THE BLACK HAND FORUM

ROBERT (DEE BEE) DI BERNARDO - born 1937. Born in Brooklyn, by the mid-1960’s he had migrated out to Nassau’s South Shore (370 Fifth Avenue, Cedarhurst), and later (1101 Harbor Rd., Hewlett Harbor) - waterfront property.
———-
Activities: pornography rackets, extortion, labor-union racketeering.
———-
During the the early 1960’s identified as a associate-member of the DeCavalcante Family serving under captain Frank (Frankie Coch) Cocchiaro.
-
He was either mid-identified by LE or had later switched alliance to the Gambino mob. He was close to, and served under, senior Capo Ettore Zappi, where DiBernardo would eventually gain prominence and great wealth operating several pornographic firm and dirty book distributors under Zappi’s auspices.
-
Note: [He was identified by federal LE as a formally inducted Gambino “soldier” by the late 1970’s]
-
Note: [by the mid-1960’s, the porno racket profits were burgeoning. So much so, that besides backing “Dee Bee”, Zappi and Gambino involved themselves more directly by utilizing Zappi’s son Tony as their point man. Tony was eventually indicted in California on pornography charges.
———
Top convicted porno sex-film producer Theodore (Teddy) Rothstein of Oceanside, LI, was alleged to be DiBernardo’s partner in a maze of corporations that controlled the production and distribution of books, films and peep show operations along the Times Square sex district.
-
Star Distributors, Ltd., was said to be the most notorious of these companies. DiBernardo was listed as its Vice President and principal financier. Star was described in senate testimony as the national distributor of paperback sex books.
-
DiBernardo was said to benefit and profit from this national distribution.
-
In 1970, the SIC alleged that he controlled a maze of nine sex-related New York City firms that had grown tremendously, and gave as an example the recent $1,000,000. purchase of seven Philadelphia area books stores in Pennsylvania.
———-
Criminal record: obscenity charges (3 times) and conspiracy,

In 1981, He was one of twenty-four indicted in the “Operation Miporn” investigation. A nationwide crackdown on the porno rackets.
———-
“Dee Bee” Di Bernardo’s many criminal associates have included:
-
Sam DeCavalcante - NJ Family Boss
-
Gaetano (Corky) Vastola - DeCavalcante soldier
-
Frank (Big Frankie) Cocchiaro - DeCavalcante Captain
-
Joseph (Joe Bikini) Brocchini - Top pornographer, murdered Lucchese soldier
-
Ettore (Terry) Zappi - senior capo, advisor and intimate of Carlo
-
Anthony (Tony) Zappi - Terry’s son, Teamster official, crew soldier
-
Frank (Frankie Dap) Dapolito - former Teamster official, acting capo and closest Zappi aide
-
Natale (Big Chris) Richichi - Zappi crew member, later capo
-
Paul Castellano - (no intro needed)
-
Salvatore (Sammy) Gravano
———-
After Terry Zappi’s relocation and semi-retirement to Florida, DiBernardo was transferred directly under Castellano, and he thrived.
-
Unfortunately after Paulie’s death, Gotti allowed the heavy handed, greedy and jealous Gravano to “oversee” DiBernardo and his activities for the family....... fatal move!
-
“Clocking” his money, overall wealth and family influence, Gravano badmouthed and maneuvered to set “Dee Bee” up for the kill, so as to later “inherit” his rackets and it’s subsequent revenue..... the rest is well-recorded mob history.
-
Suckering DiBernardo to visit Gravano’s Brooklyn construction office for a discussion, family associate Joe Peruta walked up behind the unsuspecting DeeBee and shot him right in the head, killing him instantly! .... Sammy grabbed the unions and other rackets Di Bernardo had previously overseen, and that was that!.....

......The year was 1986!
-
Never known as a vicious guy, more the businessman type hood, Robert (Dee-Bee) Di Bernardo died at the young age of 49, simply because of the raw unbridled greed and degeneracy of future “Master Rat” Sammy Gravano!...... who later bought his freedom despite admitting to nineteen (19) murders by turning informant on others........that’s the real crime..... disgusting!
—————————————————-——————————————————

Frank wrote: ↑Mon Aug 05, 2019 12:51 am I believe Patsy Conte was one of the guys that paid for his membership.

I’m not sure that’s the case with Patsy. His father was Nino Conte, an old timer member and some say “Capo” under the Anastasia/Gambino crew for decades. So Patsy would have been brought in under his father’s “strength” you know. Patsy would not have had to pay anything because he was the son of a top member. Antonino Conte was the original owner of “Conte” meat market, before it expanded and became “Conte Supermarkets”. He dad was a force.
-
Guys like Tartamella, Zappi, and other sons, nephews and grandsons don’t pay. Their families status speaks for itself...... I do remember hearing that Mancuso May have paid. And come to think of it, Jimmy Squillante his uncle, supposedly paid to get in..... but who knows, after all it’s not the type of thing anyone is going brag or speak of.
-
I will say this as a footnote, the Zappi’s, Di Gregorio’s and Tartamella’s of that life, most of them never broke an egg, let alone did any real work to get in....... its a form of Nepotism...... not all, but many, skated in on their family reputation believe me! Lol
-

I believe Patsy Conte was one of the guys that paid for his membership.

Super wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2019 5:00 pm I agree Christie was probably there or there abouts I bet there was loads like you say under the wire . Yeah he's been with us for years

I’ll give ya two more for sure.... Jerry Mancuso (some day he bought it) as did his brother Wahoo, and Tony the Gawk - for sure!! Just before 57’

I agree Christie was probably there or there abouts I bet there was loads like you say under the wire . Yeah he's been with us for years

Super wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2019 4:51 pm I'm sure when the family's heard the books was closing they made quite a few quite quick.

Correct!..... I’d also say Christie Ticker and Jimmy Jones for the Lucchese crew also.... at that time “under the wire” before the books closed. Their ages would qualify for it I think.... being born in those years makes them in the late 20’s early 30’s during the mid-late 50’s

I'm sure when the family's heard the books was closing they made quite a few quite quick.

Super wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2019 4:42 pm Maybe the gambino guys that paid for there button

A few for sure I wouldn’t doubt.... a few others who got it under the 57’ closing may have been Carlie DiPietro, Tony DiGregorio, Bobby Tartamella.... and a few other “sons” of old timers who gave it to their kids before closing the books like Mickey Morris did! THAT you can count on! Lol

Maybe the gambino guys that paid for there button

Louie Dome Pacella, Tony Zappi, Jojo Vitacco, Freddy Red and Sally D..... all straightened out between 1954-57 I’d estimate.....
To name a few

Super wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2019 11:52 am

maxiestern11 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 03, 2019 7:56 pm

Super wrote: ↑Sat Aug 03, 2019 7:33 pm No buddy I meant in 57

Oh! Lol..... that’s a very good question. I’ve gotta think on that one for awhile. That’s a helleva question, don’t wanna speak off the top of my head.
-
Let me sit on it, and I’ll hit you back with my answer ok! Next day or so..... I’ll try and pick a few guys from each crew ok
-t
Lol.... you had me there

Thank you sir I can't think of any as well Frankie and Joseph loc was before 57 I think but not sure if last batch.

Two off the top of my head were probably Rocco and Gijio Barra. I believe they were put “in” around that time by their Dad Mickey before the books were shut.... I’ll think of a few more. Fury Siano and maybe Joey Pagano also. I think in 54’ but still not far off from 57’.... I got more too! Lol

maxiestern11 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 03, 2019 7:56 pm

Super wrote: ↑Sat Aug 03, 2019 7:33 pm No buddy I meant in 57

Oh! Lol..... that’s a very good question. I’ve gotta think on that one for awhile. That’s a helleva question, don’t wanna speak off the top of my head.
-
Let me sit on it, and I’ll hit you back with my answer ok! Next day or so..... I’ll try and pick a few guys from each crew ok
-t
Lol.... you had me there

Thank you sir I can't think of any as well Frankie and Joseph loc was before 57 I think but not sure if last batch.

great stuf, very accurate

Super wrote: ↑Sat Aug 03, 2019 7:33 pm No buddy I meant in 57

Oh! Lol..... that’s a very good question. I’ve gotta think on that one for awhile. That’s a helleva question, don’t wanna speak off the top of my head.
-
Let me sit on it, and I’ll hit you back with my answer ok! Next day or so..... I’ll try and pick a few guys from each crew ok
-
Lol.... you had me there

No buddy I meant in 57