THE BLACK HAND FORUM

[quote=Chaps post_id=48936 time=1489593666 user_id=68]
Was working my way through some files this week and came across the closest information I've seen regarding Frank Majuri's father being involved in criminal activities although still no definitive info on any ties to Ribera. This comes from an FBI report dated 3/5/1958:

On December 30, 1957, Chief ANTHONY PHILIPS, South Plainfield Police Department advised SA FRANCIS J LUSKY that subjects family had formerly lived at 1009 Maple Avenue, South Plainfield and that for many years subject's father, CHARLES MAJURI, operated a bakery shop at 407 Hamilton Boulevard, South Plainfield. PHILIPS stated that his current census card lists CHARLES and JENNIE MAJURI as residing at 407 Hamilton Boulevard, where they operated a bakery. CHARLES is listed as being born September 21, 1879 in Italy. This card indicates that he moved to South Plainfield in 1943 from 412 East 80th Street, New York City. His wife is listed as JENNIE MAJURI whose birthdate is given as February 5, 1878 in Italy.

PHILIPS stated that in his opinion the MAJURI family is "no good", stating that CHARLES MAJURI, in his opinion, has always been interested in the operation of stills and believes he has been assisted in various such ventures by his children including FRANK.

PHILIPS stated that a number of years ago, CHARLES MAJURI was known to have a still some place in South Plainfield but at that time South Plainfield was more of a rural area. PHILIPS advised that (REDACTED), brother of subject, FRANK MAJURI, had minor arrests when he was a young man which included an ABC violation.
[/quote]

Nice! If he was a bootlegger, that means he was likely at least associated with Cosa Nostra if not a member.

I'm not sure about that 1943 date RE: leaving NYC, though. The 1930 census has a Charles Maiuri (b. ~1880), wife Jennie (b. ~1879), and all of the correct children living in Elizabeth NJ at the time. Maybe they kept property in NYC until 1943 or there is some other explanation, but it does appear they were long settled in NJ before then.

Good find Chaps. I raised similar questions when I first began reading the DeCalvacante Tapes and had asked about Sam and his father. Good to see theres still a lot of interest into the DeCavs.

Was working my way through some files this week and came across the closest information I've seen regarding Frank Majuri's father being involved in criminal activities although still no definitive info on any ties to Ribera. This comes from an FBI report dated 3/5/1958:

On December 30, 1957, Chief ANTHONY PHILIPS, South Plainfield Police Department advised SA FRANCIS J LUSKY that subjects family had formerly lived at 1009 Maple Avenue, South Plainfield and that for many years subject's father, CHARLES MAJURI, operated a bakery shop at 407 Hamilton Boulevard, South Plainfield. PHILIPS stated that his current census card lists CHARLES and JENNIE MAJURI as residing at 407 Hamilton Boulevard, where they operated a bakery. CHARLES is listed as being born September 21, 1879 in Italy. This card indicates that he moved to South Plainfield in 1943 from 412 East 80th Street, New York City. His wife is listed as JENNIE MAJURI whose birthdate is given as February 5, 1878 in Italy.

PHILIPS stated that in his opinion the MAJURI family is "no good", stating that CHARLES MAJURI, in his opinion, has always been interested in the operation of stills and believes he has been assisted in various such ventures by his children including FRANK.

PHILIPS stated that a number of years ago, CHARLES MAJURI was known to have a still some place in South Plainfield but at that time South Plainfield was more of a rural area. PHILIPS advised that (REDACTED), brother of subject, FRANK MAJURI, had minor arrests when he was a young man which included an ABC violation.

1 and done :lol:

[quote="Tony_Greeno"]I always thought Frank Majuri and Sam DeCavalcante were related as Sam always called Frank uncle. Nick Delmore was Sam DeCavalvante uncle. Majuri ran Newark and had a big crew that also operated in Elizabeth. Frank's son took over his crew and is said to be taking over the family but his health is not so good.

Hi first time post. Not really new but not that good on the mob.[/quote]
see ya later giacamo! :lol:

I always thought Frank Majuri and Sam DeCavalcante were related as Sam always called Frank uncle. Nick Delmore was Sam DeCavalvante uncle. Majuri ran Newark and had a big crew that also operated in Elizabeth. Frank's son took over his crew and is said to be taking over the family but his health is not so good.

Hi first time post. Not really new but not that good on the mob.

Very good find, thanks for sharing. I didn't know about the Majuri/Delmore connection either.

Was doing some research in order to make an FOIA request on Sal Caterinicchio and ran across this regarding Frank Majuri. It's from an FBI memo from 1959 that was supplied to the NJ Attorney General's office after they requested information. There's alot of stuff in here I'd never heard of such as Nick Delmore being best man at his wedding. I found this on the Bitterqueen site.

Frank Thomas Majuri was born in Bronx County, New York, April 22, 1909 as Francesco Maiuri. On February 3, 1940 he was married to [name redacted] who was at that time [redacted] for this marriage. In recent years, she has listed her [redacted]. The witnesses to this marriage were Nicholas Delmore and [name redacted]. This marriage took place in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The Majuris have two children, [names redacted]. They presently reside [redacted], Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Nicholas Delmore, who was a witness to the Majuris' marriage, was a well known bootlegger during the Prohibition Era and was reportedly for many years prior to 1950 operating gambling operations in Union County, New Jersey and in Florida. In 1930, he was indicted in Union County charged with shooting an Internal Revenue Agent when a raid was made on the Sunrise Brewery, which he was operating. He was later acquitted of this charge.

Frank Majuri has for a number of years worked as a laborer out of Local 394, Hod Carriers and Common Laborers Union, Elizabeth, New Jersey and in 1957 was vice president of this union. From 1946 to 1958, the business agent of this local was Emmanuel Riggi, who on November 29, 1958 commenced serving a two years sentence in Federal Prison after being convicted on an Anti-Racketeering violation in United States District Court in Newark. Majuri was a close associate of Riggi and Delmore was also a close associate of Riggi.

On November 14, 1957, Frank Majuri and Louis Larasso who was at that time trustee of Local 394, were questioned by the New York State Police in the vicinity of the home of Joseph Barbara, Sr. near Apalachin, New York. They were stopped at a roadblock while riding with a local citizen with whom they had hitched a ride after coming out of the woods on a back road. Both men denied to the Troopers that they had attended the meeting at the home of Joseph Barbara, Sr., but claimed they were looking for real estate to purchase in that area. They claimed they had been referred to that area by a non-existent real estate company. Majuri later, to Bureau Agents, denied that he was at the meeting at the home of Barbara, claimed he was in the area looking for real estate.

On July 31, 1956 Frank Majuri was sentenced in Union County, New Jersey to one to two years imprisonment, suspended, and placed on two years probation and fined $3,000.00 following a guilty plea on a charge of bookmaking. Following the disclosure that Frank Majuri was in the vicinity of Apalachin, New York on November 14, 1957, he was on November 18, 1957 arrested by Union County Prosecutor’s Office Detectives and charged with violation of his probation in that he had not obtained the permission of his Parole Officer to leave the State of New Jersey.

On November 19, 1957 Union County, New Jersey Judge Feller revoked Majuri's probation and ordered his imprisonment on the original suspended sentence. On December 16, 1957 he was given a hearing on his right to freedom under bail pending his appeal and Judge Feller ruled that he was not entitled to freedom under bail and ordered the execution of his imprisonment sentence. He was that day incarcerated in Union County Jail. On December 18, 1957 Majuri was incarcerated at the New Jersey State Prison, Trenton, New Jersey. He was released from prison after the expiration of his full sentence on April 3, 1959 and returned to his home at 629 South Broad Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Prior to his being released from New Jersey State Prison, it was necessary that the remainder of the $2,000 fine, which was $2,095.00 be paid. At that time newspapers reported that this fine was paid by Mrs. Majuri in $100 bills.

While Majuri was confined in the New Jersey State Prison, he was interviewed on January 7, 1958 and April 21, 1958 by Bureau Agents and other than furnishing a little background information, he refused to talk except to deny that he attended the meeting at Apalachin, New York on November 14, 1957.

Majuri testified before a Mercer County Grand Jury, Trenton, New Jersey on December 10, 1957 and February 26, 1958. He testified before a Union County Grand Jury on March 26, 1958 and he testified before the Federal Grand Jury in Newark on March 31, 1959.

On May 21, 1959 Frank Majuri was arrested by United States Narcotics Agents at his home in Elizabeth, New Jersey after having been charged in a secret indictment which was returned in the Southern District of New York with Conspiring to Obstruct Justice. He was afforded a hearing in United States District Court, Newark, and was released on $25,000 bond returnable on May 22, 1959, United States District Court, New York City.

The Newark Office has conducted investigation in a case in which Majuri is involved. This case is entitled, C. F. Braun and Company; Frank Thomas Majuri; Louis Anthony Larasso, Anti-Racketeering; Labor Management Relation Act of 1947. In this case, information was developed that Larasso and Majuri, while officers of Local 394, Hod Carriers and Common Laborers Union, were paid by the C. F. Braun and Company for work on November 14 and 15, 1957, when they were actually in Apalachin, New York.

Assistant United States Attorney Frederic C. Ritger, Jr. advised that he intends to present the facts of this case to a Federal Grand Jury in Newark, New Jersy, but that he has been instructed by the Justice Department to hold this in abeyance pending the outcome of the above trial of Majuri in New York City.

Seems Majuri would have been moved to consigliere before '78, so maybe there was someone in between him and Riggi, or maybe LaSelva was the only underboss for a period in the 1970s. Trying to think of other NJ/NY candidates and I've got nothing.

[quote="B."]I am curious when John Riggi was named underboss, as that would probably coincide with Majuri being moved to consigliere. Vitabile was consigliere by the mid-late 1970s, so Majuri would have had the title in the late 1960s at the earliest up to the mid-1970s at the latest, depending on whether Vitabile was only acting consigliere for a time or not.[/quote]


Riggi was named UnderBoss in 1978. I should add the 1983 report had Majuri as Consiglieri (semi-retired) with Vitabile as Acting Consiglieri. If that is accurate then Vitabile would have been the Acting since the mid/late 70s.


Pogo

Read a report that says Frank Majuri was named consigliere after being underboss (he's been listed on early 1980s charts as consigliere, but this clearly says he changed titles). As underboss he had been in charge of supervising the family's gambling and loansharking operations and when he was moved to consigliere his son Charles was tasked with managing gambling/loansharking.

I am curious when John Riggi was named underboss, as that would probably coincide with Majuri being moved to consigliere. Vitabile was consigliere by the mid-late 1970s, so Majuri would have had the title in the late 1960s at the earliest up to the mid-1970s at the latest, depending on whether Vitabile was only acting consigliere for a time or not.

I also don't know if Joe LaSelva kept his CT underboss title up to his death in 1983.

[b]RESPONSE FROM POGO:[/b]

Thanks for the info guy's. I'm trying to put together a Crew succession for the DeCavalcante and this is what I have so far. Any corrections or additions welcome.

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Riggi Crew:
Joseph “Joe Tiger” Sferra (1961-1965) Demoted.
Giovanni "John the Eagle/Uncle John" Riggi (1965-1978) Became UnderBoss.
Girolamo "Jimmy Gumps" Palermo (1978-1982) Became UnderBoss.
Emanuel “Manny” Riggi (1982-1990) Demoted.
Girolamo "Jimmy Gumps" Palermo (1990-2001?) Imprisoned.
Salvatore “Sal the Barber” Timpani (2001?-Present)


Cocchiaro Crew:
Frank “Casino/Big Frank” Cocchiaro (1961-1985) Died.
-In 1976 this Crew was split between Cocchiaro and Vincent “Jimmy the Gent” Rotondo. Joseph Giaccobe Sr. also seems to have taken over a part of this Crew during the 1970s.
-Not sure who took over for Cocchiaro when he died in 1985. Looking at the list of new Capos in 1987 it would have to be John D’Amato, Larry Schiro, Jake Amari or Jake Colletti.


Giacobbe-Farone Crew: Broke off from the Cocchiaro Crew.
Joseph Giacobbe Sr. (1970s-1987) Stepped Down/Died in 1988.
Rudolph "Uncle Rudy" Farone (1987-1998) Died.
-Joseph “Uncle Joe” Giacobbe (1998-1999) Imprisoned.
-Most of this Crew was imprisoned in 1999.


Rotondo Crew: Broke off from the Cocchiaro Crew.
Vincent “Jimmy the Gent” Rotondo (1976-1988) Killed.
Anthony Rotondo (1988-2002) Imprisoned/Flipped.
-In 1989 Vincent “Vinny Ocean” Palermo took over a part of this Crew.
-Most of this crew was imprisoned in 1999.


Palermo Crew: Broke off from the Rotondo Crew in 1989.
Vincent “Vinny Ocean” Palermo (1989-1997) Became Acting Boss.
-The Crew was split between the Rotondo and the Giacobbe-Farone Crew in 1997.


Farina-Caruano Crew:
Paulo "Paul" Farina (Late 1960s-1991) Retired.
Joseph “Joe C” Caruano (1991-2000) Died.
-Joe Caruano is most likely one of the Capos promoted at the Mott Street Meeting in 1991.
-I don't know who took over this Crew.


LaRasso Crew: Former UnderBoss
Louis “Fat Lou” LaRasso (Late 1960s-1980s) Imprisoned/Demoted.
Louis “Fat Lou” LaRasso (1991) Killed.
-Promoted back to Capo at the Mott Street meeting 1991. Killed shortly there after.
-Not sure show took over his Crew. I think I remember reading that Charlie Majuri did but I don't know how accurate that is. I always suspected it was Phil Abramo since he took part in his murder and the shooters in that hit, Greg Rago and Louie Consalvo, ended up as Soldiers under Abramo. Pino Schifillitti also took part in his murder so who knows.


Abramo Crew: Could have taken over LaRassos Crew or been one of those Capos promoted at the Mott Street meeting (possibley taking over John D'Amato's Crew since Frank D'Amato,Johnny Boy's brother, ended up with Abramo.
Philip Abramo (Early 1990s-1995) Imprisoned.
Virgil Alessi (1995-1998) Died.
Philip Abramo (1998-200?) Imprisoned in 2000.
-Not sure if he is still a Capo or who took over his Crew.


Amari Crew:
Giaciano "Jake" Amari (1980s-1990) Became UnderBoss.
-Not sure who took over for him. Pino Schifillitti is a possiblity.


D’Amato Crew:
John “Johnny Boy” D’Amato (Mid 1980s-1990) Became UnderBoss.


Colletti Crew:
Giacomo “Jake” Colletti (Late 1960s-19??) Stepped Down.
-Someone was a Capo in between them. Not sure who.
Joseph Colletti (Mid 1980s-Late 1980s/early 1990s)
-Not sure who took over for him. Maybe Charlie Majuri or JoJo Ferrara since they are unaccounted for.


Majuri Crew:
Charles “Fat Charlie/Big Ears” Majuri (Early 1990s-2001) Imprisoned/Demoted.
-Does anyone know who took over this Crew?


Schiro Crew: Don't know where he came out of.
Larry Schiro (mid 1980s-Late 1990s) Died?
-From the looks of it his Crew was disbaned after the late 90s. Either that or JoJo Ferrara took it over.


Ferrara Crew:
Joseph “JoJo” Ferrara (1990s-2007) Died.
-Anyone know who took over this Crew?


Polizzi Crew: Polizzi was promoted to Capo sometime after being released from prison in 1995. It doesn’t appear that he had much of a Crew.
Francesco “Frank” Polizzi (Mid 1990s-2001) Died.
-Frank “Frankie the Beast” Scarabino (2000-2001) Imprisoned/Flipped.
-Scarabino was not made but he ran Polizzi’s operations as Polizzi’s health was declining and he was under indictment.


Connecticut Crew:
Michael “Mickey Poole” Puglia (1961-1970s)
-This Crew looks to have been disbanded by the late 70s/early 80s. Puglia likely died.


I don't know where guy's like Danny Noto and Joseph Lolardo fit into the succession. Looking at the Capo list for 1969 Farina, Colletti, LaRasso or lolardo would have taken over for Noto.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM JD:[/b]

Robert Occhipinti was a captain at some point, don't know the time period or which crew though.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM B.:[/b]

Johnny D'Amato took over for Frank Cocchiaro I am almost sure. Seems John D'Amato, Alessi, and Abramo were all soldiers in Cocchiaro's crew, then Frank D'Amato and Alessi were both under Abramo later. Not sure where the other Cocchiaros ended up but maybe with Abramo as well.

Pretty sure you're right that Pino Schifillitti took over for Jake Amari. I thought Amari came from the Riggi crew but if it's true Louis LaRasso was a captain until the early 80's, maybe Amari got that or part of it. As far as the Elizabeth/NJ crews go, crews might have been reassigned and new captains promoted at any given time.

As for Bobby Basile Occhipinti, he wasn't made until the mid or late 1960's, so he probably would have been a captain during the 1970's.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM POGO:[/b]

Thanks for clearying up the Cocchiaro-D'Amato-Abramo connection. That helps a lot. It also makes sense that Amari took over for LaRasso in the 80s and then when Amari became UnderBoss LaRasso got the Crew back followed by Schifillitti after LaRasso got clipped.

I've been looking into Occhipinti and it looks like he was a Capo during the 70s and was back down to Soldier by the early 80s. He was close to JoJo Ferrara so that could be a connection to that Crew. In addition Frank Nigro was a Soldier under Occhipinti and Nigro ended up as a Soldier with Pino Schifillitti so there is another connection.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM B.:[/b]

[i]Pogo the Clown wrote:
I've been looking into Occhipinti and it looks like he was a Capo during the 70s and was back down to Soldier by the early 80s. He was close to JoJo Ferrara so that could be a connection to that Crew. In addition Frank Nigro was a Soldier under Occhipinti and Nigro ended up as a Soldier with Pino Schifillitti so there is another connection. [/i]


Could be right. With a lot of the Elizabeth guys with ties to Ribera their relationships are pretty interchangeable so I bet there is a lot of overlap and jumping around with those crews. It's kind of like the Colombos and Bensonhurst/South Brooklyn.

I've seen testimony provided by Rotondo but not the other guys. He was a laid back guy who knew a lot, would love to see his 302s. I know Anthony Capo was an associate of Jimmy Rotondo who then got straightened out and put with Vinnie Palermo when he became a captain after Rotondo died. Can't imagine he had as much to offer as he was sort of shunned by most of the family.

I don't know if there has ever been a made member of the NJ group who has informed. Most of the other families had their share of CIs back in the day who were never outed, but I haven't come across anything to suggest the DeCavalcantes ever had a member secretly informing, just wiretaps. Very secretive group.

Any info on Gaetano Alessi?

He is ID'd by Rotondo on the famous group picture of the Ribera club from the early 1980's. The names are difficult at times to match up with what is in the picture, but if I am matching it up correctly he is the same guy who appeared with Tony Riela in a photo of the Bono wedding.

[img]http://i44.tinypic.com/1zfizo7.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i44.tinypic.com/24xkxdy.jpg[/img]
(4th from right)

(note: not positively ID'ing the above guy as Gaetano Alessi, but it does seem to be the person Rotondo was indicating)

I am not sure his relation to Virgil Alessi, who was a DeCavalcante active in NY and heavily involved with drugs, other than there must be a connection. There is a Vincent Alessi from Bayonne active in the garbage business who has ties to the DeCavalcante and Gambino families... his father's name is Gaetano Alessi so I wonder if it's the same guy and if he was close to Tony Riela. If he lived in Bayonne he may have known some Bonannos.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM HARRY:[/b]

[img]http://i1364.photobucket.com/albums/r729/michaeld78/LaRassooFrankMajuri_zps96068bbe.png[/img]

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[b]RESPONSE FROM B.[/b]

Charlie Majuri looks like the mutant twin brother of his father that somebody found in a polluted swamp outside of Rahway and put a suit on. Here is a photo of him since his release:

[img]http://i41.tinypic.com/20kp3rs.jpg[/img]

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[b]RESPONSE FROM CHAPS:[/b]

I was reading some of the DeCavalcante tapes and saw something relevant to crew successions mentioned earlier. It deals with who replaced Joe Sferra as capo after Sam knocked hime down. Most have said it was Riggi but the following quote shows otherwise. Apparently Paul Farina took over. Part of this transcript also has Sam DeCavalcante pointing out that the Family had 30 members at this time (1965).
D. On June 4, 1965, Lou Larasso,* his Caporegima, con-
tacted Sam DeCavalcante and DeCavalcante informed Larasso
of his decision to remove Joe Sferra" "from everything".
DeCavalcante said: "The only reason for doing this is because
Sferra has been inattentive to his responsibility for keeping 'our
people' working."

Larasso asked: "Are you taking him off of Caporegima too?"

DeCavalcante replied: "Yeah."

DeCavalcante emphasized that Sferra is still to be treated with
respect since he is still "a friend of ours". DeCavalcante said
that he told Sferra "1 like you but I like our people better than
you. You are just one of 30 people. And I'm not going to do an
injustice to thirty people on account of you". (Pg. 2020)

E. On June 10, 1965, Mike Puglia" told Samuel DeCaval-
cante that he had advised Joe LaSelva" that he could not attend
the family meeting on June 6th at Ange and Min's Restaurant,
Kenilworth, N.J.

DeCavalcante said the purpose of this meeting was to an-
nounce to the hierarchy of the family that Joseph Sferra" had
been removed as Caporegima and that Paul Farina"" had been
appointed in his stead. ( Pg. 2 II 6 )

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[b]RESPONSE FROM B.:[/b]

That's a good find. I guess the wording was confusing because Riggi took over Sferra's union responsibilities. I could have sworn there was something about Riggi becoming captain around that time too, but maybe not.

The 30 members number makes sense. When DeCavalcante took over as boss the family had 30 to 40 members, most of whom were very old, and apparently they had no captains.

[b]RESPONSE FROM POGO:[/b]

Great info on Majuri. Do you happen to have the exact years he was in the administration? I have him as the UnberBoss in the 50s (could be earlier) until 1957. After that he was listed as the UnberBoss in 1969 and then as the Consiglieri (semi-retired) in 1983.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM B.:[/b]

The FBI believed he was the underboss in the 1950's under Amari I'm pretty sure, then Louis LaRasso replaced him sometime after, but then LaRasso was demoted and Nick DelMore named Sam DeCavalcante the underboss, who then became the boss when DelMore passed. If Majuri wasn't already the consigliere under DelMore, he was promoted to some kind of administration position when DeCavalcante took over. As far as I know Majuri is the only Corleonese to have had a position of power in the family aside from his son Charlie.

By the time of the DeCavalcante tapes in the 1960's, LaSelva was positively ID'd as the underboss in CT, but the FBI also identified Majuri as the NJ underboss and said they had two underbosses and no consigliere. It's clear Majuri held a more advisory role, though. Why the family needed an underboss plus a separate capo in CT for just a few soldiers is beyond me, and it would also be a first for there to be two underbosses, but hey, it's the DeCavs and they never followed the same rules as everyone else.

I believe Majuri was an advisor until the 1980's but whether that was official or not I don't know. I think John Riggi became the underboss at some point in the 1970's but I've never seen anything definitely confirming it.

Al D'Arco's new book claims that the first US family was based in NJ and directly connected to the Gagliano/Lucchese family. If that is true -- and the researchers on the RD disagreed -- Frank Majuri could be a connection to this since the Gagliano group was originally connected to the Corleonese Morello family and Majuri himself is a Corleonese who used the alias "Frank Gagliano". Whatever the case, this is super fucking interesting to me as a follower of this stuff...

Another thing about Frank Majuri's siblings all ending up in California -- the Dragnas in LA were also Corleonese, so maybe they went there because of some kind of Corleone connection. Not necessarily related to the mob, but some kind of paesani shit.

I can say with confidence that if Frank Majuri's parents came from Corleone and lived in NYC in 1909 and Frank himself later used the alias "Frank Gagliano", then the Majuris at least knew their townfolk pretty well.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM POGO:[/b]

Thanks for the info. I had no idea DeCavalcante was the UnderBoss before becoming Boss. So the breakdown would look like this.


UnderBosses:
Any idea who was UnderBoss before Majuri?
Frank Majuri (Early 1950's?-1957) Stepped Down.
Louis "Fat Lou" LaRasso (1957-19??) Demoted.
Sam DeCavalcante (19??-1961) Became Boss.
Joseph LaSelva (1961?-1978?) Stepped Down.
Frank Majuri (1961?-19??)
-It is during the early/mid 60s where we first see the mention of two UnderBosses (Majuri and LaSelva). The practice looks to have ended in the 70s, likely when the Consiglieri position was first used. It was certainly gone by the time Riggi was promoted to UnderBoss in 1978.
John Riggi (1978-1982) Became Official Boss.
-Riggi was also the Acting Boss during this time.


Consiglieri:
Frank Majuri listed as Consiglieri (semi retired) in 1983 with Stefano Vitabile as Acting Consiglieri. By the late 80s Vitabile would be Official Consiglieri. 1983 is the earliest mention I have seen of a Consiglieri for this family. Up to at least 1969 the family was listed as having two UnderBosses and no Consigliri so the position looks to have been first used in the 70s with Majuri likely being the first to hold it.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM TOTO:[/b]

In the 1890s there were some Majuri's and Gagliano's who were members of Corleone mafia family. It is certainly possible that there are relations. As we know a lot of mafia families are related by marriage and then in successor generations by blood.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM B.:[/b]

[i]toto wrote:
In the 1890s there were some Majuri's and Gagliano's who were members of Corleone mafia family. It is certainly possible that there are relations. As we know a lot of mafia families are related by marriage and then in successor generations by blood.[/i]


Yeah, Limey mentioned a Calogero Majuri/Maiuri active in Corleone who I am thinking could be the father of Frank Majuri since "Charles" is the Americanization of "Calogero". I found that Frank's father was listed as Charles Maiuri in the 1930 census and had immigrated here in 1897. So seems Frank Majuri's name was originally Maiuri.

Pogo -- about DeCavalcante as underboss. I think he was promoted to the spot around 1960 and didn't have it for very long before becoming boss. When he took over he said there were no caporegimes in the family and they had between 30 to 40 men, most of whom were inactive old men. So he really rebuilt things.

Sam D was made in the 1940's and I would guess this is when Frank Majuri got in as well.

Louie LaRasso is another interesting character since he was so young when he became underboss and he was never well-liked, from back in his early days to the time he was murdered as an old man. I would guess his father or other relatives were early members of this family.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM POGO:[/b]

So the first Capos that DeCavalcante promoted when he became Boss in 1961 were John Riggi, Louis “Fat Lou” LaRasso, Frank “Casino” Cocchiaro, Daniel “Danny” Noto, Joseph “Joe Tiger” Sferra and Michael “Mickey Poole” Puglia (Conneticut Crew). At least these were the Capos by the time of the Plumber Tapes in 1964.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM B.[/b]

Riggi didn't become a capo until 1964. Joe Sferra was the capo before him and was demoted because he ran the Hod Carriers local and he wasn't helping NY families get jobs, especially the Gambinos. Riggi took over his crew and his role with the union.

Might be wrong, but I also don't think LaRasso was a capo then. I think he was a soldier direct with the administration.

Also interesting is that Gyp DeCarlo claimed Joe LaSelva and Majuri (then LaRasso and I assume DeCavalcante) had both been underbosses at the same time under Nick DelMore. The FBI thought Nick DelMore was a caporegime in a different family before they found out he was boss of his own group.

1960:
B - Nicholas DelMore
CT UB - Joseph LaSelva
NJ UB - Louis LaRasso / Sam DeCavalcante
Crews: (none)

1964:
B - Sam DeCavalcante
CT UB - Joseph LaSelva
NJ UB - Frank Majuri
Crews:
- Joseph Sferra / John Riggi
- Frank Cocchiaro
- Daniel Noto
- Michael Puglia (CT)

1969:
B - Sam DeCavalcante
CT UB - Joseph LaSelva
NJ UB - Frank Majuri
Crews:
- John Riggi
- Frank Cocchiaro
- Joseph LoLordo
- Paolo Farina
- Giacomo "Jake" Colletti
- Louis LaRasso (?)
- Michael Puglia (CT)

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[b]RESPONSE FROM POGO:[/b]

I don't have the book in front of me now but going from memory I think Paul Farina took over Sferra's Crew. You are right about LaRasso. He reported direct to the Administration.


Good info on LaSelva and Majuri being UnderBosses under Delmore. So it looks like that was how the family was structured and it wasn't specific to DeCavalcante.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM B.:[/b]

Almost sure it's Riggi who gets Sferra's crew because he got control of the union with it. Manny and John Riggi were under Sferra before that and when Riggi got promoted Sferra was with him.

Joseph LoLordo - anyone have any background info on him? There was a Pasquale LoLordo from Ribera killed in Chicago in 1929 and his brother Joseph was close to Chicago's Lombardo. Seems this Joseph was killed? If not, could it be the same guy? Would probably be a relative. The LoLordos in Chicago were also affiliated with an old guy called Mike Merlo, who was born in Agrigento province... any coincidence that the NJ family had its own Michael Merlo and many other Merlos?

Another thing about Frank Majuri... Corleone is not far from Ribera in the grand scheme of things. Maybe his family had some connection to Ribera we don't know. I think it was Jake Amari or one of his relatives from Ribera who supposedly killed a cop in Corleone before coming to the US, according to a report Felice posted about.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM POGO:[/b]

OK I re-checked the book and you are indeed correct B. Funny when DeCavalcante informed him that he was being demoted and losing his position as head of the union Sferra burst into tears saying, "This is awful". :lol:


So as you stated up top the family looked like this in 1964.


Administration:
Boss: Sam DeCavalcante
UnderBoss: Frank Majuri (Jersey)
UnderBoss: Joseph LaSelva (Conneticut)


Capos:
Joseph Sferra (Replaced by John Riggi in June 1965)
Danny Noto
Frank Cocchiaro (His crew was partially based in Brooklyn)
Michael Puglia (Conneticut Crew)


Lou LaRasso and FNU "Whitey" Danzo (anyone have his first name?) were high ranking Soldiers that reported direct to DeCavalcante. The family had approximately 30 made members in 1964. They must have made a lot of guy's in the following years because by the 80s they would have up to 50 made members and twice as many Capos.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM B.:[/b]

Hahaha, I forgot about Sferra crying. That is great.

That's right that the Cocchiaro crew is where the NY crews originally came from.

I think they had an influx of guys from Ribera in the 1960's. Would be one reason why they ended up with a lot more capos by the end of the decade.

Whitey Danzo's first name was Joe and he was Salvatore Profaci Jr's father-in-law. Lived in the New Brunswick area where I think Sam DeCavalcante lived for a while. I know DeCavalcante also lived at least part of his life in Trenton where he was proposed for membership into the Philly family by Joe Bruno but his father Francesco DeCavalcante nixed it and Sam was made into the Ribera group later in the 1940's.

Going to keep going on some tangents if anyone is curious... Louie LaRasso's father Alfonso was born in Ribera in 1890 and came over in 1914. Alternate spelling for last name is LoRaso. Definite candidate for early membership in this family.

Louie LaRasso was born in 1926 in Elizabeth... seems he may have been born as "Luciano" or at least gone by that name at times. Probably made when he was in his 20's.

Pasquale LoLordo from Ribera lived in New York for years before heading to Chicago and becoming deeply involved with top mob members there, not to mention his association with Philip Bacino.

I am trying to figure out where Joseph LaSelva was from. He was born in 1907 in Italy to a Leonardo LaSelva, came to the US just a few years later, and by 1920 was living in Connecticut. That clears up that he didn't live in NJ and join the family there before going to CT as he was 13 at the oldest when he ended up in CT. Seems he would have to be from Ribera otherwise what is the connection?

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[b]RESPONSE FROM JD:
[/b]
At the time Vincent Palermo was made the administration was Sam DeCavalcante (Boss), John Riggi (Underboss) and Steve Vitabile (Consigliere). He couldn't remember the exact year of his induction but it was probably around 1976. He did say at the time of the Suarato homicide in 1978 he had been a Soldier for well over a year, and that when he was made his captain was Anthony Rotondo's father who Anthony claimed was promoted to captain around 1976/1977.

The Colletti's in this Family might have been related to the NJ Bonanno members. The captain of one of the non-Castellammarese Bonanno crews pre 1960s was apparently a Colletti.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM POGO:[/b]

Thanks for the info JD. Anthony Rotondo claimed that Louie LaRasso and a couple of other guy's were promoted to Capo at a meeting in Mott Street in 1991. Do you know who these other Capos were? Thanks.

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[b]
RESPONSE FROM JD:[/b]

Nope don't have much on them. Is it possible Pino Schfillitti was one of the guys promoted? I think I read somewhere that he had been a captain since 91.

I posted this awhile ago elsewhere, but for those who never saw it the DeCavalcante Family was apparently limited to 75 total members at any one time. This was their cap, probably not reached at any point past the 1930s (if ever). Like with the NY Families guys who died could be replaced unless they were murdered in which case they lose the spot.

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[b]RESPONSE FROM B.:[/b]

Anthony Rotondo was proposed in 1978 and made in 1982. Before he was made he was taken to Florida where he personally met with Sam DeCavalcante, then the ceremony was held in Jersey a few weeks later.

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He was part of multiple administrations, very low-key, and if it weren't for the DeCavalcante tapes and his son Charlie becoming well-known during the "Real Sopranos" hype, he'd be a lot more obscure.

[img]http://i43.tinypic.com/25i3ck8.jpg[/img]

- Born April 1909, died April 1999. The FBN file says he was born in NYC. Apparently a couple of his brothers and a sister ended up in California and another brother ended up in Ohio, all of them also born in NYC after Frank.

- His family comes from Corleone but he married the daughter of Emanuele Caruano, from Ribera, which connected him to the Riberesi element of the DeCavalcante family in Elizabeth.

- He used the alias "Frank Gagliano" Seems too much of a coincidence that his family was from Corleone, living in NYC, and that he uses the name Gagliano, which is the name of early mob figures from Corleone. Anyone know if he has a relation to any Gaglianos? I've never come across any connection between him and the Gagliano/Lucchese family other than the fact that he would have come into contact with them through mob affairs.

- Said to be the head of a "Corleone faction" of the DeCavalcante family, but aside from him and his son I'm not familiar with any others. Maybe somebody here knows some other guys.

- I've seen him described as part of a faction based in Newark proper, separate from Elizabeth, but what I've found says he was living in Elizabeth when he came up in the family and always stayed close by. This is probably the real reason he hooked up with the DeCavalcante guys even though he wasn't from Ribera... he lived around them.

- Involved in all of the bread and butter rackets... loansharking, bookmaking, "labor relations". Involved in bootlegging when he was a young man, suspected of being involved in drugs on some level.