by chin_gigante » Sun Apr 09, 2023 7:00 am
I was looking through some newspaper articles about Ruggiero Boiardo’s May 1979 indictment in New Jersey and came across an individual I hadn’t heard of before. “Joe Bocca” was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case and allegedly served as acting consigliere of the Genovese family during the 1970s. Very few details are provided about this individual, but his identification appears to come from bugged conversations between Anthony and John Russo in 1978, which would certainly make it reputable.
The Grand Jury named several un-indicted co-conspirators in the case, including the late Anthony Russo; his late brother, John “Big Pussy” Russo of Newark, who died of natural causes last December; Pizuto; and persons known as “Funzi,” “Benny Squint,” “Tony Boy,” “Fat Tony” and “Joe Bocca.”
Mr Stier said that Boiardo, as “caporegime,” directed and controlled his alleged co-conspirators and was responsible in turn to the heads of the Genovese family in New York City, “Funzi” and “Benny Squint,” who sources identified as Phil Lombardo and Frank Tieri, respesctively.
Lombardo and Tieri were counselled by their “consilgier” – “Fat Tony,” whom sources identified as “Fat Tony” Salerno.
Magyar, Mark. ‘Indict “This Thing of Ours” people.’ The Daily Register. 25 May 1979.
In tracing the structure of the mob in New Jersey, Stier’s investigators and Assistant Attorney General Michael Bozza, who prepared most of the indictment and presented the case to the state grand jury, referred to Genovese family kingpins “Funzi,” “Benny the Squint” and “Fat Tony,” as well as Joe Bocca, in New York.
Funzi is Frank “Funzi” Tieri, acting boss of the Genovese family. Tieri is said to have temporarily emerged from the rivalry between Aniello “O’Neill” Della Croce and Carmine Galante as head of the biggest underworld family in the nation. Nonetheless, Funzi actually checks things out with Phil “Benny the Squint” Lombardo and they relied on their consigliere – or counsellor – “Fat Tony” Salerno, until he went to prison, and now hear counsel from Joe Bocca, sources say.
Plosia, Les. ‘Nationwide mob real, state indictment says.’ The Herald-News. 25 May 1979.
The reported conversations between the two Russo brothers include references to a party “Fat Tony” gave at Ruggerio’s home, “the good deal ‘Fat Tony’ made,” the status of Joe Bacco as an acting “consiglier” (counsellor), and the following remark by John Russo:
“And put this in your mind. Benny Squint is the boss. Don’t let anybody tell you any other (expletive).”
Benny Squint, “Fat Tony” and Joe Bocca are listed as unindicted co-conspirators in the indictment and are not otherwise identified.
Rummo, Anthony J. ‘Reputed mob figures appear in local court.’ The Home News. 18 December 1979.
Once the jury is seated, it is expected to hear all about “Funzi” and “Benny Squint,” who allegedly were bosses of the Genovese family in New York; about “Fat Tony” and “Joe Bocca,” identified in the indictment as their counsellors, or “consiglieri.”
Hanley, Robert. ‘What the Jury is Likely to Hear.’ The New York Times. 16 March 1980.
From the context of the above clippings, it would appear Joe Bocca began serving as acting consigliere sometime in 1978 after Salerno went to prison. Salerno was indicted on federal gambling and tax evasion charges in May 1977 and pleaded guilty 21 February 1978 (after two mistrials). He faced up to two years in prison but was ultimately sentenced to six months on 19 April 1978 (no doubt the “good deal Fat Tony made” that the Russo brothers talked about). Upon sentencing, Salerno was immediately remanded at MCC New York to begin serving his time.
Other information to consider when looking at the timeline of Genovese consiglieri in the mid-late 1970s:
In Vincent Cafaro’s 1988 affidavit, he stated that Antonio Ferro replaced Salerno as consigliere in 1976 when Salerno became the underboss. Cafaro also stated that Dominick Alongi replaced Ferro as consigliere in 1978, with Louis Manna then replacing Alongi in 1980.
Salvatore Gravano told the government that in 1976, he and Salvatore Aurello met with Vincent Gigante at the Triangle Social Club to discuss a problem Gravano was having with Vincent DiNapoli in the construction business. At the meeting, Aurello introduced an individual called Dom to Gravano as a captain in the Genovese family. Gigante corrected Aurello, saying that Dom had become the consigliere.
Cafaro and Gravano’s timeline could be off. Cafaro’s timeline is obviously thrown by the fact that he incorrectly placed his induction ceremony in 1974 when it probably took place in 1976. Gravano was also inducted in late 1976, so that only leaves a small window for him to have been introduced to Dom (almost certainly Alongi) that same year. Not to mention both timelines conflict with each other (Cafaro having Ferro as consigliere in 1976, then Alongi in 1978, while Gravano places Alongi back in 1976). I would wager that Cafaro’s timeline is probably closer to being accurate. Alongi becoming consigliere in 1978 would line up with Ferro’s death in August of that year, so it would make sense.
At first I thought Joe Bocca might be a reference to Ferro (perhaps Bocca comes from Buckaloo), but the timeline makes me think that’s unlikely now. We don’t know when exactly in 1978 the Russo brothers discussed Joe Bocca, so it could have been after Ferro died or in the few months leading up to it. Also the last sentence from the Daily Register clipping makes it sound as if Joe Bocca was still alive at least as of May 1979 (“they relied on their consigliere – or counsellor – “Fat Tony” Salerno, until he went to prison, and now hear counsel from Joe Bocca, sources say’). Perhaps Joe Bocca is a reference to Alongi or perhaps he’s someone else entirely.
I was looking through some newspaper articles about Ruggiero Boiardo’s May 1979 indictment in New Jersey and came across an individual I hadn’t heard of before. “Joe Bocca” was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case and allegedly served as acting consigliere of the Genovese family during the 1970s. Very few details are provided about this individual, but his identification appears to come from bugged conversations between Anthony and John Russo in 1978, which would certainly make it reputable.
[quote]The Grand Jury named several un-indicted co-conspirators in the case, including the late Anthony Russo; his late brother, John “Big Pussy” Russo of Newark, who died of natural causes last December; Pizuto; and persons known as “Funzi,” “Benny Squint,” “Tony Boy,” “Fat Tony” and “Joe Bocca.”
Mr Stier said that Boiardo, as “caporegime,” directed and controlled his alleged co-conspirators and was responsible in turn to the heads of the Genovese family in New York City, “Funzi” and “Benny Squint,” who sources identified as Phil Lombardo and Frank Tieri, respesctively.
Lombardo and Tieri were counselled by their “consilgier” – “Fat Tony,” whom sources identified as “Fat Tony” Salerno.
Magyar, Mark. ‘Indict “This Thing of Ours” people.’ [i]The Daily Register.[/i] 25 May 1979.[/quote]
[quote]In tracing the structure of the mob in New Jersey, Stier’s investigators and Assistant Attorney General Michael Bozza, who prepared most of the indictment and presented the case to the state grand jury, referred to Genovese family kingpins “Funzi,” “Benny the Squint” and “Fat Tony,” as well as Joe Bocca, in New York.
Funzi is Frank “Funzi” Tieri, acting boss of the Genovese family. Tieri is said to have temporarily emerged from the rivalry between Aniello “O’Neill” Della Croce and Carmine Galante as head of the biggest underworld family in the nation. Nonetheless, [b]Funzi actually checks things out with Phil “Benny the Squint” Lombardo and they relied on their consigliere – or counsellor – “Fat Tony” Salerno, until he went to prison, and now hear counsel from Joe Bocca, sources say[/b].
Plosia, Les. ‘Nationwide mob real, state indictment says.’ [i]The Herald-News.[/i] 25 May 1979.[/quote]
[quote]The reported conversations between the two Russo brothers include references to a party “Fat Tony” gave at Ruggerio’s home, “the good deal ‘Fat Tony’ made,” the status of Joe Bacco as an acting “consiglier” (counsellor), and the following remark by John Russo:
“And put this in your mind. Benny Squint is the boss. Don’t let anybody tell you any other (expletive).”
Benny Squint, “Fat Tony” and Joe Bocca are listed as unindicted co-conspirators in the indictment and are not otherwise identified.
Rummo, Anthony J. ‘Reputed mob figures appear in local court.’ [i]The Home News.[/i] 18 December 1979.[/quote]
[quote]Once the jury is seated, it is expected to hear all about “Funzi” and “Benny Squint,” who allegedly were bosses of the Genovese family in New York; about “Fat Tony” and “Joe Bocca,” identified in the indictment as their counsellors, or “consiglieri.”
Hanley, Robert. ‘What the Jury is Likely to Hear.’ [i]The New York Times.[/i] 16 March 1980.[/quote]
From the context of the above clippings, it would appear Joe Bocca began serving as acting consigliere sometime in 1978 after Salerno went to prison. Salerno was indicted on federal gambling and tax evasion charges in May 1977 and pleaded guilty 21 February 1978 (after two mistrials). He faced up to two years in prison but was ultimately sentenced to six months on 19 April 1978 (no doubt the “good deal Fat Tony made” that the Russo brothers talked about). Upon sentencing, Salerno was immediately remanded at MCC New York to begin serving his time.
Other information to consider when looking at the timeline of Genovese consiglieri in the mid-late 1970s:
In Vincent Cafaro’s 1988 affidavit, he stated that Antonio Ferro replaced Salerno as consigliere in 1976 when Salerno became the underboss. Cafaro also stated that Dominick Alongi replaced Ferro as consigliere in 1978, with Louis Manna then replacing Alongi in 1980.
Salvatore Gravano told the government that in 1976, he and Salvatore Aurello met with Vincent Gigante at the Triangle Social Club to discuss a problem Gravano was having with Vincent DiNapoli in the construction business. At the meeting, Aurello introduced an individual called Dom to Gravano as a captain in the Genovese family. Gigante corrected Aurello, saying that Dom had become the consigliere.
Cafaro and Gravano’s timeline could be off. Cafaro’s timeline is obviously thrown by the fact that he incorrectly placed his induction ceremony in 1974 when it probably took place in 1976. Gravano was also inducted in late 1976, so that only leaves a small window for him to have been introduced to Dom (almost certainly Alongi) that same year. Not to mention both timelines conflict with each other (Cafaro having Ferro as consigliere in 1976, then Alongi in 1978, while Gravano places Alongi back in 1976). I would wager that Cafaro’s timeline is probably closer to being accurate. Alongi becoming consigliere in 1978 would line up with Ferro’s death in August of that year, so it would make sense.
At first I thought Joe Bocca might be a reference to Ferro (perhaps Bocca comes from Buckaloo), but the timeline makes me think that’s unlikely now. We don’t know when exactly in 1978 the Russo brothers discussed Joe Bocca, so it could have been after Ferro died or in the few months leading up to it. Also the last sentence from the Daily Register clipping makes it sound as if Joe Bocca was still alive at least as of May 1979 (“they relied on their consigliere – or counsellor – “Fat Tony” Salerno, until he went to prison, and now hear counsel from Joe Bocca, sources say’). Perhaps Joe Bocca is a reference to Alongi or perhaps he’s someone else entirely.