1992 San Jose LCN Family Racketeering Enterprise Investigation

[JoeCamel]

I’ve always been very interested in the Bay Area Crime families and San Jose has a special place in my heart so the lack of information on them post 1983, let alone the Cerrito days being woefully untapped as far as basically anything this family really did, aside from the obvious life suit, Catelli Murder, Harold smith extortion, and Dominic Ferritto trying to stab Joe Cerrito while chasing him around the island in his kitchen, there really isn’t much on them. The Rat Trap Articles are amazing, as is Eric’s research on this forum and his newish blog, as well as the odd article or a few awesome threads on here over the years.

So when I came across an FBI file about a 1992 investigation (standard proactive racketeering investigation trying to make a case
On the local LCN like 30 other offices also are at any given time) I was delighted and I decided to contribute to the forum in a way other then tallying how many Patriarcas live in Maine or fighting Wiseguy to acknowledge his ego centric and condescending behavior and lead him to transcendence, which honestly I’ve noticed he’s been doing a great job with the last few months. I’m going to summarize it like chin or B would and any other San Jose or San Francisco discussion that anyone feels isn’t generally known or relevant to the time period 1985-the present would be more than welcome.

It seems to me at this point the San Jose
family both in practice and in the eyes of the FBI was a combination of zips, ex Bonnanos, San Jose made men and associates and the few San Francisco members left all in a loose conglomerate, but still acting in concert. The organization was centered around a dozen restaurants that propagated their activities. There are
More guys that were redacted I haven’t researched yet, but I will add to Post if I can confirm anyone new.


Airtel Dated May 26, 1992

Synopsis section begins with the SF field office requesting their racketeering investigation be continued for another 180 days, and notes made members and associates of the San Jose LCN are continuing to operate in the south SF Bay Area. It is confirmed that members and associates have entered in business ventures outside of the Santa Clara County Area. Activity is increasing. Investigations in Santa Clara county and Sacramento seek to determine collusion with LCN members and Sicilian Cosa Nostra which may be establishing businesses.

The Restaurant Business in the Bay Area is the most infiltrated and common industry both SJ and the Sicilians are involved in and the entities remain in close contact. Places opening all over SC county and as far as Folsom.

John Stanfa is in contact with members of the SJ LCN and Sicilians. He is confirmed to have spoken to Joe Piazza at least twice recent relative to the report.

Joe Bonanno JR continues a business relationship with REDACTED who operates a construction firm
In Reno

Affiliations with LCN families are loose with no one boss or head of the family on the street. Crimes SJ LCN is known to be committing are fraud, Bank fraud, Loan sharking, extortion and money laundering by using ill gotten gains to invest in legitimate business, especially the new restaurants.

More Details…..

Sal Marino is back in prison for the Cal Cheese Murder, and is awaiting trial on Gun charges while on appeal bond. ATF and SJ PD on the Case. The state is currently
Calculating how much time he has left at this point. He still owns his San Jose residence and has a REDACTED status at California Food Products in Sacramento where most of his time is spent recently. The assumption is he will return here.

Bill Bonnano is unknown to be committing crime and is on Parole. Very close to Joe Bonnano Jr, who is also on parole and subject to separate FBI investigation pertaining to check cashing in the amount of 63,000$ drawn on unaware people’s credit card accounts. His partner told the FBI he gave Joe the whole 63,000, but a confidential source tells the FBI he stole 30,000$ from Joe Jr. The Partner who owns Auto Center West is filing Bankruptcy. Joe JR also expanding his construction company from NV to the San Jose area.

Vince Digirolamo awaiting trial for Tax evasion. Owns a restaurant and 5 houses in Folsom. He has a close relationship to Sal Amarena and Giovanni Toracca of SF family who both are Sicilian and run several restaurants in San Jose, Los Gatos, Palo Alto. 5 REDACTED individuals work at several of the restaurants concurrently and is of suspect to the FBI. Joe Piazza San Jose Made man involved in this circle.

Golden Ram Sportsman club is owned by two of the redacted individuals. They also own land in North Bay Area where they hunt ducks. FBI assumes Golden Ram is Mob Social Club.

Several Redacted people are looking for plastic explosives to settle a score. Probably Toracca. An LA informant says there are several targets. Some information corroborated.

It is Confirmed that John Stanfa is phoning someone in this circle (redacted) regularly. Appears to be Giovanni in addition To Joe Piazza . Plastic explosives might be for him for Philly Merlino War. This restaurant nexus with SF, SJ and Bonnano LCN members and Sicilians is under investigation for money laundering and possible narcotics trafficking


To conclude
The FBI will continue to monitor court and legal proceedings including Sal Marino

Will continue to pursue Joe Bonnano JR

Will continue to pursue the Sicilian/Bonnano/San Jose/fransisco restaurant nexus suspected on money laundering and drug trafficking

[JoeCamel]

So San Jose and Bay Area still had quite a bit going on well past the point people generally assume. Someone a while ago (maybe B, but maybe not) Posited that San Jose Bonnano crew and San Jose LCN family were basically the same entity past a certain point, and despite Joe Bonnano being in Tucson maybe he has much more of an effect then generally assumed on the Bay Area later on. His dream came true.

The FBI Carried both Bonnanos as San Jose members on various occasions. Maybe more true then we think. My point being we don’t know shit about what was going on in the late 80s,90s, 2000s

[JoeCamel]

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/me ... d=32607017

Also Donato Ditri Died. I believe Sal Marino is Still Alive, and is confirmed as a member, with a few questionable guys (Carlo America, Tom Novello, Bracco,) though if it’s not your opinion Donato was the last of the made guys.

[Snakes]

Well, San Jose still had ten members in 1993, so I don't think it's too far out of left field to assume there was still some activity.

[JoePuzzles234]

He has a close relationship to Sal Amarena and Giovanni Toracca of SF family who both are Sicilian and run several restaurants in San Jose, Los Gatos, Palo Alto.

Nothing of note but I found the wording here interesting for Amarena, it makes it seem like he was still alive by 1992

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/me ... d=32607017

Also Donato Ditri Died. I believe Sal Marino is Still Alive, and is confirmed as a member, with a few questionable guys (Carlo America, Tom Novello, Bracco,) though if it’s not your opinion Donato was the last of the made guys.

Nice find on Ditri. Regarding Marino, I put together this edit of the FBI's 1993 membership list for SJ (originally posted by user Snakes here: viewtopic.php?f=29&t=8550) - personally I've never seen Marino listed anywhere officially as a member, same for Novello (who was a manager at the California Cheese Company from my understanding) or Carlo America.

List Edit:

[JoePuzzles234]

List Edit:

Seems like the embed is not working, my apologies for double posting. Here is the link: https://imgur.com/a/5yBbdPQ

[JoeCamel]

I have seen Sal Marino referred to as a member in AP news reports and in Mercury News Articles, as well as people on local San Jose message boards, but that doesn’t mean shit. I for one would assume he is a made guy. His father wouldn’t have not made him. I have seen 1977 floated as the year of his induction which is when Cerrito was still around, and I have seen one FBI document from like 1969 where he is floated as a possible member.

[Stroccos]

Anything on Frank Velotta

[Patrickgold]

So San Jose and Bay Area still had quite a bit going on well past the point people generally assume. Someone a while ago (maybe B, but maybe not) Posited that San Jose Bonnano crew and San Jose LCN family were basically the same entity past a certain point, and despite Joe Bonnano being in Tucson maybe he has much more of an effect then generally assumed on the Bay Area later on. His dream came true.

The FBI Carried both Bonnanos as San Jose members on various occasions. Maybe more true then we think. My point being we don’t know shit about what was going on in the late 80s,90s, 2000s

Great post! Interesting that Giovanni Toracca was named part of the San Fran family. The most I have heard was that he was connected with Ron the cigar Sacco. All the press he got in the 90s really never said that he was part of LCN. Did it mention anything about Jimmy Lanza or Emanuel Figlia? Both were still very much alive in the 90s and both were the last known bosses of the bay families. Toracca is still alive and still owns restaurants in North Beach.

[JoeCamel]

So San Jose and Bay Area still had quite a bit going on well past the point people generally assume. Someone a while ago (maybe B, but maybe not) Posited that San Jose Bonnano crew and San Jose LCN family were basically the same entity past a certain point, and despite Joe Bonnano being in Tucson maybe he has much more of an effect then generally assumed on the Bay Area later on. His dream came true.

The FBI Carried both Bonnanos as San Jose members on various occasions. Maybe more true then we think. My point being we don’t know shit about what was going on in the late 80s,90s, 2000s

Great post! Interesting that Giovanni Toracca was named part of the San Fran family. The most I have heard was that he was connected with Ron the cigar Sacco. All the press he got in the 90s really never said that he was part of LCN. Did it mention anything about Jimmy Lanza or Emanuel Figlia? Both were still very much alive in the 90s and both were the last known bosses of the bay families. Toracca is still alive and still owns restaurants in North Beach.

I was actually burned out and forgot, but there was an anecdote where they said they weren’t sure who he was officially with, Sicilians or Americans because he associated with both. Was the main representatives to Sicilian CN in the area for SJ LCN.

All four groups were kind operating as one large group of affiliates. Definitely nothing on Lanza, none of the redactions fit…possible for figlia but I don’t think so. The most attention was paid to Sal Marino, Bonanno bros, Vince D, and Toracca

[JoeCamel]

Nothing on Velotta

[JoeCamel]

Restaurants investigated by FBI
Palermo Ristorante Italiano, San Jose
Palermo Rotisserie, Palo Alto ((Giovanni toccagino)
Damianos, Folsom (digirolamo)
Bacio Ristorante Italiano, Los Gatos
Mondello, Cupertino (Cristoffaro Cassara)

Toccagino had a brother as well, since passed away, though Giovanni toccagino still alive. From Taranto, where I believe several SJ LCN members were from.

Seems like quite the Bay Area zip faction in the 90s existed.
Sal amarena in the present sense was a typo on my part

Relatively sure Balistreris redacted in there as well

[Patrickgold]

Restaurants investigated by FBI
Palermo Ristorante Italiano, San Jose
Palermo Rotisserie, Palo Alto ((Giovanni toccagino)
Damianos, Folsom (digirolamo)
Bacio Ristorante Italiano, Los Gatos
Mondello, Cupertino (Cristoffaro Cassara)

Toccagino had a brother as well, since passed away, though Giovanni toccagino still alive. From Taranto, where I believe several SJ LCN members were from.

Seems like quite the Bay Area zip faction in the 90s existed.
Sal amarena in the present sense was a typo on my part

Relatively sure Balistreris redacted in there as well

What about Sergio Maranghi and Angelo Commito?

[JoeCamel]

It’s more San Jose centric then SF: still trying to figure out like 10 redacted names so I doubt it. Sergio Maranghi had already cooperated at this point.

[furiofromnaples]

http://www.gangsterbb.net/threads/ubbth ... ber=753252

1992 14 made men 18 associates

Adragna, Vito
* soldier of San Jose Mafia Family
* formerly associated with Pittsburgh Mafia Family
* brother of George Adragna, member of Pittsburgh Mafia Family
* owner of the ACME Vending Company
* born on May 1, 1917 in New York City
* passed away on April 7, 2008 in San Jose

America, Carlo
* soldier of San Jose Mafia Family
* took over Frank's Pizza, Millbrae, from Gaetano Gambrioli in 1977
* owner of Pizza Jack's
* born around 1937 in Porticello, Sicily
* reported to be still alive and living in San Jose

Bracco, Larry
* soldier of San Jose Mafia Family
* born around 1947 in San Jose
* reported to be still alive and living in Sacramento

Costanza, Salvatore "Sal C"
* soldier of San Jose Mafia Family
* born on May 12, 1912 in Borgetto, Sicily
* passed away on January 20, 1994 in Contra Costa County

Cusenza, Leo
* capo of San Jose Mafia Family
* based in Modesto
* son of Joseph
* became a capo when his father died
* born on May 4, 1913 in San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily
* passed away on March 25, 1995 in Modesto

Ditri, Antonio "Tony D"
* soldier
* born around 1929 in Palermo, Sicily
* passed away in 2005

Ditri, Donato "Dan"
* soldier
* brother of Antonio Ditri
* born around 1932 in Palermo, Sicily
* reported to be still alive and living in Sunnyvale

Figlia, Emanuel Joseph "Manny"
* boss of San Jose Mafia Family from 1983 until 1995
* married to sister of Joseph Cerrito
* owner of the 13th Street Car Dealership
* born on March 1, 1918 in New York City
* passed away on September 25, 2009 in San Jose

Guttadauro, Mariano
* consigliere of San Jose Mafia Family
* retired and moved to Italy in 1995
* born on January 9, 1911 in Porticello, Sicily
* passed away on July 22, 2001 in Palermo, Sicily

Maestri, Frank
* soldier of San Jose Mafia Family
* owner of Frank-Lin Distillers
* born on August 5, 1918 in San Francisco
* passed away on July 9, 2008 in San Jose

Marino, Salvatore
* capo of San Jose Mafia Family
* son of Angelo
* became a made member in 1977
* born around 1948 in Sharon, PA
* reported to be still alive and living in San Jose

Napolitano, Thomas Dominick "Tommy"
* soldier of San Jose Mafia Family
* born on December 1, 1922 in San Jose
* Passed away on Jan 2, 2012 in Contra Costa County

Novello, Thomas "Tom"
* soldier of San Jose Mafia Family
* manager of the California Cheese Company
* last member to be made in 1982
* born on September 2, 1951 in Palermo, Sicily
* reported to be still alive and living in San Jose

Piazza, Joseph Louis
* soldier of San Jose Mafia Family
* born on April 7, 1936 in San Francisco
* passed away on February 24, 2005 in Stockton

San Jose Mafia Family associates

Antonino "Nino" America (70's-1995) Brother of San Jose soldier Carlo America. Owned Grande Pizza in San Jose. Died in 1995.
Vincenzo "Vince" Novello (70's-2007) Brother of Thomas Novello.
Salvatore "Dopey" Vaccaro (80's-Pr) San Jose based methamphetamine dealer in the 80's and 90's.
Ernest "Ernie" Casetta (50's-Pr) San Jose based associate. The owner of Ernie's Used Car Dealership in San Jose. Still alive at the age of 91.
Stephen Rosario Cerrito (60's-Pr) Son of San Jose boss Joseph Cerrito. Took over his father's car dealerships after Joseph died in 1978. Was arrested for money laundering in 1990. Current owner of City Canvas in San Jose.
Salvatore Anthony Cerrito (60's-Pr) Son of San Jose boss Joseph Cerrito. Was arrested for money laundering with his brother.
Alfred John Salciccia (60's-Pr) San Jose based associate. Was involved in marijuana smuggling from Mexico to San Jose in the 60's and 70's. The manager of Tony and Alba's Pizza in San Jose.
Richard Salciccia (70's-Pr) Brother of Alfred. Owns a San Jose Insurance Company. Was a member of the Salvatore Marino Crew in the 80's and 90's.
Thomas Salciccia (60's-Pr) Brother of Alfred and Richard. Longtime San Jose Lawyer, represented Joseph Cerrito, Angelo Marino and a number of other San Jose mobsters.
Barry Bracco (70's-Pr) Brother of San Jose mobster Larry Bracco.
Giovanni "Johnny" Sparacio (80's-Pr) San Jose based associate. Owned Antonelli's Italian Restaurant with a Partner. Was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon in 1997.
George "The Irishman" Rich (80's-2011) San Jose based cocaine trafficker. The second owner of the Caravan Lounge. Passed away in 2011.
Joseph Campagna (40's-1997) Close friend of Angelo Marino. Owned Campagna's Shoe Repair from 1931 till 1966.
Salvatore Campagna (70's-Pr) Close friend of Angelo Marino.
Phil Arena (80's-Pr) San Jose based gambling figure. Was involved in an illegal slot machine operation with Vito Adragna in the 80's and 90's. Owned the E&J Liquor Store on 13th Street.
Joseph Curcio (70's-Pr) Was involved in illegal gambling with Vito Adragna.
Louis "Babe" Rocca (50's-2005) Former owner of Original Joe's Restaurant. Was involved in illegal gambling.
John "Johnny D" DeRose (70's-Pr) San Jose based associate and pimp.