Maxie's Genovese Profiles

[Pogo The Clown]

When did Joe and Phil Tortorici die? Thanks.


Pogo

[HairyKnuckles]

When did Joe and Phil Tortorici die? Thanks.


Pogo

Joe died in 1977. I´m not sure about Philip but there is SSDI on a Philip Tortorici who passed in 2008 that seems to fit but not sure if it´s the Genovese member. He was definitely alive in 1991 when he had to sign an agreement to leave IBT permanently.

[maxiestern11]

Philly was their nephew I believe, not their brother.

[maxiestern11]

Basile (Bobby Cherry) Cervone - born 1914. Long time Genovese “Associate”, and labor-union racketeer in the
NYC construction industry. Lived for many years in the Astoria-LI City section of Queens. Eventually settled in
Nassau County at 141 Bay Blvd., Atlantic Beach, a very
wealthy exclusive enclave. In later life moved to the five
towns area (Woodmere). He was the “power” in Local #13
- Mason Tenders Union of the Laborers of America. A Genovese controlled local, that was the personal domain of Michele (Mike) Miranda - Genovese consigliere for many
years. This local was a pivotal piece in the mob’s mosaic for iron-clad controls of the industry. A violent struggle for power took place in the late 1950’s between Bobby and his brother George, a union official for control of the local. After several failed attempts, George was successfully murdered and total control passed to Bobby. Although brothers, they had been at each other’s throats for years. Basil Cervone was a very greedy guy, and pilfered the local every chance he got. Although indicted through the years on corruption charges, it was not until the later 1980’s, with the federal governments move to purge the union that Cervone was finally removed after his conviction on RICO charges of extortion, coercion, bribery, conspiracy, etc....... But Bobby had one hell of a run! Under his stewardship, in the local he operated a gambling operation, shylock loans, embezzlement, and vast shakedown racket. If any construction firms wanted to operate free of labor problems, they paid Bobby under the table. “Sweetheart contracts” were he stock in trade.
As business agent of Local #13, Mason Tenders (Independent), his activities also included shylocking, all types of labor racketeering, securities fraud, etc. For over 40 years Cervone served his Genovese superiors lining his own pockets in the interim. His greed blinded him to the point of arguing for the death of his brother George, and ultimately led to one of his sons testifying against him in federal court (he had made his sons union officials years before, and once they were indicted, one son (Basil Jr) testified to gain leniency). Both he and son Joseph, who had been president were both convicted. So much for family loyalty. Arrests over the years included assault,
securities act violations, income tax evasion, extortion and eventually multiple Rico counts that led to his conviction and expulsion from the labor movement. As a side note, Bobby had been a close associate and friend of Vincent (Vinny the Sicilian) Siciliano, an old line Astoria hood who’s father had been a hood before him. He’d served several jail terms for robbery and extortion.
Somewhere along the line he also became one of the most notorious of “stool pidgeons” in the Queens area. He operated openly and defied his fate, spitting in the eye of the mob as his informant status was a open secret. Physical assaults, several murder attempts where he was wounded did nothing to deter him from ratting. Cervone was questioned about attempts on his life, the murder of his brother George, and bombing incidents at union headquarters in Astoria. The 1950-60’s was a volatile time for this Local #13 and all connected with it. Mike Miranda has been “eating” off that local since the late 1938’s and he wasn’t about to let anybody or anything interrupt that. As a side note; George Cervone was ultimately shot 4 times and killed as he slept on a porch at his father-in laws Long Beach summer cottage at 37 Maryland Ave., after at least 3 previous murder attempts on him. Cervone’s father-in-law was an old time soldier in the family and was ordered to set up his son-in-law for his killing...... eventually Bobby Cherry faded from the scene and passed at 77-78 years old I believe. But for over half a century, he was a power in the NYC construction industry and loyal minion of the Vito Genovese Family that is LCN.

[maxiestern11]

Basile (Bobby Cherry) Cervone - born 1914. Long time Genovese “Associate”, and labor-union racketeer in the
NYC construction industry. Lived for many years in the Astoria-LI City section of Queens. Eventually settled in
Nassau County at 141 Bay Blvd., Atlantic Beach, a very
wealthy exclusive enclave. In later life moved to the five
towns area (Woodmere). He was the “power” in Local #13
- Mason Tenders Union of the Laborers of America. A Genovese controlled local, that was the personal domain of Michele (Mike) Miranda - Genovese consigliere for many
years. This local was a pivotal piece in the mob’s mosaic for iron-clad controls of the industry. A violent struggle for power took place in the late 1950’s between Bobby and his brother George, a union official for control of the local. After several failed attempts, George was successfully murdered and total control passed to Bobby. Although brothers, they had been at each other’s throats for years. Basil Cervone was a very greedy guy, and pilfered the local every chance he got. Although indicted through the years on corruption charges, it was not until the later 1980’s, with the federal governments move to purge the union that Cervone was finally removed after his conviction on RICO charges of extortion, coercion, bribery, conspiracy, etc....... But Bobby had one hell of a run! Under his stewardship, in the local he operated a gambling operation, shylock loans, embezzlement, and vast shakedown racket. If any construction firms wanted to operate free of labor problems, they paid Bobby under the table. “Sweetheart contracts” were he stock in trade.
As business agent of Local #13, Mason Tenders (Independent), his activities also included shylocking, all types of labor racketeering, securities fraud, etc. For over 40 years Cervone served his Genovese superiors lining his own pockets in the interim. His greed blinded him to the point of arguing for the death of his brother George, and ultimately led to one of his sons testifying against him in federal court (he had made his sons union officials years before, and once they were indicted, one son (Basil Jr) testified to gain leniency). Both he and son Joseph, who had been president were both convicted. So much for family loyalty. Arrests over the years included assault,
securities act violations, income tax evasion, extortion and eventually multiple Rico counts that led to his conviction and expulsion from the labor movement. As a side note, Bobby had been a close associate and friend of Vincent (Vinny the Sicilian) Siciliano, an old line Astoria hood who’s father had been a hood before him. He’d served several jail terms for robbery and extortion.
Somewhere along the line he also became one of the most notorious of “stool pidgeons” in the Queens area. He operated openly and defied his fate, spitting in the eye of the mob as his informant status was a open secret. Physical assaults, several murder attempts where he was wounded did nothing to deter him from ratting. Cervone was questioned about attempts on his life, the murder of his brother George, and bombing incidents at union headquarters in Astoria. The 1950-60’s was a volatile time for this Local #13 and all connected with it. Mike Miranda has been “eating” off that local since the late 1938’s and he wasn’t about to let anybody or anything interrupt that. As a side note; George Cervone was ultimately shot 4 times and killed as he slept on a porch at his father-in laws Long Beach summer cottage at 37 Maryland Ave., after at least 3 previous murder attempts on him. Cervone’s father-in-law was an old time soldier in the family and was ordered to set up his son-in-law for his killing...... eventually Bobby Cherry faded from the scene and passed at 77-78 years old I believe. But for over half a century, he was a power in the NYC construction industry and loyal minion of the Vito Genovese Family that is LCN.

[bert]

Vincent Siciliano was a long time rat, but mostly on small time local hoods and even locals who had him pissed off. He ratted openly on Cervone, because he felt he was entitled to anything Cervone had. Cervone was an asscciate, but very sharp. Sicilaino was a small timer and had no class or brains. If anyone looks at the cases of the attacks on Siciliano, they were by people he knew and had disputes with. One where the was shot on a bridge while driving several men was over a bunch of bets he booked and would not pay out on. The men who were with him were all civilians, and the shooter was a hospital worker who was talked into doin git while drunk. They confessed right away, and Vincent Siciliano was told by cops it was over bookmaking bet he told the cops, at the scene, that he "Had not booked in a while" or words to that effect. An attempted shooting of him in an alley in Astoria first led to to Mafia members getting picked up, but they were let go the same day. One was Anthony Ficcoratta. It turned out to be bar dispute with 2 Greeks over a series of arguments. He played it top as mob attempts on his life, leading to his book deal.

[maxiestern11]

I didn’t even know he had a book deal. So he actually wrote a book of his exploits ?

[bert]

I didn’t even know he had a book deal. So he actually wrote a book of his exploits ?

Yes, it was called "If they don't Kill me First" The gimmick was his nickname "The Cat" came from having nine lives, and that the Mafia found him impossible to kill. He didn't have many real exploits, and most if it was fiction, but if you want to read it you can probably get it online. He is interesting in the sense that he made the most out of ratting and stayed under the radar. He gave up Cervone big time, yet still operated openly. He had the backing of not only the feds, but local police. He left that out of the book, of course. He is probably one of those un-named rats in FBI files listed as T-$omething.

[bert]

Here is is, I had the tile off by a word

https://www.amazon.com/Unless-they-kill ... B0006CAHFK

[bert]

Maxie, on Cervone, you call him greedy quite a lot and do a job on him. I've never seen that said about him.

[maxiestern11]

He was a tight fisted guy. Always on the make for a buck. And clearly, coming into conflict with his brother, his blood, over money, position and power for the union,
To the point of encouraging his brothers killing i’d consider very greedy wouldn’t you? That’s why I say that

[maxiestern11]

Didn’t realize they wrote a book about him. Interesting

[bert]

He was a tight fisted guy. Always on the make for a buck. And clearly, coming into conflict with his brother, his blood, over money, position and power for the union,
To the point of encouraging his brothers killing i’d consider very greedy wouldn’t you? That’s why I say that

I never heard about him wanting this brother killed, was that in his indictment?

[maxiestern11]

No, it was late 50’s early 60’s. But was an obvious factor
In George’s death. All about money power and position . George was vying to evict Basil from his post. Basil was at odds with George. George May have been providing info to LE. stands to reason no?

[bert]

No, it was late 50’s early 60’s. But was an obvious factor
In George’s death. All about money power and position . George was vying to evict Basil from his post. Basil was at odds with George. George May have been providing info to LE. stands to reason no?

Was it in a book?