Who were the “porn guys” for bonannos/Luc/Gen

[Cheech]

Any books on mob and porn?

There was a book in 1987 (Dell Pub.Co.) titled Lost Undercover: An FBI Agent's True Story by Ron LaBrecque about FBI Special Agent Pat Livingston (alias Pat Salamone) who went undercover in a MiPorn investigation. The book also covered OC in other parts of the country primarily the mob run porn and distribution industry. If I recall correctly it had quite a bit about Robert DiBernardo and is illustrated.

The book is about the agents difficulty readjusting to regular life after being immersed in a deep undercover role for the amount of time he spent there (5 years total). The book was produced after the agent who was no longer undercover was arrested for something petty like shoplifting.

The key FBI undercover agent in a two-year pornography...
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/05/14 ... 390196800/

Really appreciate it

[bingo]

Pornographers suspected of working with Mafia
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic ... eeG4eE-3mU

[maxiestern11]

JOSEPH (JOE BIKINI) BROCCHINI - born 1933, in Corona, Queens (57-42 Penrod Street). Raised in Corona, by the early 1960’s moved to the neighboring town of Flushing.

Later with his success as a racketeer, he relocated up to Harrison in Westchester County (Polly Park Road).... a multi-million dollar area.
—-
A “key” associate of the Queens (Corona) regime of the Lucchese family. He served directly under (Joe Brown) Lucchese - co-capo of that regime with (Joey Narrow) Laratro.

By the time of his death in 1976, he had been identified by the FBI as a newly inducted “soldier” in the Lucchese Family.


Note: [the Corona “crew” was the base Queens regime of the Lucchese Family. They of course had various crews throughout all the boro’s. But “Corona” per se was ground zero and their “stronghold” outside of Harlem and the Bronx which was their original base. They also had many other crews in other areas.... the Little Italy, Brooklyn and NJ crews among them]
—-
Arguably one of the “tougher” guys to come out of that neighborhood. He had a reputation early on as an enforcer, utilized by the “Two-Joey’s” to quell any trouble or discipline issues for the regime.
—-
Known criminal activities:
-
Shylocking
Strong-arm enforcement
Floating dice games
Thefts and (stolen auto-parts)
Gambling
Pornography rackets
Suspected narcotics (cocaine)
—-
Associates:
Joseph (Joe Brown) Lucchese
Joseph (Joey Narrow) Laratro
Stefano (Steve) LaSalle
Frank (Frankie Bell) Campanello
Alfred (Sonny) Scotti
James Scotti
Ralph Borello
Vincent Borello
.......among many others I didn’t list.

....... any LCN members emanating from Corona today, originally “cut their teeth” under Lucchese. (the exception being the Serpico Family)
—-
In 1950, Brocchini (17) was among five young Corona hoods picked up for operating a burglary-safecracking ring that ransacked eight various businesses along Queens north shore for $26,000. during a one week spree. LE believed that the gang was responsible for appx. 20 such burglaries in Nassau and Queens before being apprehended .
—-
Brocchini started out as a local shylock, which was his main endeavor, augmented by crap games and other rackets.

LE reported during either the late 1950’s-early 1960’s that Joe Bikini was managing a large weekly dice game in the Little Italy area of Manhattan for Joe Lucchese, and had done such a good job earning money for the game that Lucchese had gifted Joe $1,000. cash (a fairly large sum for that era) as a reward for a job well done.
—
In approximately 1967, Brocchini went into the porno business. He knew a Jewish porno-dealer who he partnered with, and ventured into the dirty-book trade..... he hit a complete “home run”, making a huge amount of money in a very short time. By 1968, the State Investigating Commission say his three porno firms were grossing $1,500,000. a year.... Once he saw the potential, he quickly expanded his retail book stores (Blackjack Books), securing leases on some of the most desired locations along 42nd Street (the porno capital of the world), and also expanded his activities into the actual filming and production of his own films, magazines and books instead of previously just buying them wholesale for resale.

By 1971, he had became one of the largest and most important of “porno” racketeers in the New York City area.

All Five Families were active in the trade, but Brocchini was definitely one of the major players, and certainly the main Lucchese member in the pornography racket.
-
Note: [He always made a good “living”, but once he invested in the dirty-book business, his wealth soared as never before. Within two years of going into porno, he bought property and built his own mansion up in exclusive Harrison, New York (Westchester County). In 1972, it was valued in excess of $250,000.... a huge amount for that time period]
—-
Always a very aggressive guy, part of the charm of “Joe Bikini”, was that in addition to the porno business which in and of itself was very profitable, Joe would, on more than one occasion, “bust out” (bankrupt) his existing distributing company, leaving huge debts to creditors who had actually produced the dirty books and magazines that he sold in his stores, thereby reducing his overhead to zero!

One such transaction left $159,000. in unpaid debt to a book manufacturer-supplier in the wake of Brocchini shutting down one of his companies.
—-
In 1971, he was one of many arrested on obscenity charges by the NYPD Vice Squad for the operation of pornography shops and peep shows in the Times Square theatre district.
—-
In 1972, an article on the NYC pornography rackets identified Brocchini as working directly under Stefano LaSalle by that time -Underboss for Carmine Tramunti. Joe Lucchese had been demoted back to soldier and he was allegedly reporting to LaSalle.

Note: [this was after Tommy Lucchese’s death in 1967. Laratro relocated to Florida several years later, and Joe Lucchese was eventually demoted to soldier, and semi-retired]
——
Pornography related firms allegedly owned-controlled by Brocchini included:
-
Among his wholesale distribution firms were:
Cad-Publications, Inc.
Bark Books, Inc.
B. & H. Distributors, Inc.
-
Blackjack Book Stores -among the book shops and peep show locations were:
220 W. 42nd St
136 W. 42nd St
227 W. 42nd St
257 W. 42nd St
711 Seventh Ave.
——
Parliament Auto Sales, Inc., 69-11 Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside, Queens (large used-car lot)

Note: [this was his daily base of operations. Close to Corona and others areas he was active in, but only a few miles out of midtown Manhattan’s “Times Square” district where he maintained his porn businesses.
——
All was looking up for Joe Bikini. He was at the top of his game, and a well respected guy on the streets.
——
The next thing anyone hears, Joe was shot to death in his office at the Parliament used-car lot.....Nobody knew why it happened or who had done it. Only that Joe was dead.
-
This stayed a complete mystery (to both LE and the mob) for years to come. Only in later years, with certain informant testimony did a “reason” and “suspects” emerge.
-
It seems that Brocchini had had a verbal argument with the notorious Gambino member Roy DeMeo, and subsequently had a physical altercation where Brocchini punched out DeMeo, giving him a black eye among other injuries. This was enough for DeMeo to plot Joe’s murder.
-
But since Brocchini was with another crew, DeMeo had to “cop a sneak” on him (not putting it on record or seeking permission from higher ups). The killers made it look like a simple robbery gone bad. After walking into the car lot office, they pulled guns, ordering Brocchini and several workers to freeze. As they walked Brocchini to an upstairs office, they shot Joe five times in the head, killing him instantly....Then fled.
-
The year was 1976. Joseph “Joe Bikini” Brocchini was only 43 years old....... RIP “Joe Bikini”!


Note: [Sonny Scotti and the Borello brothers took over Brocchini’s operation after his death - they operated under the auspices of mob higher-ups who gave them the ok]
———————————————————————————————————-

[maxiestern11]

JOSEPH (JOE BIKINI) BROCCHINI - born 1933, in Corona, Queens (57-42 Penrod Street). Raised in Corona, by the early 1960’s moved to the neighboring town of Flushing.

Later with his success as a racketeer, he relocated up to Harrison in Westchester County (Polly Park Road).... a multi-million dollar area.
—-
A “key” associate of the Queens (Corona) regime of the Lucchese family. He served directly under (Joe Brown) Lucchese - co-capo of that regime with (Joey Narrow) Laratro.

By the time of his death in 1976, he had been identified by the FBI as a newly inducted “soldier” in the Lucchese Family.


Note: [the Corona “crew” was the base Queens regime of the Lucchese Family. They of course had various crews throughout all the boro’s. But “Corona” per se was ground zero and their “stronghold” outside of Harlem and the Bronx which was their original base. They also had many other crews in other areas.... the Little Italy, Brooklyn and NJ crews among them]
—-
Arguably one of the “tougher” guys to come out of that neighborhood. He had a reputation early on as an enforcer, utilized by the “Two-Joey’s” to quell any trouble or discipline issues for the regime.
—-
Known criminal activities:
-
Shylocking
Strong-arm enforcement
Floating dice games
Thefts and (stolen auto-parts)
Gambling
Pornography rackets
Suspected narcotics (cocaine)
—-
Associates:
Joseph (Joe Brown) Lucchese
Joseph (Joey Narrow) Laratro
Stefano (Steve) LaSalle
Frank (Frankie Bell) Campanello
Alfred (Sonny) Scotti
James Scotti
Ralph Borello
Vincent Borello
.......among many others I didn’t list.

....... any LCN members emanating from Corona today, originally “cut their teeth” under Lucchese. (the exception being the Serpico Family)
—-
In 1950, Brocchini (17) was among five young Corona hoods picked up for operating a burglary-safecracking ring that ransacked eight various businesses along Queens north shore for $26,000. during a one week spree. LE believed that the gang was responsible for appx. 20 such burglaries in Nassau and Queens before being apprehended .
—-
Brocchini started out as a local shylock, which was his main endeavor, augmented by crap games and other rackets.

LE reported during either the late 1950’s-early 1960’s that Joe Bikini was managing a large weekly dice game in the Little Italy area of Manhattan for Joe Lucchese, and had done such a good job earning money for the game that Lucchese had gifted Joe $1,000. cash (a fairly large sum for that era) as a reward for a job well done.
—
In approximately 1967, Brocchini went into the porno business. He knew a Jewish porno-dealer who he partnered with, and ventured into the dirty-book trade..... he hit a complete “home run”, making a huge amount of money in a very short time. By 1968, the State Investigating Commission say his three porno firms were grossing $1,500,000. a year.... Once he saw the potential, he quickly expanded his retail book stores (Blackjack Books), securing leases on some of the most desired locations along 42nd Street (the porno capital of the world), and also expanded his activities into the actual filming and production of his own films, magazines and books instead of previously just buying them wholesale for resale.

By 1971, he had became one of the largest and most important of “porno” racketeers in the New York City area.

All Five Families were active in the trade, but Brocchini was definitely one of the major players, and certainly the main Lucchese member in the pornography racket.
-
Note: [He always made a good “living”, but once he invested in the dirty-book business, his wealth soared as never before. Within two years of going into porno, he bought property and built his own mansion up in exclusive Harrison, New York (Westchester County). In 1972, it was valued in excess of $250,000.... a huge amount for that time period]
—-
Always a very aggressive guy, part of the charm of “Joe Bikini”, was that in addition to the porno business which in and of itself was very profitable, Joe would, on more than one occasion, “bust out” (bankrupt) his existing distributing company, leaving huge debts to creditors who had actually produced the dirty books and magazines that he sold in his stores, thereby reducing his overhead to zero!

One such transaction left $159,000. in unpaid debt to a book manufacturer-supplier in the wake of Brocchini shutting down one of his companies.
—-
In 1971, he was one of many arrested on obscenity charges by the NYPD Vice Squad for the operation of pornography shops and peep shows in the Times Square theatre district.
—-
In 1972, an article on the NYC pornography rackets identified Brocchini as working directly under Stefano LaSalle by that time -Underboss for Carmine Tramunti. Joe Lucchese had been demoted back to soldier and he was allegedly reporting to LaSalle.

Note: [this was after Tommy Lucchese’s death in 1967. Laratro relocated to Florida several years later, and Joe Lucchese was eventually demoted to soldier, and semi-retired]
——
Pornography related firms allegedly owned-controlled by Brocchini included:
-
Among his wholesale distribution firms were:
Cad-Publications, Inc.
Bark Books, Inc.
B. & H. Distributors, Inc.
-
Blackjack Book Stores -among the book shops and peep show locations were:
220 W. 42nd St
136 W. 42nd St
227 W. 42nd St
257 W. 42nd St
711 Seventh Ave.
——
Parliament Auto Sales, Inc., 69-11 Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside, Queens (large used-car lot)

Note: [this was his daily base of operations. Close to Corona and others areas he was active in, but only a few miles out of midtown Manhattan’s “Times Square” district where he maintained his porn businesses.
——
All was looking up for Joe Bikini. He was at the top of his game, and a well respected guy on the streets.
——
The next thing anyone hears, Joe was shot to death in his office at the Parliament used-car lot.....Nobody knew why it happened or who had done it. Only that Joe was dead.
-
This stayed a complete mystery (to both LE and the mob) for years to come. Only in later years, with certain informant testimony did a “reason” and “suspects” emerge.
-
It seems that Brocchini had had a verbal argument with the notorious Gambino member Roy DeMeo, and subsequently had a physical altercation where Brocchini punched out DeMeo, giving him a black eye among other injuries. This was enough for DeMeo to plot Joe’s murder.
-
But since Brocchini was with another crew, DeMeo had to “cop a sneak” on him (not putting it on record or seeking permission from higher ups). The killers made it look like a simple robbery gone bad. After walking into the car lot office, they pulled guns, ordering Brocchini and several workers to freeze. As they walked Brocchini to an upstairs office, they shot Joe five times in the head, killing him instantly....Then fled.
-
The year was 1976. Joseph “Joe Bikini” Brocchini was only 43 years old....... RIP “Joe Bikini”!


Note: [Sonny Scotti and the Borello brothers took over Brocchini’s operation after his death - they operated under the auspices of mob higher-ups who gave them the ok]
———————————————————————————————————-

Didn’t know if you had seen this post about Brocchini who of course was a top NYC pornography racketeer.... thought it would augment your thread. I hope you like it.

[johnny fazool]

Didn’t know if you had seen this post about Brocchini who of course was a top NYC pornography racketeer.... thought it would augment your thread. I hope you like it.

That's some article you have there maxie thanks.

[maxiestern11]

Didn’t know if you had seen this post about Brocchini who of course was a top NYC pornography racketeer.... thought it would augment your thread. I hope you like it.

That's some article you have there maxie thanks.

Your very welcome Johnny

[maxiestern11]

ANTHONY PERAINO - born 1915 in the Red Hook section (110 Baltic St., and later lived at 375 Hicks St.). He later relocated out to Bellmore LI (2156 Legion St.). NYPD # B-305996. The son of the notorious mafioso and underworld leader Giuseppe (The Clutching Hand) Peraino of South Brooklyn. His father and uncle were murdered in 1930 during a gangland struggle for power. He was ordered out of New York by the late crime boss Albert Anastasia, but returned after Anastasia’s death. Peraino became an inducted member of the old Joseph (The Olive Oil King) Profaci Family. Peraino’s father and uncle had been early members of the precursor gang that would become the Profaci crime group. Because of his father’s reputation, Anthony was an accepted and respected soldier in the family. He became active in the gambling rackets around the waterfront Brooklyn docks. Also handled “swag” (stolen goods) from pier thefts. He was a friend and ally of Lucchese capo Andimo Pappadio and boss Joseph Colombo. Arrested over the years for homicide, income tax evasion, disorderly conduct and obscenity (pornography) charges. By the early 1970’s, Peraino and his brother, son and nephews became involved in the pornogrphic book and film industry. They hit it wildly successful when they invested and produced the infamous smut film “Deep Throat”. They parlayed that success into a nationwide network of books, films, peep shows and porno theatres. They filmed, produced and distributed their products themselves, from New York to California (and everywhere in between). It became a multi-multi million dollar racket. His brother Joseph, nephew Louis (Butchie), and his son were indicted several times during the 1970’s on obscenity charges. For the most part, they beat the charges or received minor imprisonments. But there was a problem. Money and power breeds jealousy and contempt. Even within families (and mob families at that). Anthony went to Family Boss Carmine Persico and complained of his brother cheating Anthony and the Colombo family out of their fair share of the porno-profits (untold millions of dollars). Giving his loyal soldier Anthony his “satisfaction”, Persico ordered the execution of the father and son renegade Peraino’s. On a summer night, on a quiet Brooklyn street, Joseph and his son Louis were “set up” and shotgunned, with the son dying, and the father badly shot but surviving his wounds (hit team members allegedly included Joseph”Jojo” Russo, Salvatore “Big Sal” Miciotta, Anthony “Chuckie” Russo and John Minerva). During the contract “hit”, an innocent neighborhood resident, a ex-Catholic nun no less, was shot through the door by stray buckshot and killed. It became an indelible “black mark”, or “infamnia” so to speak, against the Colombo family members who participated in the murders. On later wiretaps of several soldiers, they spoke hauntingly of this Godless tragedy (remember, although mafiosi may break just about every law there is, most are still devoutly Catholic and
very religious in their own way)! A custom and “fact” that so-called legitimate people can’t comprehend..... There was no information available as to Anthony’s death, but he would be 104 years old if still alive today. (and he was a very overweight, obese guy. This is NO Sonny Franzese we talking about here)! Lol

.....and here is Anthony Peraino.... the top Colombo pornographer and producer of the famed Deep Throat.

[maxiestern11]

ANTHONY PERAINO - born 1915 in the Red Hook section (110 Baltic St., and later lived at 375 Hicks St.). He later relocated out to Bellmore LI (2156 Legion St.). NYPD # B-305996. The son of the notorious mafioso and underworld leader Giuseppe (The Clutching Hand) Peraino of South Brooklyn. His father and uncle were murdered in 1930 during a gangland struggle for power. He was ordered out of New York by the late crime boss Albert Anastasia, but returned after Anastasia’s death. Peraino became an inducted member of the old Joseph (The Olive Oil King) Profaci Family. Peraino’s father and uncle had been early members of the precursor gang that would become the Profaci crime group. Because of his father’s reputation, Anthony was an accepted and respected soldier in the family. He became active in the gambling rackets around the waterfront Brooklyn docks. Also handled “swag” (stolen goods) from pier thefts. He was a friend and ally of Lucchese capo Andimo Pappadio and boss Joseph Colombo. Arrested over the years for homicide, income tax evasion, disorderly conduct and obscenity (pornography) charges. By the early 1970’s, Peraino and his brother, son and nephews became involved in the pornogrphic book and film industry. They hit it wildly successful when they invested and produced the infamous smut film “Deep Throat”. They parlayed that success into a nationwide network of books, films, peep shows and porno theatres. They filmed, produced and distributed their products themselves, from New York to California (and everywhere in between). It became a multi-multi million dollar racket. His brother Joseph, nephew Louis (Butchie), and his son were indicted several times during the 1970’s on obscenity charges. For the most part, they beat the charges or received minor imprisonments. But there was a problem. Money and power breeds jealousy and contempt. Even within families (and mob families at that). Anthony went to Family Boss Carmine Persico and complained of his brother cheating Anthony and the Colombo family out of their fair share of the porno-profits (untold millions of dollars). Giving his loyal soldier Anthony his “satisfaction”, Persico ordered the execution of the father and son renegade Peraino’s. On a summer night, on a quiet Brooklyn street, Joseph and his son Louis were “set up” and shotgunned, with the son dying, and the father badly shot but surviving his wounds (hit team members allegedly included Joseph”Jojo” Russo, Salvatore “Big Sal” Miciotta, Anthony “Chuckie” Russo and John Minerva). During the contract “hit”, an innocent neighborhood resident, a ex-Catholic nun no less, was shot through the door by stray buckshot and killed. It became an indelible “black mark”, or “infamnia” so to speak, against the Colombo family members who participated in the murders. On later wiretaps of several soldiers, they spoke hauntingly of this Godless tragedy (remember, although mafiosi may break just about every law there is, most are still devoutly Catholic and
very religious in their own way)! A custom and “fact” that so-called legitimate people can’t comprehend..... There was no information available as to Anthony’s death, but he would be 104 years old if still alive today. (and he was a very overweight, obese guy. This is NO Sonny Franzese we talking about here)! Lol

.....and here is Anthony Peraino.... the top Colombo pornographer and producer of the famed Deep Throat.

The Peraino Family ran for decades with porno from California to NY.....

If there is interest on the forum, I’ll try and profile DeeBee of the Gambino’s next.... he ran Star Distributors and several other porn outfits

[z23]

If there is interest on the forum, I’ll try and profile DeeBee of the Gambino’s next.... he ran Star Distributors and several other porn outfits

If it isn't too much work, I would be interested maxie. The Anthony Peraino profile, another masterpiece. Thanks again.

[z23]

A question about Joseph (Joe Bikini) Brocchini. He owned Black Jack Books on 42nd St. Those bookstores were still open and functioning long after his death in 1976. Does anyone know who assumed or absorbed the ownership and or operation of those assets after his death?

[maxiestern11]

If there is interest on the forum, I’ll try and profile DeeBee of the Gambino’s next.... he ran Star Distributors and several other porn outfits

If it isn't too much work, I would be interested maxie. The Anthony Peraino profile, another masterpiece. Thanks again.

No problem at all..... but give me a bit to put it together ok pal

[maxiestern11]

A question about Joseph (Joe Bikini) Brocchini. He owned Black Jack Books on 42nd St. Those bookstores were still open and functioning long after his death in 1976. Does anyone know who assumed or absorbed the ownership and or operation of those assets after his death?

Taken over by Sonny Scotti (Joe’s brother in law) and the Borello brothers (Ralph and Vinny)..... they kept on truckin’ For many years afterwards, and kicked up accordingly! ..... until the porn industry switched over to the internet. Then they closed their “brick and mortar” operations

[Grouchy Sinatra]

Anybody seen the documentary about Deep Throat? It’s on Showtime or one of those channels but it’s pretty funny. There is an old couple in it being interviewed and the old man was one of the guys involved in making it but was muscled out by the Peraino brothers and every time he starts talking about it you can hear his old lady in the background telling him to shut up cause she is scared that somebody will come after them for talking. It goes on several times and he argues with her back and forth, like I said it’s pretty funny.

My father is a history writer/blogger (as a hobby) and he was interviewing some farmers in the Sacramento area about some of the mob activity among grape growers in the early 20th century. Some old guy, who was nearly 100, told him to never ask that question again, to anyone in the area. Of course the last mobster involved with this probably died over 50 years ago but that fear stays with the exploited civilians forever. No doubt a few people got roughed up.

[z23]

A question about Joseph (Joe Bikini) Brocchini. He owned Black Jack Books on 42nd St. Those bookstores were still open and functioning long after his death in 1976. Does anyone know who assumed or absorbed the ownership and or operation of those assets after his death?

Taken over by Sonny Scotti (Joe’s brother in law) and the Borello brothers (Ralph and Vinny)..... they kept on truckin’ For many years afterwards, and kicked up accordingly! ..... until the porn industry switched over to the internet. Then they closed their “brick and mortar” operations

Thanks maxie. I reread your article on joe bikini and the answer to my question was at the end of the article. doh! Sorry for that. Thanks for being gracious in your response.

[z23]

This might be old news to some but here is a link to the Internet Archives of FBI files (14 files in all, heavily redacted) on Robert DiBernardo.

Robert Dibernardo
https://archive.org/details/RobertDibernardo