THE BLACK HAND FORUM

Oc Shortz oitlined how the Frank Scalise murder was a major factor. Apparently, Frank's brother Jack (I believe), said he was gonna kill Albert in a public setting, then went on the lam. The sicilian faction tried to get him pass and Albert agreed that if Jack Scalise came oit of hiding, there would be no punishment. When Scalise reappeared, he was killed, which was taking as an affront to the sicilians in the family.......

So it would seem that alot of things played a part in the Anastasia hit.

Valachi said in his Senate testimony the "selling memberships" issue was that certain associates were making Scalise a partner in their operations/businesses and he was making them as a result which is much different than flat out selling buttons like a product. In that account it comes across more like "kicking up" to curry favor.

If true, it seems to be a dilemma over what we now call "earners" who gain membership by kicking up opposed to proving themselves the traditional way. Pre-1950s I don't believe many members were made for their financial ability so it could have been a culture clash as the US mafia evolved. Makes sense Valachi would see it in a negative light as he was made for helping with a double murder and was anything but an earner before he was inducted.

Valachi was one of the main sources on the "selling membership" story but not sure who else commented on it offhand. I know Freddy Santantonio broke down the way different types of members are recruited and implied earners were excluded in certain circles which lends itself to the idea that the more hardened members looked down on them. Can't remember if Santantonio ever commented specifically on the Scalise issue.

The rumor that Patsy Conte "bought" his button makes more sense with all this in mind as he was primarily a businessman and earner. His father was an underboss though so it wouldn't make sense that he had to literally pay a fee to be made. He was probably just seen as an earner by some members who meant he figuratively "bought" membership and this was taken literally by some people as the rumor carried, much as it did for the Bronx members mentioned by Valachi.

There was also a persistent narrative all around NYC at the time that many unqualified members were made by Anastasia which is a separate but related issue.

B. wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 5:45 pm

Sullycantwell wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:45 pm Alfred Santantonio said Anastasia was killed because Anastasia intended to kill Charles Dongarra, Joseph Riccobono, and Joseph Biondo. captain Joseph Franco was the one who told the three members about it. the actual shooters (According to Santantonio) Were Stephen Grammauta and Joseph Cahill. this came from Charles Dongarra's FBI file and from Ed Valin's terrific research https://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/gambinoinf.html

Keep in mind too that Riccobono was an extended cousin of Frank Scalise whose murder was already controversial and would have made the threat more real.

DiLeonardo was also told on the street that Grammauta was one of the shooters.

Was the story that Scalise sold memberships true? if not, why was he murdered?

Sullycantwell wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:45 pm Alfred Santantonio said Anastasia was killed because Anastasia intended to kill Charles Dongarra, Joseph Riccobono, and Joseph Biondo. captain Joseph Franco was the one who told the three members about it. the actual shooters (According to Santantonio) Were Stephen Grammauta and Joseph Cahill. this came from Charles Dongarra's FBI file and from Ed Valin's terrific research https://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/gambinoinf.html

Keep in mind too that Riccobono was an extended cousin of Frank Scalise whose murder was already controversial and would have made the threat more real.

DiLeonardo was also told on the street that Grammauta was one of the shooters.

Nasabeak wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:57 pm

Sullycantwell wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:45 pm Alfred Santantonio said Anastasia was killed because Anastasia intended to kill Charles Dongarra, Joseph Riccobono, and Joseph Biondo. captain Joseph Franco was the one who told the three members about it. the actual shooters (According to Santantonio) Were Stephen Grammauta and Joseph Cahill. this came from Charles Dongarra's FBI file and from Ed Valin's terrific research https://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/gambinoinf.html

Is it known if those guys had Commission approval for the hit on Anastasia? And why Carlo was appointed Boss over Biondo? Considering he ended up getting Underboss anyway.

it might've been in the Dongarra file, but i remember hearing that they were acquitted at apalachin because it was self defense. Can someone confirm?

This post made a while back might help answer a lot of your questions
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=6888&sid=93934baf9 ... 77bd8729cf

Nasabeak wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:57 pm

Sullycantwell wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:45 pm Alfred Santantonio said Anastasia was killed because Anastasia intended to kill Charles Dongarra, Joseph Riccobono, and Joseph Biondo. captain Joseph Franco was the one who told the three members about it. the actual shooters (According to Santantonio) Were Stephen Grammauta and Joseph Cahill. this came from Charles Dongarra's FBI file and from Ed Valin's terrific research https://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/gambinoinf.html

Is it known if those guys had Commission approval for the hit on Anastasia? And why Carlo was appointed Boss over Biondo? Considering he ended up getting Underboss anyway.

According to Joe Bonanno they definitely did not have Commission approval. Carlo becomes Commission approved Acting Boss because he was the Consigliere and perceived as a neutral choice.

On tape, Steve Magaddino said Gambino was put in charge because he was the consigliere and could hold the family together

Sullycantwell wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:45 pm Alfred Santantonio said Anastasia was killed because Anastasia intended to kill Charles Dongarra, Joseph Riccobono, and Joseph Biondo. captain Joseph Franco was the one who told the three members about it. the actual shooters (According to Santantonio) Were Stephen Grammauta and Joseph Cahill. this came from Charles Dongarra's FBI file and from Ed Valin's terrific research https://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/gambinoinf.html

Is it known if those guys had Commission approval for the hit on Anastasia? And why Carlo was appointed Boss over Biondo? Considering he ended up getting Underboss anyway.

Alfred Santantonio said Anastasia was killed because Anastasia intended to kill Charles Dongarra, Joseph Riccobono, and Joseph Biondo. captain Joseph Franco was the one who told the three members about it. the actual shooters (According to Santantonio) Were Stephen Grammauta and Joseph Cahill. this came from Charles Dongarra's FBI file and from Ed Valin's terrific research https://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/gambinoinf.html

I know who the likely shooters were (not Gallo bros!) and that it was likely Biondo and his guys who organized it; that Carlo probably didn’t have anything to do with it. But, the question is as follows:

Why was Anastasia killed?

Also, as a side note, why was Gambino given the Boss position by the Commission, and not Biondo?

Also, how did Biondo and his people relate (politically) to the Rava/Dellacroce faction? Why wasn’t the latter group (outside of Rava himself) eliminated?

I feel like leaving a charismatic guy like Dellacroce alive was a mistake. He’d always be a potential rebel, especially given his brotherly relationship with Rava. And in the end, the Rava/Dellacroce faction proved to be nothing but trouble for the Family as a whole later (Angelo tapes helping create the Commission trial ane Gotti as Boss).