Crea, capo Dominic Truscello and other members of the Lucchese Construction Group on labor racketeering charges.[207] Tangorra was identified as a captain of a Brooklyn crew, which included associates Andrew Reynolds, Alessandro Palmeri and Giuseppe Palmeri.[131] In November 2000, Tangorra was indicted along with soldier Joseph Truncale and was charged with the 1988 murder of Victor Filocamo.[208] In June 2001, his wife Carol Ann Tangorra wrote a letter on behalf of her husband who had been denied bail.[209] Tangorra was released from prison December 9, 2014.[210]
Joseph Tortorello
Joseph "Torty Jr." Tortorello is a soldier in the family's "Prince Street crew. His father Anthony "Torty" Tortorello was the former capo in the family. In October 1991, Tortorello was made into the Lucchese family along with Thomas D'Ambrosia, Frank Gioia Jr., Gregory Cappello and Jody Calabrese in a Howard Beach, Queens ceremony conducted by his father Anthony Tortorello, Frank Lastorino, Anthony Baratta, Salvatore Avellino, Richard Pagliarulo, George Conte, Thomas Anzellotto and Frank Papagni.[18][27][211] His father sponsored him during the ceremony.[18] Tortorello later went on to control a drug operation in lower Manhattan before getting arrested along with Thomas D'Ambrosia.[18]
Joseph Venice
Joseph Venice (1961) is a soldier in the Bronx faction. On May 31, 2017, Venice along with Street Boss Matthew Madonna, Underboss Steven Crea Sr., Consigliere Joseph DiNapoli, Capo Steven Crea Jr., and others were indicted and charged with racketeering, murder and other crimes.[67][68] Venice pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.[70][71] On May 8, 2020, Venice was released from federal prison.[212]
Anthony Villani
Anthony Villani is a soldier in the Bronx faction. On September 13, 2022, Villani and associates James "Quick" Coumoutsos, Dennis Filizzola, Michael "Platinum" Praino, and Louis "Tooch" Tucci Jr. were indicted on charges of operating a large-scale illegal online gambling business under the protection of the Luchese family for more than 15 years.[213] The illegal gambling business known as “Rhino Sports,” utilized an offshore website and dozens of bookmakers in the New York area to take millions in illegal sports bets.[214]
Rocco Vitulli
Rocco Vitulli is a soldier. On August 10, 1989, Vitulli along with Frank Federico murdered Robert M. Kubecka and Donald Barstow, two executives of a trash-collection company in East Northport, New York.[215] In 1995, Vitulli was indicted along with Salvatore Avellino, Carmine Avellino, Anthony Baratta and Frank Federico for the murders of Robert Kubecka and Donald Barstow.[3][11] Vitulli was released from prison on September 7, 2000.[216]
George Zappola
George "Georgie Neck" Zappola (born 1960) is the current acting underboss and captain of the New Jersey faction. He was a close ally to Anthony Casso and a powerful member of the Brooklyn faction.[217] In the late 1980s, Zappola and Alfonse D'Arco murdered Lucchese capo Michael Pappadio after he refused to give up control of his garment district rackets.[218] After surprising Pappadio in a bagel shop, Zappola shot him in the head with a .22-caliber pistol.[218] On May 17, 1990, Zappola and George Conte murdered James Bishop, the former secretary-treasurer of painters union Local 37, who had begun cooperating with the district attorney's office.[219] On November 15, 1990, Zappola along with his two brother Vincent Zappola and Anthony Zappola and the eleven other members of the Bypass gang were indicted for seven bank burglaries.[220]
On November 1, 1992, Zappola was indicted along with Underboss Anthony Casso, soldiers Richard Pagliarulo, Michael DeSantis and Michael Spinelli, and two associates, Thomas Carew and Corrado Marino on charges of racketeering, a dozen murders, extortion and labor corruption.[221] Zappola avoided being arrested and became a fugitive for next few years.[222] In 1993, Zappola along with Frank Papagni and Frank Gioia Jr. plotted to have Steven Crea killed.[180] In 1996, Zappola was indicted along with Frank Papagni, George Conte and Frank Giacobbe on murder charges.[182] In June 1996, Zappola pleaded guilty to several murders, including the 1990 Bishop slaying.[3][223] Zappola received a 22-year prison sentence.[3] In October 1996, while being held at Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Zappola bribed a federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) guard $1,000 to smuggle his sperm out of the facility.[224][225] Zappola was released from prison on March 3, 2014.[226]
