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In September 1964, Frank Valenti and Angelo Vaccaro returned to Rochester, N.Y., and joined forces with Stanley Valenti. Within 3 months of Frank Valenti's return—December 1964—Jake Russo, the current mob boss in Rochester, disappeared. The evening of Russo's disappearance, Frank Valenti was dining in “Eddie's Chop House,” a well-known restaurant in Rochester, buying drinks and advising his guests that he was “the man to see in Rochester.” It is apparent that Jake Russo disappeared during a power struggle ini tiated by Frank Valenti and Stanley Valenti; and to date Jake Russo, or his remains, have not been found. During the period 1964 through 1970, Frank Valenti strengthened and greatly expanded the organized crime operations in Rochester, N.Y. In 1970, Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello, a newly made “capo” under Frank Valenti, had custody of approximately $100,000 of or ganization money. This money was ostensibly collected as “deposits” for a scheduled charter flight to Las Vegas on a gambling junket organized by local mob members. Gingello reported this theft to the local police. The speculation by investigators, based on circumstances and informant information, was that Salvatore Gingello and underboss Samuel “Red” Russotti conspired to place the blame for the alleged theft on William Lupo. It is suspected that the organized crime hierarchy, thinking that Lupo was involved in this theft, ordered that Lupo be murdered. In April 1970, William Lupo was shot to death in Rochester, N.Y. It is noted that Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello immediately replaced Lupo as “capo” of the strong arm unit of the Valenti family, and the last vestige of the Jake Russo era was eliminated with the death of William Lupo.
During 1970 Frank Valenti, whose organization had grown con siderably in comparison to that of Jake Russo, confronted Stephano Maggadino in Buffalo, N.Y., and advised him that the Valenti family would no longer be subordinate to Buffalo, N.Y., authority and that Frank Valenti's contacts and allegiance would be with John Sebastian LaRocca in Pittsburgh, Pa. Due to the strength of the Valenti organization, the relationship (son-in-law) of Stanley Valenti to Antonio Ripepi and the failing health of Stephano Maggadino, this move remained uncontested. Maggadino was allowed to retain 15 percent of the gambling opera tion in Rochester, N.Y., at the sufferance of Valenti, and Frank Valenti operated basically as an independent unit until his forced retirement in June of 1972. The disappearance of Jake Russo, the murder of William Lupo, and the ever-increasing organized crime activity generated by Frank Valenti did not pass unnoticed. During the period 1967 through 1970, Frank Valenti and his associates became subject to intense scrutiny by Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. This pressure was accompanied by a high degree of local publicity, which resulted in making Frank Valenti pursue a course of action designed to remove investigative pressures, and the resulting publicity, from himself and his colleagues, and at the same time perpetrate acts of violence against individuals who proved uncooperative and resisted Valenti's attempts to influence their activities.
On October 11, 1970, Frank Valenti directed the manufacture of dynamite bombs by Eugene DeFrancesco, Angelo Monachino, and others. Once prepared, Frank Valenti directed that the bombs be placed and detonated at locations selected by him, with two purposes in mind; to direct law enforcement efforts toward terrorist groups and to intimi date selected individuals. The bombs were detonated at the selected locations, which included a Baptist church, the home of a union busi ness agent, the Monroe County Office Building, the U.S. Courthouse and Federal building, and a Methodist church. The explosions occurred during the early morning hours of Octo ber 12, 1979 (Columbus Day), and came to be identified by the local news media and subsequently the public and law enforcement person nel as the infamous “Columbus Day Bombings.” The bombings effec tively diverted the attention of law enforcement and news media to other areas. This series of bombings served to remove Valenti and his henchmen from the pages of the local papers, and resulted in a sig nificant shift of investigative priorities for all law enforcement agen cies in Rochester, N.Y. As a result of this initial success, Frank Valenti directed that addi tional bombings take place; on October 27, 1970, explosions occurred at two synagogues. On November 6, 1970, another synagogue was bombed. On November 25, 1970 (Thanksgiving), a black Islamic mosque and black Bapist church were bombed. On December 14, 1970, the residence of a Monroe County Court judge was bombed at Valenti's direction. Again Frank Valenti’s efforts were rewarded in that the frequency of the exposions, and the extensive damage which resulted, served to occupy the attention of the news media. The nature of the targets of the bombs caused the majority of investigative effort to be directed toward the various radical groups, known militants, and antiwar pro testors, with a past history of violent activity.
Five years later, investigative efforts ultimately revealed the true source of the bombing incidents which occurred in Rochester during 1970. Frank Valenti, Anthony Gingello, Salvatore Gingello, Thomas Didio, Angelo Vaccaro, Dominic Celestino, Eugene DeFrancesco, and Rene Piccarreto were indicted on July 24, 1975, by a Federal grand jury in Rochester, N.Y., in connection with the bombing incidents. Frank Valenti sought and obtained, on the grounds of ill health, a severance and was not tried. Eugene DeFrancesco was found guilty of Federal charges relating to the bombings. All other defendants were found not guilty. DeFrancesco was sen tenced to 11 years in Federal prison. On February 15, 1979, Frank Valenti pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a destructive device (bomb) and was sentenced to serve 3 years’ probation. Valenti is cur rently imprisoned as a result of unrelated Federal charges. This proba tion is to be served upon Valenti's release from Federal prison in June 1980. During the Frank Valenti regime, there occurred a departure from what is considered the “normal” organized crime family structure. Valenti appointed an underboss, consigliere and capos, similar to other families. However, Valenti caused the formation of a personal crew of soldiers under “Capo” Dominic Chirico. Dominic Chirico and this group were responsible directly to Frank Valenti. The members of this unit are identified as Dominic Chirico, Thomas Didio, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, Angelo Vaccaro, Ross Chirico, Vincent Massaro, Spike MaNoverra, Eugene DeFrancesco, and Angelo Monachino. Each of the members had areas of responsibility within the group. Dominic Chirico served as “capo,” as noted, but also acted as £ Valenti's chauffeur and personal bodyguard. Angelo Vaccaro and Dominic Celestino operated dice and card games. Spike LaNoverra, Eugene DeFrancesco, and Thomas Didio operated the loan sharking and extortion aspect, providing the “mus cle.” Angelo Monachino operated a construction company, involved with fraudulent contracts and influencing labor union members. Vin cent Massaro operated generally as an arsonist. Rosario Chirico, al though peripherally involved in counterfeiting and a loan-sharking operation, was primarily responsible for handling stolen cars and pro viding weapons for the entire Valenti operation. From 1969 through 1972, Rosario Chirico removed, or caused the removal of, serial numbers from an untold number of rifles, shotguns, and handguns and distributed them throughout the Valenti organiza tion. Additionally, Rosario Chirico directed the alteration of these firearms to accept firearm silencers manufactured at Chirico's place of business, Trolley Collision. These silenced and untraceable firearms were designed solely for the purpose of assassination. Also during this period, Ross Chirico contracted for the manufac ture of a device that would remotely detonate an explosive by radio signal. After much experimentation and modification, the radio sig naling equipment was successfully used to remotely detonate explo sives. On at least one occasion, a device of this nature was used to blow up motor vehicles.During Valenti's tenure, this select group would commit crimes at the direct orders of Frank Valenti, and the proceeds of these crimes would be given to Valenti. Valenti consistently utilized this loyal group for his personal enrichment. For example, during the period 1969 through 1972, this group committed at least eight major “arson for profit” fires in the metropolitan Rochester, N.Y., area. The fires were arranged by Frank Valenti and the proceeds were retained by him and not contributed to the general fund of the organization. During the period 1970 through 1972, Rene Piccarreto held the position of consiglieri in the Valenti organization. In this capacity, Piccarreto was responsible for negotiations with other organized crime families on behalf of Valenti. In the course of these contacts, Rene Piccarreto established friendships and gained the respect of high-ranking members of the Joseph Bonanno family in New York City. In 1972, Frank Valenti was confronted by Rene Piccarreto, Samuel “Red” Russotti, and Salvatore Gingello and was accused of skimming money from the organization for his personal use. It had been learned by the others that Valenti was buying property in Arizona, and investing in various businesses in the Phoenix, Ariz., area. Valenti readily admitted to keeping certain moneys for himself, but assumed that he would be supported by his associates in Pittsburgh, Pa., and that Dominic Chirico and his crew of soldiers would protect him from any personal harm.
In May of 1972, Frank Valenti was arrested on Federal charges of extortion in Rochester, N.Y. He was subsequently convicted and sen tenced to 20 years' imprisonment in a Federal correctional institution. In May 1972, Frank Valenti was ordered by Samuel “Red” Russotti, Rene Piccarreto, and Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello to turn over all moneys and records of the organization to Russotti. Valenti was also told that it was time for him to retire. Valenti surrendered the re quested assets but immediately ordered the death of Russotti, Gingello, and Piccarreto. Dominic Chirico's soldiers made no attempt to murder Russotti, Piccarreto, or Gingello because they were aware of Valenti's misconduct and the superior strength of mob members who were loyal to Russotti, Piccarreto, and Gingello. Salvatore Gingello, upon his succession to the position previously held by William Lupo, and with the concurrence of Samuel “Red” Russotti, had recruited a large num ber of new members without the knowledge or consent of Frank Valenti. These new recruits, loyal to Gingello, greatly outnumbered those individuals loyal to Frank Valenti and were a viable factor in forcing Frank Valenti from power. Subsequent events have led law enforcement officers to believe that Thomas Didio (a member of Dominic Chirico's group) advised his cousin, Thomas Marotta, a close associate of Gingello, of Valenti's intentions to have Russotti, Piccarreto, and Gingello killed. Upon learning this, Rene Piccarreto consulted with his contact in the Bonanno crime family and after advising him of Valenti's intentions, requested the support of the Bonanno family in removing Frank Valentifrom power by whatever means necessary. The murder of Frank Valenti was not sanctioned due to his senior ity and influence with organized crime members in Pittsburgh, Pa., and throughout the United States. On June 5, 1972, Dominic Chirico, the only “capo” loyal to Valenti, was shotgunned to death in front of his girlfriend apartment.Wit ness testimony and subsequent changes in the structure of the Roches ter organization allowed investigating officers to speculate with some degree of accuracy that this murder was perpetrated by soldiers di rected by Salvatore Gingello, with the assistance of Thomas Didio. This killing was a message to Frank Valenti that he could be next if he did not accept retirement. The following day, Frank Valenti was confronted at the Red Lion Inn, Rochester, N.Y., and ordered to leave Rochester, N.Y., by Samuel “Red” Russotti, Rene Piccarreto, and Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello. Shortly after these confrontations, Frank Valenti moved from Rochester, N.Y., to Phoenix, Ariz. With the removal of Frank Valenti, Stanley Valenti prudently removed himself as well, concerning him self with a flourishing produce business and select illegal enterprises outside the city of Rochester, N.Y. Samuel “Red” Russotti assumed the position vacated by Frank Valenti and Rene Piccarreto retained the position of consigliere. Sal vatore “Sammy G” Gingello was elevated to the position of underboss in the Rochester organization. With the support of the Bonanno crime family, Russotti, Piccarreto, and Gingello severed the tenuous ties that Pittsburgh organized crime members had over the Rochester organization when Frank Valenti was in power.
Angelo Vaccaro left the Rochester, N.Y., area shortly after the murder of Dominic Chirico and former soldiers of Chirico were sepa rated and placed under newly designated “capos” by Samuel “Red” Russotti. Coincidentally, Thomas Didio, a former soldier of Dominic Chirico, was elevated immediately, and given additional responsibili ties in the organization. During the period 1972 through November 1973, Vincent “Jimmy the Hammer” Massaro (arsonist for Frank Valenti) continued to com mit arson fires at the direction of the new leadership under Samuel “Red” Russotti. In September and November 1973, Massaro complained to other or ganization members and some individuals outside the organization that he was not being paid for his efforts. During November 1973, Samuel “Red” Russotti had a meeting at the residence of his sister in Rochester, N.Y. The participants at this meeting were: “Red” Russotti, Rene Piccarreto, Salvatore Gingello, £ Marino, Thomas Marotta, Sam Campanella, Eugene DeFran cesco, and Spike LaNoverra. A decision was made by the upper echelon to order the murder of Vincent Massaro. Eugene DeFrancesco and Spike LaNoverra were ordered to commit this murder, as a test of loyalty, since they had previously been soldiers under Dominic Chirico. DeFrancesco and La Noverra were unable to accomplish the killing within the few days given to do so. Another meeting was called and Angelo Monachino was ordered to attend. At this second meeting, Russotti, Gingello, Piccarreto, Marino, and Marotta ordered Angelo Monachino to assist LaNoverra and DeFrancesco in the murder of Massaro. Angelo Monachino was also a former Chirico soldier and a close friend of Massaro.On November 23, 1973, with the aid of Angelo Monachino and Spike LaNoverra, Eugene DeFrancesco shot Vincent Massaro to death in the Bar-Mon Construction Co. garage, a premises owned by Angelo Monachino. Massaro was killed with a handgun, equipped with a sil encer provided by Rosario Chirico. During 1974 Dominic Celestino, a former Dominic Chirico soldier, was thrown out of the organization by Salvatore Gingello, having been accused of having an affair with another member's girlfriend. During 1975, an investigation conducted by State and Federal en forcement agencies developed witnesses and sufficient proof to indict certain organized crime members for the murder of Ernest White, a local burglar. Defendants in this case subsequently became Government wit nesses, and provided proof against Eugene DeFrancesco, Spike La Noverra, and Angelo Monachino, regarding their participation in the murder of Vincent “Jimmy the Hammer” Massaro. Faced with murder charges, Monachino and LaNoverra considered their position. Although active members of the Russotti organization, their past association with Valenti and Dominic Chirico cast a shadow on their future in the Rochester, N.Y., area. The former soldiers of Dominic Chirico, with the exception of Thomas Didio, were not trusted, and were relegated to minor duties. Considering their present lot in Rochester, and the potential life tence in prison, Angelo Monachino and Spike LaNoverra decided to cooperate with the Government and provide truthful testimony re garding the murder of Massaro. The testimony of LaNoverra and Monachino regarding the meetings with Russotti and the others, and the orders given by Russotti, Gingello, and the capos, resulted in a conviction for murder in the county of Monroe, State of New York, for defendants Samuel “Red” Russotti, Salvatore “Sammy G” Gin ello, Rene Piccarreto, Richard Marino, Thomas Marotta, and Eugene £. On January 14, 1977, each defendant was sentenced to 25 years to life imprisonment. The mob war in Rochester assumed such proportions and involved so many participants that the news media identified the two factions as team A and team B. Team A was the group that assumed control of the Rochester mob in May 1972, after forcing Frank Valenti from power. The upper echelon of this team was comprised of Samuel “Red” Russotti, Rene Piccarreto, and Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello. Insurgent team B mob members were led by Thomas Didio. For purposes of clarity, this statement also will adopt the team A and team B characterization of the opposing mob factions.
History of Rochester Crime Family
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furiofromnaples
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furiofromnaples
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Re: History of Rochester Crime Family
CHRONOLOGY OF A MOB WAR
On January 14, 1977, Samuel “Red” Russotti, Rene Piccarreto, Sal vatore “Sammy G” Gingello, Richard Marino, Thomas Marotta, and Eugene DeFrancesco, upper echelon members of organized crime in Rochester, N.Y., were imprisoned for 25 years to life as a result of their conviction in Monroe County Court for the November 23, 1973, murder of Vincent “Jimmy the Hammer” Massaro. The incarceration of these individuals resulted in a virtual elimination of all vestiges of leadership in the Rochester mob. Thomas Didio, a bodyguard, chauffeur, and confidant of Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello, and a cousin of Thomas Marotta, was placed in control of the operation by Samuel “Red” Russotti and Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello. Didio, previously a soldier under Thomas Ma rotta, was known primarily for his intimidating size and slow wit. It was believed that Didio's blood relationship to Thomas Marotta would insure that the wives and families of the defendants would be pro vided for, and that Didio's allegedly limited mental capacity would allow the defendants to control Didio, and the organized crime opera tion, from their jail cells. Once in power, Didio did not prove receptive to orders from Russotti, Piccarreto, or Gingello. Didio did not provide financial support for the defendants' families, despite his relationship to Marotta. Orga nized crime members loyal to Russotti and Gingello were reduced in Status and removed from union positions and no-show jobs by Didio. This caused a great deal of resentment and dissension within the Organization. In the spring of 1977, a fund-raising event was held for the benefit of the imprisoned mob leaders. It is alleged that Didio diverted a large sum of the money raised for his personal use. Sensing the discontent within the organization, Thomas Didio sought counsel with Stanley Valenti, and through him received guidance from Frank Valenti, who was incarcerated at the Springfield Medical Center for Federal Prisoners, Springfield, Mo. It is believed that the Valentis viewed the current circumstances as an opportunity to regain control of the Rochester organized crime operations. In July 1977, Angelo Vaccaro returned to Rochester, N.Y., from Texas, at the re quest of Thomas Didio. During midsummer 1977, Didio loyalists Samuel Campanella and James Canarozza were added to the list of persons allowed to visit with Frank Valenti, with the notation “to be allowed only when ac companied by Stanley Valenti.” During approximately the same pe riod, Gingello loyalist John Fiorino visited the imprisoned mob bosses in jail. Reliable information reveals that by the late summer of 1977, the imprisoned former mob bosses had decided to cause the removal of Thomas Didio from his position of power. In September 1977, team B members Thomas Didio, Angelo Vaccaro and Dominic “Sonny” Celestino were confronted by a larger contin gent of team. A loyalists, including John Fiorino, Joseph Rossi, Thomas Taylor, and others not identified, at the Blue Gardenia Res taurant, Irondequoit, N.Y. At the direction of Gingello and the other imprisoned mob bosses, Didio and his followers were advised that they were “all done” and an altercation ensued. Didio, Vaccaro, and Celestino were severely beaten and ejected from the restaurant by the team A faction. Didio and his group were outnumbered and went into hiding. Almost coincidental with this incident, there were indications that Russotti, Piccarreto, Gingello, Marotta, and Marino might be released from jail due due to alleged discrepancies in witness testimony at their mur er trial. Commencing in October 1977 through January 1978, team B had almost daily clandestine meetings at the Vineyard Restaurant, Pitts ford, N.Y. These meetings were attended by Thomas Didio, Angelo Vaccaro, Rosario “Ross” Chirico, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, William Barton, and a small number of other participants who remain un identified. One of the unidentified participants—described as a small, elderly man—when in attendance, virtually controlled the conduct of the meetings. When he raised his hand, everyone would stop speaking, and he would point or nod to the participants when he wanted them to voice their ideas or opinions. In December of 1977, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, William Barton, Angelo Vaccaro, and Thomas Didio attempted to place a remote con trol dynamite pipe bomb under the vehicle owned by team A member Joseph Rossi. While attempting to place the device, they were discovered by team A members, and a running gun battle erupted, including a high-speed car chase through the streets of Rochester. The explosive device fell off Rossi's vehicle and was later discovered and dismantled by a 12 year-old boy who subsequently reported finding the device to the police. - In late December 1977, team B member Rodney Starkweather ap proached Earl Merritt, a member of the Hell's Angels motorcycle club and told Merritt that he was attempting to purchase quantities of ex plosives. Shortly thereafter, Merritt took Starkweather to the residence of Timothy Ryan in Auburn, N.Y., where Starkweather pur £ a quantity of Kinepak stick explosives and blasting caps from yan. Ryan, a member of the Hackers motorcycle club, acquired the Kine pak stick and blasting caps along with a Hell's Angels club member in Georgia and Tennessee, and brought them back to New York State. Kinepak stick is a binary explosive consisting of a two-part mix. The two parts do not constitute an explosive material until mixed to gether. Kinepak stick is not a regulated substance under the Federal Explosives Control Act of 1970, Public Law 91-452. In January 1978, team B members Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, Wil liam Barton, and Rodney Starkweather ambushed a vehicle containing team. A members Leonard Stebbins, Loren Piccarreto (son of Rene Piccarreto), and others unidentified. The vehicle was riddled by shot gun blasts and handgun fire but, miraculously, all occupants escaped Injury. £anuary 1978, the murder convictions of the imprisoned team A mobsters were reversed due to irregularities in trial testimony. Within weeks, Russotti, Piccarreto, Gingello, Marotta, and Marino were re leased from prison and returned to Rochester, N.Y., where they once again assumed leadership of an organization that was seriously divided and being subjected to outside influences. After the release of the team A hierarchy from prison, almost daily meetings were conducted by team B members in Rochester, N.Y. Pres ent at these meetings were team B members Thomas Didio, Angelo Vaccaro, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, Rosario “Ross” Chirico, William Barton, Frank Frassetto, and Rodney Starkweather. It was during these meetings that the decision was made to kill Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello. Gingello was selected for elimination because of the following reasons:
ing reasons: A. Gingello was at one time a favorite protege of Frank Valenti, and his position within the organization was enhanced by this relation ship. Valenti's influence was responsible for Gingello's quick rise through the ranks to the position of “capo.” Frank Valenti was greatly upset when he became aware that Gingello was one of the individuals responsible for the confrontation which forced him into retirement. B. Thomas Didio and Stanley Valenti were aware that although relatively new as an underboss, Gingello had successfully succeeded in uniting various factions of the organizations. As a result of his per sonality and generosity to his underlings, Gingello commanded the loyalty of his subordinates. The untimely death of Gingello would create dissension within the team A ranks. C. Gingello was a highly visible and readily identified member of organized crime in Rochester, N.Y. He reveled in playing the role of the “top mobster” in Rochester and surrounded himself with attrac tive women and bodyguards. Gingello spent lavishly and was chauf feured about in expensive cars, unconcerned that he was identified publicly as an upper echelon organized crime member. It was the con sensus of opinion among team B that killing Gingello would most impress upon the gamblers and operators of illicit enterprises the courage and determination of the team B faction to retain control of the organization.
D. Individually, many of the team B members had personal motives for seeking the death of Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello. Rosario “Ross” Chirico was the brother of Dominic Chirico, who was killed at the direction of Gingello in 1972. Anthony Chirico, the son of Rosario Chirico, was the nephew of Dominic Chirico. Angelo Vaccaro sponsored both Dominic and Rosario Chirico upon their entry into the organization and had strong personal ties to both men. At the direction of Gingello, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino had been beaten and ejected from the mob by Gingello in 1974, and was not allowed back into the organization until Thomas Didio assumed control. Team B was unable to get sufficiently close to Gingello to enable them to effect his murder by conventional means (that is, gun or knife). Due to this problem, it was determined that explosives would have to be utilized and by constructing a device that could be remotely detonated, the team B members could remain far enough away to go undetected by Gingello or his bodyguards. Among schemes proposed was a plan wher:y team B would secrete a remote control explosive device in a child's toy, such as a “big wheel,” and leave it on the walkway of Gingello's apartment. Upon seeing Gingello leave the premises and approach the toy, the device would be remotely detonated. This plan was abandoned for fear that a child might walk off with the toy and team B would lose the bomb. The concern for safety of the child was not paramount, but the loss of the device was inexcusable. Due to the expense of manufacturing the remote control device (the component electronic equipment cost in excess of $350) the technical expertise required to modify the transmitter and receiver, and the scarcity of explosives, team B could not afford to lose any remote controlled explosive devices. Another plan which was formulated involved lowering a remotely controlled device down the chimney of the Gingello apartment, and detonating it when Gingello was present. At the last moment, it was discovered that the Gingello apartment did not have a chimney into which a device could be lowered. - Also considered was filling a traffic cone with explosives and re motely detonating it when Gingello's vehicle approached. This plan was apparently abandoned because the possibility of damaging the car, but not killing Gingello, existed. During February and April 1978, five unsuccessful attempts to kill Gingello by means of explosives were made. Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello was known to frequent the Blue Gardenia restaurant in Iron dequoit, N.Y., which was located in a busy suburban shopping center. Team B members hid remotely controlled devices in snowbanks sur rounding the restaurant, with the intention of detonating the bombs as Gingello approached the premises. On two occasions Gingello failed to show up, and on the other occasion the devices failed to detonate. On or about February 24, 1978, team B members Didio, Vaccaro, Celestino, Barton, and Frasseto devised and attempted to carry out a plan to kill Gingello inside the Blue Gardenia restaurant. Frank Frassetto (who was not at that time identified as a team B member) entered the restaurant carrying a remotely controlled pipe bomb inside an attaché case. After determining that Gingello was present, Frassetto was to go to the pay phone inside the restaurant and Gingello was present. Frassetto would then leave the attaché case by the tele phone and proceed to the bar area of the restaurant. Barton would then place a call to Celestino, Didio, and Vaccaro, who were at a pay phone near the shopping plaza and could observe the front of the Blue Gardenia restaurant. Barton would advise the other team B members that Gingello was in the restaurant and they in turn would prepare to remotely detonate the explosives from the parking lot. Barton was then to call the pay phone at the Blue Gardenia res taurant and ask for Gingello. Frassetto, upon observing Gingello approach the telephone, would then leave the premises as a signal for his cohorts to detonate the device which was left by the phone booth in the attaché case. If this plan proved successful, numerous patrons and employees of the restaurant would have been killed or severely injured upon the detonation of the device. The plan, however, failed to work because when Frassetto at tempted to telephone Barton, he consistently got a busy signal. It was later determined that this was due to Barton having an extended con versation on the telephone with his girlfriend. In late February 1978, team B members Thomas Didio, Angelo Vac caro, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, William Barton, Frank Frassetto, and Rodney Starkweather met with Stanley Valenti at his residence in Victor, N.Y. The discussion centered around the fact that there would be no ac tive involvement of other organized crime families in the current power struggle between team A and team B, but that if team B emerged vic torious, they would have the support of organized crime interests in Pittsburgh, Pa. On March 2, 1978, team B, returning to less elaborate plans, planted a remotely controlled device in a snowbank in front of the Blue Gar denia restaurant. Frank Frassetto was in the parking lot of the shop ping center, with Dominic “Sonny” Celestino secreted in the trunk of the vehicle with the remote radio signaling device required to detonate the explosives. A hole had been drilled in the trunk of Frassetto's car so that the antenna for the radio device could be extended outside the vehicle to insure detonation of the device. Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello arrived at the Blue Gardenia in a vehicle operated by John Fiorino. Stepping in front of the restaurant, Gingello got out and approached the front door, at which time Celes tino detonated the explosive device. Due to the manner in which the device was placed, Gingello was blown into the air but miraculously escaped serious injury. Shrapnel from the device caused damage to the front of the restaurant and adjoining buildings. After this incident, Rodney Starkweather was directed by the other team B members to secure more explosives. Starkweather traveled to Auburn, N.Y., and purchased another quantity of blasting caps and Kinepak stick from Timothy Ryan. In late March 1978, team B members Didio, Vaccaro, Celestino, Frassetto, and Starkweather met with Stanley Valenti at his residence in Rochester, N.Y. Stanley Valenti advised them that his brother, Frank Valenti, would be released from jail soon, and that “Rochester should be ready when Frank gets out.”
Also discussed at this meeting was the group's displeasure with co conspirator William Barton, who had been excluded from the meeting. The team B members were upset about Barton's absence from recent meetings, and his apparent propensity to foul up their attempts to kill Gingello. Additionally, it was believed that Barton had contacted Gin gello and attempted to ingratiate himself with him. The team B members feared that Barton would identify Frank Frassetto as a team B member, and divulge the participation of Stan ley Valenti in the conspiracy. A vote was taken, and it was recom mended that William Barton be killed. This task was assigned to Rodney Starkweather. During March and the early part of April 1978, team B members Didio, Celestino, Vaccaro, and Frassetto made trips to West Virginia for the purpose of acquiring explosives. In the early morning hours of April 23, 1978, team B members Thomas Didio, Angelo Vaccaro, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, and Frank Frassetto placed a remote control device under Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello's vehicle, which was parked in a lot in front of Ben's Cafe Society, Main and Stillson Streets, Rochester, N.Y. At approximately 2:30 a.m., Gingello and his two team. A bodyguards, Thomas Taylor and Thomas Torpey, returned to the vehicle. As Gingello and his associates entered the vehicle, the device was remotely detonated and the resulting explosion completely destroyed the ve hicle and caused damage to surrounding vehicles and business loca tions. The force of the explosion amputated Gingello's right leg and nearly severed the left leg at the thigh. Within 20 minutes, Gingello died at Genesee Hospital as a result of the severe injuries suffered in the explosion. Thomas Tyler and Thomas Torpey suffered less ex tensive injuries. The following day Dominic “Sonny” Celestino was reputed to have stated that if he had placed the bomb properly, he would have “gotten all three of them bastards.” Within days after the death of Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello, team B member Dominic “Sonny” Celestino met with team. A repre sentatives at Lloyd's Restaurant, Rochester, N.Y., in an attempt to negotiate a settlement between the two opposing factions. Apparently unhappy with the outcome of the meeting, Celestino and the other team B members decided to embark on a bombing campaign directed at gambling establishments operated by team A. It was believed that if the team A gambling establishments could be closed down, the resulting loss in revenue would require team A to settle their differences with team B. To further terrorize team A, Starkweather offered to furnish Ryan a dirt bike, bulletproof vest, and hand grenades, if Ryan would ride the motorcycle on the sidewalk and throw the grenades through the window of T. & T. Talent, 253 Lyell Avenue. T. & T. Talent is a theatrical booking agency operated by team A members Marvin Pizzo and Thomas Torpey. Starkweather said he would pay Ryan $1,000, but Ryan refused the offer. On or about May 11, 1979, team B member Anthony Chirico broke into an explosives magazine at Genesee Explosives, Rochester, N.Y., and stole a quantity of explosives. These explosives were delivered to Dominic “Sonnv” Celestino and Frank Frassetto, at the Frassetto resi dence, Greece, N.Y. and Bates threw a pipe bomb through the window of a team A gamblin establishment located at 1264–1266 Clifford Avenue, Rochester, £ Although the club was full of patrons when the pipe bomb detonated, there were no reported injuries. On the evening of May 21, 1978, team B members Celestino, Fras setto and Starkweather placed a time bomb near the entrance of a team A gambling establishment located at 1455 University Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. This device detonated at about 5:30 a.m. on May 22, 1978, while the club was in operation and full of patrons. No personal injuries were reported, but extensive damage was done to the exterior and interior of the building. On May 25, 1978, team B member Rosario “Ross” Chirico, while driving his vehicle near his residence, was fired upon by a sniper with a high-powered rifle. Chirico was only superficially wounded. The sniper escaped through a wooded area on a motorcycle. On June 6, 1978, team B members Celestino, Frassetto, Chirico and Starkweather decided to place another device in the team A gambling establishment at 1264–1266 Clifford Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. After a few aborted attempts to break into the basement of the premises, entry was finally gained and a timed device was placed in the basement directly under the office area of the operator of the club. This device apparently malfunctioned, and failed to detonate. On June 7, 1978, team B members Celestino, Frassetto, and Starkweather returned to the premises and placed a second timed device next to the device they had placed the night before. On June 8, 1978, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the second device detonated, causing an immediate sympathetic detonation of the orig inal device. The blast caused a volume of debris and shards of glass to fly into a busy intersection shortly before scores of schoolchildren were to be excused from a nearby grade school. Extensive damage was caused to the building, which contained commercial space on the street level and occupied apartments on the second floor. The structural damage done to the building was so severe that the building was immediately condemned. A number of occupants in the gambling establishment were injured. On June 18, 1978, local police officers conducting surveillances of team A and team B members in an attempt to curtail the violent bomb ings, observed team B members Dominic “Sonny” Celestino and Frank Frassetto in a vehicle. A surveillance was initiated, but apparently the police vehicles were spotted. The vehicle operated by Frassetto at tempted to elude the surveilling officers and a high-speed chase ensued. The vehicle was finally halted, and Frassetto and Celestino were ar rested for illegal possession of weapons, which were found in the car. A sawed-off M-1 carbine was recovered along the route of the chase, and it is assumed that the firearm was thrown out of the vehicle by Frassetto and Celestino. As a result of Frassetto's arrest, ATF special agents initiated a neighborhood canvass in the vicinity of the Frassetto residence. Neighbors told investigators bizarre stories of unusual activities in and around the Frassetto residence. Carloads of men were seen en tering the house at all hours of the day and night. A mysterious “WisePotato Chip” truck would appear at the residence from time to time, and men wearing brown gloves would remove and place items into the truck. A New York State transporter license plate was frequently switched from the Wise Potato Chip truck to numerous other passen ger vehicles. Men apparently not related to the Frassettos would live at the residence for periods of time. Investigation subsequently identified the Frassetto residence as a focal point of team B activity. Numerous meetings were held there, and most of the explosive devices were manufactured in the basement. Prior to Frassetto's identification with team B, other team B members utilized his residence as a hideout. The neighbors expressed great concern for their safety, due to Fras setto's apparent organized crime connections and the unusual ac tivity around the Frassetto residence, and many were reticent to co operate with authorities. One family was so concerned for their safety that after testifying before a Federal grand jury, they sold their house and moved to a distant State. ATF agents located the Wise Potato Chip truck parked at a nearby service station. Suspecting that the vehicle was used to hide the illegal cache of team B explosives and firearms, a 24-hour surveillance of the truck was immediately initiated. On June 28, 1978, after observing no activity around the suspect vehicle, special agents contacted the service station owner in the hope that this action would prompt team B to react. Within a few hours Betti Frassetto, wife of team B member Frank Frassetto, arrived at the gas station and attempted to move the truck. Unfortunately, the service station personnel could not find the keys for the vehicle and Betti Frassetto left. A short time later, team B members Anthony Chirico and Rodney Starkweather appeared at the gas station and surreptitiously removed from the truck a beer cooler and secreted it in the £ grass close to 8, £ nursing home. Chirico and Starkweather then returned to their vehicle and left the area, followed by an ATF surveillance team. Other special agents inspected the contents of the beer cooler and found it to contain a large quantity of explosives, blasting caps, timing mechanisms, batteries, remote radio transmitting devices and other miscellaneous component parts used to construct explosive devices. ATF agents then arrested Rodney Starkweather and Anthony Chirico for violation of Federal explosives and firearm laws. Under the front seat of the vehicle they occupied were fully loaded hand guns. It should be noted that no further bombings occurred after the seizure of explosives and related items in the Wise Potato Chip truck. As the investigation continued, Timothy Ryan was developed as a suspect in connection with furnishing explosives to Starkweather. Ex tensive attempts to locate Ryan failed, until it was learned that a $10,000 contract had been put out for the death of Timothy Ryan. Ryan subsequently cooperated with the authorities and was relocated into the Federal witness security program. Information was also developed that Gary Haak may have been involved in the construction of the devices used in the bombings. Haak, a former business associate of Rosario “Ross” Chirico, was located and interviewed, but denied any knowledge of the bombing incidents. machinegunned to death at the Exit 45 Motel, Victor, N.Y. A short distance from the scene of the homicide, a Thompson submachinegun and two sawed-off shotguns were recovered. The Thompson was identified as the firearm used to kill Didio, and it is assumed that the three weapons had been abandoned by the perpetrators of the homicide. Near Didio's body in the motel room was a loaded handgun which he apparently was attempting to reach when he was gunned down. On July 30, 1978, team B member Rodney Starkweather, who was out on bail on the pending Federal charges, was ambushed by two unidentified men wearing ski masks who approached him on a dark street and shot him three times. Starkweather was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital in serious condition and eventually recovered from his wounds. The attempt on his life, and the awareness of the Govern ment's case against him, convinced Starkweather to provide testimony against his coconspirators. Starkweather subsequently pled guilty to pending Federal charges and was relocated into the Federal witness Security program. Continued investigation determined the involvement of James Bates as a coconspirator with other team B members. Bates subsequently agreed to cooperate with authorities and render truthful testimony concerning his knowledge of team B activities. Bates pled guilty to Federal charges and was relocated in the Federal witness security program. On August 29, 1978, ATF special agents executed a Federal search warrant at Trolley Collision, 5 Fromm Place, Rochester, N.Y., an auto collision shop operated by team B members Rosario “Ross” Chirico and his son, Anthony Chirico. Seized at the premises were a firearm silencer, literature on how to manufacture firearms silencers, assorted firearms, a quantity of safety fuse, and miscellaneous component parts utilized in the construction of destructive devices. On March 14, 1979, officers of the Gates Police Department observed a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity of the residence of Angelo “Oskie” DeMarco. DeMarco, operator of one of the team A gambling establish ments, had cooperated with Federal authorities in the bombing investi gation. As police officers approached, the vehicle left the scene at a high rate of speed and a chase ensued. The vehicle was eventually apprehended and the two occupants were identified as team A mem. bers Anthony Oliveri and Anthony Columbo.
Retracing the route of the chase, police officers recovered a sawed-off shotgun, a loaded handgun, a ski mask and a pair of black leather gloves. Neither Oliveri nor Columbo had any identification on their person. It was later determined that the vehicle that they were oper ating was fictitiously registered, in that the person to whom the vehicle was registered is nonexistent. It is speculated that Angelo “Oskie” DeMarco was slated to be killed as a result of his cooperation with Federal authorities. On April 12, 1979, team B members William “Billy” Barton, Anthony Chirico, Rosario “Ross” Chirico, Dominic “Sonny”Celestino, Frank Frassetto, Angelo Vaccaro, Stanley Valenti, and Betti Fressetto were named in a 14-count Federal indictment: The indictment alleged violations of Federal firearms, explosives and con spiracy statutes. Additionally, certain defendants were charged with RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) violations. On September 10, 1979, defendant Stanley Valenti was granted a severance from trial due to ill health. On January 8, 1980, the trial of team B defendants commenced be fore Hon. Lloyd F. MacMahon, in Federal Court, Rochester, N.Y. On January 30, 1980, the jury returned a guilty verdict against all defendants for all counts of the indictment. On March 11, 1980, Hon. Lloyd F. MacMahon sentenced William Barton to 10 years imprisonment; Anthony Chirico to 15 years im prisonment; Rosario “Ross” Chirico to 25 years imprisonment; Dominic “Sonny” Celestino to 30 years imprisonment; Frank Frassetto to 30 years imprisonment; Angelo Vaccaro to 25 years imprisonment; and Betti Frassetto to 2 years imprisonment. Rodney Starkweather and James Bates, who testified at the trial against their coconspirators, are currently pending sentencing.
On January 14, 1977, Samuel “Red” Russotti, Rene Piccarreto, Sal vatore “Sammy G” Gingello, Richard Marino, Thomas Marotta, and Eugene DeFrancesco, upper echelon members of organized crime in Rochester, N.Y., were imprisoned for 25 years to life as a result of their conviction in Monroe County Court for the November 23, 1973, murder of Vincent “Jimmy the Hammer” Massaro. The incarceration of these individuals resulted in a virtual elimination of all vestiges of leadership in the Rochester mob. Thomas Didio, a bodyguard, chauffeur, and confidant of Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello, and a cousin of Thomas Marotta, was placed in control of the operation by Samuel “Red” Russotti and Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello. Didio, previously a soldier under Thomas Ma rotta, was known primarily for his intimidating size and slow wit. It was believed that Didio's blood relationship to Thomas Marotta would insure that the wives and families of the defendants would be pro vided for, and that Didio's allegedly limited mental capacity would allow the defendants to control Didio, and the organized crime opera tion, from their jail cells. Once in power, Didio did not prove receptive to orders from Russotti, Piccarreto, or Gingello. Didio did not provide financial support for the defendants' families, despite his relationship to Marotta. Orga nized crime members loyal to Russotti and Gingello were reduced in Status and removed from union positions and no-show jobs by Didio. This caused a great deal of resentment and dissension within the Organization. In the spring of 1977, a fund-raising event was held for the benefit of the imprisoned mob leaders. It is alleged that Didio diverted a large sum of the money raised for his personal use. Sensing the discontent within the organization, Thomas Didio sought counsel with Stanley Valenti, and through him received guidance from Frank Valenti, who was incarcerated at the Springfield Medical Center for Federal Prisoners, Springfield, Mo. It is believed that the Valentis viewed the current circumstances as an opportunity to regain control of the Rochester organized crime operations. In July 1977, Angelo Vaccaro returned to Rochester, N.Y., from Texas, at the re quest of Thomas Didio. During midsummer 1977, Didio loyalists Samuel Campanella and James Canarozza were added to the list of persons allowed to visit with Frank Valenti, with the notation “to be allowed only when ac companied by Stanley Valenti.” During approximately the same pe riod, Gingello loyalist John Fiorino visited the imprisoned mob bosses in jail. Reliable information reveals that by the late summer of 1977, the imprisoned former mob bosses had decided to cause the removal of Thomas Didio from his position of power. In September 1977, team B members Thomas Didio, Angelo Vaccaro and Dominic “Sonny” Celestino were confronted by a larger contin gent of team. A loyalists, including John Fiorino, Joseph Rossi, Thomas Taylor, and others not identified, at the Blue Gardenia Res taurant, Irondequoit, N.Y. At the direction of Gingello and the other imprisoned mob bosses, Didio and his followers were advised that they were “all done” and an altercation ensued. Didio, Vaccaro, and Celestino were severely beaten and ejected from the restaurant by the team A faction. Didio and his group were outnumbered and went into hiding. Almost coincidental with this incident, there were indications that Russotti, Piccarreto, Gingello, Marotta, and Marino might be released from jail due due to alleged discrepancies in witness testimony at their mur er trial. Commencing in October 1977 through January 1978, team B had almost daily clandestine meetings at the Vineyard Restaurant, Pitts ford, N.Y. These meetings were attended by Thomas Didio, Angelo Vaccaro, Rosario “Ross” Chirico, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, William Barton, and a small number of other participants who remain un identified. One of the unidentified participants—described as a small, elderly man—when in attendance, virtually controlled the conduct of the meetings. When he raised his hand, everyone would stop speaking, and he would point or nod to the participants when he wanted them to voice their ideas or opinions. In December of 1977, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, William Barton, Angelo Vaccaro, and Thomas Didio attempted to place a remote con trol dynamite pipe bomb under the vehicle owned by team A member Joseph Rossi. While attempting to place the device, they were discovered by team A members, and a running gun battle erupted, including a high-speed car chase through the streets of Rochester. The explosive device fell off Rossi's vehicle and was later discovered and dismantled by a 12 year-old boy who subsequently reported finding the device to the police. - In late December 1977, team B member Rodney Starkweather ap proached Earl Merritt, a member of the Hell's Angels motorcycle club and told Merritt that he was attempting to purchase quantities of ex plosives. Shortly thereafter, Merritt took Starkweather to the residence of Timothy Ryan in Auburn, N.Y., where Starkweather pur £ a quantity of Kinepak stick explosives and blasting caps from yan. Ryan, a member of the Hackers motorcycle club, acquired the Kine pak stick and blasting caps along with a Hell's Angels club member in Georgia and Tennessee, and brought them back to New York State. Kinepak stick is a binary explosive consisting of a two-part mix. The two parts do not constitute an explosive material until mixed to gether. Kinepak stick is not a regulated substance under the Federal Explosives Control Act of 1970, Public Law 91-452. In January 1978, team B members Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, Wil liam Barton, and Rodney Starkweather ambushed a vehicle containing team. A members Leonard Stebbins, Loren Piccarreto (son of Rene Piccarreto), and others unidentified. The vehicle was riddled by shot gun blasts and handgun fire but, miraculously, all occupants escaped Injury. £anuary 1978, the murder convictions of the imprisoned team A mobsters were reversed due to irregularities in trial testimony. Within weeks, Russotti, Piccarreto, Gingello, Marotta, and Marino were re leased from prison and returned to Rochester, N.Y., where they once again assumed leadership of an organization that was seriously divided and being subjected to outside influences. After the release of the team A hierarchy from prison, almost daily meetings were conducted by team B members in Rochester, N.Y. Pres ent at these meetings were team B members Thomas Didio, Angelo Vaccaro, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, Rosario “Ross” Chirico, William Barton, Frank Frassetto, and Rodney Starkweather. It was during these meetings that the decision was made to kill Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello. Gingello was selected for elimination because of the following reasons:
ing reasons: A. Gingello was at one time a favorite protege of Frank Valenti, and his position within the organization was enhanced by this relation ship. Valenti's influence was responsible for Gingello's quick rise through the ranks to the position of “capo.” Frank Valenti was greatly upset when he became aware that Gingello was one of the individuals responsible for the confrontation which forced him into retirement. B. Thomas Didio and Stanley Valenti were aware that although relatively new as an underboss, Gingello had successfully succeeded in uniting various factions of the organizations. As a result of his per sonality and generosity to his underlings, Gingello commanded the loyalty of his subordinates. The untimely death of Gingello would create dissension within the team A ranks. C. Gingello was a highly visible and readily identified member of organized crime in Rochester, N.Y. He reveled in playing the role of the “top mobster” in Rochester and surrounded himself with attrac tive women and bodyguards. Gingello spent lavishly and was chauf feured about in expensive cars, unconcerned that he was identified publicly as an upper echelon organized crime member. It was the con sensus of opinion among team B that killing Gingello would most impress upon the gamblers and operators of illicit enterprises the courage and determination of the team B faction to retain control of the organization.
D. Individually, many of the team B members had personal motives for seeking the death of Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello. Rosario “Ross” Chirico was the brother of Dominic Chirico, who was killed at the direction of Gingello in 1972. Anthony Chirico, the son of Rosario Chirico, was the nephew of Dominic Chirico. Angelo Vaccaro sponsored both Dominic and Rosario Chirico upon their entry into the organization and had strong personal ties to both men. At the direction of Gingello, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino had been beaten and ejected from the mob by Gingello in 1974, and was not allowed back into the organization until Thomas Didio assumed control. Team B was unable to get sufficiently close to Gingello to enable them to effect his murder by conventional means (that is, gun or knife). Due to this problem, it was determined that explosives would have to be utilized and by constructing a device that could be remotely detonated, the team B members could remain far enough away to go undetected by Gingello or his bodyguards. Among schemes proposed was a plan wher:y team B would secrete a remote control explosive device in a child's toy, such as a “big wheel,” and leave it on the walkway of Gingello's apartment. Upon seeing Gingello leave the premises and approach the toy, the device would be remotely detonated. This plan was abandoned for fear that a child might walk off with the toy and team B would lose the bomb. The concern for safety of the child was not paramount, but the loss of the device was inexcusable. Due to the expense of manufacturing the remote control device (the component electronic equipment cost in excess of $350) the technical expertise required to modify the transmitter and receiver, and the scarcity of explosives, team B could not afford to lose any remote controlled explosive devices. Another plan which was formulated involved lowering a remotely controlled device down the chimney of the Gingello apartment, and detonating it when Gingello was present. At the last moment, it was discovered that the Gingello apartment did not have a chimney into which a device could be lowered. - Also considered was filling a traffic cone with explosives and re motely detonating it when Gingello's vehicle approached. This plan was apparently abandoned because the possibility of damaging the car, but not killing Gingello, existed. During February and April 1978, five unsuccessful attempts to kill Gingello by means of explosives were made. Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello was known to frequent the Blue Gardenia restaurant in Iron dequoit, N.Y., which was located in a busy suburban shopping center. Team B members hid remotely controlled devices in snowbanks sur rounding the restaurant, with the intention of detonating the bombs as Gingello approached the premises. On two occasions Gingello failed to show up, and on the other occasion the devices failed to detonate. On or about February 24, 1978, team B members Didio, Vaccaro, Celestino, Barton, and Frasseto devised and attempted to carry out a plan to kill Gingello inside the Blue Gardenia restaurant. Frank Frassetto (who was not at that time identified as a team B member) entered the restaurant carrying a remotely controlled pipe bomb inside an attaché case. After determining that Gingello was present, Frassetto was to go to the pay phone inside the restaurant and Gingello was present. Frassetto would then leave the attaché case by the tele phone and proceed to the bar area of the restaurant. Barton would then place a call to Celestino, Didio, and Vaccaro, who were at a pay phone near the shopping plaza and could observe the front of the Blue Gardenia restaurant. Barton would advise the other team B members that Gingello was in the restaurant and they in turn would prepare to remotely detonate the explosives from the parking lot. Barton was then to call the pay phone at the Blue Gardenia res taurant and ask for Gingello. Frassetto, upon observing Gingello approach the telephone, would then leave the premises as a signal for his cohorts to detonate the device which was left by the phone booth in the attaché case. If this plan proved successful, numerous patrons and employees of the restaurant would have been killed or severely injured upon the detonation of the device. The plan, however, failed to work because when Frassetto at tempted to telephone Barton, he consistently got a busy signal. It was later determined that this was due to Barton having an extended con versation on the telephone with his girlfriend. In late February 1978, team B members Thomas Didio, Angelo Vac caro, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, William Barton, Frank Frassetto, and Rodney Starkweather met with Stanley Valenti at his residence in Victor, N.Y. The discussion centered around the fact that there would be no ac tive involvement of other organized crime families in the current power struggle between team A and team B, but that if team B emerged vic torious, they would have the support of organized crime interests in Pittsburgh, Pa. On March 2, 1978, team B, returning to less elaborate plans, planted a remotely controlled device in a snowbank in front of the Blue Gar denia restaurant. Frank Frassetto was in the parking lot of the shop ping center, with Dominic “Sonny” Celestino secreted in the trunk of the vehicle with the remote radio signaling device required to detonate the explosives. A hole had been drilled in the trunk of Frassetto's car so that the antenna for the radio device could be extended outside the vehicle to insure detonation of the device. Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello arrived at the Blue Gardenia in a vehicle operated by John Fiorino. Stepping in front of the restaurant, Gingello got out and approached the front door, at which time Celes tino detonated the explosive device. Due to the manner in which the device was placed, Gingello was blown into the air but miraculously escaped serious injury. Shrapnel from the device caused damage to the front of the restaurant and adjoining buildings. After this incident, Rodney Starkweather was directed by the other team B members to secure more explosives. Starkweather traveled to Auburn, N.Y., and purchased another quantity of blasting caps and Kinepak stick from Timothy Ryan. In late March 1978, team B members Didio, Vaccaro, Celestino, Frassetto, and Starkweather met with Stanley Valenti at his residence in Rochester, N.Y. Stanley Valenti advised them that his brother, Frank Valenti, would be released from jail soon, and that “Rochester should be ready when Frank gets out.”
Also discussed at this meeting was the group's displeasure with co conspirator William Barton, who had been excluded from the meeting. The team B members were upset about Barton's absence from recent meetings, and his apparent propensity to foul up their attempts to kill Gingello. Additionally, it was believed that Barton had contacted Gin gello and attempted to ingratiate himself with him. The team B members feared that Barton would identify Frank Frassetto as a team B member, and divulge the participation of Stan ley Valenti in the conspiracy. A vote was taken, and it was recom mended that William Barton be killed. This task was assigned to Rodney Starkweather. During March and the early part of April 1978, team B members Didio, Celestino, Vaccaro, and Frassetto made trips to West Virginia for the purpose of acquiring explosives. In the early morning hours of April 23, 1978, team B members Thomas Didio, Angelo Vaccaro, Dominic “Sonny” Celestino, and Frank Frassetto placed a remote control device under Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello's vehicle, which was parked in a lot in front of Ben's Cafe Society, Main and Stillson Streets, Rochester, N.Y. At approximately 2:30 a.m., Gingello and his two team. A bodyguards, Thomas Taylor and Thomas Torpey, returned to the vehicle. As Gingello and his associates entered the vehicle, the device was remotely detonated and the resulting explosion completely destroyed the ve hicle and caused damage to surrounding vehicles and business loca tions. The force of the explosion amputated Gingello's right leg and nearly severed the left leg at the thigh. Within 20 minutes, Gingello died at Genesee Hospital as a result of the severe injuries suffered in the explosion. Thomas Tyler and Thomas Torpey suffered less ex tensive injuries. The following day Dominic “Sonny” Celestino was reputed to have stated that if he had placed the bomb properly, he would have “gotten all three of them bastards.” Within days after the death of Salvatore “Sammy G” Gingello, team B member Dominic “Sonny” Celestino met with team. A repre sentatives at Lloyd's Restaurant, Rochester, N.Y., in an attempt to negotiate a settlement between the two opposing factions. Apparently unhappy with the outcome of the meeting, Celestino and the other team B members decided to embark on a bombing campaign directed at gambling establishments operated by team A. It was believed that if the team A gambling establishments could be closed down, the resulting loss in revenue would require team A to settle their differences with team B. To further terrorize team A, Starkweather offered to furnish Ryan a dirt bike, bulletproof vest, and hand grenades, if Ryan would ride the motorcycle on the sidewalk and throw the grenades through the window of T. & T. Talent, 253 Lyell Avenue. T. & T. Talent is a theatrical booking agency operated by team A members Marvin Pizzo and Thomas Torpey. Starkweather said he would pay Ryan $1,000, but Ryan refused the offer. On or about May 11, 1979, team B member Anthony Chirico broke into an explosives magazine at Genesee Explosives, Rochester, N.Y., and stole a quantity of explosives. These explosives were delivered to Dominic “Sonnv” Celestino and Frank Frassetto, at the Frassetto resi dence, Greece, N.Y. and Bates threw a pipe bomb through the window of a team A gamblin establishment located at 1264–1266 Clifford Avenue, Rochester, £ Although the club was full of patrons when the pipe bomb detonated, there were no reported injuries. On the evening of May 21, 1978, team B members Celestino, Fras setto and Starkweather placed a time bomb near the entrance of a team A gambling establishment located at 1455 University Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. This device detonated at about 5:30 a.m. on May 22, 1978, while the club was in operation and full of patrons. No personal injuries were reported, but extensive damage was done to the exterior and interior of the building. On May 25, 1978, team B member Rosario “Ross” Chirico, while driving his vehicle near his residence, was fired upon by a sniper with a high-powered rifle. Chirico was only superficially wounded. The sniper escaped through a wooded area on a motorcycle. On June 6, 1978, team B members Celestino, Frassetto, Chirico and Starkweather decided to place another device in the team A gambling establishment at 1264–1266 Clifford Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. After a few aborted attempts to break into the basement of the premises, entry was finally gained and a timed device was placed in the basement directly under the office area of the operator of the club. This device apparently malfunctioned, and failed to detonate. On June 7, 1978, team B members Celestino, Frassetto, and Starkweather returned to the premises and placed a second timed device next to the device they had placed the night before. On June 8, 1978, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the second device detonated, causing an immediate sympathetic detonation of the orig inal device. The blast caused a volume of debris and shards of glass to fly into a busy intersection shortly before scores of schoolchildren were to be excused from a nearby grade school. Extensive damage was caused to the building, which contained commercial space on the street level and occupied apartments on the second floor. The structural damage done to the building was so severe that the building was immediately condemned. A number of occupants in the gambling establishment were injured. On June 18, 1978, local police officers conducting surveillances of team A and team B members in an attempt to curtail the violent bomb ings, observed team B members Dominic “Sonny” Celestino and Frank Frassetto in a vehicle. A surveillance was initiated, but apparently the police vehicles were spotted. The vehicle operated by Frassetto at tempted to elude the surveilling officers and a high-speed chase ensued. The vehicle was finally halted, and Frassetto and Celestino were ar rested for illegal possession of weapons, which were found in the car. A sawed-off M-1 carbine was recovered along the route of the chase, and it is assumed that the firearm was thrown out of the vehicle by Frassetto and Celestino. As a result of Frassetto's arrest, ATF special agents initiated a neighborhood canvass in the vicinity of the Frassetto residence. Neighbors told investigators bizarre stories of unusual activities in and around the Frassetto residence. Carloads of men were seen en tering the house at all hours of the day and night. A mysterious “WisePotato Chip” truck would appear at the residence from time to time, and men wearing brown gloves would remove and place items into the truck. A New York State transporter license plate was frequently switched from the Wise Potato Chip truck to numerous other passen ger vehicles. Men apparently not related to the Frassettos would live at the residence for periods of time. Investigation subsequently identified the Frassetto residence as a focal point of team B activity. Numerous meetings were held there, and most of the explosive devices were manufactured in the basement. Prior to Frassetto's identification with team B, other team B members utilized his residence as a hideout. The neighbors expressed great concern for their safety, due to Fras setto's apparent organized crime connections and the unusual ac tivity around the Frassetto residence, and many were reticent to co operate with authorities. One family was so concerned for their safety that after testifying before a Federal grand jury, they sold their house and moved to a distant State. ATF agents located the Wise Potato Chip truck parked at a nearby service station. Suspecting that the vehicle was used to hide the illegal cache of team B explosives and firearms, a 24-hour surveillance of the truck was immediately initiated. On June 28, 1978, after observing no activity around the suspect vehicle, special agents contacted the service station owner in the hope that this action would prompt team B to react. Within a few hours Betti Frassetto, wife of team B member Frank Frassetto, arrived at the gas station and attempted to move the truck. Unfortunately, the service station personnel could not find the keys for the vehicle and Betti Frassetto left. A short time later, team B members Anthony Chirico and Rodney Starkweather appeared at the gas station and surreptitiously removed from the truck a beer cooler and secreted it in the £ grass close to 8, £ nursing home. Chirico and Starkweather then returned to their vehicle and left the area, followed by an ATF surveillance team. Other special agents inspected the contents of the beer cooler and found it to contain a large quantity of explosives, blasting caps, timing mechanisms, batteries, remote radio transmitting devices and other miscellaneous component parts used to construct explosive devices. ATF agents then arrested Rodney Starkweather and Anthony Chirico for violation of Federal explosives and firearm laws. Under the front seat of the vehicle they occupied were fully loaded hand guns. It should be noted that no further bombings occurred after the seizure of explosives and related items in the Wise Potato Chip truck. As the investigation continued, Timothy Ryan was developed as a suspect in connection with furnishing explosives to Starkweather. Ex tensive attempts to locate Ryan failed, until it was learned that a $10,000 contract had been put out for the death of Timothy Ryan. Ryan subsequently cooperated with the authorities and was relocated into the Federal witness security program. Information was also developed that Gary Haak may have been involved in the construction of the devices used in the bombings. Haak, a former business associate of Rosario “Ross” Chirico, was located and interviewed, but denied any knowledge of the bombing incidents. machinegunned to death at the Exit 45 Motel, Victor, N.Y. A short distance from the scene of the homicide, a Thompson submachinegun and two sawed-off shotguns were recovered. The Thompson was identified as the firearm used to kill Didio, and it is assumed that the three weapons had been abandoned by the perpetrators of the homicide. Near Didio's body in the motel room was a loaded handgun which he apparently was attempting to reach when he was gunned down. On July 30, 1978, team B member Rodney Starkweather, who was out on bail on the pending Federal charges, was ambushed by two unidentified men wearing ski masks who approached him on a dark street and shot him three times. Starkweather was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital in serious condition and eventually recovered from his wounds. The attempt on his life, and the awareness of the Govern ment's case against him, convinced Starkweather to provide testimony against his coconspirators. Starkweather subsequently pled guilty to pending Federal charges and was relocated into the Federal witness Security program. Continued investigation determined the involvement of James Bates as a coconspirator with other team B members. Bates subsequently agreed to cooperate with authorities and render truthful testimony concerning his knowledge of team B activities. Bates pled guilty to Federal charges and was relocated in the Federal witness security program. On August 29, 1978, ATF special agents executed a Federal search warrant at Trolley Collision, 5 Fromm Place, Rochester, N.Y., an auto collision shop operated by team B members Rosario “Ross” Chirico and his son, Anthony Chirico. Seized at the premises were a firearm silencer, literature on how to manufacture firearms silencers, assorted firearms, a quantity of safety fuse, and miscellaneous component parts utilized in the construction of destructive devices. On March 14, 1979, officers of the Gates Police Department observed a suspicious vehicle in the vicinity of the residence of Angelo “Oskie” DeMarco. DeMarco, operator of one of the team A gambling establish ments, had cooperated with Federal authorities in the bombing investi gation. As police officers approached, the vehicle left the scene at a high rate of speed and a chase ensued. The vehicle was eventually apprehended and the two occupants were identified as team A mem. bers Anthony Oliveri and Anthony Columbo.
Retracing the route of the chase, police officers recovered a sawed-off shotgun, a loaded handgun, a ski mask and a pair of black leather gloves. Neither Oliveri nor Columbo had any identification on their person. It was later determined that the vehicle that they were oper ating was fictitiously registered, in that the person to whom the vehicle was registered is nonexistent. It is speculated that Angelo “Oskie” DeMarco was slated to be killed as a result of his cooperation with Federal authorities. On April 12, 1979, team B members William “Billy” Barton, Anthony Chirico, Rosario “Ross” Chirico, Dominic “Sonny”Celestino, Frank Frassetto, Angelo Vaccaro, Stanley Valenti, and Betti Fressetto were named in a 14-count Federal indictment: The indictment alleged violations of Federal firearms, explosives and con spiracy statutes. Additionally, certain defendants were charged with RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) violations. On September 10, 1979, defendant Stanley Valenti was granted a severance from trial due to ill health. On January 8, 1980, the trial of team B defendants commenced be fore Hon. Lloyd F. MacMahon, in Federal Court, Rochester, N.Y. On January 30, 1980, the jury returned a guilty verdict against all defendants for all counts of the indictment. On March 11, 1980, Hon. Lloyd F. MacMahon sentenced William Barton to 10 years imprisonment; Anthony Chirico to 15 years im prisonment; Rosario “Ross” Chirico to 25 years imprisonment; Dominic “Sonny” Celestino to 30 years imprisonment; Frank Frassetto to 30 years imprisonment; Angelo Vaccaro to 25 years imprisonment; and Betti Frassetto to 2 years imprisonment. Rodney Starkweather and James Bates, who testified at the trial against their coconspirators, are currently pending sentencing.