Maxie's Lucchese Profiles

[maxiestern11]

Correction: in 1980, Arra was 70 years old. Not in 1970.

[AlexfromSouth]

Correct Johnny_scootch.... Dellacagna

That's right Dellacagna! Can you do a post on him?

[maxiestern11]

I’ll see what I can dig up. Ok.... no promises though. If I got it, you got it !

[AlexfromSouth]

Thanks bro

[maxiestern11]

Here you go Alex, hope you enjoy!

[maxiestern11]

MICHAEL (MIKE THE HAMMER) DELLACAGNA - born 1918 in Brooklyn (possibly the Park Slope section), aka “Mike Hammer”. A documented “soldier” in the Lucchese Family. Lifelong resident of Kings County (1047 Remsen Ave), residing/operating over the years in Park Slope, Gravesend, Coney Island, Canarsie, Mill Basin areas. Seems to have kept a low profile, operating locally. In 1943, as a enlisted man (Army), he was one of four young men (Michael Dellacagna, Louis Bruno, Andrew Gerbino and Carmine Colombo), to be arrested locally in a stolen auto. The arresting officer also found two guns in the car (.38 revolver and 9mm Luger). All four were charged with grand larceny auto, and violation of the sullivan law (2 guns). He and Colombo were also charged with desertion from armed service. No public record is available as to disposition of AWOL charges. In 1974, after an undercover investigation by the Brooklyn Rackets Squad, detectives raided a “high stakes” dice game on 6320 Avenue N, in the Mill Basin section, arresting thirty gamblers and confiscating over $21,000. cash, dice and various gambling equipment. Among the thirty, were five who stood out from the crowd, named by authorities as inducted members, soldiers or captains, all regarded as top echelon Mafia figures. All were charged with “maintenance” of a gambling establishment, promoting gambling, and possession of gaming devices. The Brooklyn DA Eugene Gold listed the mob figures as “soldier” Daniel Fatico, 53; “captain” Peter Palmeri, 63; (both with the Gambino Family), “soldier” Michael Dellacagna, 56; Leo Grillo, 55; (both of the Lucchese Family), Michael Franzese, 65; (linked to the Colombo family). Executing a search warrant, the early morning (3am) raiders, broke through a front security door with a battering ram, and had to smash through two other doors to reach a basement social club where the dice were rolling.... among others arrested in the raid were mob figures Frank LoCicero (Colombo associate), Hyman Greenspan (Paul Vario associate), and John Castore (Gambino soldier). No disposition is given but these charges were misdemeanors, so I suspect all got off with fines and/or probation. He was probable in a Brooklyn regime. Christopher Furnari, or Paul Vario were the two most prominent
crews heads operating in that area. So most likely Dellacagna was in one of those two crews. Seems to have kept a relatively low profile in later years. May have been inactive by that time. Dellacagna died relatively young at sixty-nine years of age in 1987.

[AlexfromSouth]

Thanks Maxie, thats good stuff!

[maxiestern11]

Here’s a PS: born 12/12/1918
NYPD # B-139993
.... forgot to include it before

[Super]

Great write ups maxie anything on the other vario brothers, tommy dioguardi , lasalle brothers, vic panica thanks

[maxiestern11]

There comin Super, there coming! .... Lol
Gotta see who I got the most info on so interesting you know. I’ll have a few more old timers soon (hopefully)

[maxiestern11]

GAETANO (TOMMY DIO) DIOGUARDI - born 1915 in lower Manhattan (171 Forsythe St.). By 1954 resided at 55 Broome Ave., Atlantic Beach, LI., (a very exclusive enclave). Brother of top hoodlums (Johnny Dio) and (Frankie Dio), nephew of Vincenzo (Jimmy Doyle) Plumeri, son-in-Law of Frank (Cheech) Livorsi - having married his daughter Rosemary. A longtime Lucchese “soldier” and confidant of his brother John, with whom he was actively engaged in the rackets. He was a known garment racketeer and held ownership interests in many dress factories and related textile firms over the years throughout the garment district and outer boro’s including: president of Dom-Rose Mills, of W. 39th St., NYC, and a principal of Martin Pinto Coat and Suit Co., Knickerbocker Ave., Brooklyn. He also held interests in Trimming Specialties Co., of W.37th St., NYC, Roma Sportswear Inc., P.W. Coat Co., Joe Wank Inc., United Sportswear Inc., Rosemary Fashions Inc., Corday Taill Inc., Carl Sportswear Inc., Dio Garment Corp., Sonneborn-Meyrich Inc., Yorktown Textile, Artex Trimming Corp., and at least twenty additional garment industry related firms over several decades. Controlled these interests for himself and on behalf of the Lucchese family (no doubt at the behest of uncle Jimmy Doyle who was a top boxing rackets figure). Prior to 1936, arrested 3 times on minor charges, additional arrests for: assault and robbery, possession of a stink bomb, vagrancy, felonious assault. In 1943, Tommy applies for a “boxing manager” license. By 1960, Tommy was heavily engaged in the trading of various stocks, having opened an account. Large sums were traded on a daily basis. This went on for years, with up to thirty to forty stocks in his portfolio, valued in excess of $200,000. at any given time (a huge sum of money in 1960). In 1960, his Martin Pinto company was robbed of a load of clothing. Authorities suspected this was an Insurance fraud. The clothing later turned up at a firm run by the Profaci Family in Brooklyn. In 1956, Dioguardi was one of several mob figures arrested in the highly publicized attack on labor columnist Victor Riesel (permanently blinding him). Riesel had been writing about the NYC labor rackets and the Dio brothers and uncle Jimmy Plumeri in particular. (John Dioguardi, Charles Tuso, Gandolfo (Sheikie) Miranti, Tom Dioguardi, Joseph Carlino, Abe Telvi) were among the accused. The case eventually fell apart, but had brought lots of unwanted attention to Tommy from LE and newspapers.
By the mid-1960’s his brother John was buried under multiple indictments and sentenced to a long prison term, dying behind bars. In 1972, uncle Jimmy Plumeri was found strangled. A few years later brother Frank and his father in-law Cheech Livorsi had died. Tommy wisely retreated from the rackets, with his millions of course (reputed to be a millionaire many times over),
and lived out his days in comfort at both his Long Island oceanside home and Florida winter retreat. He died in 1985. [judging from the info above, Tommy seemed to be among the more astute and smarter of the mob set... a true “wiseguy” if you’ll pardon the pun]...... so it seems that crime really does pay!

[Super]

Great info maxie looking forward to more posts keep em coming

[maxiestern11]

STEFANO (STEVE) LA SALLE - born 1889 in Corleone, Sicily. Immigrated to USA 1896. Naturalized in 1943. True surname was “La Sala”. Lived for many years on E.107th Street, East Harlem. Later relocated to the Bronx. Had a brother named Vito who also became a member. An original power at the very start of what was to become the Lucchese Family. Originally, affiliated with the Morello’s, mafia powers from his home in Corleone, Sicily, who came to America. La Salle helped form the mob “group” that would morph into the Reina mob, and then the Gagliano/Lucchese Family. In his youth La Salle was very active and starting in 1909, racked up arrests for currency counterfeiting, murder and grand larceny. It is said by the 1930’s he was a capo di decina, Vito was a soldier in his regime. They stayed together, building up a large lottery network (the Italian lottery at first, and then adding the NY number). Ran a major “policy bank” for many decades on behalf of the family. La Salle also became partner in several lathing companies, which was an industry the family became dominant in. As one of the bosses in the family, he shared in the monopolistic lathing and construction rackets the Lucchese mob came to dominate. By the early 1940’s he became a partner in a dress factory, which would be his main business interest for many years. It is suspected that by 1951 or so, he was elevated to underboss by Family leader Gaetano Gagliano. A position he would hold through several administrations (Lucchese and Tramunti). By the early 1960’s, Steve had moved to Queens, living off Queens Blvd., in the Rego Park section. He was already in his mid-70’s and in poor health. Said to be partially blind. But devoted as he was to the family, was said to have commuted daily, often by train by himself, to the Bronx and Harlem as required of his exulted position. Other times picked up by a personal driver. He numbered among his friends, associates and adversaries over the years virtually a who’s who of the NY underworld (and for that matter the whole country). Giuseppe Morello, Ciro Terranova, Gagliano, Lucchese, Ettore Coco, Carmine Tramunti, Carlo Gambino, Lucky Luciano, Giuseppe Masseria, Salvatore Maranzano.... among the mob glitterati!... he was also close to (Joe Brown) Lucchese and (Joe Palisades) Rosato, the capo brother and brother in-law of Lucchese, both of whom lived locally, in Malba and Jackson Heights respectively. Stefano La Salle was a highly respected “original” of the NY underworld. Revered in his knowledge of the “life” (serving as underboss till 1972), and was consulted after the death of Lucchese in 1967, helping with the smooth transition of power. He passed away in 1975.

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ANTONIO (TONY GRIO) VADALA - born 1899 in Messina, Sicily. Immigrated to the USA in 1908. Originally settled on the LES. By the early 1950’s relocated to the exclusive waterfront neighborhood of Malba, Queens. (7-02 144th St.). FBI # 4917260, NYCPD # B-252438. Had only one arrest in 1947 for contriving a lottery. He owned the Grio Press, at 292 Lafayette St., in lower Manhattan for many years, and frequented the Mulberry Street section of Little Italy. Bentivegna’s Restaurant was a favorite hangout (a notorious mob destination). Top associate and intimate friend and confidant of Gaetano Lucchese. He also numbered among associates; Calogero (Lelio) Di Carlo, Salvatore (Sally Shields) Shillitani, Daniel (Danny Narrow) Laratro, Raffaele (Jimmy Q) Quasarano (of Detroit). Vadala also became president of the Malba-Park, Inc., Morris Park Ave., Bronx (believed to be a realty firm). Highly influential mafioso who ran a very lucrative lottery operation in partnership with Lucchese, who held Tony Grio in high esteem. Low key all his life, and successful in legitimate businesses for Lucchese. After Lucchese’s death in 1977, Grio faded into retirement, wealthy and satisfied, living in mob splendor until his 1985 death..... a mob success story!

[maxiestern11]

JOSEPH (JOE BABES) BENDENELLI - born 1910 in East Harlem, NYC. By the mid-1950’s he had moved to the exclusive Malba section of Queens (144-11 Tenth Avenue), but still operated in Harlem. FBI #296870, NYCPD #B-80775. A heavy gambler who frequented area race tracks. He was active in the Harlem numbers racket, floating dice games and suspected of handling narcotics. Close associate of Joey Rao, Frank (Farby) and Ralph Serpico, (Big Nose) Nick Tolentino, Louis (Louie Dome) Pacella, Joe Marone, Steve Puco and Anthony (Tony Nose) Mancuso. Never known to engage in any legitimate business. Arrest record for robbery and gambling (dice games and policy). Bendenelli died young. No dod available but believed dead by mid-late 1960’s.