Bonnano/Galante

[Shellackhead]

So Rastelli’s entire tenure as boss in the Bonannos was behind prison?

[thekiduknow]

So Rastelli’s entire tenure as boss in the Bonannos was behind prison?

He was out for a few years in the early 80s, but went back to jail during the commission trial. He maybe spent like 3-4 years on the street all together?

[Benandjosh]

Was Rastelli originally a bonnano loyalist. Did he change sides during the war. Seems a pretty bad boss. Maybe the bonnanos would have been in better shape if they had all backed Galante.

[thekiduknow]

Was Rastelli originally a bonnano loyalist. Did he change sides during the war. Seems a pretty bad boss. Maybe the bonnanos would have been in better shape if they had all backed Galante.

I’m pretty sure Rusty was firmly in the DiGregorio/Sciacca faction from the start. I’m also pretty sure he was a captain before the split, and remained so under DiGregorio until he was promoted to underboss by Evola.

It’s hard to tell how he was as a boss since most of his tenure was in prison.

[Pogo The Clown]

So Rastelli’s entire tenure as boss in the Bonannos was behind prison?

He was out for a few years in the early 80s, but went back to jail during the commission trial. He maybe spent like 3-4 years on the street all together?

Yeah. He was Acting Boss from August 1973-November 1974 then Official Boss. He was imprisoned in August 1976 (I think he was under indictment during most of this time). he was released in late 1983 and imprisoned again in June 1984. He died in prison in 1991.


Pogo

[JakeTheSnake630]

So is it fair to say Rusty and and Lilo never liked each other, before Galantes take over attempt? At least since the banana wars when the family split.

[thekiduknow]

So is it fair to say Rusty and and Lilo never liked each other, before Galantes take over attempt? At least since the banana wars when the family split.

Hard to say for sure, but I’d imagine so. Like others said before, Galante was still loyal to Bonanno even after he went to Arizona and Galante got out of jail in 72. Rastelli might have seen him as trying to take over the family for Bonanno.

[MSFRD]

Only an assumption, but I feel the only way Galante’s ambitions would have been stifled would be if Bonnano was still boss upon Galante’s release. From all evidence he came out all guns blazing and disregarded everyone in the other four Families, and everyone else in his own. He obviously felt like the natural successor to Bonnano and probably felt livid at the state the family was in after the internal wars and factionalism. Galante was imprisoned when the Bonnano’s were at their peak and had had 30 years of stable leadership. Im sure he felt he was the individual to right the ship.

[JeremyTheJew]

With the Galante as boss- never the boss ordeal, what I always wondered is than if Rastereli was the official boss, than who was the acting boss?

I read it was Salvatore Farruggia ("Sally Fruits"), although I am not sure whether he already was before Galante's death.

If it helps at all.... In Donnie Brasco Unfinished Business he said that Sally Fruits was looked at as the "zip street boss"

But .... Catalano was said to be the same also....

And both were SUPPOSEDLY offered the ACTING BOSS spot but there English wasn't good

[chin_gigante]

Catalano was acting boss at the time that Vito Borelli was killed

[axx]

So is it fair to say Rusty and and Lilo never liked each other, before Galantes take over attempt? At least since the banana wars when the family split.

Don't know where, but I've read they respected each other and weren't on bad terms. As for Rastelli, Massino once said "he spent half his life in jail, how good of a boss can he be?" or sth like that.

[thekiduknow]

I found these two pages in Farrugia's FBI file. Like Chin said, Catalano was promoted to acting boss in the fall of 1980, with Steve Cannone, Sonny Red, and Phil Giaccone being removed from the ruling panel. Farrugia was considered for acting boss, but due to health reasons was passed over.

Catalano Acting Boss.jpg

In March 1981, Farrugia was chosen as acting boss. According to the source, Catalano was demoted due to the "behind the scene's" urging of Cannone.

Farrugia Acting Boss.jpg

Massino testified that Farrugia was elected acting boss and remained so until Rastelli was out of prison in 1983.

[SonnyBlackstein]

He was put in by Rastelli if I'm not mistaken. It was the same situation as when Vic Orena tried to usurp Persico as the Boss and had the support of the vast majority of the family in doing so. Only difference is that the Rastelli loyalists bided their time, got Commission support and didn't miss when they tried to kill him.

Cheers ears.

Who put in Rastelli? Bonnano, Captains or Commission?

[Pogo The Clown]

Not Bonsnno as he was was already out at that point. Most likely by the Commission since after after Natsle Evola died Rastelli was Acting Boss for a a year before it was made official.


Pogo

[thekiduknow]

But Rastelli was elected by the captains right?