Buffalo/Ontario Mob Acitivity

[B.]

- Philip Leonetti testified that in early 1986, Nicky Scarfo and Leonetti were introduced to Colombo member Joseph Gorgone at a country club in Hollywood, Florida with Buffalo boss Joseph Todaro Sr. and his son Joseph Todaro Jr. Another Colombo connection to the Todaros comes from the Palma Boys tapes of Tony Salerno, who was recorded in 1984 saying he would have Junior Persico settle a dispute between the Todaro and Pieri factions in Buffalo. Persico had previously had contact with the Utica group of the Buffalo family going back to the 1960s.

- It's already been established that Todaro Sr. used Florida to network with other mafia leaders (including the well-known surveillance photos w/ Edward Sciandra outside Scarfo's FL home) and a 1990 article said that he stayed in Hollywood, FL and used Florida for family sitdowns.

- The Gorgone meeting shows there is earlier precedent for current boss Todaro Jr. using Florida to meet with mafia figures, too, which would lend itself to the information about Todaro Jr. meeting with Domenico Violi in Florida in recent years. This would be similar to his father using Florida for family sitdowns, as in this case Todaro Jr. used Florida to conduct family business by promoting Violi.

- The Arcuris of Montreal also have a home in the Hollywood / Fort Lauderdale area. The Arcuris came from Cattolica Eraclea, the village right next to Montellagro in Agrigento, where Joseph Todaro Sr. and Jr. trace their paternal heritage and where Todaro Sr. and Jr. visited in the 1980s or 1990s, as evidenced in photos found by CC.

- The Arcuris' owned a gelato business in Montreal that formerly belonged to Domenico Violi's father Paolo. Paolo Violi was in close contact with Agrigentesi figures of the Sicilian mafia, both when he traveled there himself and when members of the Agrigento mafia visited / lived in Montreal (of course the ones in his own crew would kill him).

- Whether there has been any contact between the Arcuris and Todaro/Violi in Florida is anyone's guess, but they have plenty in common and would likely be aware of each others' presence.

- Many other mafia figures from different parts of the US either have or have in the past had residences in the area of Hollywood and Ft. Lauderdale. These particular cities have long been identified by investigators as a major destination for mafia members and have served as an important ground for networking. Given this angle and the information about Todaro Jr. consulting with NYC families about Violi's promotion, it is reasonable to believe Florida has served as the possible stage for this ongoing contact between Buffalo and other mafia groups.

[Stroccos]

- Philip Leonetti testified that in early 1986, Nicky Scarfo and Leonetti were introduced to Colombo member Joseph Gorgone at a country club in Hollywood, Florida with Buffalo boss Joseph Todaro Sr. and his son Joseph Todaro Jr. Another Colombo connection to the Todaros comes from the Palma Boys tapes of Tony Salerno, who was recorded in 1984 saying he would have Junior Persico settle a dispute between the Todaro and Pieri factions in Buffalo. Persico had previously had contact with the Utica group of the Buffalo family going back to the 1960s.

- It's already been established that Todaro Sr. used Florida to network with other mafia leaders (including the well-known surveillance photos w/ Edward Sciandra outside Scarfo's FL home) and a 1990 article said that he stayed in Hollywood, FL and used Florida for family sitdowns.

- The Gorgone meeting shows there is earlier precedent for current boss Todaro Jr. using Florida to meet with mafia figures, too, which would lend itself to the information about Todaro Jr. meeting with Domenico Violi in Florida in recent years. This would be similar to his father using Florida for family sitdowns, as in this case Todaro Jr. used Florida to conduct family business by promoting Violi.

- The Arcuris of Montreal also have a home in the Hollywood / Fort Lauderdale area. The Arcuris came from Cattolica Eraclea, the village right next to Montellagro in Agrigento, where Joseph Todaro Sr. and Jr. trace their paternal heritage and where Todaro Sr. and Jr. visited in the 1980s or 1990s, as evidenced in photos found by CC.

- The Arcuris' owned a gelato business in Montreal that formerly belonged to Domenico Violi's father Paolo. Paolo Violi was in close contact with Agrigentesi figures of the Sicilian mafia, both when he traveled there himself and when members of the Agrigento mafia visited / lived in Montreal (of course the ones in his own crew would kill him).

- Whether there has been any contact between the Arcuris and Todaro/Violi in Florida is anyone's guess, but they have plenty in common and would likely be aware of each others' presence.

- Many other mafia figures from different parts of the US either have or have in the past had residences in the area of Hollywood and Ft. Lauderdale. These particular cities have long been identified by investigators as a major destination for mafia members and have served as an important ground for networking. Given this angle and the information about Todaro Jr. consulting with NYC families about Violi's promotion, it is reasonable to believe Florida has served as the possible stage for this ongoing contact between Buffalo and other mafia groups.

Didn’t todaro own a hotel there ?

[B.]

He operated out of the Diplomat, so maybe he had an interest there. Not sure. A report says he lived in Florida from November to May every year. He was observed meeting with FL Bonanno soldier Steve Maruca (who came up in the Donnie Brasco case) at the Diplomat in the 1980s. Florida was definitely important for maintaining contact between Buffalo and NYC members during Todaro Sr.'s leadership.

The Todaro vs. Pieri beef also centered around Todaro's conduct in Florida, as FL-based Cleveland leader John Tronolone went to the Commission on behalf of Pieri to discuss Todaro's behavior down there.

[moneyman]

In the Barstool Sports video that was posted here recently, when Todaro is speaking on the phone at the beginning of the video, I think you can overhear him saying he owns a hotel in Florida.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPEwAA6G42I

[NickleCity]

The Diplomat was loaned money by AFL-CIO under the direction of Sam Cariola who was head the the union's Western New York Maritime Trades Department while Todaro Sr. was boss. Cariola had previously been put in control of the Hotel and Restaurant Union Local 66 in Buffalo by Magaddino and DeLuca. The Diplomat was eventually purchased by the Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Union for $8 million.

Additionally, Todaro and Nicholas "Sonny" Mauro had a significant (or maybe complete) interest in the Golden Strand hotel in Florida.

Also, wasn't Joe Jr. on the phone saying, "I own the hotel in Florida," in the Barstool Sports La Nova Pizza review while Dave Portnoy was eating wings?

[moneyman]

Sorry, you're right. I meant to say Joe Jr.

[NickleCity]

Sorry Moneyman... didn't see your post... got side tracked before I posted mine--otherwise wouldn't have mentioned the Barstool Sports thing...

[moneyman]

No problem NickleCity. Just came across this article,

"Organized crime watchers say it is Todaro who often arranges "sitdowns" in South Florida in order to resolve crime family disputes. The Broward Sheriff's Office suspected Todaro had a stake in the now-defunct Grecian Tanning Salon, which was identified as a front for prostitution. Todaro was charged with no crimes."

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xp ... story.html

Interesting article regarding LCN in South Florida in the early 90s

[antimafia]

Please let me know whether you hit a paywall when tapping/clicking on the link below, in which case I'll try to find another URL.

Police still seeking Toronto man in wake of massive Canadian-Italian Mafia investigation

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/0 ... ation.html

Fourteen more individuals have been arrested, half of whom are living in the Greater Toronto Area.

Blitz contro le 'ndrine Muià, Figliomeni e Commisso: 16 arresti nella "Canada connection"
https://www.reggiotoday.it/cronaca/ndra ... resti.html

Il cuore a Siderno e il cervello a Toronto: la “longa manus” canadese delle ‘ndrine reggine
http://www.cn24tv.it/news/195238/operaz ... tagli.html

Giuseppe Gregoraci has committed suicide in an Italian prison. He was arrested in relation to the Canadian ‘ndrangheta Connection operation last July.

He and Vincenzo Muià, who are cousins, were the two 'ndranghetisti from Italy who visited the Greater Toronto Area last year, having arrived on March 31. They met with Angelo Figliomeni in April, possibly with Angelo’s brother Cosimo present.

https://www.quotidianodelsud.it/calabri ... 804052.018

[Lupara]

Please let me know whether you hit a paywall when tapping/clicking on the link below, in which case I'll try to find another URL.

Police still seeking Toronto man in wake of massive Canadian-Italian Mafia investigation

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/0 ... ation.html

Fourteen more individuals have been arrested, half of whom are living in the Greater Toronto Area.

Blitz contro le 'ndrine Muià, Figliomeni e Commisso: 16 arresti nella "Canada connection"
https://www.reggiotoday.it/cronaca/ndra ... resti.html

Il cuore a Siderno e il cervello a Toronto: la “longa manus” canadese delle ‘ndrine reggine
http://www.cn24tv.it/news/195238/operaz ... tagli.html

Giuseppe Gregoraci has committed suicide in an Italian prison. He was arrested in relation to the Canadian ‘ndrangheta Connection operation last July.

He and Vincenzo Muià, who are cousins, were the two 'ndranghetisti from Italy who visited the Greater Toronto Area last year, having arrived on March 31. They met with Angelo Figliomeni in April, possibly with Angelo’s brother Cosimo present.

https://www.quotidianodelsud.it/calabri ... 804052.018

Could it be a Pentangeli situation?

[antimafia]

^^^^
It would be nice to have confirmation of the cause of death.

[B.]

Let's look at Domenico Violi's ties to the US:

- Traveled to Florida for his promotion to underboss. Boss Joseph Todaro Jr. owns a hotel in Florida and Todaro has a history of meeting with mafia figures in Hollywood, Florida.

- The Arcuris, who have historical ties to the Violis and took over Domenico's father's gelato business in Montreal, also have a home in the same Florida town. It's unknown what Domenico's own relationship is/was to the Arcuris, but he would be aware of who they are if nothing else.

- Violi was technically promoted to underboss of a US-based organization. Whether this gives him any contact or true authority over US-based members is unknown. His father was also a high-ranking Canadian member of a US-based organization.

- Violi met with NYC-based members of the Bonanno family in Canada and claims to have received approval for his promotion from NYC families.

- His grandfather and namesake Domenico Violi lived in Parma, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland. The elder Domenico Violi was deemed "persona non grata" by Canadian immigration authorities. This would suggest his paternal grandfather, like his maternal grandfather Luppino in Canada, had the reputation of an underworld figure. To my knowledge the elder Violi was not involved in underworld activity in Ohio, though the Cleveland family had a significant Calabrian faction under the Milanos.

- Relatives of Violi continue to live in the area of Parma, Ohio today. A social media check of one relative (possibly his uncle) in Parma shows that the Violis of Ohio are in contact with some Luppinos who still live in Calabria. Whether these Luppinos are relatives of the Canadian Luppinos isn't clear.

- At the time of Rocco Violi's murder, authorities stated there were three other Violi brothers living in NYC. It appears one of these brothers (Domenico's uncle) may have moved to Ohio later on, but to my knowledge the Violis in NYC have never been identified as underworld figures.

[Moscone65]

Good information about the relatives in Parma, interesting stuff

[Lupara]

Not sure if you guys know this but apparantly if you visit someone on FB you have no connections with you will show up in their friend suggestions. I found this out the other way around.

[B.]

Not sure if you guys know this but apparantly if you visit someone on FB you have no connections with you will show up in their friend suggestions. I found this out the other way around.

That's how all of these Ontario murders got started.