1965 FBI-RCMP communication re: Montreal Bonanno membership

[Laurentian]

Something I just remembered, I read that Pietro Sciarra was a made man in Italy. Someone knows more about it? Is it possible that he has a double affiliation Italy/Bonanno or only Italy ?

Chiara* belonged to the family of Leonardo Caruana, Siculiana. I do not think he had any double affiliation with the Bonannos. He was a fugitive in "residence" with the Montreal decina. As you know, he was murdered in Montreal in February 1976.

* Sciara, my bad.

[B.]

Something I just remembered, I read that Pietro Sciarra was a made man in Italy. Someone knows more about it? Is it possible that he has a double affiliation Italy/Bonanno or only Italy ?

Thanks a ton for the link. I will take a look and see about translating some of it if I find anything interesting.

There have been (and no doubt still are) made members of the Sicilian mafia and 'ndrangheta living in Canada who didn't transfer to US-based families. I recall on the Paolo Violi tapes that he discusses transfers and how there was a significant probation period before they'd allow them to transfer membership. It's possible Sciarra was a made member overseas who simply operated in Canada in cooperation with the local group, or he may have transferred to a US-Canadian group for all I know. I don't know anything about Sciarra so I'm not commenting on his exact situation, only explaining some of the possibilities based on the protocol outlined by Cosa Nostra as well as Violi's own comments re: transfers.

This could also account for some of the higher membership estimates, i.e. 40. There very well may have been members of Italian groups who didn't join the local US-based Canadian groups but still followed their direction, which could account for some confusion. Consider that the Gambino and Bonanno "zip" factions in the 1970s and 80s weren't exclusively made up of members who were inducted or otherwise transferred into NYC families, but included a number of Sicilian mafia members who lived in the US and worked for/with US mafia members. Famous examples would be Giuseppe Ganci, Rosario Gambino, the Catalano brothers (not Salvatore "Toto", who was made or transferred to the US), etc. All foreign made members who operated under the umbrella of local groups while living in the US.

What's most interesting in what you posted is Violi's claim that they still had 20 members in 1974. Some of their members should have died by then, but then again the members made by Galante in the 1950s probably weren't terribly old and Violi may have been rounding up, referring to the general size of the crew. That is great info though about him claiming many of the members were inactive by 1974. That could be a helpful lead.

--

Beati --
I thought of Chicago, too, though my understanding of Chicago is that while the non-Italians were heavily influential and given a higher status than they may have been in other cities, there was still a separate protocol for Chicago Cosa Nostra members (i.e. the Italians) opposed to the non-Italians even if it was just a minor formal distinction.

What makes the non-Italians on this 1965 list interesting to me is the fact that Juan Fernandez was recorded in Sicily claiming to have been made by Rizzuto alongside Desjardins. So even though the RCMP appears to have listed non-Italians simply because of their involvement in rackets and relationship to the Cotronis (i.e. they had no working knowledge that these non-Italians were Cosa Nostra members), we have a recent claim that Montreal inducted non-Italians. It seems highly unlikely that Carmine Galante and Joe Bonanno would have made any non-Italians there in the 1950s, but we're not in a position to eliminate any possibilities until we have a reliable member source or wiretap who can confirm.

[Angelo Santino]

Something I just remembered, I read that Pietro Sciarra was a made man in Italy. Someone knows more about it? Is it possible that he has a double affiliation Italy/Bonanno or only Italy ?

Thanks a ton for the link. I will take a look and see about translating some of it if I find anything interesting.

There have been (and no doubt still are) made members of the Sicilian mafia and 'ndrangheta living in Canada who didn't transfer to US-based families. I recall on the Paolo Violi tapes that he discusses transfers and how there was a significant probation period before they'd allow them to transfer membership. It's possible Sciarra was a made member overseas who simply operated in Canada in cooperation with the local group, or he may have transferred to a US-Canadian group for all I know. I don't know anything about Sciarra so I'm not commenting on his exact situation, only explaining some of the possibilities based on the protocol outlined by Cosa Nostra as well as Violi's own comments re: transfers.

This could also account for some of the higher membership estimates, i.e. 40. There very well may have been members of Italian groups who didn't join the local US-based Canadian groups but still followed their direction, which could account for some confusion. Consider that the Gambino and Bonanno "zip" factions in the 1970s and 80s weren't exclusively made up of members who were inducted or otherwise transferred into NYC families, but included a number of Sicilian mafia members who lived in the US and worked for/with US mafia members. Famous examples would be Giuseppe Ganci, Rosario Gambino, the Catalano brothers (not Salvatore "Toto", who was made or transferred to the US), etc. All foreign made members who operated under the umbrella of local groups while living in the US.

What's most interesting in what you posted is Violi's claim that they still had 20 members in 1974. Some of their members should have died by then, but then again the members made by Galante in the 1950s probably weren't terribly old and Violi may have been rounding up, referring to the general size of the crew. That is great info though about him claiming many of the members were inactive by 1974. That could be a helpful lead.

--

Beati --
I thought of Chicago, too, though my understanding of Chicago is that while the non-Italians were heavily influential and given a higher status than they may have been in other cities, there was still a separate protocol for Chicago Cosa Nostra members (i.e. the Italians) opposed to the non-Italians even if it was just a minor formal distinction.

What makes the non-Italians on this 1965 list interesting to me is the fact that Juan Fernandez was recorded in Sicily claiming to have been made by Rizzuto alongside Desjardins. So even though the RCMP appears to have listed non-Italians simply because of their involvement in rackets and relationship to the Cotronis (i.e. they had no working knowledge that these non-Italians were Cosa Nostra members), we have a recent claim that Montreal inducted non-Italians. It seems highly unlikely that Carmine Galante and Joe Bonanno would have made any non-Italians there in the 1950s, but we're not in a position to eliminate any possibilities until we have a reliable member source or wiretap who can confirm.

Antonino Calderone stated that members had to be Sicilian but then later on states that members moved to northern Italy and made members over there, not to mention a new Naples Family factions. Fernandez was either lying or the Rizzutos would/could do it. There's no "secret members" (what's the point of being a member if you're not known to other members?) so to speak. In theory memberships have to be acknowledged by other members of other groups.

[B.]

Antonino Calderone stated that members had to be Sicilian but then later on states that members moved to northern Italy and made members over there, not to mention a new Naples Family factions. Fernandez was either lying or the Rizzutos would/could do it. There's no "secret members" (what's the point of being a member if you're not known to other members?) so to speak. In theory memberships have to be acknowledged by other members of other groups.

Yeah, the Sicilian->Calabrian->Neapolitan->Other Italian trajectory has been mentioned by other informants, too.

The last part you said, which I bolded, is crucial to the discussion. A mafia group's identity depends on recognition by other mafia groups who have the same roots and protocol. EDIT: However, groups do "evolve" and change, and the US Sicilian-rooted mafia is a better example of that than any other mafia group, but as much as things have changed, they've stayed the same in an even greater number of ways.

[scagghiuni]

There's no "secret members" (what's the point of being a member if you're not known to other members?) so to speak. In theory memberships have to be acknowledged by other members of other groups.

this is not true anyway, both sicilian mafia/cosa nostra and ndrangheta have secret members who answer only to a boss but they are unknown by all others... these reserved made members are usually linked with secret services or are freemansons/politicians

[B.]

There's no "secret members" (what's the point of being a member if you're not known to other members?) so to speak. In theory memberships have to be acknowledged by other members of other groups.

this is not true anyway, both sicilian mafia/cosa nostra and ndrangheta have secret members who answer only to a boss but they are unknown by all others... these reserved made members are usually linked with secret services or are freemansons/politicians

Thanks for making that point -- I glossed over it. There is a function toward inducting a member completely for internal matters and not introducing them to many people

We have a ranking DeCavalcante member discussing on tape in the 1960s how they purposely only introduced a handful of members to other families. A self-professed member informant in the Lucchese family also claimed that they purposely limited introductions to other families and what we know (or rather, don't know) about the Lucchese family supports this.

But I do agree with CC's main point, which is that membership loses significance if members aren't recognized and introduced to other groups and in the long run, this leads to defunct or at best "independent" OC organizations. In the 1960s, it's clear that many of the smaller US families began to greatly limit their networking efforts and as a result introductions stopped happening. In earlier decades it appears to have been a priority to meet Cosa Nostra members around the country -- I recently read that book about Clyde Smaldone and in an interview he talked about the importance of meeting OC figures (he doesn't say "members") around the country earlier on.

[Angelo Santino]

I guess I have to admit that I stand corrected, I guess I haven't encountered this phenomenon in my own research. The closest I've encountered is members without a criminal record as well as the names Bill Bonanno claimed.

Ten years ago there was a discussion about the LA Family and someone dropped a name as a so-called high level secret member. Kenji, who despite having been outed as an informant spoke to Jimmy Caci up until his death asked Caci the name and recorded his response: "Bahh I don't even know who the fuck that is." Kenji posted the response without providing Caci's name and the response was that his informer must not have been high level enough.

[B.]

Notes relevant to the 1950s and 1960s:

- In March 1966, Buffalo members Peter A. Magaddino and Dominic Romeo were "in touch" with Vic Cotroni and Paolo Violi in Hamilton.

- In January 1967, Cotroni believed by NYC source to be engaged in a number of meetings in Montreal seemingly in preparation for a meeting in the United States.

- During this period, an informant provided info that Cotroni had been having "difficulty" with the Buffalo family and Cotroni was attempting to "negotiate" a "settlement". Cotroni was apparently going to travel to the US, but then refused to do so and it was suggested Paolo Violi serve as the intermediary instead but Violi also refused as his safety could not be assured.

- It was speculated that the above matters concerned the Bonanno and Buffalo groups trying to "bury the hatchet." Interesting that Violi was designated as a possible representative of Cotroni in the US this early and that the issues connected to the Buffalo family. Magaddino office transcripts from this time show that Ontario, Montreal, and the Bonanno figures in Canada were of great concern/interest to Magaddino, whose comments suggested that some of his own men in Canada had fallen under Bonanno's influence or were otherwise sympathetic to him.

- The Cotroni group was reported to have "infiltrated" the concessions at Expo '67 in Montreal, including control of vending machines as well as towel, meat, and flower companies.

--

- Joe Bonanno reported to have visited Montreal in 1938 for unspecified reasons. This is only 7 or 8 years after Maranzano sent his family to stay in Montreal during the Castellammarese War.

- A report stated that the so-called "West End" and "East End" gangs in 1950s Montreal may not have been divided based on area but the "type of crime" committed. The theory was based on the idea that circa 1955 under Galante, Louis Greco was in charge of supervising drug, gambling, stock frauds, counterfeiting, bookmaking, and "receiving", while Cotroni was in charge of prostitution, bonds and securities, hold-ups, and "major rackets." Drugs may have been an "open field." It was noted that some crossover in operations may have been "tolerated within reason" as long as it was done "with some measure of control."

- "Since 1961," Cotroni's "influence and prestige within the syndicate" is reported to have "flourished rapidly." This coincides with other reports that suggest he officially became captain around 1961. Greco on the other hand was said to be "financially in decline" and to have "lost his influence...to a certain extent" by the early 1960s. Because Galante had been capodecina when he lived in Montreal, would be interesting to know if a local acting captain had been named in the period after Galante's deportation and before Cotroni was made official captain. Cotroni himself would be an obvious candidate, as would Greco, which might explain him having "lost his influence" by the early 1960s.

[motorfab]

I have just finished reading the first part of the CECO report. Two points concerning the Crew's membership seemed interesting to me. I attach each time a photo for each example (no panic, I will translate;))

The first point concerns Nicola DiIorio



Translation: [At the end of 1973 or in early 1974, the commission heard from two political organizers, Jean-Jacques Coté and René Gagnon, about the approaches they were subjected to by two members influential members of the Cotroni-Violi Clan, Nicola DiIorio & Frank Dasti. It is clear that DiIorio was a big character. According to Gagnon, he exercised real leadership over his companion Dasti, who was silent and faded during the discussions.]

If we take into account the fact that Dasti is often shown as a member of the Bonanno family, there is no doubt that DiIlorio is too. This sounds obvious, but DiIorio is not often mentioned when talking about the Montreal crew.

The second point concerns Joe DiMaulo. We often talk about him on the Rizzuto era, but from what I've read, it seems obvious to me that he is a member at least since the early 1970s.

* Note: I cut the first passage where it is said that a member of the Gambino family (John DeMatteo) contacts Violi to go to New York to elect a new Boss for the Bonanno family



Translation: [On October 23, Violi informed Cotroni that business had to be settled before he left for NY.
On November 6, Rastelli contacted Violi to ask him to meet him at the Americana hotel with Frank Cotroni. The next day Violi met Vic at Reggio Bar and told him about Rusty's message. Vic told him that his brother was not quite a man "because he was too closely watched by the police"
On November 9, Violi had an interview with DiMaulo. The latter mentioned that they would go to NY. The two got to know what to do if one of them was intercepted by the police and could not go to the meeting. DiMaulo left the next day by car in the early afternoon accompanied by his brother Raynald Desjardin and Robert Théoret (note: this is the first time I see this name). On his side, Violi flew on Sunday morning. At the appointed hour, they met Rusty at the Americana Hotel, and two other family members, Joseph Buccelatto & Nicky Marangello. FBI agents testified before the commission and filed photographs of the meeting.]

If I take into account it seems to me logical that DiMaulo is a member, because I can not see Violi brought a simple partner to take part in the vote of a new Boss.

If I take this into account more various elements that we know the crew in the early 70's might look like this:

-Vic Cotroni
-Paolo Violi
-Nick Rizzuto
-Vincent Soccio
-Nico DiIorio
-Joe Di Maulo
-Pepe Cotroni
-Frank Cotroni
-Romeo Bucci
-Joe Cocoliccio
-Louis Grecco (died in 72)
-Frank Dasti
-Joseph Asaro (member in NY but on the run in Montreal)

Possible members:
-Angelo Lanzo who is widely mentioned in the report
-Calogero Renda not mentioned in the report but in photo with other members of Bonanno but in photo in the book with other "stars" of the family, like Alfano & Buttafuoco (to see the photo here is http: //theblackhand.club/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=4687). I also think I remember that he mentioned in the book the sixth family. As Chris Christie who mentions it in one of these fabulous charts

I also have a question about Giuseppe Settecasi. It says in the report that he is the boss of Leo Caruana. Is it true ? I always thought that the Caruana-Cuntrera clan was independent and my knowledge about LCN Italy is quite poor

Small bonus, I attach a picture of DiIorio

[Lupara]

I think it is possible that Calgero Renda & Angelo Lanzo were members during those years. Or at least in the late 60s.

I think the only member of the Sicilian faction in Montreal before the 70s was Nicolo Rizzuto, hence he became the leader of this group. Calogero Renda was a young man in the 60s and I think he was made after the coup along with Vito and others.

[antimafia]

I think it is possible that Calgero Renda & Angelo Lanzo were members during those years. Or at least in the late 60s.

I think the only member of the Sicilian faction in Montreal before the 70s was Nicolo Rizzuto, hence he became the leader of this group. Calogero Renda was a young man in the 60s and I think he was made after the coup along with Vito and others.

motorfab is referring to Paolo Renda's father, who was born January 21, 1904.

[Lupara]

If Di Maulo was made by the early 70s he must've been made in the 60s when he was very young. It's possible this happened during the Bonanno war when Montreal was temporarily given more independence which may have included the ability to induct new members. Otherwise I think Di Maulo was made in the mid 70s just before the war broke out between Violi and Rizzuto. Information about Di Maulo in the late 70s strongly indicate he was a made member. But in the early 70s Violi requested Rastelli to induct new members but was specifically told it wasn't possible at the time.

[Lupara]

I think it is possible that Calgero Renda & Angelo Lanzo were members during those years. Or at least in the late 60s.

I think the only member of the Sicilian faction in Montreal before the 70s was Nicolo Rizzuto, hence he became the leader of this group. Calogero Renda was a young man in the 60s and I think he was made after the coup along with Vito and others.

motorfab is referring to Paolo Renda's father, who was born January 21, 1904.

Right. I was actually confused with Paolo Renda... All those names. [emoji846]

[motorfab]

If Di Maulo was made by the early 70s he must've been made in the 60s when he was very young. It's possible this happened during the Bonanno war when Montreal was temporarily given more independence which may have included the ability to induct new members. Otherwise I think Di Maulo was made in the mid 70s just before the war broke out between Violi and Rizzuto. Information about Di Maulo in the late 70s strongly indicate he was a made member. But in the early 70s Violi requested Rastelli to induct new members but was specifically told it wasn't possible at the time.

Yes, it is mentioned in the report as well. It's just a theory I thought.

I think it is possible that Calgero Renda & Angelo Lanzo were members during those years. Or at least in the late 60s.

I think the only member of the Sicilian faction in Montreal before the 70s was Nicolo Rizzuto, hence he became the leader of this group. Calogero Renda was a young man in the 60s and I think he was made after the coup along with Vito and others.

motorfab is referring to Paolo Renda's father, who was born January 21, 1904.

Right. I was actually confused with Paolo Renda... All those names. [emoji846]

Absolutely. But I confirm with all these guys we end up getting lost ...

[scagghiuni]

I also have a question about Giuseppe Settecasi. It says in the report that he is the boss of Leo Caruana. Is it true ? I always thought that the Caruana-Cuntrera clan was independent and my knowledge about LCN Italy is quite poor

settecasi was the provincial boss of cosa nostra in the province of agrigento, leonardo caruana was the boss of siculiana family (killed in the early 1980s by the corleonesi) so yeah, caruana was under him
caruana-cuntrera are an independent family but not all members, some are members of other families, like agostino cuntrera in montreal for example