Maxie's Bonanno Profiles

[stevan tod]

Photographs taken during Fbi interview

[stevan tod]

...

[thekiduknow]

Wow, great find! Thanks for posting

[DannyTrio]

Absolutely Gold!.. Great post!

[rolotomasi]

Great find. Any info about him?

[UTC]

Florida guy. Lived 1913-1995

[maxiestern11]

Michael (Mike the Sailor) Casale - born 1914. Lived in Brooklyn, later relocating to No. Massapqua LI. Close associate and aide to Michael (Mikey Adams) Adamo, a longtime Capodecina and later Consigliere in the family. Casale was a very active member, racking up over 12 arrests for grand larceny, armed robbery, gun possession, counterfeit money, burglary, bookmaking, narcotics, etc., served several prison terms. Used by the administration to contact other family members, known to have traveled to Arizona and Sicily on mob business. Active in gambling, shylocking and strong arm work. He was arrested in Tucson, AZ after a series of bombing at the homes of Joe Bonanno and several others during the “Banana War”. He was later tied to Paul Sciacca upon Sciacca’s ascension to Acting Boss. Charged with Sciacca for heroin trafficking in 1971 during “Operation Flanker” by federal authorities. The charges were later dismissed. Believed to have died relatively young by his late 60’s, early 70’s.
....... another relatively unknown although very active member.
....... all are welcome to add to this thread if any additional info is know. Hope all enjoyed this information.

[thekiduknow]

Interesting he was arrested in Tucson after/during the bombings of JB's house. If he was tied to Adama and Sciacca, then he was on their side during the war. Yet, from what I can tell, Tucson was where the Bonanno loyalists moved to in April 68, so why would he be out there? The bombings were later shown to be two hicks paid by an FBI agent so he wouldn't have been the one doing them.

[maxiestern11]

Correct, just a fluke. Or he was out to negotiate something one could speculate.

[thekiduknow]

Correct, just a fluke. Or he was out to negotiate something one could speculate.

Do you know what he was arrested for?

Since he was arrested around the time of the bombings, him being out there to negotiate would make sense. At this time there should have been a "truce", with Bonanno being exiled/fleeing to Tucson, and he could possibly have been a messenger for Sciacca/the Commission.

[maxiestern11]

Yes, that’s a plausible theory! What other reason would he be out there? Except maybe visit old amici if he had any living there. ...... or carrying a message, more likely!

[thekiduknow]

Especially around 68/69, when there still had to be tension between Bonanno and the NY families, like you said he could be visiting old friends out there, but then again that would mean that he would be allowed to visit. Isn't it customary for traveling made men to get permission from the local boss to come to town?

[maxiestern11]

Sereno (Bobby T) Tartamella - born in 1922, was a Bonanno Soldier and the son of Consigliere Giovanni (John) Tartamella. He was also related by marriage to Acting Boss Gaspare Di Gregorio, Buffalo Boss Stefano Magaddino and Bonanno Soldier James Genna, and Francesco Tartamella, a cousin from Castellammare del Golfo and Bonanno Soldier. His induction to soldier was by virtue of his family connections (birth right), as opposed to “cutting his teeth” on the streets so to speak. As a trusted member in the Family, he would serve in the capacity as a “courier” between Magaddino and Di Gregorio during the height of the Bonanno war, traveling back and forth to Buffalo and NYC as required passing messages. He was not a street hoodlum, never in the rackets per se, and as such was not a “gunsel”, so he was trusted. As John Tartamella’s son, he was placed in the Beauty Culturist Union - Local #1551-A (Independent), serving as secretary-treasurer for Joe Bonanno and his father John. Back in the late 1930’s John Tartamella has started the Union. First named the Barbers Guild, then as the Beauticians Union, eventually morphing into the Beauty Culturist Union. Sereno took his fathers place in the union as his father grew older and later had a stroke. With virtually no police record, the Bonanno administration promoted him to run for public office. He was a Liberal Party Candidate for Huntington Town Justice of the Peace in 1946. Two years before law enforcement identified him as mob linked. He served first under his father, then Di Gregorio. His Capodecina was Nicholas (Nick the Battler) Di Stefano. During the hostilities of Bonanno gang warfare he was summoned to testify before both local and federal grand juries in Nassau and Brooklyn. Tartamella was one of appx a dozen mob figures to “clam up”, refusing to testify. All were arrested for criminal contempt of court. Among the mob figures were such luminaries as Pasquale Gigante, Salvatore and John Morale, Michael Consolo, Anthony Lisi, Philip Rastelli, etc..... most received 30 days in county jail. In later years, after stepping down from his union post, Bobby ran a used car lot on LI among other endeavors. His father, uncles and cousins were either dead or retired by that time. He eased into retirement, spending his time mostly at his East Northport LI home and business.

[maxiestern11]

Yes, but remember Bonanno was “persona non grata” as well as his son Bill and all members with him. They were all “shelved”! They DO NOT count. So no permission is needed from him understand?

[thekiduknow]

I wonder how he got onto DiGregorio's side during the war, it seemed to be that John Tartamella was pretty close to Bonanno, but I'm also not too familiar with him/that era of the Bonanno's.