THE BLACK HAND FORUM

[quote=SonnyBlackstein post_id=85631 time=1533836394 user_id=171]
Thanks for posting the pics SP.

An interesting point is LE are aware of a Westside making ceremony in ‘14, which is unusual for the Genovese. It indicates there MIGHT be a rat who is the basis for charges against Tortora.
[/quote]

"Gangland sources" doesn't necessarily = L.E.

JIGGS

If he was he was doing it wrong. Gigante gave it up once he was already in prison. Tangorra took it up a notch and smeared shit all over himself. :lol:


And thanks for the info on Tortora Sr. HK and SB. 8-)


Pogo

[quote="Pogo The Clown" post_id=85667 time=1533843812 user_id=53]

Same guy. Before that he was seen wandering the streets and babbling incoherently while waving around his latest indictment. :lol: I guess he suffered a mental breakdown after being hit with 3 major indictments inside of 6 months.

Pogo
[/quote]

He could’ve been doing a Chin.

[quote=gohnjotti post_id=85908 time=1533988163 user_id=5299]
[quote=HairyKnuckles post_id=85907 time=1533985955 user_id=60]
In a seperate investigation, Tortora Sr was indicted in January 1970, with the infamous Nick Rattenni and (Genovese soldier) and three others )n connection with loansharking activities. Tortora was given a 18 year prison term, which excludes him from being made in the 1970s when the books were being opened. (Don´t know when he was released though.)
[/quote]

John Tortora Sr. was released from federal prison on December 19, 1983.
[/quote]

Thanks.

If LE described Tortora Sr and Carta as "members of organized crime" (whatever that means; it could mean they were members of a ring connected to the Mafia) back in early 1970s, then Tortora Sr (Carta killed in early 1970s) would had been listed as an inducted member on charts later made by LE in the 1980s. But he isn´t. So safely we can assume Tortora Sr was not made prior to the late 1980s.

[quote=HairyKnuckles post_id=85907 time=1533985955 user_id=60]
In a seperate investigation, Tortora Sr was indicted in January 1970, with the infamous Nick Rattenni and (Genovese soldier) and three others )n connection with loansharking activities. Tortora was given a 18 year prison term, which excludes him from being made in the 1970s when the books were being opened. (Don´t know when he was released though.)
[/quote]

John Tortora Sr. was released from federal prison on December 19, 1983.

[quote="Pogo The Clown" post_id=85628 time=1533835170 user_id=53]
Do we know if Tortora Sr. was a made member? If so when did he die?


Thank or posting this weeks column. 8-)


Pogo
[/quote]

Tortora Sr is still alive. He´s around 85 today. Lives in Yonkers. Not sure if he´s made. The article says "LE investigators describes Tortara and Carta as members of organized crime", which is a vague description. However, Tortora Sr definitely was involved with the Mafia. He was president of The Red Grove Social Club, located at 33 South Broadway in Getty Square, a club made members often frequented.

MARCH 10 1969—John Tortora, president of Red Grove Social Club, arrested on complaint by restaurant supply dealer that club refused to pay for supplies.

MARCH 14—Complainant's supply firm riddled by bullets; Police Chief William Polsen, under orders from Public Safety Commissioner Frank Vescio, closes down Red Grove Club as being "unsafe" because of file and health violations.

MARCH 17—The Herald Statesman reports that two reputed members of Mafia were present when police closed club. They were identified as Arthur (Bam) Palumbo and John (Johnny Peanuts) Manfredonio.

MARCH 19—Red Grove principals file for Injunction in Supreme Court to remove police guard from in front of closed club.

MARCH 19—Charge of third degree grand larceny against Tortora dropped when complainant pleads Fifth Amendment and refuses to prosecute.

MARCH 21—Supreme Court Judge Vincent W. Grady ruled that closing of Red Grove Club was illegal. City appeals decision; Implementation of injunction stayed.

MARCH 31—Frank Squires, officer in Red Grove Club, indicted by federal grand jury for violation of Gun Control Act. Squires pleads not guilty.

APRIL 11—Appellate Court upholds city's right to close club, but agrees that Red Grove was not given opportunity to correct violations. Orders new trial.

APRIL 24 Frank Squires arrested for failure to pay 57 traffic tickets.

APRIL 28 John Tortora, Salvatore Carta, Ben Gentile and John Ianelli arrested by FBI and charged with conspiracy to commit extortion and interfering with interstate commerce.

MAY 1- -Sal Carta, an officer in the club, arrested for assaulting girl friend.

AUGUST 12 Frank Squires, an ofiicer in the club, reported that the Red Grove had been burglarized although there Is a 24-hour police guard at the front door. Losses reportedly included cigarets, whiskey and microphones, totaling $350.

AUGUST 12- -John Tortora arrested after argument with policeman over bald tire.

AUGUST 23 Sal Carta, an officer in the club, was found shot to death in a car on Route 9 near.Montrose.

DEC. 1- -Twenty-five subpoenas to various city officials were sent out by Red Grove attorney prior to new trial before Judge P. Raymond Sirignano.

DEC. 3 Trial of Red Grove vs. City of Yonkers begins, lasts three days. Judge Sirignano promises "speedy decision."

JAN. 2 1970 Tortora freed on charge involving fracas with policeman. Case dismissed.

JAN. IS Another burglary of Red Grove reported. Cash register, two electric mixer, tape cartridges, totaling $400, reported missing.

FEB. 2 Tortora arrested on third degree assault complaint by Leo LaBarre of Yonkers, owner of transmission shop.

FEB. 4 Tortora and Squires arrested and charged with first degree arson after two detectives watch Squires set fire to interior of Red Grove.

FEB 5 Police found a 32 caliber automatic pistol sewn into the cushion of an arm chair at the Red Grove. Both Squires and Tortora arrested. Later, Tortora was imprisoned. Squires was found murdered in 1979.

Tortora was 37 years at the time (1970) and newspapers described him as "a reputed Mafia member". He can not have been made because he was way too young to have been made in the 1950s.

In a seperate investigation, Tortora Sr was indicted in January 1970, with the infamous Nick Rattenni and (Genovese soldier) and three others )n connection with loansharking activities. Tortora was given a 18 year prison term, which excludes him from being made in the 1970s when the books were being opened. (Don´t know when he was released though.)

[quote="SILENT PARTNERZ" post_id=85620 time=1533829985 user_id=5369]
[img]tortora-john-sr.jpg[/img]
[/quote]

That's Bill Bradley, not Tortora, Sr.

[quote="Pogo The Clown" post_id=85667 time=1533843812 user_id=53]
[quote=newera_212 post_id=85660 time=1533843360 user_id=5522]
was Tangorra the guy who went crazy in jail and smeared his own shit all over himself and his cell? hes gotta be out by now...i cant imagine him being welcomed back into the fold with open arms
[/quote]


Same guy. Before that he was seen wandering the streets and babbling incoherently while waving around his latest indictment. :lol: I guess he suffered a mental breakdown after being hit with 3 major indictments inside of 6 months.


[quote]that Bensonhurst Lucchese crew, with the Castelle Bros, Tangorra, et. al... correct me if im wrong but that an iteration of the old 19th Hole crew? eventually ran by Chiodo? trying to figure out the succession and where these guys came from (castelle, tangorra etc...)[/quote]


Yeah. Tangorroa took over for George Zappola (who took over for Lastorino and before him Amuso). Castelle looks to have taken over from Richard Pagliarulo (who took over from Pete Chiodo).


Pogo
[/quote]

thanks Pogo appreciate the info. that crew has some history.

we know recently that both castelle brothers have been up to no good, but im curious about the rest of the brooklyn lucchese . im sure its been asked before on here but wondering how active guys like lastorino, galione, george conte, etc.. are currently. time will tell I guess

[quote=newera_212 post_id=85660 time=1533843360 user_id=5522]
was Tangorra the guy who went crazy in jail and smeared his own shit all over himself and his cell? hes gotta be out by now...i cant imagine him being welcomed back into the fold with open arms
[/quote]


Same guy. Before that he was seen wandering the streets and babbling incoherently while waving around his latest indictment. :lol: I guess he suffered a mental breakdown after being hit with 3 major indictments inside of 6 months.


[quote]that Bensonhurst Lucchese crew, with the Castelle Bros, Tangorra, et. al... correct me if im wrong but that an iteration of the old 19th Hole crew? eventually ran by Chiodo? trying to figure out the succession and where these guys came from (castelle, tangorra etc...)[/quote]


Yeah. Tangorroa took over for George Zappola (who took over for Lastorino and before him Amuso). Castelle looks to have taken over from Richard Pagliarulo (who took over from Pete Chiodo).


Pogo

was Tangorra the guy who went crazy in jail and smeared his own shit all over himself and his cell? hes gotta be out by now...i cant imagine him being welcomed back into the fold with open arms

that Bensonhurst Lucchese crew, with the Castelle Bros, Tangorra, et. al... correct me if im wrong but that an iteration of the old 19th Hole crew? eventually ran by Chiodo? trying to figure out the succession and where these guys came from (castelle, tangorra etc...)

its really fucked up what the feds and Geddes did to that witness and his wife. disgusting actually . but in general WPP sounds like a massive money pit and drain on resources. they should literally just get rid of it going forward. you wanna snitch and get immunity / reduced sentence thats great but we shouldnt be footing the bill in perpetuity. let em keep whatever money they had, go find a job, and thats it.

[quote=SonnyBlackstein post_id=85631 time=1533836394 user_id=171]
Thanks for posting the pics SP.

An interesting point is LE are aware of a Westside making ceremony in ‘14, which is unusual for the Genovese. It indicates there MIGHT be a rat who is the basis for charges against Tortora.
[/quote]

They were also aware of the Ralph Santiello ceremony through, IIRC, the J. Rubeo tapes.

Thanks for posting the pics SP.

An interesting point is LE are aware of a Westside making ceremony in ‘14, which is unusual for the Genovese. It indicates there MIGHT be a rat who is the basis for charges against Tortora.

[quote="Pogo The Clown" post_id=85628 time=1533835170 user_id=53]
Do we know if Tortora Sr. was a made member? If so when did he die?


Thank or posting this weeks column. 8-)


Pogo
[/quote]

Pogo, Tortora Sr. is described as a member by the Feds in this article in 2014.

https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/home/2014/04/16/closing-in-on-suspects-in-cold-case-mob-killings/7757753/

Do we know if Tortora Sr. was a made member? If so when did he die?


Thank or posting this weeks column. 8-)


Pogo

The meldish murder charge against Stevie Junior is a damn mess. Good gangland btw