Maxie's Gambino Profiles

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CARMINE (THE DOCTOR) LOMBARDOZZI - born 1913, in Brooklyn, NY. FBI # 290869, NYCPD # B-82464.
Resided for many years at (114 Stratford Road).

Had several brothers who also joined the Gambino’s (John, Paul and Daniel) and nephews (Daniel Marino and George Lombardozzi).
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Identified by federal and local LE and in multiple Senate Hearings as a top member and “Caporegime” in the Gambino Family.

Had the reputation as one of the most “savvy” underworld figures, active in both street rackets; gambling, extortion, etc., and very sophisticated operations such as intricate stock manipulation and securities thefts and laundering. Dubbed the “King of Wall Street” at one point!
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Activities: securities theft and disposal, stock frauds, shylocking on a fantastic scale, labor racketeering, gambling, extortion, strong-arm, “bust-out” - bankruptcy frauds, suspected narcotics...... and more!

In 1957, he attended the infamous “Apalachin Mafia Meeting” of top mobsters throughout the country.

Note: [he was put “on the carpet” in the mid-1950’s for several serious mob infractions, one of which was impregnating the young daughter of his soldier Sabato Muro - who made a beef to the family administration. Carmine was possibly “broken” of rank for a time, and had to divorce his wife and marry Muro’s daughter to save face..... he almost got himself “clipped”]
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Alleged to have operation one of the largest loanshark networks in the city of New York (he ran a large regime, almost all of whom were major shylocks).
He was known as a “shylocks shylock”, lending money at 1% to other shylocks who pushed the money out “on the streets” at 2-5% weekly.
He was alleged to have had millions out on loan any given day!
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Active throughout the city, in Manhattan and Brooklyn. His primary area and base was always the “Sheepshead Bay” section of Brooklyn.
Lombardozzi was a daily visitor to the New Corners Restaurant (8th Ave) Brooklyn, a notorious mob hangout.
Also known to hang at a Sheepshead Bay Motel (The Golden Gate) and several restaurants and bars along Emmons Avenue.
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“The Doctor” had a long arrest record (over 25 arrests) dating from 1929 for: homicide, rape, unlawful entry, conspiracy (thrice), stock fraud, usury, receiving stolen securities, and served several “short” related prison terms.

Note: [it has come out in recent years through FBI documents on MF that Lombardozzi was a (TE) “top echelon” informant. That may be why he had such a “stellar” record, serving minimal jail time]
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Associates: to list all his top criminal associates would be an effort in futility. But among his closest associates were the Tortorello brothers, “Artie Todd” and his brother “Petey Todd”, and his own brothers and nephews who served in his crew, alleged to number over 20-25 inducted members and numerous associates.
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Suffice it to say that he was well acquainted with most (if not every top mob figure) in the city during his rein!
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Business interests: Monte Marine Corp., Mobile Marine Power Inc., which were tied to the Brooklyn docks, many stock “brokerage” firms through which he and minions manipulated the stock market. Bars and nightclubs, real estate, etc.
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By the late 1980’s he was still active along Emmons Avenue and the “Mill Basin” areas of Brooklyn, where he could be seen in his various hangouts.
Carmine “The Doctor” Lombardozzi died uneventfully, with little fanfare in 1992 at the age of 79!
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GAETANO (GUY) RUSSO - born 1891 in Palermo, Sicily. aka: “Tommy Russo”. Immigrated to Kings County by at least the early 1920’s.
Resided at (2145 East 5h St) in Bensonhurst section.
No known FBI or NYPD # (no arrest record).
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A classic “sleeper”! A little known but reportedly influential “soldier” in the old Mangano/Anastasia Family. In later years (1960’s) he was possibly bumped up to “Capo”.

He was the longtime co-owner and “director” of one of the most popular funeral homes in the city, the “Cusimano and Russo Funeral Home” on West 6th Street.
This funeral parlor would be utilized for decades as the final destination for many of the underworlds elite.
Every family in the city, thousands of mob guys over the decades, were laid out there for viewing.
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His partner - Giuseppe Cusimano - was suspected to be another “inducted” member of the family.
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Although he had no known arrest record, he supposedly was active many years earlier in the Italian lottery racket in the Bensonhurst area, and was regarded as a “boss” in that section.

Said to have been an intimate of most top mafiosi in the country and back in Sicily, where in 1955 he was alleged (by the FBN) to have met with Lucky Luciano to coordinate narcotics shipments to this country.

Note: [an intimate of Luciano, Joe Profaci, Carlo Gambino, Anastasia, and their contemporaries]
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Russo died in 1970, at the age of 79.
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VINCENZO (JIMMY THE BLOND) CORRAO - born 1909. FBI # 1378139, NYCPD # B-161697.
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Had two sons Joseph “Joe Butch” and Augustus “Augie”, and a grandson Vincent “Vinny Butch” (his namesake) later become inducted members.

Reared in the “Little Italy” section of lower Manhattan. Although later residing in Brooklyn (1564 84th St), he was always a downtown NY hoodlum, frequenting and operating along Mulberry Street (and Grand Street) where he ran a social club.
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Legitimate Activity: although a “dyed in the wool” hoodlum, Jimmy was also a savvy businessman who purchased valuable real estate in the neighborhood. He was said to own properties at 210-212 Grand Street, and to have been a partner and operator of Casino Trucking Co., of Maspeth, Queens.

Note: [in later years, his son “Joe Butch” Corrao - who reportedly rose to Capo status - reputedly owned Taormina Italian Ristorante on Mulberry Street (property too), and expanded on his father’s legacy, following his lead, buying up several additional buildings in that neighborhood.
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“Jimmy the Blond” maintained a very low key profile his entire life. But was nonetheless very active in both gambling and the narcotics trade, of which he was said to have been knee-deep in most of his life.
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Corrao was a very well-liked and capable mafioso, a big “earner”, said to have been favored by the hierarchy from Anastasia to Gambino.
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Listed among his many associates were several convicted top narcotics merchants including:
Anthony (Tony West) DeLutro
Cataldo (Charlie West) DeLutro
Settimo (Big Sam) Accardi
Carmine (Willy the Wop) Locascio
Peter (Mr. Bread) Locascio
Benedetto (Benny Red) Cinquegrana
George (Georgie Hooks) Nobile
Philip (Philly Katz) Albanese
Arthur Celi
and Louis Dioguardia...... mostly all of them downtown hoodlums.
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He had a limited arrest record from 1937 for: criminal receiver of stolen goods and a federal narcotics conviction (I couldn’t determine the penalty).
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He died relatively young at the age of 67, in 1976.

Note: [his son Joe would die young also, at age 65 (2001). Augie would fair at bit better at age 77 (2010)]
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PETER (PETEY 17) PIACENTI - born 1921 in NYC. Raised and resided all his life in Brooklyn. Later relocated out to Hempstead on LI (20-D Willow Ave).
FBI # 561015A, NYPD # B-252724. aka: “Petey Gallo”, “Pete Nimo”.
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Described by authorities as a longtime “soldier” in the Gambino Family. Believed affiliated with one of the Brooklyn regimes, serving possibly under Peter Ferrara, James Eppolito, Lombardozzi, Olympio Garafolo, Anthony Gaggi (there were additional crews as well).
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Operated a private social club at 7513 17th Avenue in Brooklyn.... and at one point a nightclub - called the “1717 Club”..... this is how Piacenti got his nickname.

Note: [he was never known to be in business per se, and never officially “owned” any businesses, only listing his occupation as a house painter when arrested]
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Activities: gambling (policy, slot machines, cards), narcotics, strong-arm enforcer.

During the late 1940’s he operated in tandem with his brother Frank and others, a large-scale heroin smuggling and distributing ring. They would transport the narcotics from California to New York City for eventual distribution among various crews. Partners included the notorious Sebastiano Nani. Frank Piacenti and Nani would be charged with bribery in addition to narcotics conspiracy when the agents finally indicted them. “Petey 17” was among those charged. Convicted, he later served a 2 year bit!
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Police record starts 1947: policy, theft, conspiracy, felony assault, violating federal narcotics laws, double homicide, gun possession, conspiracy, gambling, racketeering, conspiracy.
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In 1979, he was indicted with Anthony (Nino) Gaggi (possibly his capo at the time) after the ill-fated botched “hit” they were commissioned to carry out against father and son Gambino mobsters James Eppolito Sr. and James Jr., both Gambino members (it is said that Piacenti may have been unaware of the planned hit). After shooting the father and son in a car they were all riding in, Gaggi and Piacenti fled the vehicle, getting into a shootout with a policeman who spotted the shooting. Piacenti was wounded, both were captured.... This was one of the few mob-style hits ever have been stopped mid-stream and prosecuted].
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They were convicted of vastly reduce charges. Piacenti served 8 months. Gaggi won a reversal and never served a day.
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Note: [in 1980, the main eye witness, who testified at their trial was Patrick Penny, 22, of Sheepshead Bay. He was shot nine times and killed gangland style for testifying against Gaggi and Piacenti, after refusing police protection]
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In 2002, he was one of many Gambino defendants indicted on a 68-count Rico - racketeering conspiracy, for being active in a “regime” headed by Capo Anthony (Sonny) Ciccone, controlling waterfront rackets, gambling, extortion, etc.
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He died at age 85 in 2007. Weeks later the “Gangland News” website did an article highlighting his life!
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JAMES (JIMMY BAKER) CATANIA - born 1900 in Palermo, Sicily. After coming to this country, always resided in the Bronx (2326 Cambreling Ave)..... (his brother - “Joe Baker” was killed during the Castellammarese War).... and was himself active during the conflict.
FBI #1122987, NYCPD # B-62912.
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Activities: bootlegging, Italian-lottery, labor rackets, extortion, murder.
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Catania was a longtime “power” in the Bronx. He may have been (if not then a very high-ranked soldier) “capo di decina” of the old D’Aquilla-Mangano Family (Anastasia then Gambino).
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Note: I “personally” heard he was a miserable prick! Never smiled! And a tough guy to be “under”..... this came from an “old timer” who was under him! .....He was a real “Moustache Pete”!
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Associates: all the originals, Luciano, Mangano, especially from the Bronx: the Scalice brothers (Joe especially), Gambino brothers, Giacomo Scarpulla, and others from “Little Italy’s” Arthur Avenue section....... Catania almost exclusively hung around and operated in this area all his life!
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Limited arrest record from 1924 on: robbery, assault, vagrancy.
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He owned the Catania Bakery for years (2316 Arthur Ave., Bronx)
Also reported to have been affiliated with - “Building Employees Union”, with the locals Newspaper - listed as “advertising mgr”.
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No dod available!
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ALFONSO (FUNZI) MOSCA - born 1913 in NYC. But resided early on in the Rego Park area (99-32 62nd Ave), as did several brothers (he had four) - one named Ralph (Bones) became a capo. Another was a barber named Ray (a strictly legit guy but knew many mob guys from his brothers and having grown up around everyone) sweetheart of a guy, ran a barbershop in Rego Park for decades frequented by many guys.
FBI # 517354, NYCPD # B-99100.
aka: Alphonse and “Al”.
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“Funzi” had been active since the 1930’s and was known early on as a “junk” dealer. Always a rough and tumble “street guy”. Identified by the FBI as a (inducted) soldier in the Gambino Family.
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Criminal activities: narcotics (heroin) both wholesale and smaller “retail” quantities, dice games, strong-arm, labor rackets, fraud.

Funzi was open to any opportunities (he liked to gamble) but “specialized in narcotics” (getting supplied from several Harlem sources). Although never a “large-scale” importer, instead Funzi was a distributor, of both “small” retail and “kilo” quantities.
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Business Activity: he held partnerships in several bars, a restaurant and car-lot over the years but never actually ran them. His focus was always “in the streets”. So he was not most the most successful of businessmen.
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Mosca was mostly active in the East and West Harlem area all his life. He hung around there and Queens since he was a kid and knew many hoodlums from all the crews.
A gambler all his life, he frequented all the crap games. He also invested for a “percentage” several times.
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Close to Anthony (Tony Baker) Napolitano - another Harlem alumni and Anastasia/Gambino “senior” Capo who made his home for years in Astoria, Queens.

Additional associates included:
his brother Ralph
Paul Castellano
Frank (Frankie Farbs) Serpico
Robert Sasso
Santo Iamone
John Ross (or Rosa)
Michael (Porky) Nicoline
Charles (Charlie Bullets) Albero
Angelo (Pudgy) Loiacono

Note: [the FBN suspected he dealt with some of the above in narcotics]
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Since 1931, record of arrests for:
assault and robbery, narcotics violations (several times), mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy, racketeering conspiracy.
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A voracious heroin peddler, he had a early drug conviction. Being indicted in 1960 (under a brand new law that made narcotics “conspiracy” a felony from a misdemeanor).....but in later years be would be charged again.

Note: [another reason why so many guys dealt, because early on drugs was a minor arrest. After 1960, anyone who fell faced much heavier time]
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In 1971, he was among seven federally indicted in several states (including his son Al Jr., “Little Funzi”), in a complex bank fraud case. They were accused of defrauding several banks by inducing the lending institutions to pay their companies (shell corporations) “fees” to manage failing construction firms in efforts to salvage defaulting loans.
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In 1977, he was one of four people nabbed by agents in the sale of several kilos of heroin to agents. Set up by an informant, narcotics officers alleged a value of $1,500,000. for the narcotics (they exaggerated because even sold retail that’s pushing the number for 2 kilos).

Note: [one defendant was John Ross, a longtime drug associate of Mosca who was nailed with him back in 1960 also]
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By the early 1980’s he was alleged to have become a conduit and bagman for the family, collecting money from contractors in the construction industry.
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In 1986, he was thrown into a major mob case of several families, among 15 indicted (this was a much publicized case), tying in Paul Castellano, Tony Salerno, Vinny DiNapoli and other top mob figures.
All were charged with various Rico violations.
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Mosca was jailed, but shortly later was reportedly released on bail when he fell very sick.
Alfonso “Funzi” Mosca died in 1987 at age 73.
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GENNARO (JERRY) MANCUSO - born 1926 in NYC. A reputed Family Soldier. Nephew of the notorious murdered Gambino captain Vincent (Jimmy Jerome) Squillante. Brother of soldier Aniello (Wahoo) Mancuso, both of whom were notorious garbage racketeers. Resided for many years in Patchogue, LI (3 Lake Court). Jerry’s activities included: garbage racketeering, shakedowns and extortion, shylocking. He was the former boss of the Nassau Intercounty Cartmen’s Assn., an industry trade group, that represented Long Island garbage companies (he was installed there by his uncle Vincent Squillante). He helped his uncle, and eventually his brother control the garbage industry monopoly enjoyed by both the Gambino and Colombo families (they shared domination on LI). He had a minor arrest and conviction record for disorderly conduct and traffic scofflaw. After being ousted from the trade group and intense LE scrutiny of the industry, Mancuso seems to have stepped back from active interest in the garbage racket, although his brother “Wahoo” did continue to be a force in Long Island garbage industry rackets through the 1980’s. Jerry faded from the scene, living quietly until his death in 2012.

Jerry was active after the 80s and maybe even until his death, in some capacity.

Jerry got a 26-month sentence for loansharking in 1993. Gambino associate, Steven "Guappo" Fortunato also got 18 months i think in the same case. BOP says Jerry was released from federal prison in 1996.

Hippy Zanfardino and Enzo Stagno were his sons-in-law, so I would assume he had some sort of contact with them after his release.

Thank you for the contribution Pharion!

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CARMINE (CHARLIE WAGON WHEELS) FATICO - born 1920 was a longtime Gambino member who became a top “Capo di decina”, running one of the more gritty crews of the family from a headquarters in the East New York section of Brooklyn. Fatico operated from a social club named the “Bergen Hunt & Fish Club” of John Gotti fame. Except the original “Bergen” was Fatico’s club before Gotti. In fact, Gotti was originally brought around and became a protege’ of Carmine Fatico. This was a large crew of real street guys; burglars, truck hijackers, armed robbers, as well as, the more mundane white collar bookmakers, numbers guys, and varied gamblers and hangers on. Carmine and his brother/partner Donato (Danny Wagons) Fatico, a soldier in Carmine’s regime and his “acting captain”, operated a large very active truck hijacking ring responsible for many of the trucks snatched from JFK and its outer environs, and the related fencing of these loads. Fatico had moved from Brooklyn to Higbie Lane, in West Islip and started to conduct activities on Long Island by the early 1960’s. His primary action was gambling and a large shylock operation. He also pushed into businesses and attempted the “strong arm” takeover of a LI painters union, having a union official beaten in an effort to coerce him into submission. By the mid-60’s he was under intense surveillance by LE and was indicted for the attempted murder of an East Rockaway business owner for complaining about Fatico’a theft of over $185,000. In air-conditioning equipment from his firms warehouse. By the early 1970’s he had another indictment related to his loansharking ring and several extortion counts. A Colombo/Gambino associate named Salvatore (Sonny Black) Montella, a hijacker turned informer, named Fatico as an accomplice. With the extensive “heat” that accompanied these indictments, Fatico tried backing up a bit, utilizing his brother Danny as a proxy, but Danny before long had his own legal headaches. He was indicted in relation to several “deviant” sex bars-clubs he was backing in Island Park, and a gambling “pinch” he took...... as a side note, the legal precedent, the so called “Fatico Hearing” (which alleges to prove a persons Mafia affiliations and criminal record), which is a common statue used by prosecutors was created from a criminal case of Carmine Fatico. He went down in legal history for this. Fatico had a long criminal arrest record;
assault (5 times) grand larceny, burglary, possession of burglars tools, making a false statement, dice games, robbery (twice), policy, bookmaking (twice), disorderly conduct (twice), conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy, usury and extortion, but had only served one jail term (3-5 years) on a grand larceny conviction.
By the late 1970’s Fatico semi-tired. He still hung around the Bergen on occasion but allowed an up-and-comer, John Gotti, assume more and more responsibility for the day to day operations of the Fatico crew.

Note: [Charlie Wagner had a beautiful niece named Fran from Brooklyn, with a figure that would stop you dead in your tracks!.... everybody wanted to take her out, but most were scared shitless cause of who her uncle was. A boyhood friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, kept her as his comare for years. Treated her like a princess. - and I kid you not, this girl would turn all heads when she walked into a room]..... just an extra juicy mob tidbit!

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FRANK (BIG FRANK) PASQUA - born NYC in 1923. Resided for many years in the Bronx. Frequented the East Harlem area and Chicago, ILL. FBI #241577B. Described by LE as a
top interstate narcotics trafficker. He operated a NYC to Chicago drug pipeline. Close to several top Chicago mob figures. Has held an interest in a produce trucking firm, and a recording company. Close associates over the years include; Giacomo (Jack) Scarpulla, James (Jimmy Ward) Massi, Rocco Mazzie,Frank Corona and Frank Panatera and Jack Rizzo of Chicago, ILL. (his alleged Chicago contacts). Arrest record for several narcotics related offenses over the years. Served a four year term in 1958, another in 1984 (both narcotics conspiracies). He owned a summer home in Mastic that was badly damaged in a still unsolved arson in 1965. Note: has several sons (Frank and Richard) who joined the mob in later years..... No dod available, but believed to have passed several years ago.

Note: [Frankie was a big guy, who became a pretty fat guy as he got older. He loved his food..... and didn’t care where he was (in jail or out on the street). He had to have his food cravings satisfied. When in the visiting room, we would all crack up with some of his shenanigans. He would have his wife (as many guys would also do), smuggle in foods weekly during family visits. But this guy was nuts! .... one particular time after she was there a few minutes, she slid a pizza (I mean a full-sized 18” pizza) from under her sweatshirt wrapped in plastic-wrap. She had it hidden strapped to her back (she was a large lady herself) Lol..... I was offered a slice (I passed - Lol). Another time she brought in fresh clams (out of the shell of course)....... a very funny and nice guy!]

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ANTHONY M. ZAPPI - born 1924 in Brooklyn. Resided for many years in Massapequa, LI (212 Harbor Lane East). FBI # 386326. The son of the senior Gambino “capo di decina” Ettore (Terry) Zappi, a Carlo Gambino next-door neighbor and confidant. Anthony was the longtime secretary-treasurer of Local #854 - of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Independent). Business manager was Frank (Frankie Dap) Dapolito, Ettore Zappi’s trusted aide and “acting captain”. Activities: labor racketeering , extortion, shylocking, pornography rackets. Like his father before him, Anthony kept a very low-key profile. He only sustained one known arrest. In 1971, he was one of several men indicted in Los Angeles, California on multiple counts of obscenity and conspiracy.
Anthony Zappi had been put in charge of overseeing the Gambino Family pornography rackets by his father who had several top ranked pornographers in his crew, including Robert (DeBe) DiBernardo and Martin Hodas. (porno became a tremendous “cash cow” for the Mafia during the 1960’s-1970’s period). Authorities had the FBI arrest Zappi and extradite him out to California for arraignment. He eventually either beat the charges or pleaded out to a minor count. He received no court documented punishment per se. Zappi lived a very charmed life as the son of a top ranked “boss” of the family and himself a (made man) soldier. He was a wealthy mafioso, as was his father, many times over! During the late 1980’s, with the government’s nationwide drive to purge labor unions of underworld influence and domination, Zappi and Dapolito came under tremendous scrutiny and pressure. They chose to voluntarily “resign” from their union posts before being officially kicked out by the federal labor department investigators. Zappi retired to his beautiful ranch home in exclusive Massapequa Bay, on the Atlantic Ocean. He also wintered in South Florida at his luxurious southern retreat residence. Anthony passed away at the relatively young age of 68. It is believed, although not officially confirmed, that he died in appx 1992.

Note: [Tony also had a piece of a pizzeria, called the Capri Pizza if memory serves me. I believe it was in a LI Mall..... I wanna say maybe the Massapequa Mall if that’s what it’s called. Anyway it was near Sunrise Hwy I think...... this particular place basically only served “slices and a drink”, not many full pies (and no full menu). It was a quick-stop while people shopped in the mall. A “slice and a coke” was its strength. He knocked em dead with this place because when you sell that way, you’re getting top dollar for your product! I believe he had it for many years.]

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CARMINE (CHARLIE WAGON WHEELS) FATICO - born 1920 was a longtime Gambino member who became a top “Capo di decina”, running one of the more gritty crews of the family from a headquarters in the East New York section of Brooklyn. Fatico operated from a social club named the “Bergen Hunt & Fish Club” of John Gotti fame. Except the original “Bergen” was Fatico’s club before Gotti. In fact, Gotti was originally brought around and became a protege’ of Carmine Fatico. This was a large crew of real street guys; burglars, truck hijackers, armed robbers, as well as, the more mundane white collar bookmakers, numbers guys, and varied gamblers and hangers on. Carmine and his brother/partner Donato (Danny Wagons) Fatico, a soldier in Carmine’s regime and his “acting captain”, operated a large very active truck hijacking ring responsible for many of the trucks snatched from JFK and its outer environs, and the related fencing of these loads. Fatico had moved from Brooklyn to Higbie Lane, in West Islip and started to conduct activities on Long Island by the early 1960’s. His primary action was gambling and a large shylock operation. He also pushed into businesses and attempted the “strong arm” takeover of a LI painters union, having a union official beaten in an effort to coerce him into submission. By the mid-60’s he was under intense surveillance by LE and was indicted for the attempted murder of an East Rockaway business owner for complaining about Fatico’a theft of over $185,000. In air-conditioning equipment from his firms warehouse. By the early 1970’s he had another indictment related to his loansharking ring and several extortion counts. A Colombo/Gambino associate named Salvatore (Sonny Black) Montella, a hijacker turned informer, named Fatico as an accomplice. With the extensive “heat” that accompanied these indictments, Fatico tried backing up a bit, utilizing his brother Danny as a proxy, but Danny before long had his own legal headaches. He was indicted in relation to several “deviant” sex bars-clubs he was backing in Island Park, and a gambling “pinch” he took...... as a side note, the legal precedent, the so called “Fatico Hearing” (which alleges to prove a persons Mafia affiliations and criminal record), which is a common statue used by prosecutors was created from a criminal case of Carmine Fatico. He went down in legal history for this. Fatico had a long criminal arrest record;
assault (5 times) grand larceny, burglary, possession of burglars tools, making a false statement, dice games, robbery (twice), policy, bookmaking (twice), disorderly conduct (twice), conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy, usury and extortion, but had only served one jail term (3-5 years) on a grand larceny conviction.
By the late 1970’s Fatico semi-tired. He still hung around the Bergen on occasion but allowed an up-and-comer, John Gotti, assume more and more responsibility for the day to day operations of the Fatico crew.

Note: [Charlie Wagner had a beautiful niece named Fran from Brooklyn, with a figure that would stop you dead in your tracks!.... everybody wanted to take her out, but most were scared shitless cause of who her uncle was. A boyhood friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, kept her as his comare for years. Treated her like a princess. - and I kid you not, this girl would turn all heads when she walked into a room]..... just an extra juicy mob tidbit!

For those of you unfamiliar, “Charlie Wagner” was another nickname Charlie Wagons was known as, by some of his friends.

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ANTHONY (TONY PEPSI) VITTA - born 1938. Believed born in Brooklyn. (251 Jefferson Street).
Resided for later years in Queens before relocating out to Nassau County (East Rockaway area).
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By 1976, LE was carrying Vitta as an (inducted) soldier in the Gambino Family. He served in the regime, and was the confident of, Joseph N. Gallo. - longtime consigliere.
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Activities: extortion, shylocking, strong-arm (suspected enforcer), labor racketeering.
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A low-key member, he served as a very close associate to Gallo, handling day to day functions and was Gallo’s “problem solver”.
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Primarily a loan shark, not much is known about Vitta, but shortly after becoming a member, he bought and operated the Ravenswood Inn, a Beechhurst Queens restaurant and bar for several years.
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In 1987, he was among four (Gallo and Armone included) convicted in federal court for racketeeering (Rico). He was specifically accused in the strong-arm extortion of a photography color laboratory (Stewart Color Lab) for $1,000. a week in shakedown money. This extortion went on for over eight years.

Another extortion he was accused of, was the $500. a week shakedown of E. M. Mechanical, a small Bronx construction firm. This extortion scheme went on for more than three years before he was arrested.
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Originally 16 Gambino members were indicted in one big case - “Gambino Family Case”, but ultimately seven separate trials were held.

Note: [Vitta received a 10 year federal prison term]
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“Tony Pepsi”..... kept low key after getting paroled. He died in 2018..... at 80 years old.
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PAOLO (PAUL) GAMBINO - born 1904 in Palermo, Sicily. aka: “Don Paolo”. One of four Gambino brothers, and kid brother of mob boss Carlo (Nino and Joseph were the others). Cousin to the Castellano, Masotto and Guglielmini families (all mob connected).
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Resided in Brooklyn (1219 E. 12th Street),

Note: [Paolo and Carlo married two sisters, who were also their cousins - surname “Castellano”]
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During the Castellammarese War, gunman shot at and attempted to kill Paul, mistaking him for his brother Carlo..... although they missed their target, the incident was enough for Carlo, Paul and their Palermo contingent to swing their support over to Maranzano.....a pivotal event helping to “turn the tide” of the war to Maranzano’s favor.
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By the 1940’s, identified as a major figure in the Mangano Family in the New York area. Identified as a member by Joe Valachi during the televised U.S. Senate Hearings of 1963.

Listed by the FBI as one of the top “capo di decina” of the Family, especially during his brother Carlo’s reign as boss from 1957 forward.
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Activities:
liquor-alcohol bootlegging
black-market rackets
stolen and counterfeiting gas-ration stamps during WWII
counterfeiting (US currency)
alien and heroin smuggling (and wholesale distribution)
gambling
extortion
.......among other rackets
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Longtime close business and family associates:
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Francesco (Don Cheech) Scalici
Giuseppe (Joe) Scalici
Giacomo Scalici
Benjamin Castellano
Constantino (Paul) Castellano
Rosario (Sal) Mazzasalma
Thomas Masotto
Peter Castellana
Antonino (Nino) Conte
Pasquale Conte
Calogero (Lelio) Di Carlo
Salvatore (Toto) Guglielmini
Frank Guglielmini
Giacomo (Jack) Scarpulla
Angelo Scarpulla
Ugo Rossi
Joseph (Joe Bandy) Biondo

......many of the above named mafiosi were his relatives
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Criminal record - at least eight arrests since 1929 for:
suspicion of committing a felony
alcohol bootlegging (several times)
federal alcohol tax violations
reckless driving
multiple traffic-law violations
possession of stolen property
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In 1937, indicted for operating a huge liquor bootlegging ring for two years with his brother Carlo. One of seventeen defendants. They smuggled cased liquor and supplied sugar and other key staples for operating alcohol stills.
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The Gambino brothers were said to have become millionaires through the alcohol-bootleg racket.
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Paul actually went “on the lam” to Italy for almost a year, before turning himself in to authorities.

He later served a two-year prison term.
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In the 1940’s, operated a “black market” of stolen and counterfeit “ration stamp” racket. This is where he and Carlo were alleged to have made their second-fortune. Many were in the racket, but according to Valachi and others, the Gambino brothers were among the biggest operators in the racket (along with Sam Accardi). This “ration stamp” racketeering went on during all the war years. So the sustained level they dealt at, coupled with the duration of the ring, ensured that they made a financial “killing”.

Note: [although gasoline coupons were key; meats, milk, other foods, nylons, dry goods, rubber, among other provisions desired by the public, ensured their continued success]
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Paul Gambino was known to have visited Lucky Luciano in Italy during the 1940’s-50’s.
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Top advisor to Carlo
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In 1963, arrested for eluding detectives in Brooklyn after spotting them “tailing” him. He was charged with multiple traffic law violations for running stop lights and signs, speeding, illegal turns and maneuvers.
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Legitimate Activities: Paolo had owned over the years, with and without his brother Carlo as partner, several major businesses, numbered among which were:
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Blue Star Meat Markets - based on Main Street in Flushing, Queens, owned several retail store locations in this Queens area

Note: [In 1967, a truckload of 1,048 cases of hijacked Polish hams, valued at $35,000., were found at this market. He and his partner in the Blue Star Market (John Lo Pinto - also identified by the FBI in the 1963 Senate Hearings as a captain in the Gambino Family) was charged with criminally receiving stolen goods]

Note: [I’ve never heard of Lo Pinto before, let alone seen him named as a capo..... has anyone?]

Note: [in 1967, Paul D’Arpa was himself arrested for harboring and concealing a fugitive, namely his father-in-law Paul, from arrest on possession of the stolen hams. Paul has been hiding out at his daughter and son in laws Brooklyn home]
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Ferro Foods, Inc., of Brooklyn - ostensibly owned by his son-in-law Frank Ferro and son (or nephew) Frank Gambino, this was a large volume wholesale Italian foods supplier of pizzerias and restaurants in the NY-NJ area for many years (mozzarella, tomato products, flour, pizza boxes, etc)

Ferro figured into several bankruptcy frauds and larcenies over the years of various wholesale cheese distributors, etc.
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Butcher Tool Co., of Brooklyn - a firm created by Gambino, Salvatore Guglielmini and Frank Ferro in 1959, that within months had infiltrated and came to dominate the trade, taking over hundreds of sharpening accounts the trade group had for decades with Dilberts Supermarkets, Trunz Markets, meat wholesalers and other large chain food stores and butcher shops.
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This firm supplied meat butchers, supermarkets and food stores with a knife “sharpening” service.
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Note: [this firm was eventually “bought” out in 1962 by the butchers trade group (NY Grinders Assn.) (a 170-member group) for $177,000. to rid themselves of this mob competition. A company created for approximately $5,000. was sold by Gambino for $177,000. months later. The transaction became the focus of a major criminal investigation and U.S. Senate testimony into business infiltration by the mob.
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In 1969, he, Guglielmini and Ferro was subpoenaed to testify before the SCI (State Investigation Commission) on underworld infiltration of legitimate business. He repeatedly took the fifth amendment to over 30 questions about Butcher Tools Co., Blue Star, and several other firms he operated.

Note: [after the purchase, the butchers association auctioned off the assets of the firm; rag-tag vehicles, old-broken rusty knives and other equipment brought less than $1,000. at auction]
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By the early 1970’s Paolo was keeping a low profile. He is listed as dying in 1973 at age 68.
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[Super]

Did he have kids any idea of soldiers in his crew or anything about the other two brothers .

[maxiestern11]

Did he have kids any idea of soldiers in his crew or anything about the other two brothers .

I don’t really know. Whatever I have I’ll typically post on a guy