Bonanno Split factions

[thekiduknow]

Hi all

So I was thinking recently about the Bonanno war in the 1960s, and thought I'd try to break down who was on which side. Going from some notes, books, and some web sources I came up with this:

Bonanno: Joe Bonanno, Bill Bonanno Frank LaBruzzo(acting boss) ,Joe Notaro(capo), Peter Notaro, Samuel Perrone, Vito DeFilippo(Capo), Carlo Simari, John Morale, Rosario Morale, Peter Magaddino, Gaspare Magaddino, Nick Alfano, Vincent Cassese, Vincent Garofalo, Angelo Caruso(capo), Vito Bonventre

DiGregorio/Sciacca: Gaspare DiGregorio, Paul Sciacca, Pietro Crociata(Underboss), Frank Mari(Underboss), Michal Adamo, Thomas D’Angelo(Capo), Frank Telleri, Nick Castello, Patsy Giganti, Michael Consolo(capo), Nicholas Marangello, Sereno Tartamella(Capo) Philip Rastelli(Capo), Frank Bonomo, Armando “Buddy” Pollastrino, Michael Sabella(Capo)

Any comments/corrections would be appreciated

[Selig]

I believe there was a thread about this recently. I'll see if I can find it.

Problem is there's no easy answer. Loyalties fluctuated over time and many of the leading members stayed neutral as far as they were able: Consolo as an example went with DiGregorio when he was backed by the Commision and moved back to the Bonanno's when Joe came back from the dead. Marangello was allegedly only with the DiGregorio faction to report back at the behest of the imprisoned Galente, who was loyal to Bonanno.

It seemed to divide family loyalties as the senior Tartamella, former consigliere, backed Bonanno while his sons went with the rival faction.

Good luck with untangling that particular web.

[Pogo The Clown]

Looks about right. In his book Bill says his father told him that John Morale had split off and formed a third faction. This was towards the end of the conflict.


Pogo

[thekiduknow]

It's definitely hard to accurately decipher, like you said many members stayed neutral while others swapped sides. But hopefully a discussion can bring some light to it, for example I had no idea that Marangello answered to Galante in prison.

[thekiduknow]

Looks about right. In his book Bill says his father told him that John Morale had split off and formed a third faction. This was towards the end of the conflict.


Pogo

I came across that too, he split off after Consolo was killed. I believe Honor Thy Father mentioned as well, but it doesn't give any indications as to who followed him.

[motorfab]

Alfano wasn't on the DiGregorio-Sciacca side? It seems to me that I read it on the forum some time ago

[thekiduknow]

Alfano wasn't on the DiGregorio-Sciacca side? It seems to me that I read it on the forum some time ago

I thought that too, but in Bill's book he says that they talked to the Commission through Angelo Caruso and Alfano, to "represent our position" after Joe Bonanno returned.

[nash143]

Would be great to see a Chris C chart from this period illustrating the different factions.

[thekiduknow]

One big question mark I had was where did Bayonne Joe fall? He defended Joe Bonanno on the DeCavalcante wiretaps when he was told the administration was suspended, and afterwards he shows up as an influential figure when the Bonanno's were reorganizing towards the end but I haven't seen anything saying he was on either side, maybe he was just on the fence the whole time?

[thekiduknow]

Would be great to see a Chris C chart from this period illustrating the different factions.

Seconded

[Selig]

One big question mark I had was where did Bayonne Joe fall? He defended Joe Bonanno on the DeCavalcante wiretaps when he was told the administration was suspended, and afterwards he shows up as an influential figure when the Bonanno's were reorganizing towards the end but I haven't seen anything saying he was on either side, maybe he was just on the fence the whole time?

He's a perfect example. Zicarelli pretty much stayed on the fence throughout. If you look at the MF documents he seems to have been courted by both factions and was named in and out of admin positions towards the end of the conflict as they tried to bring the two sides together. An influential figure, but seemed a bit out of his depth. Didn't look like he was comfortable in wartime situations.

[Selig]

He was another guy who was originally with Galente so that may have coloured his views.

[thekiduknow]

One big question mark I had was where did Bayonne Joe fall? He defended Joe Bonanno on the DeCavalcante wiretaps when he was told the administration was suspended, and afterwards he shows up as an influential figure when the Bonanno's were reorganizing towards the end but I haven't seen anything saying he was on either side, maybe he was just on the fence the whole time?

He's a perfect example. Zicarelli pretty much stayed on the fence throughout. If you look at the MF documents he seems to have been courted by both factions and was named in and out of admin positions towards the end of the conflict as they tried to bring the two sides together. An influential figure, but seemed a bit out of his depth. Didn't look like he was comfortable in wartime situations.

I believe that would make him the most visible member on the fence during the conflict.

[thekiduknow]

WIllie Riviello, an associate at the time, was on the Bonanno faction. He was close to Vito DeFilippo.

[Selig]

You've read the FBI files on Vito DeFillipo posted then? There's been a lot of interesting stuff since you revived this: The FBI file, Frank Mari thread and the old Bonnano war thread. Lots of great stuff where you can build a timeline. Looks like there was a period around 1968 where Joe Bonnano was potentially back in before his heart attack, but Sciacca wouldn't go for it.