Visiting the West Side 1963

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Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by chin_gigante » Sun May 26, 2024 4:39 pm

Sdunn48 wrote: Sun May 26, 2024 2:13 pm Genovese have always had 13 or 14 captains there was wiretap back in the 60s saying about money getting brought in for Vito while he was in jail off the 13 families meaning crews and fish cafaro statement in the 80s saying genovese family have always had 13 or 14 captains I just can’t remember thjnk it was 13 I no he got mixed up on few things but he would no how many crews there was
Here’s what I’ve been able to put together for captains in the 1960s, with a bias in favour for intel provided by member sources or picked up by wiretaps targeting confirmed members.

Identified by Joe Valachi:

1. Vincent Alo (succeeded Joe Adonis)
2. James Angelino
3. Ruggiero Boiardo
4. Michael Coppola (succeeded Ciro Terranova)
5. Thomas Eboli (succeeded Anthony Strollo)
6. Thomas Greco
7. Rocco Pellegrino

Confirmed to be captains through various discussions picked up by NK 2251-C* and NK 2319-C*:

8. Eugene Catena
9. Angelo DeCarlo

Five members (most of whom were formerly under Mike Miranda) who were made captains by Genovese:

10. Salvatore Celambrino
11. Frank Celano
12. Peter DeFeo
13. Cosmo Frasca
14. Frank Tieri

(See here for more information: viewtopic.php?t=12357).

In 1962, Greg Scarpa told the FBI that either Joseph Lanza or his brother was a captain; in 1965, Harold Konigsberg told the FBI that it was Harry Lanza; Tommy Eboli was also picked up on tape that year by NY 398-C* describing Harry as a ‘colonel’:

15. Harry Lanza

(See here: https://vault.fbi.gov/gregory-scarpa-sr ... of-01/view; https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... enovese%22; https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... y_lanza%22).

In January 1964, member source NY 4336-C-TE told the FBI that Salvatore Granello’s captain was Jimmy Dimino:

16. Vincenzo Generoso

(See here: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... %22mino%22).

In May 1964, Raymond Patriarca was picked up by BS 837-C* talking about how Sam Cufari had authority over other Genovese family members in the Springfield area:

17. Salvatore Cufari

Screenshot 2024-05-27 at 00.30.47.png

In June 1964, NK 2319-C* picked up information from the Catenas that Tony Carillo was Tony Provenzano’s captain:

18. Antonio Carillo

(See here: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... %22capo%22)

Additionally, in April 1965, DeCarlo was picked up by NK 2251-C* talking about how Rosario Mogavero had recently been made a captain, taking over from a ‘Patsy’ who died:

19. ‘Patsy’

This could be a reference to Pasquale Del Duca or perhaps to Vincenzo Altomari, both of whom had recently died. LCN Bios carries Altomari as a captain in the 1960s, with Joseph Lapi being a member of his crew who later reported to Mogavero. (See more: https://lcnbios.blogspot.com/2022/04/ge ... lapis.html).

Then there were also Generoso Del Duca and Pietro Dolce, who died in the early 1960s. SF 3208-C-TE (Lucchese member Carmine Taglialatella) told the FBI in 1969 that Del Duca and Dolce were both made captains in the late 1950s, receiving portions of the Miranda crew. Valachi also identified Del Duca as a captain. (See here: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... 22dolce%22).

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by quadtree » Sun May 26, 2024 3:32 pm

Sdunn48 wrote: Sun May 26, 2024 2:13 pm Genovese have always had 13 or 14 captains there was wiretap back in the 60s saying about money getting brought in for Vito while he was in jail off the 13 families meaning crews and fish cafaro statement in the 80s saying genovese family have always had 13 or 14 captains I just can’t remember thjnk it was 13 I no he got mixed up on few things but he would no how many crews there was
According to FBI files, a much larger number of captains looms since at least 1957, when Michael Miranda's large crew broke up.

Apart from a number of suspected captains, by 1957 the following individuals were most likely in command of their own crews:
1. Ruggierio Boiardo;
2. Eugene Catena;
3. Peter De Feo;
4. Salvatore Celambrino;
5. Frank Celano;
6. Salvatore Cufari;
7. Antonio Carillo;
8. Generoso Del Duca;
9. Pietro Dolce;
10. Alphonse Tieri;
11. Anthony Strollo;
12. Anthony Carfano;
13. Vincenzo Alo;
14. Michael Coppola;
15. Gaetano Greco;
16. Vincenzo Generoso;
17. Rocco Pellegrino;
18. Cosimo Frasca;
19. Vincenzo Altomari?;
20. James Angelina?;

At this time or later, Angelo De Carlo and Angelo Fiore will also become captains. As you can see, the number of captains, even in the most conservative estimates, is more than 14. It is convenient to believe that the Genovese family always had 14 captains, but data from FBI files and other sources contradict this misconception.

The question arises. Why do some informants tell us about 14 captains if there were more? Even in the 1980s, there were probably more than 14.

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by Sdunn48 » Sun May 26, 2024 2:13 pm

Genovese have always had 13 or 14 captains there was wiretap back in the 60s saying about money getting brought in for Vito while he was in jail off the 13 families meaning crews and fish cafaro statement in the 80s saying genovese family have always had 13 or 14 captains I just can’t remember thjnk it was 13 I no he got mixed up on few things but he would no how many crews there was

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by bn » Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:26 am

Celambrino crew member Edward Lanzieri was put with Peter DeFeo. It appears that Joseph Celambrino, Salvatore's son, was with DeFeo aswell, so it's probable that Celambrino's crew was put with DeFeo.

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by AlexfromSouth » Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:49 pm

What happend to Sal Celanbrino's crew after his death in '71?

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by HairyKnuckles » Thu Mar 21, 2024 9:15 am

bn wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 2:04 pm
HairyKnuckles wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:44 pm
eboli wrote: Sun Jun 12, 2022 1:57 am
JoelTurner wrote: Sat Jun 11, 2022 7:58 pm I can see Miranda being Lanza’s captain but where does Adonis fit in? Wasn’t he a Brooklyn-New Jersey guy? Did he have any other ties to Lower Manhattan?

What crew was Angelo Fiore with?
Adonis was a Brooklyn guy who also had operations in New Jersey, Manhattan, Florida, and Upstate New York. Fiore was from a Manhattan crew, but I don't know which one. Maybe HK can help, if he sees this post.
I can only contribute with the little I know about this. Angelo Fiore, although originally a South Brooklyn guy, associated himself with Genovese guys based in the Bath Beach section of Brooklyn; Joe "Jinx" Famularo, Louis LaRocca, Nick Galante and Danny Noto. Some indication show that these guys were under Frank Celano, a captain who was based in Manhattan. So when Eboli says Fiore was from a Manhattan crew, it could very well be the case.
Noto is interesting and brings some confusion. On a FBI list dated April 1974, Noto shows up as a captain. Although his name is redacted, indications points at it is him. B discovered that Noto was later transfered to the DeCavalcante Family so that transfer must have occured some time after 1974.

As for the Lanza brothers, it is indeed Harry Lanza who was a captain. Who knows, Joe "Socks" may have been a skipper in the early days, we just don´t know, but I have not seen any official FBI information on Joe being a skipper in the1960s. Harry Lanza was demoted or stepped down sometime in the early 1970s and Toddo Marino took over his crew. The control of The United Seafood Workers Union (Local 359) which in turn had a stronghold on the Fulton Fish Market, went to Carmine "Fish" Romano. It´s wrong to assume that the whole of Fulton Fish Market was controlled by one single Genovese crew and evidence show that other Families had interests there as well, for example the Bonanno Family. But the Seafood Workers Union was definitely the child of the Lanza brothers.
Are you sure that Toddo Marino took over for Harry Lanza? Because in the April 1974 list Harry Lanza and Toddo Marino are both ID'd as captains.
No, I can not be sure. But it points in that direction. Some of the Genovese guys who were being investigated for their role with the United Seafood Workers Union back in the late 1970s were said, by the investigators, to be under Toddo Marino.

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by sdeitche » Sat Mar 09, 2024 5:06 pm

trafficante wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 7:37 am
JoelTurner wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:43 pm
sdeitche wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:51 pm
eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:34 pm
PolackTony wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 10:50 am
eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:26 am
InCamelot wrote: Sun Jun 12, 2022 6:24 pm There was something I read in someone else's notes about DeFeo being quite power hungry/greedy or something.

A poster on another forum had mentioned there were wiretaps of Alo and Catena after they were retired in Florida. Apparently they were neighbours and Phil Lombardo lived nearby too. Not sure of its validity though.
Alo, Catena, Lombardo, and Coppola lived close to each other in Florida. They would regularly meet over there for dinner, to play golf, etc. Allegedly, that's how Lombardo formed a close relationship with Catena. In the early 1960s, the FBI uncovered a plot of unnamed organized crime figures who planned to kidnap Catena and Lombardo while both were down there.
You stated that these alleged plotters were unnamed, but any idea who or which family/ies may have been involved? Did it seem like an internal Genovese thing?
JoelTurner wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:26 am
eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:26 am In the early 1960s, the FBI uncovered a plot of unnamed organized crime figures who planned to kidnap Catena and Lombardo while both were down there.
That would be a huge move. Who would even be able to pull it off?
In the files I have, the FBI didn't indicate who the planners were. They mentioned, however, that the people planning this had intimate knowledge of Catena and Lombardo's activities in Florida, which points the finger at Cosa Nostra associates. The bagman got cold feet and got in touch with the feds. After that, the Miami Field Office contacted Catena (and Lombardo). I'll post the excerpts later because I can't find them easily. I had to read 20k+ pages of docs for the Catena research, and this specific info is somewhere in there.

Here's the relevant part of my article:
By the early 1960s, Jerry Catena spent more of his time in Florida, enjoying the warm weather and playing golf on the local courses. The FBI's field office in Miami trailed him and recorded his activities. They noted that Catena was golfing with one of their snitches. Catena somehow learned his golfing buddy was a federal informant and began feeding him false information. Another thing the Miami office uncovered was a kidnapping plot targeting Catena and a high-level lieutenant of caporegime Michael 'Trigger Mike' Coppola. The unnamed lieutenant was likely Philip 'Cockeyed Phil' Lombardo, a friend of Catena since their days as mob couriers. They often met in Florida when they were down there on business or vacation.

The FBI learned about the plot from the designated bag man. He advised that Catena and Lombardo were supposed to be abducted and held for ransom on a boat offshore by his gang the next time both of them were in the Miami region. The idea failed in its infancy because the informant chickened out and informed both Catena and the feds. It's unclear if the plotters were Cosa Nostra members or external criminal elements familiar with the organization's structures. Catena was visibly shaken when he learned about the plot and requested that his wife Catherine be kept in the dark because he didn't want to worry her.
I have a 1963 document that talks about Joe Merola plotting to kidnap Catena and Max Raymond, an associate of Mike Coppola, in Florida. Curious if it's the same, or a different plot.
Max Raymond was an alias of Max Eder. He was a Miami gambling & narcotics figure, but had been in the Bronx before that.

Who was Joe Merola?
Joseph R. Merola was a Miami gunrunner originally from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania who was an associate of the Mannarino brothers. He was also a burglar and a CI. I believe he ended up having a falling out with the Mannarinos that ended with him being dropped from the CI program. Theres also a weird connection between him and the CIA.
Yeah, he ran guns to Cuba, and was involved in some CIA anti-Castro activities in the 1960s. His name also threads through some JFK conspiracies. Interesting character. I recall his son reached out to me many years ago and was thinking of doing a book on him.

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by B. » Sat Mar 09, 2024 3:53 pm

Bill Bonanno had Joe Lanza attending the 1941 Commission meeting with Moretti as representatives of Luciano, Costello being confirmed as acting boss at the meeting. If true, maybe Lanza attended as a soldier but it does raise questions about his rank at the time.

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by bn » Sat Mar 09, 2024 2:04 pm

HairyKnuckles wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:44 pm
eboli wrote: Sun Jun 12, 2022 1:57 am
JoelTurner wrote: Sat Jun 11, 2022 7:58 pm I can see Miranda being Lanza’s captain but where does Adonis fit in? Wasn’t he a Brooklyn-New Jersey guy? Did he have any other ties to Lower Manhattan?

What crew was Angelo Fiore with?
Adonis was a Brooklyn guy who also had operations in New Jersey, Manhattan, Florida, and Upstate New York. Fiore was from a Manhattan crew, but I don't know which one. Maybe HK can help, if he sees this post.
I can only contribute with the little I know about this. Angelo Fiore, although originally a South Brooklyn guy, associated himself with Genovese guys based in the Bath Beach section of Brooklyn; Joe "Jinx" Famularo, Louis LaRocca, Nick Galante and Danny Noto. Some indication show that these guys were under Frank Celano, a captain who was based in Manhattan. So when Eboli says Fiore was from a Manhattan crew, it could very well be the case.
Noto is interesting and brings some confusion. On a FBI list dated April 1974, Noto shows up as a captain. Although his name is redacted, indications points at it is him. B discovered that Noto was later transfered to the DeCavalcante Family so that transfer must have occured some time after 1974.

As for the Lanza brothers, it is indeed Harry Lanza who was a captain. Who knows, Joe "Socks" may have been a skipper in the early days, we just don´t know, but I have not seen any official FBI information on Joe being a skipper in the1960s. Harry Lanza was demoted or stepped down sometime in the early 1970s and Toddo Marino took over his crew. The control of The United Seafood Workers Union (Local 359) which in turn had a stronghold on the Fulton Fish Market, went to Carmine "Fish" Romano. It´s wrong to assume that the whole of Fulton Fish Market was controlled by one single Genovese crew and evidence show that other Families had interests there as well, for example the Bonanno Family. But the Seafood Workers Union was definitely the child of the Lanza brothers.
Are you sure that Toddo Marino took over for Harry Lanza? Because in the April 1974 list Harry Lanza and Toddo Marino are both ID'd as captains.

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by trafficante » Sat Mar 09, 2024 7:37 am

JoelTurner wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:43 pm
sdeitche wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:51 pm
eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:34 pm
PolackTony wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 10:50 am
eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:26 am
InCamelot wrote: Sun Jun 12, 2022 6:24 pm There was something I read in someone else's notes about DeFeo being quite power hungry/greedy or something.

A poster on another forum had mentioned there were wiretaps of Alo and Catena after they were retired in Florida. Apparently they were neighbours and Phil Lombardo lived nearby too. Not sure of its validity though.
Alo, Catena, Lombardo, and Coppola lived close to each other in Florida. They would regularly meet over there for dinner, to play golf, etc. Allegedly, that's how Lombardo formed a close relationship with Catena. In the early 1960s, the FBI uncovered a plot of unnamed organized crime figures who planned to kidnap Catena and Lombardo while both were down there.
You stated that these alleged plotters were unnamed, but any idea who or which family/ies may have been involved? Did it seem like an internal Genovese thing?
JoelTurner wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:26 am
eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:26 am In the early 1960s, the FBI uncovered a plot of unnamed organized crime figures who planned to kidnap Catena and Lombardo while both were down there.
That would be a huge move. Who would even be able to pull it off?
In the files I have, the FBI didn't indicate who the planners were. They mentioned, however, that the people planning this had intimate knowledge of Catena and Lombardo's activities in Florida, which points the finger at Cosa Nostra associates. The bagman got cold feet and got in touch with the feds. After that, the Miami Field Office contacted Catena (and Lombardo). I'll post the excerpts later because I can't find them easily. I had to read 20k+ pages of docs for the Catena research, and this specific info is somewhere in there.

Here's the relevant part of my article:
By the early 1960s, Jerry Catena spent more of his time in Florida, enjoying the warm weather and playing golf on the local courses. The FBI's field office in Miami trailed him and recorded his activities. They noted that Catena was golfing with one of their snitches. Catena somehow learned his golfing buddy was a federal informant and began feeding him false information. Another thing the Miami office uncovered was a kidnapping plot targeting Catena and a high-level lieutenant of caporegime Michael 'Trigger Mike' Coppola. The unnamed lieutenant was likely Philip 'Cockeyed Phil' Lombardo, a friend of Catena since their days as mob couriers. They often met in Florida when they were down there on business or vacation.

The FBI learned about the plot from the designated bag man. He advised that Catena and Lombardo were supposed to be abducted and held for ransom on a boat offshore by his gang the next time both of them were in the Miami region. The idea failed in its infancy because the informant chickened out and informed both Catena and the feds. It's unclear if the plotters were Cosa Nostra members or external criminal elements familiar with the organization's structures. Catena was visibly shaken when he learned about the plot and requested that his wife Catherine be kept in the dark because he didn't want to worry her.
I have a 1963 document that talks about Joe Merola plotting to kidnap Catena and Max Raymond, an associate of Mike Coppola, in Florida. Curious if it's the same, or a different plot.
Max Raymond was an alias of Max Eder. He was a Miami gambling & narcotics figure, but had been in the Bronx before that.

Who was Joe Merola?
Joseph R. Merola was a Miami gunrunner originally from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania who was an associate of the Mannarino brothers. He was also a burglar and a CI. I believe he ended up having a falling out with the Mannarinos that ended with him being dropped from the CI program. Theres also a weird connection between him and the CIA.

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by JoelTurner » Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:43 pm

sdeitche wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:51 pm
eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:34 pm
PolackTony wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 10:50 am
eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:26 am
InCamelot wrote: Sun Jun 12, 2022 6:24 pm There was something I read in someone else's notes about DeFeo being quite power hungry/greedy or something.

A poster on another forum had mentioned there were wiretaps of Alo and Catena after they were retired in Florida. Apparently they were neighbours and Phil Lombardo lived nearby too. Not sure of its validity though.
Alo, Catena, Lombardo, and Coppola lived close to each other in Florida. They would regularly meet over there for dinner, to play golf, etc. Allegedly, that's how Lombardo formed a close relationship with Catena. In the early 1960s, the FBI uncovered a plot of unnamed organized crime figures who planned to kidnap Catena and Lombardo while both were down there.
You stated that these alleged plotters were unnamed, but any idea who or which family/ies may have been involved? Did it seem like an internal Genovese thing?
JoelTurner wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:26 am
eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:26 am In the early 1960s, the FBI uncovered a plot of unnamed organized crime figures who planned to kidnap Catena and Lombardo while both were down there.
That would be a huge move. Who would even be able to pull it off?
In the files I have, the FBI didn't indicate who the planners were. They mentioned, however, that the people planning this had intimate knowledge of Catena and Lombardo's activities in Florida, which points the finger at Cosa Nostra associates. The bagman got cold feet and got in touch with the feds. After that, the Miami Field Office contacted Catena (and Lombardo). I'll post the excerpts later because I can't find them easily. I had to read 20k+ pages of docs for the Catena research, and this specific info is somewhere in there.

Here's the relevant part of my article:
By the early 1960s, Jerry Catena spent more of his time in Florida, enjoying the warm weather and playing golf on the local courses. The FBI's field office in Miami trailed him and recorded his activities. They noted that Catena was golfing with one of their snitches. Catena somehow learned his golfing buddy was a federal informant and began feeding him false information. Another thing the Miami office uncovered was a kidnapping plot targeting Catena and a high-level lieutenant of caporegime Michael 'Trigger Mike' Coppola. The unnamed lieutenant was likely Philip 'Cockeyed Phil' Lombardo, a friend of Catena since their days as mob couriers. They often met in Florida when they were down there on business or vacation.

The FBI learned about the plot from the designated bag man. He advised that Catena and Lombardo were supposed to be abducted and held for ransom on a boat offshore by his gang the next time both of them were in the Miami region. The idea failed in its infancy because the informant chickened out and informed both Catena and the feds. It's unclear if the plotters were Cosa Nostra members or external criminal elements familiar with the organization's structures. Catena was visibly shaken when he learned about the plot and requested that his wife Catherine be kept in the dark because he didn't want to worry her.
I have a 1963 document that talks about Joe Merola plotting to kidnap Catena and Max Raymond, an associate of Mike Coppola, in Florida. Curious if it's the same, or a different plot.
Max Raymond was an alias of Max Eder. He was a Miami gambling & narcotics figure, but had been in the Bronx before that.

Who was Joe Merola?

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by bn » Fri Mar 08, 2024 5:53 pm

Anthony Provenzano was in Patsy Del Duca's crew (confirmed). In 1963 a CI (possible member source) advised that Provenzano answered to an old man named 'Patsy' who took over for Generoso Del Duca. This man is of course Patsy Del Duca.

By 1964 Provenzano is with Antonio Carillo.

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by bn » Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:54 pm

Charles Carlo is listed by JD as a possible Capodecina in his dead list. In some files I found that Carlo was described as a powerful member in the Elizabeth St Area, and power within the "Sicilian underworld' and reportedly went legit and moved to Danbury, CT. The informant said that when Carlo left, he turned "his men' over to Peter DeFeo and listed a couple of those men.

The day after Carlo's death (7/10/1963) the CI Reported that Charles Carlo died on 7/9/1963 in Nichols, Connecticut and his wake was held at the Provenzano-Lanza Funeral home in NYC. Carlo also had a house in Florida and obtained considerable wealth over the years. He also maintained a residence at 265 Lafayette St.

A FBI report later says that Carlo had business associations with Mike Miranda, and had an office in NYC.

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by bn » Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:23 pm

Received some interesting information recently, wanted to share it.

In or around 1963 an informant said that, starting from 1943, the Genovese captains formed a trust fund which required each captain to kick up $2,500 semi-annually. CI said that in 1961, there were 33 captains kicking up, and that Gyp DeCarlo controlled the fund.

Antonio Appierto's file says that he, Mike Miranda, and Vito Genovese were the heads of a organization which controlled bookmaking and the Italian lottery throughout NY. Another report describes him as one of the highest-ranking 'racketeers' in NY. I wonder if he was a Capodecina or possibly even consigliere at some point. Wording seems to imply that Pete DeFeo was under him.

CI claims that Vito Genovese himself told CI that Anthony Strollo was killed because: "It's more for the good about Tony. He was about to get pinched. He couldn't take things like you and me.'

Another report mentions several guys in the Genovese family (Miranda faction) who bought their buttons.

Re: Visiting the West Side 1963

by sdeitche » Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:51 pm

eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:34 pm
PolackTony wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 10:50 am
eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:26 am
InCamelot wrote: Sun Jun 12, 2022 6:24 pm There was something I read in someone else's notes about DeFeo being quite power hungry/greedy or something.

A poster on another forum had mentioned there were wiretaps of Alo and Catena after they were retired in Florida. Apparently they were neighbours and Phil Lombardo lived nearby too. Not sure of its validity though.
Alo, Catena, Lombardo, and Coppola lived close to each other in Florida. They would regularly meet over there for dinner, to play golf, etc. Allegedly, that's how Lombardo formed a close relationship with Catena. In the early 1960s, the FBI uncovered a plot of unnamed organized crime figures who planned to kidnap Catena and Lombardo while both were down there.
You stated that these alleged plotters were unnamed, but any idea who or which family/ies may have been involved? Did it seem like an internal Genovese thing?
JoelTurner wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:26 am
eboli wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 7:26 am In the early 1960s, the FBI uncovered a plot of unnamed organized crime figures who planned to kidnap Catena and Lombardo while both were down there.
That would be a huge move. Who would even be able to pull it off?
In the files I have, the FBI didn't indicate who the planners were. They mentioned, however, that the people planning this had intimate knowledge of Catena and Lombardo's activities in Florida, which points the finger at Cosa Nostra associates. The bagman got cold feet and got in touch with the feds. After that, the Miami Field Office contacted Catena (and Lombardo). I'll post the excerpts later because I can't find them easily. I had to read 20k+ pages of docs for the Catena research, and this specific info is somewhere in there.

Here's the relevant part of my article:
By the early 1960s, Jerry Catena spent more of his time in Florida, enjoying the warm weather and playing golf on the local courses. The FBI's field office in Miami trailed him and recorded his activities. They noted that Catena was golfing with one of their snitches. Catena somehow learned his golfing buddy was a federal informant and began feeding him false information. Another thing the Miami office uncovered was a kidnapping plot targeting Catena and a high-level lieutenant of caporegime Michael 'Trigger Mike' Coppola. The unnamed lieutenant was likely Philip 'Cockeyed Phil' Lombardo, a friend of Catena since their days as mob couriers. They often met in Florida when they were down there on business or vacation.

The FBI learned about the plot from the designated bag man. He advised that Catena and Lombardo were supposed to be abducted and held for ransom on a boat offshore by his gang the next time both of them were in the Miami region. The idea failed in its infancy because the informant chickened out and informed both Catena and the feds. It's unclear if the plotters were Cosa Nostra members or external criminal elements familiar with the organization's structures. Catena was visibly shaken when he learned about the plot and requested that his wife Catherine be kept in the dark because he didn't want to worry her.
I have a 1963 document that talks about Joe Merola plotting to kidnap Catena and Max Raymond, an associate of Mike Coppola, in Florida. Curious if it's the same, or a different plot.

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