Buffalo/Ontario Mob Acitivity

[Newyorkempire]

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/0 ... ences.html

He was denied months ago. Strange it took so long for it to make the news. Assuming that the retaliatory violence against him might come from w hats left if the Musitano clan.

[OcSleeper]

That article is from April and was posted when it came out

[OcSleeper]

It's gated. Anyway you can post the whole article.

Buffalo schoolteacher and coach who moonlighted as a marijuana grower and trafficker, is suffering from lymphoma, and a federal judge has indefinitely postponed his sentencing date.

Masecchia pleaded guilty last year to felony charges of drug trafficking and unlawful weapons possession. Under sentencing guidelines, he faces a likely prison term of seven to eight years.

The 55-year-old Amherst man was scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 4, but U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra delayed the proceeding at the request of Masecchia’s attorney, Patrick J. Brown.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Masecchia has been diagnosed with lymphoma, and is in the midst of chemotherapy treatment at Roswell Park Memorial Hospital,” Brown informed the judge in a letter. “His treatment is expected to be ongoing for the remainder of the year.”

Lymphoma is a potentially fatal form of cancer that attacks part of the body’s immune system.

“He knows he will have to face the judge for sentencing in federal court,” Brown told The Buffalo News last week. “Right now, we’re in an indefinite holding pattern while Mike continues his treatment … I think he’s got a long, difficult fight ahead.”

Masecchia, a longtime teacher who taught English at Grover Cleveland High School, is one of several local men targeted in an ongoing federal investigation into suspected organized crime activities. Prosecutors have alleged that Masecchia is an associate of Buffalo's "Mafia" organization.

Eighteen people – including two city high school principals, more than a dozen educators and a National Football League player – have written letters to Sinatra, lauding Masecchia as a dedicated and caring teacher and asking for leniency.

“No one took the time to care about his students like Michael did,” wrote David J. Potter, principal at Buffalo’s Middle Early College High School, who sent his letter on official Buffalo Schools stationery.

Potter and other educators described Masecchia as a teacher and coach who inspired his students, brought in food for students from poor families, stuck up for students who were bullied and spent extra time after school to help refugee kids with their English language skills.

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Steven Means, a former star on the Grover Cleveland football team, recalled that he was “on the brink” of crossing over into a world of criminal activity when Masecchia took him under his wing and “stopped me from making mistakes.”

Means said he may not have had a career in the NFL without the guidance of “Mr. Mike.”

But a much less flattering picture is painted in court documents filed by the U.S. Attorney's office, including the plea agreement that Masecchia signed when he admitted to multiple felony crimes in December.

He admitted he ran a large marijuana growing facility in rural Cattaraugus. Masecchia admitted that he began trafficking in pot around 1999, long before New York and other states took steps toward legalizing the drug. Masecchia admitted that he has distributed more than a ton of marijuana during that time.

Masecchia said he “and others” in the drug trade had help from a crooked federal agent, co-defendant Joseph Bongiovanni. He said Bongiovanni helped him and other drug traffickers to avoid arrest by providing “law enforcement-sensitive information,” including the names of potential cooperating witnesses.

Bongiovanni, formerly of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, denies the allegations.

And Masecchia admitted that he possessed illegal firearms, including a gun that federal agents found under his mattress when they raided his home in 2019.

According to court papers, the items found at the teacher’s home included $27,950 in cash, eight guns, ammunition, three Mason jars of marijuana, various steroids in liquid and tablet form, hypodermic needles, two grams of suspected cocaine, Tylenol with codeine tablets, suspected hashish and four cellphones.

It is difficult to reconcile Masecchia’s criminal activities with his “outstanding service” as an educator and coach, Brown said.

The longtime defense lawyer said Masecchia is one of many clients he has represented who lived exemplary lives in many respects but also engaged in serious criminal activity.

“Over the years, he did go out of his way to help students, including foreign students and students who were being bullied by others,” Brown said. “He really has lived two different lives over the years. I cannot understand it. It is a mystery to me as to how some people can do this."

[Newyorkempire]

That article is from April and was posted when it came out

My mistake. First i saw it.

[Tonyd621]

So he was an informant?

[Newyorkempire]

So he was an informant?

Technically if hes giving info on Bongiovanni.

[NickleCity]

OC & The Legalization of Marijuana in NY

There are those who are concerned about the possibility that organized crime will infiltrate the newly legalized marijuana market in New York State. These concerns are amplified given recent news articles about OC's possible involvement in Canadian grow operations, which have not been legalized for that long. See:

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeadams/ ... 858a587c66

• https://www.thegrowthop.com/cannabis-ne ... nadian-pot

• https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/in ... e37163121/

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal ... cWSJ6WIjtg

In Buffalo we have had a couple stories involving illegal marijuana shipments across the Peace Bridge and their possible connection to OC groups. See:

• https://buffalonews.com/news/local/crim ... 28c73.html

• https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/crime ... 2dba7eaaf6

Of interest to me and others watching this subject is the large industrial marijuana farm proposed for South Buffalo by Brad Termini. Here are some articles on the proposal:

• https://buffalonews.com/business/local/ ... 139bd.html

• https://buffalonews.com/news/local/high ... e3cb1.html

• https://www.wivb.com/news/with-legaliza ... n-buffalo/

• https://buffalonews.com/business/local/ ... c60b0.html

• https://buffalonews.com/business/local/ ... fb16e.html

• https://buffalonews.com/business/local/ ... fabad.html

The reason for this interest are rumors that Brad Termini's father (Rocco: a big developer in Buffalo) has ties to the mafia. These are just rumors and there are no articles supporting them. So take that statement for what it is worth.

However, a reason for these rumors is the fact that Rocco's father Johnny "Hollywood" Termini (AKA Hollywood John) was alleged to be a good friend of Magaddino. He was placed in a leadership position (Secretary Treasurer) in Local 210 wrest control from the Irish in order to have the union save the interests of the Buffalo crime family. Additionally, he was involved with some of the area gambling rackets. Here are some quotes and references to where you can find this information.

The Triangle Exit by Ron Fino

Mafia-controlled John Termini was appointed secretary-treasurer. By 1955, the Randaccio's were a power to be reckoned with and with mob boss Stefano Magaddino's approval, Victor Randaccio replaced Termini. -- Fino, Ronald; Michael Rizzo. Thriller: The Triangle Exit: The True Story of a Secret Undercover Operative for the FBI and CIA (Organized Crime) . Contento Now. Kindle Edition.

DiCarlo: Buffalo's First Family of Crime by Hunt & Tona

Caputo’s December 19, 1951, death allowed Fred Randaccio, a former member of the DiCarlo Gang, to step into the role of Domiano’s collector and bodyguard. “Hollywood John” Termini began working closely with Acquisto in the gambling rackets and also partnered with Victor Randaccio and John Cammilleri in controlling Buffalo Local 210 of the International Hod Carriers, Building and Common Laborer’s Union of America. -- Hunt, Thomas; Tona, Michael A.. DiCarlo: Buffalo's First Family of Crime - Vol. II . Hunt&Tona Publications. Kindle Edition.

Here is a quote from John Termini's obituary that indicates Rocco is his son, and corroborates these stories in that it describes how he got his nickname or moniker "Hollywood" as mentioned by the authors above:

John P. Termini, owner of the Massachusetts Superette on Buffalo's West Side from 1954 to 1979 and father of developer Rocco Termini, died Monday in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Amherst. He was 94.

A native of Buffalo, Mr. Termini owned and ran his supermarket and was famous for always being well-dressed, which earned him the nickname "Hollywood John." Following his retirement, Mr. Termini and his wife traveled the world, managing to visit five continents. He was also an avid swimmer.

Link to obituary in Buffalo News: https://buffalonews.com/news/john-p-ter ... 81762.html

I will note that Termini is reported by Hunt & Tona as having a falling out with Magaddino because he was operating a gambling operation and not kicking up. However, instead of having Termini killed he just banished him from all involvement in the crime family. They write:

Magaddino’s wrath apparently was tempered by his long personal regard for Acquisto. While Randaccio and other top lieutenants advised that Acquisto should be killed as an example to others who might consider a double-cross, the Mafia boss merely banished both men from his crime family and ordered the Arm membership to have no more to do with them.

[Newyorkempire]

Termini is/was close to Ciminelli. Havent heard anything about his illness in a while.

[TommyNoto]

OC & The Legalization of Marijuana in NY

There are those who are concerned about the possibility that organized crime will infiltrate the newly legalized marijuana market in New York State. These concerns are amplified given recent news articles about OC's possible involvement in Canadian grow operations, which have not been legalized for that long. See:

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeadams/ ... 858a587c66

• https://www.thegrowthop.com/cannabis-ne ... nadian-pot

• https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/in ... e37163121/

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal ... cWSJ6WIjtg

In Buffalo we have had a couple stories involving illegal marijuana shipments across the Peace Bridge and their possible connection to OC groups. See:

• https://buffalonews.com/news/local/crim ... 28c73.html

• https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/crime ... 2dba7eaaf6

Of interest to me and others watching this subject is the large industrial marijuana farm proposed for South Buffalo by Brad Termini. Here are some articles on the proposal:

• https://buffalonews.com/business/local/ ... 139bd.html

• https://buffalonews.com/news/local/high ... e3cb1.html

• https://www.wivb.com/news/with-legaliza ... n-buffalo/

• https://buffalonews.com/business/local/ ... c60b0.html

• https://buffalonews.com/business/local/ ... fb16e.html

• https://buffalonews.com/business/local/ ... fabad.html

The reason for this interest are rumors that Brad Termini's father (Rocco: a big developer in Buffalo) has ties to the mafia. These are just rumors and there are no articles supporting them. So take that statement for what it is worth.

However, a reason for these rumors is the fact that Rocco's father Johnny "Hollywood" Termini (AKA Hollywood John) was alleged to be a good friend of Magaddino. He was placed in a leadership position (Secretary Treasurer) in Local 210 wrest control from the Irish in order to have the union save the interests of the Buffalo crime family. Additionally, he was involved with some of the area gambling rackets. Here are some quotes and references to where you can find this information.

The Triangle Exit by Ron Fino

Mafia-controlled John Termini was appointed secretary-treasurer. By 1955, the Randaccio's were a power to be reckoned with and with mob boss Stefano Magaddino's approval, Victor Randaccio replaced Termini. -- Fino, Ronald; Michael Rizzo. Thriller: The Triangle Exit: The True Story of a Secret Undercover Operative for the FBI and CIA (Organized Crime) . Contento Now. Kindle Edition.

DiCarlo: Buffalo's First Family of Crime by Hunt & Tona

Caputo’s December 19, 1951, death allowed Fred Randaccio, a former member of the DiCarlo Gang, to step into the role of Domiano’s collector and bodyguard. “Hollywood John” Termini began working closely with Acquisto in the gambling rackets and also partnered with Victor Randaccio and John Cammilleri in controlling Buffalo Local 210 of the International Hod Carriers, Building and Common Laborer’s Union of America. -- Hunt, Thomas; Tona, Michael A.. DiCarlo: Buffalo's First Family of Crime - Vol. II . Hunt&Tona Publications. Kindle Edition.

Here is a quote from John Termini's obituary that indicates Rocco is his son, and corroborates these stories in that it describes how he got his nickname or moniker "Hollywood" as mentioned by the authors above:

John P. Termini, owner of the Massachusetts Superette on Buffalo's West Side from 1954 to 1979 and father of developer Rocco Termini, died Monday in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Amherst. He was 94.

A native of Buffalo, Mr. Termini owned and ran his supermarket and was famous for always being well-dressed, which earned him the nickname "Hollywood John." Following his retirement, Mr. Termini and his wife traveled the world, managing to visit five continents. He was also an avid swimmer.

Link to obituary in Buffalo News: https://buffalonews.com/news/john-p-ter ... 81762.html

I will note that Termini is reported by Hunt & Tona as having a falling out with Magaddino because he was operating a gambling operation and not kicking up. However, instead of having Termini killed he just banished him from all involvement in the crime family. They write:

Magaddino’s wrath apparently was tempered by his long personal regard for Acquisto. While Randaccio and other top lieutenants advised that Acquisto should be killed as an example to others who might consider a double-cross, the Mafia boss merely banished both men from his crime family and ordered the Arm membership to have no more to do with them.

The NY mafia should and likely are going full throttle for the weed business but the $ will be in the illegal side. The families should be cooperating as there is so much $ to be made, the market is fragmented with almost no LE threat. With weed and gambling it’s a great time to be a wise guy IMO

[antimafia]

Cross-posting. This article has all sorts of chewy goodness.
______________

Really good article here by the Montreal Gazette's Paul Cherry. Discusses not only the prison release denied Charles Gagné, who killed Eddie Melo in 2001, but also makes references to the related conflict within the 'ndrangheta in Ontario back then and the 2012 warning given Jimmy Demaria of the Siderno Group about the Rizzuto camp in Montreal wanting him dead.

Hitman who killed Mafia enforcer Eddie Melo denied a release

https://montrealgazette.com/news/hitman ... a-release/

Could someone let me know whether the article to which I've linked below is behind a paywall? I'm able to read the story but I'm a paid subscriber to the newspaper.

Convicted hit man denied unescorted passes to the GTA, where he’d killed two while on parole
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/0 ... arole.html

[OcSleeper]

Could someone let me know whether the article to which I've linked below is behind a paywall? I'm able to read the story but I'm a paid subscriber to the newspaper.

Convicted hit man denied unescorted passes to the GTA, where he’d killed two while on parole
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/0 ... arole.html

No paywall

[PogueMahone]

Domenico Violo up for parole:

https://montrealgazette.com/news/canada ... bout-mafia

Please delete if it was already posted

[antimafia]

^^^^
Hamilton drug trafficker wins appeal for new parole hearing. Board had denied him over ‘retaliatory’ threat to his life

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/0 ... -life.html

[SonnyBlackstein]

Domenico Violo up for parole:

https://montrealgazette.com/news/canada ... bout-mafia

Please delete if it was already posted

Good find.

For context he was sentenced in Dec 18.

Eligible for parole after not even 3 years for importing 260,000 pills including fentanyl. What a joke.

[antimafia]

^^^^
Nice find indeed, PogueMahone.

Peter Edwards wrote an article about Domenico Violi's parole matters that was published back on April 23. The poster Dave65827 posted a link to it that day -- see below. I think Edwards's and Humphreys's articles are piggybacking off each other.

Domenico Violi denied Parole the board sites potential threats against his life https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/0 ... ences.html