“THE GARMENT INDUSTRY” - MOBTOWN USA

[maxiestern11]

One of the most important industries to New York’s economy, the whole nation for that matter, was the garment industry. A industry deeply infiltrated by the underworld for eighty plus years. Starting with the Jewish mobs in the 1920’s, this underworld “invasion” was total! All the Italian (LCN) families were involved, getting a “piece” of the pie, but the Lucchese Family, as original “point men” for the mob, would always dominate (along with the Genovese) the rag trade!
Manufacturers, designers, cutters, contractors, sewing-machine factories, supply houses (buttons, zippers, trimmings, etc), garment truckers, salesmen, jobbers, and the like owed their very existence to the industry!
The industry was governed by several labor-unions that had been born out of the strife, sweat and tears of the early Jewish and Italian seamstresses toiling away at their sewing machines day after day, producing the beautiful men’s, women’s and children’s clothing worn by american’s of every size, shape and ethnicity.
The “Triangle Shirt Factory” tragedy, a horrible fire that swept through, and engulfed the entire building, killing many women workers and their little children, of the early 1900’s brought attention to the deplorable “sweatshop” conditions endured by garment workers of the era..... the labor movement as a whole got started in various industries from such tragedies.... to better the working man’s conditions!
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In this story line, I will not attempt to give a background profile on most of the names below for the simple reason that the majority of hoodlums named need no introduction. They have been the “backbone” of organized crime in this country, and as such, are nearly household names, having been well publicized for decades in newspapers and the media!
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And this list was “endless”, confirming the fact that the Mafia’s and the underworld’s domination in general was total and complete, “choking” an vital industry under the weight of strong-arms, extortion, kickbacks, loan-sharks, gamblers, embezzlers, cutthroat racketeers and murder!
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Andimo (Tommy Noto) Pappadio - garment firms under his controls at the height of his power (this was just a percentage of firms he either owned or controlled):

Car-Mil Sportswear, Ltd.
132 W. 36th Street, NYC
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Anna-Lyn Sportswear Ltd.
213 W. 35th Street, NYC
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Bal-Fran Blouse Co.
140 W. 37th St., NYC
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Pilgrim Dress Co
NYC
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Temee Girl Coats, Inc.
519 Eighth Ave., NYC
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Farrell Modes, Inc.
119 Long Beach Rd.
Island Park, NY
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And his brother Michael Pappadio - who took over his brothers garment interests after Tommy was killed gangland style in 1976.

Note: [Michael himself would be killed during the 1980’s by Vic Amuso and Gaspipe Casso, to grab control of his vast garment district assets, showing how valuable a commodity mobsters consider the industry!]
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Vincenzo (Jimmy Doyle) Plumeri - another primary and top “garment racketeer” since the 1930’s, he owned or controlled many garment related firms including:

Seam Binding Corp., - Secretary (a supplier of buttons, zippers, trims, etc., for dress manufacturers)
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Barton Trucking Corp. - Vice President (garment trucking)
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Ell-Gee Carriers, Inc. - Secretary (another garment trucking firm)
all the above located at 254 W. 35th Street, NYC
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Joseph (Joe Palisades) Rosato - the brother in law of Gaetano Lucchese.
He owned-operated several large apparel carriers based in the garment district including:

S & R Trucking Co., Inc.
460 W. 35th Street, NYC
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County Garment Delivery, Inc.
469 W. 35th Street, NYC
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Gabriel Klar - manager of the “Cloak & Suit Truckers Association” (an industry trade group) NYC
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Samuel (Sam) Berger - labor official. He formerly manager of Local #102 - ILGWU - International Ladies Garment Workers Union (AFL-CIO), utilized as a “whip” for shakedowns and other garment rackets. He was affiliated with this local for 25 years.
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Abraham (Abe) Chait - (a multi-millionaire) and chairman and owner of Champion Trucking Corp., of 217 W. 36th Street, one of the major garment carriers (16 trucks) in the “district”. Also had hidden interests in:
Harry Barnett Trucking Corp.
Sterns Express Inc.
Burton Transportation Co.
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Salvatore Badalamenti - a partner in the Harry Barnett Trucking Co., this firm had (A. Chait, Barnett, and Badalamenti as partners).
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Anthony (Fat Tony) Salerno - held interest in:
Raleigh Dress Firm
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Thomas Gambino - (son of Carlo). The owner of many garment trucking firms including:
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Consolidated Carriers Corp.
Greenberg’s Express Inc.
Interstate Dress Delivery Service, Inc.
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He inherited all his garment center interests from his father of course, Don Carlo Gambino. Who was in turn “gifted” many garment industry assets from Tommy Lucchese (his son’s father in law). This was much to the chagrin of fellow Lucchese members who felt Tommy (although the boss) had no right to loss family assets to another borgata!
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Gambino (with his kid brother Joseph) also allegedly held interests in many dress factories and garment related firms both in New York City and several outer states such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Note: [he would eventually be indicted and negotiate his release and sale of all his garment industry assets in satisfaction of government pressure to rid the industry of both Gambino and other mobsters]
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Daniel (Danny Cap) Capra - for years he listed his occupation as a employee of Smithtown Dress Co., a LI garment factory.
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Paul Sciacca - owned two large garment factories in Brooklyn:
S & S Garments Inc.
Sands Fashions, Ltd.
These firms operated for years and had won a $1,000,000. “contract” to manufacture military uniforms for the US government. His brother, Anthony Sciacca was also active in this industry.
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Too numerous to fully name for this story (the list would be hundreds if not several thousand), but many additional top “Italian” mob figures, stretching from coast to coast, were active in the garment rackets ...... from associates and soldiers, to capo’s and family bosses held ownership interests including:
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Gaetano (Tommy Brown) Lucchese
Stefano La Salle
Joseph (The Old Man) Profaci
Salvatore Profaci
Joseph (Joe Bananas) Bonanno Sr
Joseph (Joe Bandy) Biondo
Frank LaBruzzo
Vincent (Jimmy Jerome) Squillante
Gaspare Di Gregorio
Joseph (Joe Stutz) Tortorici
Carlo Gambino
Joseph (Joe Stretch) Stracci
Michael (Trigger Mike) Coppola
Ettore (Little Eddie) Coco
Arthur Roccamonte
Rosario (Russ) Bufalino
Dominick (Nick) Alaimo
Goacchino (Dandy Jack) Parisi
Angelo Bufalino
Angelo (Sandy) Sciandra
Jack Dragna
Louis Tom Dragna
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Joseph (Joe Shep) Schipani -
Rose-Marie Dress Co., of:
145 Gravesend Ave., Brooklyn, NY
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Harry Strasser - owner of the Interstate Trucking Co., a large garment carrier in NYC. He was also partners with Albert Anastasia in a dress factory in Hazelton, PA (this firm was managed by “Dandy Jack” Parisi - former killer for Murder, Inc)
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The “Dioguardi” brothers - Johnny and Tommy, owned or held a hidden interest over the years in upwards of twenty garment related firms in the “garment district”. Tommy was the “specialist” for his brother and the Lucchese’s, controlling these operations on behalf of the “Dio’s” and the family. The firms listed below represent but a percentage of their interests:
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Master Truckmen’s Assn.
Five-Boro Truckmen’s Service Assn.
Garment Center Truck Owners Assn.
New York & Brooklyn Truckers Assn.
Mary-Anna Sportswear Co.
Dio Garment Mfg., Co.
Dom-Rose Mills
Martin-Pinto Coat & Suit Co.
Trimming Specialties Co.
Roma Sportswear, Inc.
P. W. Coat Co.
Joe Wank, Inc.
United Sportswear Inc.
Rosemary Fashions inc.
Corday-Taill Inc.
Carl Sportswear Inc.
Sonneborn-Meyrich Inc.
Yorktown Textile
Artex Trimming Corp.
........and at least twenty garment firms.
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Robert (Bobby) Lucchese (TN) was Baldassare Lucchese. The legitimate son of boss Thomas Lucchese, he nonetheless owned and operated many garment factories in tandem with others (given to him by his father) including:

Harvick Sportswear Co.
1007 Capouse Ave., Scranton, PA.
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They held a favored “contract” with Local # 109 - (ILGWU), based in Scranton.
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Frank (Frankie Brown) Bongiorno - listed as the “production manager” of Sea Isle Sportswear, Inc., of NYC.
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Cassandro (Tony the Chief) Bonasera - a partner in the Sara-Lee Dress Co., of Brooklyn., and J.L.A. Textile Printing Co., of the Bronx, NY.
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Salvatore (Toto) Capizzi - a partner in Lady Grace Fashions, 1314 58th St., Brooklyn.
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Frank Profaci - owned the Newburg Coat Co., of 1578 86th Street, Brooklyn..... allegedly owned several other dress firms.
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Giovanni (Johnny Bath Beach) Oddo - a partner in:
Valo Frocks Inc., 1742 86th St., Brooklyn
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Paul (Paulie Ham) Correale - had ownership interest in the Gay Lady Dress Mfg., Co., 1690 Boston Post Rd., Bronx, NY
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Saverio (Bobby Green) Falvo - a partner in:
Panormus Dress Mfg., Co.
970 Morris Park Ave., Bronx.
(w/Eugene Pinello)
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Also had interests in Top-Notch Frocks Inc., of 254 W. 35th St., NYC
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Jean Dress Co., 2342 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn (w/Milton Meyerson).
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Rosario (Charlie Brush) Dongarro - held interests in:

D. & L. Dress Co.
Troutman Dress Co.
J. & C. Coat Shop....all Brooklyn, NY
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Joseph (Staten Island Joe) Riccobono - he owned:
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Christine Dresses and Toni-Bell Dresses, both in Brooklyn, NY
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Vincenzo (Jimmy) Sabella - allegedly held a hidden interest in several garment factories.
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Natale (Joe Diamond) Evola - ownership interest in:
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Belmont Garment Delivery and
Amity Garment Delivery - both of:
240 W. 37th St., NYC
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Anthony (Gov) Guarnieri - interest in:
Tri-City Dress Co., Binghamton, NY
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Owego Textile Co., Owego, NY..... reputed to hold ownership interests in additional dress firms.
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John (Big John) Ormento - held ownership in:
O. & S. Trucking Co.
Long Island Garment Trucking, Co.
both of Manhattan
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Frank (Funzi) Tieri - a partner in:
JayVee Sportswear, Inc., Hoboken, NJ
Broadway Glove Co.,
1412 69th St., Brooklyn
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Salvatore (Sam) Ameli - a Union presser, he was employed by
Joleo Dress Mfg., Co.
555 Eighth Ave., NYC
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Joseph Spadaro - owned: Joe Spadaro & Co., (suit makers) and Perfect Suit & Coat Co., both of 111 Himrod St., Brooklyn, NY
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Giovanni (John) Bonventre - held interests in Levine & Bonventre Coat Co. (ladies coat contractors), 91 Eastern Pky. , Brooklyn.
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Morris (Moe) Klamas - top hoodlum and executive director of the Master Truckmen of America, 200 W. 34th Street, NY, NY. (a trade group of the top garment truckers in the district).
A Johnny Dio minion, subservient to his every wish.
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Benjamin (Benny the Bug) Levine - FBI # 1460799, NYPD # B-36750. A multi-millionaire and top garment rackets figure (under Lansky). Allegedly controlled which “dress contractors” were assigned to various garment manufacturers in the district. He also was said to own dress firms in Farmingdale, LI, Baltimore, MD, and New Jersey, including but not limited to:

City Carriers Corp., of 222 W. 37th St., NYC (garment truckers)
Olive Coat Co.
Sunray Coat Co.
Royal Mist Co.
Kolmar-Freeman Mfg., Co.
Schneider Inc. (ladies suits & coats)
Fabric Mill - 500 7th Ave., NYC
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Additionally, many major “Jewish” garment rackets figures (hundreds - who originally dominated the industry) included the following - all top hoodlums:
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Meyer Lansky - top man in the garment district (operated through Attorney Moses Polakoff).
Lansky controlled David Dubinsky - industry leader and longtime president of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (AFL-CIO). This connection leveraged his “control” and gave Lansky “rein” over the entire industry.
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Louis (Lepke) Buchalter - original point man and “pioneer” into the industry, and head of Murder, Inc. A early leader of the mobs “push” into many industries and labor unions.
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Abner (Longy) Zwillman - top NJ based Jewish mob boss, and garment “power”
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Jake Lansky
Jacob (Gurrah) Shapiro
(Dutch) Goldberg
Joe Miller
Joseph (Doc Rosen) Stracher
Tom Cutty
Morris (Moe) Shapiro
Sidney Lieberman
Louis (Scarface) Lieberman
Emile Lence
Benjamin (Benny) Cohen
Abe Gordon
Henry Teitelbaum
Irving (Chink) Sherman
Benjamin (Benny) Kutlow
Joe Berger
Joseph (Kiefie) Miller
Morris (Moe) Wolinsky
Jack Strum
Samuel (Fat Sidney) Brown
Solomon (Little Solly) Vogel
Abraham (Abie) Silver
Irving Mishel
Isidore (Izzy) Schwartz
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Hyman (Nig Rosen) Stromberg - one of the top controlling mob figures of the Jewish mob, he held ownership and hidden interests in many firms:
Studio Frocks
Dearest Miss
Jay & Lou Mfg, Co.
LouJay Dress Co.
Judy-Lee Fashions Ltd.
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Hyman (Red Hymie) Siegel - an important Jewish hood and Lansky “lieutenant” in control of the “bank” for Lansky’s “shylock book”. He had an interest in a trucking firm located at (140 W. 37th St), operating from a back room. He also operated every morning from the same booth in a local luncheonette (Stage Deli - 51st St. and 7th Ave) within the district for years, doling out requested “loans” to an endless line of needy and desperate garment manufacturers, sub-contractors, trucking firm owners and related industry businessmen. By the very nature of this “time sensitive” industry, “shylocks” were not looked upon as vultures or predators, but rather a “key” industry function and much needed service to span the gap so to speak between when a given garment house wanted to start to “manufacture” their products, and when they would finally “bill out” and collect on shipped garments (many months later).
There were many shylocks operating, but “Red Hymie” was a first among equals.
He was also active in district gambling and other rackets, but “overseer” of a huge shylock “book” was his primary function.
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And the above named hoodlums were just a small fraction of the underworld influence exerted on the garment industry, a control that extended across the United States from the New York City “garment district” to outlying cities coast to coast (wherever clothes are sold and worn was influenced - virtually the 50 states).
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This influence continues to this very day, although admittedly the mob has vastly reduced power and influence on the industry!
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[Wiseguy]

Great list, maxie.

Though I'm not sure what influence in the garment industry remains. The last mob case involving the garment center was over 20 years ago when the Lucchese, Gambino, and Genovese families were indicted on racketeering and extortion charges. And the New York garment industry itself has been in decline for years now.

[maxiestern11]

Agreed Wiseguy!..... the whole industry has been in decline for decades, and certainly whatever mob influence there was, has been knocked out pretty good. There’s still some action around I’m sure. But with Tommy Gambino getting banned and his multimillion dollar forfeitures and sale of his companies to legitimate businessmen, and the Lucchese’s getting kicked in the ass, the influence is probably reduced a good 60-70%..... maybe better.
I know that Joe N. gallo’s son is hanging in, and Vinny Aloi, but I’m not familiar with whoever else may be there.

[Super]

Top-notch max anything on Sidney lieber ?? Or Vic panica or Rosato not a lot about them great subject.

[maxiestern11]

Hi Super, yes I thought it was a good subject matter. I’ve always been interested in the garment district, so I thought I’d write it up - it’s a bygone era for the most part - thought you guys would really like it. So many top guys earned off of it. It was like their “in house” earn! But for the most part it was only available to top guys. Low end minions or half-assed associates weren’t privy to it.

I will see what I can put together on Vic Panica for you ok. And you’re very correct, there is not a lot on Joe Palisades but I may surprise with that one ok pal! Lol....

[Wiseguy]

Agreed Wiseguy!..... the whole industry has been in decline for decades, and certainly whatever mob influence there was, has been knocked out pretty good. There’s still some action around I’m sure. But with Tommy Gambino getting banned and his multimillion dollar forfeitures and sale of his companies to legitimate businessmen, and the Lucchese’s getting kicked in the ass, the influence is probably reduced a good 60-70%..... maybe better.
I know that Joe N. gallo’s son is hanging in, and Vinny Aloi, but I’m not familiar with whoever else may be there.

The involvement of those guys is probably ancient history. Gallo Sr. and Aoi were both mentioned in the 1991 report on the garment industry in New Jersey. And Gallo Jr. was mentioned as taking over interests for Tommy Gambino in a 1996 article. But that was all a long time ago.

While the NY mob still maintains a presence in certain industries (like construction, the waterfront, trucking, and waste hauling), in all likelihood, the garment industry is one of those (like the airport, food markets, and Javits Center) that it was successfully removed from.

[maxiestern11]

Agreed Wiseguy!..... the whole industry has been in decline for decades, and certainly whatever mob influence there was, has been knocked out pretty good. There’s still some action around I’m sure. But with Tommy Gambino getting banned and his multimillion dollar forfeitures and sale of his companies to legitimate businessmen, and the Lucchese’s getting kicked in the ass, the influence is probably reduced a good 60-70%..... maybe better.
I know that Joe N. gallo’s son is hanging in, and Vinny Aloi, but I’m not familiar with whoever else may be there.

The involvement of those guys is probably ancient history. Gallo Sr. and Aoi were both mentioned in the 1991 report on the garment industry in New Jersey. And Gallo Jr. was mentioned as taking over interests for Tommy Gambino in a 1996 article. But that was all a long time ago.

While the NY mob still maintains a presence in certain industries (like construction, the waterfront, trucking, and waste hauling), in all likelihood, the garment industry is one of those (like the airport, food markets, and Javits Center) that it was successfully removed from.

You’re Probably right.... it makes sense