NJ.com supposedly did an expose of sorts on "The Claw"

[Rocco]

I understood that the bankruptcy, financial difficulties of the Claw and his wife are just tinsel or a cover from law enforcement. I was told that he was an underground millionaire and he was trying to put someone from his family on the head of the locale

Are you being sarcastic?

I don't believe he lived in the trailer park, at least not full-time. His defense used his registered property in South Jersey to contend that Castellazzo was broke and didn't have any assets. I doubt he's an underground millionaire, but he operated various social clubs and gambling operations throughout South Brooklyn at the same time that he was living in this supposed trailer park. He was also the underboss of the family, and shown to be a very "hands-on" administrator in the sense that he was constantly attending sit-downs and meetings. That's allegedly how he got the nickname "The Claw," because he always found a way to claw his way into underlings' rackets. Considering he was in South Brooklyn every day, I doubt he was making the 1.5-2 hour drive from the trailer park every day. Also, surveillance from the Torrese Social Club, which was investigated from 1998-2000, showed that Castellazzo was there until very late at night. Highly unlikely that he was driving back to the trailer park, but maybe I'm underestimating him.

Let's not to mention, the guy was also doing pretty well for himself. Off the top of my head, I recall that he was in charge of craps games, card games and sports betting in Gravesend throughout the late 1990s until his arrest in 2000. That investigation was centered around the Torrese Social Club, and others like the Wrong Number Bar (IIRC), that were hosting multiple gambling games a week. Then, after his release from prison in 2002, he was right back in the mix, and Gang Land News reported that he had taken over many of Joe Cacace's operations after Cacace's arrest.

Then, with his rise to underboss, he allegedly muscled into various rackets such as the Figli di Santa Rosalia stuff, the "Razzle Dazzle" Angelo Spata stuff, Johnny Cash Azzarelli and his Joker Poker operation, Roger Califano's sports book, and the L&B Spumoni business, just to name a few. So the guy clearly had money. If he lived in a trailer park, it certainly wasn't because he couldn't afford a decent apartment in New York.

He more then likely lived in an apartment in NY leased under someone else.

[SolarSolano]

He could be like Gigante or that special breed who would go the lengths to live this lifestyle and all the risks and not even live off the rewards - that's why some of these older guys this hardcore are so fascinating.

[Tonyd621]

Da obvious

Not so obvious to the various reporters who used the line "brokefella" etc. in their various article since 2011.

"The Claw" must claimed indigent because according to this week's gangland he has a court appointed attorney . That court appointed attorney is Jennifer Louis Jeune. The same attorney that got Cammarano and his co defendants not guilty veridct in their last trial.

[gohnjotti]

Da obvious

Not so obvious to the various reporters who used the line "brokefella" etc. in their various article since 2011.

"The Claw" must claimed indigent because according to this week's gangland he has a court appointed attorney . That court appointed attorney is Jennifer Louis Jeune. The same attorney that got Cammarano and his co defendants not guilty veridct in their last trial.

Lucky him
Andy Russo got a court-appointed attorney when he was indicted as acting boss in the 1990s, IIRC. I'm not sure why mobsters would claim broke and get a court-appointed attorney over a top-dollar attorney, or one of their go-to lawyers like Mathew Mari or John Meringolo, especially when their bail is at stake.

[Tonyd621]

Da obvious

Not so obvious to the various reporters who used the line "brokefella" etc. in their various article since 2011.

"The Claw" must claimed indigent because according to this week's gangland he has a court appointed attorney . That court appointed attorney is Jennifer Louis Jeune. The same attorney that got Cammarano and his co defendants not guilty veridct in their last trial.

Lucky him
Andy Russo got a court-appointed attorney when he was indicted as acting boss in the 1990s, IIRC. I'm not sure why mobsters would claim broke and get a court-appointed attorney over a top-dollar attorney, or one of their go-to lawyers like Mathew Mari or John Meringolo, especially when their bail is at stake.

Maybe he is broke. Lol

[Pmac2]

free the claw

[Pmac2]

actually watched some oc short video on charley moose panarella. he had a huge vicious crew in the 70tys i didnt know joel cacacce came from it anyway i think i read joel waverly and the claw were partners so im guessing he came from the charley moose tree

[gohnjotti]

actually watched some oc short video on charley moose panarella. he had a huge vicious crew in the 70tys i didnt know joel cacacce came from it anyway i think i read joel waverly and the claw were partners so im guessing he came from the charley moose tree

Could you send the video? I don't know much about that crew.

[Tonyd621]

free the claw

Free the Claw! free the Claw! free the Claw!