Maxie's Lucchese Profiles

[maxiestern11]

NP.... and thank you for your vote of confidence in my posts and the information I provide here.... it’s refreshing!

[maxiestern11]

CARMINE (WILLY BROWN) LO CASCIO - born 1911 in the “Little Italy” section (Prince Street) of Manhattan. By the late-1920’s the family had relocated out to Corona, Queens (99-15 37th Avenue). Subsequently he moved several times over the early years, all within the Corona and Jackson Heights sections of Queens, until by the 1950’s buying a home in the exclusive Malba section (144-58 10th Avenue). He would live here for the rest of his life. Also had a summer home out in Bayville, LI.
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FBI # 246742, NYCPD # 159270.
aka: “Willy the Wop”, “Willy Corona”, “Willy Orlando”.
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Identified early on as an “important” member, and later on operated as a “Capo” of a major regime in the family (with many Harlem and Bronx based members and associates).
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Had a brother Peter (Mr. Bread), and a nephew Anthony (Curly) Russo - both would become members of the Lucchese Family under his tutelage, and serving in his “regime”.
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Activities: narcotics-smuggling and wholesaling (heroin), alcohol-tax evasion-(bootlegging), strong-arm enforcer.........he toyed with shylocking and dice games as a pastime!

Although active in other rackets, Locascio was first and foremost a drug trafficker. Earlier he specialized in alcohol “stills”. Later moving into the lucrative heroin trade!
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“Willy the Wop”.... or “Willy Brown” as he preferred to be called, was one of the largest and most prolific narcotics traffickers in the nation for decades. He supplied many wholesale narcotics organizations and crews of various families, both in the NYC-NJ areas, and throughout the country for decades!

Note: [he had his own source of supply direct from Palermo, Sicily, which gave him pivotal control as a “constant” for American traffickers]
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Arrest record: robbery, murder, bribing a federal officer, bootlegging, harboring a fugitive from justice (Saro Mogavero), violating federal narcotics laws.
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He operated from a local tavern under Roosevelt Avenue in Corona (The Oldtimers Bar), and from a Prince Street Social Club in his old neighborhood of “Little Italy” where he felt safe.
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Known Associates:
Gaetano (Tommy Brown) Lucchese
Peter Locascio - his brother
Rosario (Saro) Mogavero
John (Big John) Oremento
Salvatore (Tom Mix) Santora
The Di Palermo brothers (Joe, Pete, Charlie)
Charles (Charlie Bullets) Albero
Joseph Marone
Setting (Big Sam) Accardi
Anthony (Tony Ducks) Corallo
Salvatore Caneba
Joseph (Babes) Bendenelli
Anthony (Curly) Russo
Samuel Monastersky
Sammy Kass....... etc., etc.

Note: [as a primary source of heroin, virtually most top narcotics men came into contact with him, or his disciples, at one time or another]
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Legitimate interests: held hidden interests in the popular “Pep McGuires” on Austin Street in Forest Hills, and a Cadillac dealership on LI.
Also was owner of the non-descript “One-Forty Operating Corp., (either a realty investment firm or possibly a “front” company) at 140 W. 44 St., Manhattan.
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In the early-1930’s, he was arrested for shooting a man in the back as he stepped from the shadows of a Prince street doorway and snuck up on his murder victim. Held for several days, he was eventually released for lack of evidence (no witnesses).
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In the 1940’s he was charged with liquor bootlegging. I believe he was convicted (but sentence was not clear).
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Then in 1962, he was one of many indicted in a multi-million dollar heroin importation scheme that operated for over a decade (and maybe a steady 15-20 years) according to federal authorities, smuggling heroin in the luggage of unsuspecting Italian immigrants.
They brought in hundreds of kilo loads of narcotics for years.
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Locascio was named the “Kingpin” of the International drug network.
A primary partner of his was a Genovese “Capo” from the “4th Ward”, Rosario (Saro) Mogavero.

Note: [Mogavero was a vicious killer and former ILA organizer who’s responsibility was to govern the “4th Ward” for the Genovese Family from his base on Monroe Street]
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Note: [also indicted were such notorious traffickers as:
Saro Mogavero
Joe Mogavero (Saro’s brother)
Frank (The Hawk) Borelli
Benedetto (Benny Red) Cinquegrana
Rocco Sancinella
Angelo (Pudgy) Loiacono
David (Pop) Smith
Mike (The Geep) Sedotto
Harry (Blackie) Tantillo
Dominick (Mickey Blair) Castiglia
Thomas Garibaldi.... among others listed as “unindicted co-conspirators”.

All 11 defendants went to trial (Salvatore Rinaldo was the key informant) and were convicted of importing over $100,000,000. in “junk” over nine years. Locascio and Mogavero received 15 years in prison. But amazingly, the entire guilty verdict was overturned on appeal..... Not a day was served!

Note: [allegedly over 1,000 kilos were brought in over that time period]

Note: [Joe Valachi had originally been part of this case, but he flipped before the indictment came down]
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In later years, “Willy the Wop” played it cool, “toying” with what he considered were baby rackets such as dice games and a little shylocking, leaving the heavy stuff like heroin dealing (his first love) to trusted minions in his crew (himself trying to stay a bit removed).
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In 1983, with no warning, he was suddenly felled by a massive heart attack at the age of 71...... he did not survive!

Note: [Willy was always overweight, sporting a prominent double-chin, not the picture of health (this was not Jack Lalanne), he had been a walking time bomb]
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[newera_212]

good stuff. any info on Angelo DeFendis?

[maxiestern11]

good stuff. any info on Angelo DeFendis?

The boxer? Lol not offhand but I’ll try and see what I can do ok Newera!

[Super]

NP.... and thank you for your vote of confidence in my posts and the information I provide here.... it’s refreshing!

Max keep doing what your doing pal gonna hit you with a list later buddy

[johnny_scootch]

good stuff. any info on Angelo DeFendis?

The boxer? Lol not offhand but I’ll try and see what I can do ok Newera!

He used to have a social club on Ave S and West 6th in the part of Gravesend that used to be called Highlawn.

[Super]

Think he was in ticks crew some say made in 70s others 80s not to much on him

[maxiestern11]

Felice Falco aka “Philly Black”, was born 1907 in East Harlem. He had several brothers, James and Philip, who were also mob members. Primarily a gambler, active in the Harlem policy (numbers) racket with his brothers. He was arrested at least 5 times for policy, as well as, assault, disorderly conduct, rape, vagrancy. Very close associate of Capo Anthony (Tony Ducks) Corallo, who’s regime he served in. He actually hid Corallo from authorities during the US Senate hearings. He was also active in the Queens-LI vending machine rackets, where he had a home in Huntington. Eventually, relocated to south Florida where he operated a loan shark ring with Capo Ettore (Eddie) Coco, a relative of his, and his brother “Jimmy Black”. Although active for more than 50 years in the gambling and shylock rackets, he is believed to have only served a brief 30 days on a contempt of court charge in the 1960’s...... another of those old line “original” members who flew under the radar for most of his life. Believed to have died in Florida by the mid 70’s. ........

Note: he had resided for many years at 500 Washington Avenue, Centerport, LI in Huntington township.

[maxiestern11]

ANDIMO (TOMMY NOTO) PAPPADIO - born 1914 in East Harlem, NYC. FBI #1331637, NYPD # B-159069. Raised in the East Harlem section, frequenting 108th St. & Second Ave. In later years (late 1950’s), moved to Lido Beach LI to be near his boss Lucchese, who had moved to Lido Beach himself. Considered a Lucchese favorite. Also intimately associated with Thomas (Tommy Dio)Dioguardi, John (Big John) Ormento (related through marriage), Victor Panica (another cousin), Salvatore (Tom Mix) Santoro, Joseph Vento, Michael Pappadio (his brother), Vito Genovese and Frank (Cheech) Livorsi among other top hoodlums. Pappadio was a top garment center racketeer and narcotics trafficker. Pappadio was arguably Lucchese’s “key” garment industry overseer of that family’s garment rackets. He was said to have been entrusted supervising over twenty some odd dress factories for Lucchese, often times partnering with his family’s boss in various garment firms. Among them being; Anna-Lynn Sportswear of W.35th St., NYC, Bal-Frank Blouse Co.,and a Nassau County garment firm. Also a partner in a garment trucking firm with Joseph (Joe Palisades) Rosato - Lucchese’s brother in law. Arrested with Genovese, Carmine (Lilo) Galante, (Big John) Ormento and other top mafiosi in 1959 for a massive heroin importation ring. A conspiracy that saw them all convicted and imprisoned on long sentences. Arrest record starts in 1936 for policy, aiding and abetting, narcotics conspiracy (heroin), vagrancy (twice), contempt of a rackets grand jury, heroin sale. He was convicted of policy, heroin sale (2 years and a day-later revoked by a pardon) and contempt (2 years). Listed by LE as a vicious strong arm enforcer and killer within the Ormento drug network, whom he was close friends with. Activities over the years were listed as labor and garment racketeering, policy (numbers) and narcotics on a large scale. A long time “soldier” in the hierarchy who at some point after Lucchese’s death in 1967 was elevated to Capo and higher, to help run the family. By 1975 he was being carried by LE as the Acting Boss. At some point it seems Pappadio was caught up in a family power struggle and was subsequently set-up and murdered one evening upon arriving home from dinner at a local restaurant with his wife. Stepping from his Cadillac, Tommy approached a car parked at the curb to either investigate who it was, or to talk to someone he knew. Pappadio was cut down by several shotgun blasts..... shortly thereafter, Antonio Corallo, having been released from prison, assumed the leadership of the family..... as a post-script, thirteen years later, his kid brother Mikey Pappadio would meet a similar gruesome fate, being killed by family soldiers after falling into disfavor with the mob hierarchy. (Mike too had been a garment industry power, having assumed the role Tommy previously held)...... I never realized dresses and blouses could be so deadly! (was this Mob fashion)?............ this gangland murder takes that phrase "dressed to kill" to a whole new level!

[maxiestern11]

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!

Note: correction, Lucchese died in 1967, i mis-typed 1977

[maxiestern11]

Was posting up a profile on Vincent Potenza yesterday for everyone...... and I inadvertently deleted the friggin thing!...... Oh well, back to the drawing board. (and he was a tough one too, I'd thrown away my notes too! lol)

[Dr031718]

Any plans to do a write up on Neil Migliore?

[maxiestern11]

Any plans to do a write up on Neil Migliore?

possibly, but I've got others lined up beforehand. lots of info to gather you know

[maxiestern11]

VINCENT (JIMMY JONES) POTENZA - born 1926, in the “Little Italy” section of Lower Manhattan (379 and later 362 Broome Street). FBI # 436241, NYCPD # B-231821, SFPD # 156133. A lifelong resident of the “Mulberry Street” area.
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Identified by the late 1950’s as an “button man” in the Lucchese Family. Potenza was identified by Joe Valachi in his 1963 Senate Hearings testimony as a Lucchese member.
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Activities: burglary, high-end thefts and heists, fencing stolen goods, securities theft, hijacking, auto theft, credit cards rackets (counterfeiting and theft), strong-arm.
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“Jimmy Jones” Potenza, although he was little known to the general public, was very well known as a “top” burglar and thief to the underworld. Unique in that he never engaged in the typical mob rackets of gambling, shylock, narcotics, etc., but instead, as is clearly evidenced by his police record “specialized” in being a “trickster” or burglar and heist man.
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Longtime criminal associates included:
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Michael (Mickey Z) Zaffarano - boyhood friend and future Bonanno capo
Joseph (Jojo) Vitacco - Colombo soldier and close buddy
Salvatore DiPietro - top heist guy (Genovese connected) and boyhood friend
Maurice Savino - a nephew of Joe Colombo
Mario Spagnuolo - a lifelong sidekick
Gerald Purazzo
Anthony Bonacci - future mob member
Vincent Caputo
Joseph Melita - a Corona, Queens hood
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His long criminal record started in 1945 and included:
burglary (four times)
possession burglar tools (three times)
vagrancy (twice)
felonious assault (with a chair)
interstate transportation of stolen property (Amex travelers checks)
conspiracy (twice)
grand larceny (Truck)
grand larceny (auto)
felonious assault (with a baseball bat)
felonious assault (fists and feet)
fugitive from justice
forgery and possession of stolen credit cards
grand larceny and conspiracy
counterfeit credit cards
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Note: [almost all arrests are either theft or assault related]
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In 1953, he was indicted in the theft of stolen securities (checks).
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In 1955, he served 30 days in the (work house) for an assault.
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In 1956, he and “Jojo” Vitacco (a close personal friend), were charged with a viscous beating they gave a guy in Little Italy.
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In 1959, he was one of four hoods nabbed by the FBI and indicted (including Zaffarano and Bonacci) for the armed robbery and kidnapping of a JFK employee in the theft of 93,000. in American Express Travelers checks, for which he was later convicted and received five years, which he served at San Pedro Federal Correctional Facility in California and Lewisburg in PA.
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In 1967, he was again indicted by the FBI for preying on JFK Airport. This time as the “kingpin” among 25 people arrested for a massive theft of $407,000. of Amex travelers checks from JFK Airport. (Savino and Spagnuolo among them).
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Potenza would sell the “blanks” to members of several mob families (Lucchese and Colombo) for 25% of their face value. And in turn other mob figures would sell them at 50% of value to “pushers” who would cash them in at full face value.

These securities were cashed in Las Vegas, California, Puerto Rico, among many other cities.

Note: [John Panarello was shot to death during the probe. It was alleged he had turned informant. He was found in a ditch at Monticello, NY]
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By at least the late 1960’s or early 1970’s “Jimmy Jones” has switched his focus to the credit card industry.

He became a top man in the credit-card rackets. Both in their theft and also counterfeiting them. He specialized in Visa and MasterCard counterfeiting. He obtained a “credit card” processing machine, allowing him to print and laminate his own cards. He then supplied “passers” with fake drivers licenses and backup identification and send them out to “bust out” the phony cards at retail stores, restaurants, electronics shops, etc.,.... buying high end goods he would later fence.
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Another ploy was working in tandem with corrupt business owners (restaurants, nightclubs, etc), who would write up fake invoices and split the cash generated from these “sales” with Potenza and company.
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In 1985, he was nabbed with several others in a huge credit-card fraud case. They were convicted after a trial and Potenza was sentenced to 7.5-years in federal prison.

Note: [Jimmy Jones could be found daily, for years, at the corner of Broome and Mulberry Streets, holding “court”. He was a fixture of the neighborhood. He exposed himself to indictment by demanding that all his “salesmen” provided him with the bundle of receipts from their sales so he wouldn’t be cheated. This request helped nab him. They would put a brown paper bag of receipts in a Mulberry Street trash bin. He was observed by Secret Service Agents retrieving the bags to inspect them]
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Vincent (Jimmy Jones) Potenza was one of most notorious and sophisticated burglars that operated within the New York underworld for decades.

He simply loved what he did!.....And what he did was scheme and scam every waking moment of his life!

Whether it was a high-end burglary, truck hijacking, armed robbery or credit card scheme, Jimmy was absolutely “in his element” while robbing somebody!..... and never happier!
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Vincent “Jimmy Jones” Potenza is believed to have died in 1995.
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[maxiestern11]

Batter up!......next “on deck” - Francesco (Frankie Bell) Campanello ...... a little known but integral member of “Joe Brown” Lucchese’s Queens crew and key gambling operative for “Tommy Brown” Lucchese.

Note: this particular profile is unique in that few (LE included) ever knew much about Campanello. This profile I hope will interest forum readers especially for that very reason! .... Serpico, Potenza, Vitacco and others are in this same vain........ enjoy everyone!