Late 1970s Colombo conflict

[B.]

The details of this dispute were well-known to the FBI at the time and accurate summaries of the conflict even appeared in newspapers around the time it occurred, so the basic story is well-known: underboss Anthony Abbatemarco and former consigliere Joe Yacovelli challenged boss Tom DiBella and tried to have him deposed due to heavy favoritism toward the Persico faction. This resulted in the 1977 murder of Salvatore Albanese, the removal of Abbatemarco from influence, and a re-organization of the family's crews. It was also the final push for the Persicos, who would dominate the family from this point forward.

The following was reported after the Abbatemarco faction registered its complaint with the Commission:

- Among the family leaders who supported Colombo underboss Anthony Abbatemarco in his dispute with boss Tommy DiBella were captains Joseph Brancato, James Clemenza, and Salvatore Lombardino Jr.

- A "Commission meeting" was held to handle this dispute and attended by Tommy DiBella, Frank Tieri, Carmine Galante, Tony Corallo, and "the boss of the Chicago family." Anthony Abbatemarco, Joseph Brancato, and James Clemenza attended in addition to a redacted name, and mention is made of another redacted name who failed to show up. One of the redacted names would likely be Joe Yacovelli, as he was part of the Abbatemarco faction and not otherwise mentioned.

- The "Commission" met with Abbatemarco and ruled that "mere dissatisfaction of the captains and underboss" with DiBella was not enough to remove him as boss. They directed that there would be no bloodshed given that the issue was political in nature but they acknowledged that DiBella could/would demote some of the captains who opposed him and "reconstruct the family leadership", but stressed that "no bloodshed by spilled" in the process. They completely sided with DiBella and allowed him to do as he saw fit barring violence.

- Following the meeting, Joe Brancato and Salvatore Lombardino Jr. were demoted, with Brancato's crew temporarily reporting directly to boss Tommy DiBella. James Clemenza was allowed to remain a captain since his crew was entirely based in Florida and he would be moving there full-time anyway. By 1979 Clemenza was a soldier reporting direct to DiBella, so he was ultimately demoted. It wasn't specified at this time who replaced Lombardino, but from other info we know Sal J. Profaci took over the NJ crew.

- At this time, Allie Giannattasio was promoted back to captain of his former crew because it was felt he had overcome his drinking problem, which had led to his earlier demotion. However, he was instructed that if his drinking problem continued he would have his crew taken away again.

- DiBella called in Abbatemarco for a formal meeting to demote him from underboss, in addition to some redacted name(s), but none of these individuals responded or met with DiBella. The informant stated that even though the Commission ruled no bloodshed in this dispute, if Abbatemarco and others refused to meet with the boss they could be murdered "with the blessing of the Commission". A redacted name (possibly Yacovelli) had failed to respond to two or three calls and Abbatemarco had ignored at least two calls to meet. It was said that if Abbatemarco failed to respond to one more call, a contract would be placed on Abbatemarco.

- Some other new captains were promoted (not specified in this report) and it was believed that the family would hold inductions in the near future to bring in new members who would be placed under the new captains along with other soldiers reassigned to report to the new captains. This as we know is when the Persico group began to promote their loyalists en masse and crews were re-arranged to reflect the new power structure.

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One of the most interesting bits from this account is Galante attending a so-called "Commission" meeting along with a Chicago leader. The Bonannos aren't believed to have had a seat on the Commission at this time, so either the source was mistaken or it was felt Galante and the Bonannos could or should help mediate the dispute.

This account also shows DiBella's position at the top levels of the NYC mafia at the time. The Persicos may have been the power behind him, but his authority as boss was recognized in total by the Commission. Also interesting to see how they created a loophole by ruling no bloodshed, but apparently would have given authority to murder rebels who wouldn't meet with the boss. I would guess if we looked at any number of mafia conflicts we would see similar loopholes used to justify murders.

[Extortion]

the bonannos kicked off the commission in the 80s after brasco i thought

[MightyDR]

Thanks for that report B. In his book, Joey Cantelupo tells pretty much the same story with a few different details. He heard about it from Peewee Campagna in 1977.

- He said Vinnie Aloi became acting boss after Colombo was shot, then he went to jail. Then Carmine Persico took over, but then he went to jail.
- Then Tom DiBella, “an old man Persico could control” took over. Allie Boy became consigliere, before taking over as acting boss.
- There were some people that didn’t like that arrangement, including “an old-time capo with a lot of influence in high places” Anthony Abbatemarco.
- Abbe thought he had friends on the Commission so he went over Persico’s head and complained that Persico was too greedy.
- A Commission meeting is held. They hear out Allie Boy, Abbe and Sally Albanese.
- They make the ruling that Allie Boy is the acting boss and Sally and Abbe have to do what they’re told, “Shake hands, you kiss and make up and you forget the whole thing”.
- Campagna said that this meant that Abbe and Albanese were on thin ice and could be killed over the slightest little thing. He doesn’t say why exactly, but then Allie Boy got rid of Albanese.
- Abbatemarco was allowed to disappear because he had “friends in high places”.

I assume Cantelupo isn’t remembering correctly who the acting boss was.

[B.]

Cantelupo would also be incorrect about Anthony Abbatemarco, who was not an "old-time capo" but a contemporary of the Persicos who had served as acting captain for Carmine Persico and then underboss largely through their influence. Abbatemarco and Albanese seem to have benefited from the Persico's growing influence at least initially, so not sure what caused them to resent it later.

I'd be curious if Abbatemarco's "retirement" was the result of him reaching out to people "in high places" or if he simply never responded to DiBella's requests to meet as described in the report I have. It's very similar to the Pete Casella situation in Philadelphia a few years later, except Casella was involved in killing the boss while Abbatemarco's attempt to depose the boss failed.

[B.]

This thread is a good supplement to this, Colombo family structure 1974-1976 + 1977:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=38

We can see that the other unspecified captains promoted after this dispute were Andrew Russo, Gennaro Langella, and Vincenzo Randazzo. Charles Panarella was the only captain to consistently keep his position through the period in question.

It would have been more accurate to call it a mid-late 1970s dispute, as the conflict was pretty much behind them after 1977.