According to Lenine "Lenny" Strollo's federal trial testimony, he interceded in an "alleged" beef between John Gotti and BJ Alan Fireworks CEO Bruce Zoldan who was being extorted by Gotti and the Gambino's.B. wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 2:27 amSo Rubeo and Marino Jr.'s gambling operation included players in Ohio? I'm clueless on most of the details of that case aside from the big beats that came out in Gangland, so this is all news to me.Stroccos wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 12:00 amYeah it was Marino Jr who asked , no they were from stark county near canton , ironically was a pretty corrupt city at one time as well . he was worried the unpaid gamblers from ohio would go to the fedsB. wrote: ↑Tue Sep 22, 2020 11:08 pmNo clue on where Akron and Mansfield fell in the early days, but Leo Moceri was under his cousin Yonnie Licavoli in Toledo then later moved to Akron, so probably some connection there.Stroccos wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 12:04 am any idea if yonnie had akron and mansfield under his thumb?
also on a side note in john rubeos sitdwon with Danny Marino jr he asked if the gamblers who were owed money were italian and from youngstown. that may indicate the gambinos have some connection to ohio or they did in the past and can reach out
Nice find on the Marino Jr. bit. So it was Marino who asked if the men were Italians from Youngstown? Points to Youngstown still falling into the mafia network somehow. Were the men from Youngstown like he thought?
Marino asking if they were Italians from Youngtown would def suggest he had some knowledge of connected people there, otherwise I can't imagine it would make a difference where in Ohio they were from or what their ethnicity was.
Another strong connection to Youngstown was NJ Gambino member Joseph "Demus" Covello, a lieutenant for the Gambino's. The sports book between Youngstown and Wheeling, WV was run by Joey Naples (Youngstown kingpin) and Paul Hankish (Wheeling, WV kingpin). Covello was Godfather to Paul Hankish's daughter. Paul laid off most of his action to Covello in NJ as well as the rest to the Patriarca Crime Family. Paul Hankish was arguably one of the most powerful non Italian associates in the U.S. Mafia. Paul Hankish also had direct ties to Sam DeCalvacante.
Youngstown ties to the Gambino's can be traced at least to Paul Romeo & Dominic Mallamo, former longtime Bosses of Youngstown through their Reggio Calabria roots going back to the 1940's. Romeo grew up in Casignana, RC and Mallamo in San Nicola Ardore, RC. The Origins of the U.S Mafia by Critchley cited Dominic Mallamo being made into a NYC family (I believe it was the Profaci's). Additionally, Mallamo's older brother Nicola "Nicky" Mallamo who was killed in Niles, Oh in 1927 had strong ties to NY back int he 1920's through a few of his cousins who settled there.
https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... New%20York
Additionally, Nicola "Greaseball" Melia had his family roots in the Youngstown/Western PA area. Melia is a high ranking Gambino associate and a cousin to Dominic Mallamo, he ran/runs Stamford,CT. Nicola Melia had a brother Vince who was BIG in Montreal, both Calabrians. Nick Melia used to spend a few weeks at my grandparents house when he was in town visiting relatives, going to weddings or attending funerals.