Pogo The Clown wrote: ↑Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:19 am
Do we know if Tortora Sr. was a made member? If so when did he die?
Thank or posting this weeks column.
Pogo
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.)