THE BLACK HAND FORUM

by **JoelTurner** » Wed Nov 06, 2024 10:49 pm

On Apr 12 1933, top bootlegger Max Hassel & his bodyguard Max Greenberg were killed at the Elizabeth-Carteret Hotel, their headquarters.

The shooters were Joseph Troia (Identified via a phone tip) and an “unknown New Yorker”.

A few years later in 1936, the “New Yorker” was identified and arrested. He was the notorious Paul “Frankie” Carbo.

Carbo wasn’t a stranger to the Hassel group at least not when it came to killing them. In Aug 1931, in Atlantic City, he had hit another member of the gang: Philadelphia-South Jersey beer baron Michael "Mickey" Duffy. In both cases, he appears to have beaten the charges.

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Hassel had partnered with Nick Delmore in the Rising Sun Brewery which was where the latter gunned down Prohibition Agent John Finiello. In his testimony, he mentions being with Duffy and refers to Hassel as his boss.

The Third Ward Boys (Abner “Longy” Zwillman’s gang) supposedly took over Hassel’s North Jersey operations. They could have all been one group. Jerry Catena, at the time Longy’s lieutenant, was jailed for crooking a juror on Delmore’s murder trial.

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Carbo and his role in the Duffy & Hassel/Greenberg murders were well known. Troia seems to have gone unnoticed. His short few years in NJ look like they were action packed.

All of the Murder Inc. stuff aside, Carbo was heavily involved with Jewish mobsters. Tbh I don’t know anything about him besides what’s on Wikipedia or Reddit.

by **JoelTurner** » Thu Oct 24, 2024 9:25 pm

B. wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2024 6:43 pm As always, I appreciate you continuing to explore these circles.

The leadership of the Castellammare del Golfo Family in the 1890s was a father/son named Ingoglia/Ingaglia. They were Castellammarese so unlikely they were related to this one but it is a name I've only ever seen in Trapani and I'd be curious if the CDG Ingoglias had historic ancestry in CDG or elsewhere given it's a surname not typically found in the multi-generation mafia bloodlines there.

Thank you!

From what I can tell, the Ingoglia surname was mostly in a few towns in Agrigento: Montevago, Santa Margherita di Belice, and Sambuca di Sicilia. You can essentially draw a straight line through them. Partanna, though it’s in Trapani, would also be on this line.

Considering that Andrew Ingoglia was in the Bonanno Family, a CDG connection would be interesting. It seems like a fairly uncommon name though. Outside of these two, I haven’t seen it anywhere else.

by B. » Thu Oct 24, 2024 6:43 pm

As always, I appreciate you continuing to explore these circles.

The leadership of the Castellammare del Golfo Family in the 1890s was a father/son named Ingoglia/Ingaglia. They were Castellammarese so unlikely they were related to this one but it is a name I've only ever seen in Trapani and I'd be curious if the CDG Ingoglias had historic ancestry in CDG or elsewhere given it's a surname not typically found in the multi-generation mafia bloodlines there.

by **JoelTurner** » Thu Oct 24, 2024 4:27 pm

In the early 1940s, Anthony Perella moved to Newark and married Jennie Patti. Born to Giacomo Patti & Paola Mandino, she had an interesting set of siblings:

-Jacob Patti (1907-61) was arrested for holdups alongside Gambino member Vincent Todaro in Feb 1932

-James Patti (1908-76) had multiple arrests for liquor, notably being a part of Sam Accardi’s large South Jersey ring

-Kathrine Patti (1910-84) was married to Anthony Ingoglia (1903-97). He’s been mentioned a few times before. In addition to his liquor arrests, he was also pinched for ration stamps, again placing him in Sam Accardi’s orbit.

He was born in Brooklyn to Cristoforo Ingoglia & Maria Ferradella, family from Partanna. I can’t tell if he was related to Bonanno member Andrew Ingoglia (1899-58), also from Partanna. The latter’s parents were Mariano & Angela DiLorenzo so they weren’t siblings.

He may have been involved in a bar alongside SF members. The surname wasn’t common but I’m not sure if it was him. Andrew Ingoglia was a narcotics man in the Bay Area

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Ingoglia and the Patti family lived at 21 & 23 Edison St, Bloomfield, NJ. This was next door to the family of Austin Savi, who was killed by Salvatore Lombardino. In turn, Vincent Todaro lived ~2 houses from them at 29 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield, NJ.

by **lennert** » Sat Oct 05, 2024 4:49 am

There was also a Giuseppe Vella, born in Palermo on February 16, 1883, to Antonino and Catarina LiVigni. He was Anthony’s uncle, and was also described as “boss” of a Newark lottery. It was actually his daughter who married Pietro Cicciarella, so she was not Anthony’s sister, but his cousin… He died in November 1954, so maybe this was the Tino reffered to, although the name makes more sense for somebody called Antonino…

As for the Abate liquor ring, if you mean the case in which Boiardo also figured, then yes, same guy.

by **JoelTurner** » Fri Oct 04, 2024 9:07 am

lennert wrote: ↑Thu Oct 03, 2024 6:17 am Joel, great work on this subject!

In a certain FBI file on Newark, there are a few names listed which might be of interest to you, and who might have been members or at least affiliates of the Newark Family. Wondering if you ever came across them:

The file lists a Don Santo, and describes him as a well known opera impressario. This refers to Santo D'Alia, born February 29, 1888 in Palermo, to Tommaso and Girolama Torregrossa. The file describes him as a close friend of Tony Paterno. D'Alia had business dealings with Gaspare D'Amico.

Another figure listed is Tino Valla, described as the operator of the Two Star Lottery. The file states Steve Badami took over the operations after Valla's death. However, Tino Valla refers to Antonino Vella, born in Palermo on December 11, 1894, to Ludovico and Rosalia Bertolino. Vella died over a decade after Badami's murder, yet was described in newspaper articles as head of the Two Crown Lottery, so pretty sure this is the person referred to in the file.

Last is Pietro Ciccarelli, born in Lercara Friddi on May 11, 1894 to Salvatore and Felicia LaForte. He is described as assisting "Valla" in the lottery racket. Ciccarelli was arrested with Vella at the time the latter was described as operator of the Two Crown Lottery, further indictaing Valla is indeed Vella. Ciccarella was married to Antonino Vella's sister Catarina.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Thank you for sharing!

I haven’t heard of D’Alia or Ciccarelli before but there was an Anthony Vella who was arrested as a part of Joe Abate’s liquor ring. I’m going to check if it’s the same guy.

by **lennert** » Thu Oct 03, 2024 6:17 am

Joel, great work on this subject!

In a certain FBI file on Newark, there are a few names listed which might be of interest to you, and who might have been members or at least affiliates of the Newark Family. Wondering if you ever came across them:

The file lists a Don Santo, and describes him as a well known opera impressario. This refers to Santo D'Alia, born February 29, 1888 in Palermo, to Tommaso and Girolama Torregrossa. The file describes him as a close friend of Tony Paterno. D'Alia had business dealings with Gaspare D'Amico.

Another figure listed is Tino Valla, described as the operator of the Two Star Lottery. The file states Steve Badami took over the operations after Valla's death. However, Tino Valla refers to Antonino Vella, born in Palermo on December 11, 1894, to Ludovico and Rosalia Bertolino. Vella died over a decade after Badami's murder, yet was described in newspaper articles as head of the Two Crown Lottery, so pretty sure this is the person referred to in the file.

Last is Pietro Ciccarelli, born in Lercara Friddi on May 11, 1894 to Salvatore and Felicia LaForte. He is described as assisting "Valla" in the lottery racket. Ciccarelli was arrested with Vella at the time the latter was described as operator of the Two Crown Lottery, further indictaing Valla is indeed Vella. Ciccarella was married to Antonino Vella's sister Catarina.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

by **JoelTurner** » Fri Sep 27, 2024 10:40 pm

Genovese member Anthony Giacalone (Jul 3 1936 - Apr 1 2011) was born to Vito Giacalone & Anna Cocucci. He had arrests for theft, bookmaking, & narcotics. He was made in early 1978 (per LCNBios) and was a member of the Boiardo crew.

Vito Giacalone (1887 - Vita) was born to Melchiore Giacalone & Antonina Cadela. His siblings were well connected. His brother Antonio, father of Gambino member Mariano Giacalone, stayed with the Salvatore Lombardino. His sister Antonina married Newark underboss Sam Monaco’s uncle Lorenzo Monaco.
Effectively, on his paternal side, Anthony Giacalone was a first cousin to Mike Giacalone and a second cousin to Sam Monaco.

Anna Cocucci (13 Dec 1895 - NJ) was born to Achille Cocucci & Teolinda Altobelli. She had interesting siblings too. Her sister Mary married Vito Gruppuso (22 Jan 1894 - Vita); his family was intermarried with the Monacos.

While Anthony Giacalone largely skated under the radar, his family was super connected

by **JoelTurner** » Thu Sep 19, 2024 9:44 pm

cavita wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:29 am Frank Longo born May 4, 1898 in San Giuseppe Iato, Sicily to Gaetano Longo and Maria Mazzola.1922 arrived in the U.S., giving his destination as his brother-in-law Vincenzo Caiola in Frankfort, New York.

Per his Mar 1921 immigration, Frank Longo’s father Giuseppe Longo

The Cristina Bufalino listed below him was Pittston member Calogero Bufalino’s sister

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On the topic of Frankfort, NY; Tony Riela may have been involved in the area. The feds investigated and didn’t really find anything. Riela’s son Andrew lived in Frankfort for a while in the 50s. Andrew’s wife Concetta Lo Re (from SGJ) grew up there; two of his kids were born there too.

by B. » Sat Sep 14, 2024 9:46 pm

Also a couple years ago I remember you said when Sal got made he started acting exactly like his sponsor. Do you remember around when that was, i.e. 1990s?

Cicale made it sound like Montagna was already made in 99 when Sciascia was killed.

by **JoelTurner** » Wed Sep 11, 2024 4:55 pm

On Jun 23 1932, William Schlegel, a gas station attendant in Garfield, NJ was riddled with bullets. The shooters had mistaken him and his boss for hijackers Stanley Wilda & Edmund “Whitey” Adamchesky.

Joseph Troia and Jack LoPiccolo were arrested for this. Troia and his car were identified by another station worker, Clarence Flood. He was let go after the witness “lost his confidence”. Similarly, LoPiccolo doesn’t appear to have been convicted either.

The intended targets were a part of a gang that had been at war with what would become Willie Moretti’s crew. In fact, in 1930, Stanley’s brother Anthony "Sparky" Wilda had killed Frank LoVullo before being killed by ex-Pittsburgh member Peter Curatolo. Additionally, a few papers reported that the shooters had been hired by John “Gypsy” Castelli, a minor Clifton, NJ figure who was also pinched.

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This is the 2nd major connection between the Bergen mob and the Newark family, specifically Troia & LoPiccolo.

While I doubt that they were hired by Castelli, the idea that the hit originated from Bergen/Moretti’s group before being farmed out to Newark does make sense.

Also, LoPiccolo is looking more and more like he was a mafia member. Considering his Bonanno connections, he could have been a member of Riela’s crew.

by **JoelTurner** » Thu Sep 05, 2024 10:39 am

The Monaco family was absolutely central to Newark. Here’s a better look at the various branches with a spotlight on some of the more notable figures or interesting connections.

Saverio Monaco & Giuseppina “Christina” Leo:

-—-Benedetto Monaco (1865-1918)
-married to Marianna Gruppuso (1876-1945), daughter of Vito Gruppuso & Vita Pampalone
-Daughter Christina married Giuseppe Leo
-Was stabbed to death on 23 Oct 1918 per FindAGrave

—— Francesco Monaco
-married Vita Gruppuso, daughter of Vito Gruppuso & Vita Pampalone
-Son Saverio “Sam” married Antonina Bevinetto & served as Underboss before being killed in Sep 1931
-Son Vito “Frank” married Sebastiana Lombardo & was arrested for the murder of ex-boss Stefano Badami

—— Vito Monaco (1874-1951)
-married Marianna Agosta (1875-1945)
-Was arrested in the 1908 black hand case alongside his wife’s brother Gaetano Agosta
-Daughter Sebastiana “Lillian” married Nicholas Abate, son of Gaetano Abate (1873-1926) & Marianna Agosta (1873-1942), who grew up in Vineland, NJ

—— Eleonora Monaco (1880-1964)
-married Vito Gruppuso (1880-1956), son of of Vito Gruppuso & Vita Pampalone, who was arrested in the 1908 black hand case
-Daughter Rosaria “Sadie” married Vito Agosta, son of the aforementioned Gaetano Agosta & Gaetana “Jean” Marchello

—— Lorenzo Monaco (1882-1955)
-married Antonina Giacalone, daughter of Melchiore Giacalone & Antonina Cadella. Her brother Antonio Giacalone lived with Colombo capo Salvatore Lombardino; his son Mike Giacalone was a Gambino member
-Was arrested in the 1908 black hand case

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There’s definitely stuff that I missed. Here are some probable connections:

- If/how Bonanno member Nicolo Gruppuso was related to these ones

- Giuseppina Leo & her SIL Giuseppe Leo. Was also likely related to the Michele Leo arrested in the 1908 black hand case

- Both Marianna Agostas were probably cousins going by their names & ages

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A lot of the men listed were likely members who passed away pre-1957 so they wouldn’t really have shown up in any federal investigations.

It would be interesting to know where they landed post breakup too. My first thought is that the Lucchese family but the Gambino NJ crew also looks like it had a few connections to this Vita group. Both of those crews were probably larger earlier on. Interestingly, looking back, the NJ Luccheses don’t seem to have made anyone in the 1940s/1950s

Another thing to note is that there doesn’t seem to be any connections to the Accardi/Scavuzzo people despite both groups being from Vita and settling in the same Newark neighborhood. I haven’t seen any overlap or common last names.

by **JoelTurner** » Thu Aug 29, 2024 5:19 pm

In Mar 1938, there was a raid on a still in Chatham, NJ:

- Joseph Baracco: Still haven’t figured out who this really was, he was also arrested after the Troia/Longo murder. There were other Baroccos in the Newark area from Marsala so he could have been from there.

- Tony Lemandre: This was probably John LiMandri. The address is a match and this arrest doesn’t appear on the records of his brother Joseph or father Marco.

- Thomas Longo: This was Gaetano Longo (Mar 26 1889 - Agira, Enna, Sicily) Parents were Giuseppe Longo & Felicia Sammarco and he was married to Giovanna Gennefina. His address at 329 S 7th St, Newark, NJ was pretty much in the center of the Newark Family’s old stomping grounds

by **motorfab** » Sat Aug 24, 2024 1:55 am

JoelTurner wrote: ↑Thu Aug 22, 2024 10:19 pm
B. wrote: ↑Wed Aug 21, 2024 2:25 pm Looking at the drug trafficker collection Motorfab shared, it has Vincent Todaro as an associate of Leonardo Crimi of Vita. Crimi is said in the report to be involved with the mafia "gang" of Salemi and was also connected to the well-known Salemi mafiosi like Zizzo and Agueci. There was a boss of the Vita Family named Salvatore Crimi so maybe a relative. These reports weren't entirely accurate when it came to affiliation but it saying he was part of the Salemi "gang" is interesting as in the 1930s the "Vita" Family was actually a single Family that included both Vita and Calatafimi. I'd be curious if Salemi was its own Family or also part of this multi-town regional Family, what pentito Scavuzzo called the "Rosignolo" Family after a historic fiefdom.

Interesting Todaro was doing business with important people from Vita itself given his associations in Newark.
Todaro was being supplied by Antoine Cordoliani who was mentioned earlier in this thread.

motorfab wrote: ↑Fri May 13, 2022 9:56 am Cordoliani also supplied Papalia/the Aguecis/Indelicato & Zizzo with an heroin
I wouldn’t be surprised if Todaro got his international narcotics contacts from Sam Accardi. Earlier, he had worked with him on both his liquor and his ration stamp operations. This theory fits with the Vita/Salemi connection that you mentioned.

Then again, I don’t know just how connected his family really was. I haven’t yet connected his father with any of the other Todaros or Badolatos

Yes at the time the Italian, French and American justices had linked Todaro to the Zizzo/Cordoliani/Papalia drug network, about thirty individuals on both sides of the Atlantic had been indicted and tried.

Todaro & Cordoliani were indicted in 1958, I suppose it is linked

The network had been discovered after Salvatore Rinaldo & Matteo Palmeri were arrested in 1960.

The next issue of Informer which comes out in November is dedicated to Joe Valachi. I was invited by Thomas Hunt to write an article, and since Valachi was specifically involved in this network, I wrote an article that details the whole affair.

Even though I don't mention Todaro in it (I wanted to do it at first but it was complicated), I mention Accardi who had been fined by Magaddino because he was trafficking in Ontario without his authorization.

Accardi being from Vita, I'm sure he was fully involved with Zizzo and the others

by **JoelTurner** » Fri Aug 23, 2024 9:58 am

JoelTurner wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 12:31 pm Something interesting to note is that Newark -> San Jose member Anthony Scavuzzo listed his employment in 1942 at Liborio Mangiaracina’s clothing factory, Varsity Clothing Co. (211 Grant Ave, East Newark, NJ).

Vito Oddo also worked at Varsity Clothing per his WW2 draft card.

THE BLACK HAND FORUM

What do We Know about the Newark Family?

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