Thomas Greco FBI File Summary

[Antiliar]

Thomas Greco FBI File Summary

I uploaded this set of files to the FBI section. I have each file list in order of its section number. The dates on the left are for the dates of reports, memos, etc. I jotted down what I thought was the most interesting information.

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92-HQ-3961 – Section 1
- 12/24/58: Tom Greco is a top NYO hoodlum of national prominence. Greco acknowledges being on the payroll of Romeo Italian Kitchen, 1625 Broadway, as a labor relations consultant. San Francisco informant said this is located near Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant on Broadway. Greco denies ownership but could be concealed owner.

- Greco is close to Joseph Biondo and was a member of Lucky Luciano’s original crew on East 12th Street. He is also close to Vito Genovese. He is active and a leader in the Italian mob on East 12th Street and holds forth daily in the rear of Lanza’s Restaurant, 168 First Ave.

- Rec’d info that Greco threatened Frank Costello during an Atlantic City, NJ meeting. “Lefty” mentioned by informant is probably George Rizzo, AKA “Georgie Lefty” and “Lefty,” who is a lieutenant in the Greco-Biondo group [note: the FBI evidently thought they were the same group at that time]. “Charlutzo” named by San Francisco informant is probably Charles Gagliodotto, AKA “Chalutz,” who operated a small café on the corner of Houston and Mott Streets. Both Rizzo and Gagliodotto are respected and dangerous.

- 3/25/59: Description: Thomas Greco AKA Tom Palmer, Tommy Palmieri, Tony Palma; Male; Whilte; 63, born 2/19/95 or 12/19/95 at Messina, Italy (not verified); Height: 5’8”; Wt: 180 pds; Hair: Brown, graying; Eyes: Brown, wears horn rimmed glasses occasionally; Complexion: dark; Build: medium; Residence: 141 Bay Blvd., Atlantic Beach, NY; Characteristics: takes insulin for diabetes; Occupation: Representative for Romeo’s Italian Kitchen, NYC

- 11/23/60: Has arrests on 1/29/25, NYC; 10/5/35, Trenton, NJ; 3/8/35, NJ. Arrested as fugitive on 10/5/35; arrested as suspicious person on 3/8/35 and given 30 days in jail. 4/4/61: Fingerprints show Thomas Greco arrested in NJ is not identical to NY mobster.

- 4/24/61: Greco has resided in Miami Beach since 1/6/61. Informant advised Greco involved in bookmaking operation at Dunes Motel, Miami Beach, and seen nightly in company of Carmine Lombardozzi, Max Courtney and James Palmisano. Greco left NY with his wife on 1/5/61 and expected to stay in Florida for 2 or 3 months. Greco was interviewed on 2/3/61 and asked about NJ arrests. He denied he was ever arrested. It was a different Thomas Greco per fingerprints. NY T-1 identified a redacted member of Greco’s crew who was a long-time burglar and hold-up man, and was close to late Steve Armone. NY T-2 advised that Charlie “Dun Garra” (Dongarra) is inactive due to age, infirmity, and had heart attack a month ago. Biondo never came out of retirement. Greco still hangs out at Lanza’s but his role has been exaggerated. NY T-1 said there are four hoodlum groups operating around First Ave and 10th Street: Tom Palmer, Joe Biondo, George “Lefty” Rizzo, and Charlie Dongarra. Gives data on Lombardozzi and Max Courtney.

- Greco told agent that he planned to live in Dunes Hotel until April or May, 1961. He is part owner of two NYC restaurants, but not involved in operations. Greco says NYC is being taken over by “Puerto Ricans and colored gangs, who have most people afraid to leave their homes at night. They are robbing and beating up ‘old folks’ and in his day no old people were beaten up and robbed of their money. He said in his day ‘they may get money, but they would take a little and leave a little.’”

- 12/5/61: Source says Palerm receives 25% of total take of numbers racket in Bridgeport, CT area. Redacted name who runs errands for Greco and former Steve Armone was interviewed and admitted this and that he used to be a capable burglar and was never arrested. He is employed by Consolidated Bus Tours.

- 7/6/62: Greco rose to power under Lucky Luciano and inherited a considerable portion of his “hoodlum empire.” 6/29/62: Greco recently purchased an apartment in Hallandale, Florida. He has been described as an arbitrator and a “don.”

92-HQ-3961 – Section 2:

- 12/15/64: Palmer was overheard at Lanza’s being excited and critical of LEO who raised the weekly “nut” from $50 to $250. Informant said Palmer complained that “If these cops raise the nut one penny more he was going to have a few of them killed.”

92-HQ-1270 – Section 1:

- 12/15/58: Recommended to open a case file on Greco.

- Chauffeur’s Renewal Application for Thomas Greco: License expires May 31, 1961. Address: 141 Bay Blvd., Atl. Beach, L.I., N.Y., Nassau County. Employer: Romeos Restaurant, 247 West 42nd Street, NYC. DOB: 12/13/95. Male, 155 lbs, 5’11”, Brown eyes, Brown hair.

- Surveillance log of William J. Roemer and John J. Brennan, 9/14/59: Subject not observed at usual locations.

- Factservice, 1953: Beatrice Greco is a housewife dependent on her husband, who is a manager for corporation known as Italian Kitchen Inc., which operates Romeos Italian Kitchen at 247 West 42nd Street, NYC, and 1625 Broadway, NYC. Thomas Greco has been associated here for 20 years and is paid $200/week [$2218/week in 2022]. Worth is placed as $90,000+. Beatrice has $3,000 life insurance coverage w Prudential. She owns a 1952 Oldsmobile and 1949 Cadillac. Owns home valued at $50K w $5,000 mortgage, plus second residence up for sale. Beatrice has higher net worth since she has more in her name. Thomas Greco’s new worth is $75,000.

- 2/4/59: New York State of Motor Vehicles info: Beatrice Greco, born 6/29/1919; Thomas Greco, born 2/19/1895. She owns a 1957 Oldsmobile and he owns a 1956 Oldsmobile.

- 11/5/58: San Francisco informant said Palmer is feared by Sicilians as an individual because he is the head of “real toughs.” He said several years ago a meeting was held in Atlantic City between Frank Costello, Joe Adonis, Vito Genovese and others shortly before Adonis was deported [Note: Adonis left for Italy on 1/3/56]. Costello and Palmer – who is very hotheaded – got into an argument, and Palmer charged Costello to give him a beating. Vito Genovese intervened and stopped Palmer. The informant did not know the reason for the meeting. Palmer then told Costello that if he wanted a war he would let him have it and he “would knoch his G__ D____ block off.” Palmer is tall and belongs to a “tough group.” He is closely associated with Lefty and Charlutso. Charlutso owns a coffee house at the corner of Houston and Mott that is operated by his BIL. Charlutso was a cop killer and a “hop head.” He did time in 1920. In 1946 CAPGA ID’d Palmer as the head Sicilian in the Lower East Side who was only accountable to Frank Costello.

- 2/27/59: San Francisco CI advised he knew Joseph Biondo. He ID’d Charles Gagliodotto as Charlutzo and Lefty as George Rizzo, and Frank Citrano AKA Chick Wilson as members of his group, but could not ID anyone else. He ID’d Frank Celano as a Neapolitan whose wife ran a restaurant that was a hangout for Neapolitan hoodlums. CI thinks Celano might “sing.” He knew the Di Palermo brothers as narcotics pushers. Charlie Ruvelo (ph) AKA Charlie Prunes was “the toughtest of them all” about 15-20 years ago. He used to own and operate a pool hall on Prince Street between Elizabeth and Mott with Charlie Cario. Ruvelo left his wife and family for a woman, and left the gang life. CI thinks Ruvelo might be willing to talk.

- Report of 3/13/59: Records reviewed reflected that Greco was born 12/19/1895 in Messina. He entered US on 2/15/1901 on the SS Troia Prinze from Palermo and was naturalized in 1931 in Bronx, NY. During an interview he said he was born 12/19/1895 and came to US at age of four. Greco’s wife, Beatrice, was born in Messina on 6/29/1900. Greco had two brothers, Philip and another whose name is unknown but left an estate worth $100,000.

His resided at 141 Bay Blvd, Atlantic Beach, NY since 5/12/1956. House is in a high class summer resort area and was purchased for $25,000. He lived at 1197 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY, in 1931. Lived at 6342 Bourton St., Rego Park, NY, from July 1937- May 1956. Greco was arrested for being too loud on 3/3/1941, and for bookmaking at Jamaica Race Track on 5/8/1959. Greco told agents he had been arrested 15-20 times as a youth.

Greco said he knew Joe Biondo all of his life, but never had business with him. T-4 named his associates were Natale Evola, Mickey “Blue” Lapidura, Charles Gagliodotto AKA Chalutz, Jerry Andosco AKA Jerry the Bug, Mickey De Mino, and “Cut Face Ernie.” T-1 said Frank Mauro AKA Anthony Milano is an associate of Greco. He worked at Local 37, Mason Tenders Union. T-6 said Greco used to associate with Joe Profaci, Toddo Marino, and Mike Clemente. T-2 named Tommy “Bullets” Licata and Mike Sabella as associates. Palmer appeared in an address book belonging to Frank Scalise at the time of his 1957 murder. T-8 said Greco associates with Charlie “Garra” (Dongarra), George Rizzo, and Marty Di Lorenzo. In 1955 his car was observed at Anthony Carfano’s residence.

T-7 related that in April 1952 Joe Profaci, Thomas Marino, Vito Genovese, Michael Clemente, Vincent Mangano, and Tom Palmer met at Plantation Yacht Basin 60 miles south of Miami. The meeting was held over losses due to narcotics seizures. Lucky Luciano was also to have attended. In March 1957, T-8 advised that Julio Tramaglino became friendly w Frank Costello when they were in detention. Informant said Costello was still “mob boss,” and Tramaglino was taken to Costello by Palmer, and after he would be taken in. The actual appointment would be made by Charles Dongarra, who was Palmer’s right hand man.
T-6 said that Greco’s territory is generally from Second Avenue to Avenue C, and from 10th Street to 14th Street. This area was formerly headed by Joe Biondo, but lately he was in poor health and confined his activity to Florida. Both Biondo and Greco derived their power from Lucky Luciano. T-2 said the Best Social Club, 166 Allen Street, was directed by Greco and Biondo, but operated by John Bivona. In 1953 T-8 said Palmer was a partner in Edelbrau Brewery in Brooklyn. Investigation showed the brewery went out of business in 1951.

Lanza’s Restaurant, Inc., was chartered n 3/7/1930. Robert Lanza, 38, took over from his father to become president in 1938. Michael Lanza, Jr., 39, is secretary-treasurer and property owner. Michael is also president of Provenzano-Lanza Funeral Home, Inc., 43 Second Ave. Mr. Liggio is the accountant.

Greco is a good neighbor, and his neighbors include Joe Biondo and Lorenzo Brescia, who live in vicinity of Bay Blvd.

- 4/24/59: Informant said that Greco was reliable when Joseph Masseria was head of the Mafia. When Masseria stayed in an unidentified NY hotel with approx 50 mob members, Lucky Luciano and Greco were the doorkeepers. Greco is not a man of means; he is horse player and spends much on races. Johnny “Beans” Campanella and “Chingie” are “untouchables” or “dons” in the group. An old man named Pellegrino is the head of the dope racket in White Plains, and head of the mob there [Note: Genovese caporegime Rocco Pellegrino].

- 4/30/59: Informant advised that Anthony Accetta AKA Skinny, was a ziganette game operator from 1942-1952 above Diana Dance Hall on 14th St., and he worked for Biondo-Greco group. Accetta turned over the metal card game box to Steve Armone.

- 6/5/59: Gaetano Greco naturalized 9/16/31, Bronx. Arrested 1914 to 1925 on homicide, robbery and gun charges. Wife Beatrice born 6/29/1900, Mistretta, Messina. They were married 2/10/1926 in NYC.

- 11/6/1959: Charles Ruvelo (or Ruvolo) denied knowing Greco and says he hasn’t been involved in crime for 25 years. He admitted running a zigannette game on Prince Street in 1920s-1930s. He knew Natale Evola, John Dioguardi, James Plumeria, and Joe Rivers.

- 12/22/59: Greco was interviewed and said he was born. His father was a roofer in Sicily and he followed his father’s footsteps and became a roofer in US. Greco says his income is $200/week from restaurant consulting, $375/month, plus gambling winnings. Greco admitted knowing Genovese, Costello, Profaci, Biondo, Gambino and Luchese. He denied knowledge of the Apalachin meeting, but even if he did he wouldn’t share since he didn’t want to get killed.

- 1/22/60: Greco said that Augie Pisano did not associate with attorney Julian Frank.

- 5/20/60: Greco met with his associates in Scarsdale on 5/19/60 to discuss matters relating to Carmine Galante. “Piney” Armone was at meeting.

92-NY-1270 – Section 2:
- 9/28/61: Beatrice Greco was the aunt of Joseph Pellegrino, born 1906, President of Prince Macaroni Manufacturing Company, Prince Avenue, Lowell, MA. Boston Division will not interview Pellegrino due to lack of association with Greco.

- 8/10/61: Profaci, Ormento, Magliocco meeting.

- 8/25/61: telephone conversation about Larry Gallo, Joe Gallo and Meyer Lansky. Lucky Luciano and Joe Adonis most important racketeers today. Attempted killing of Larry Gallo couldn’t have happened without Tony Bender’s knowledge. Strollo and Profaci made decision to attempt to kill Larry Gallo. Joe Gallo should kill Bender, Profaci, Toddo, and Stretch.

- 9/25/61: Informant who says he’s not a “button guy” says he is not a member of Cosa Nostra, which is interchangeable with the word “Mafia.” He said there are five “families” in the NY area: Profaci, Gambino, Luchese, Bonanno and Genovese. [Gives more details, informant is Greg Scarpa, who started sharing info on 9/14/61]

- 9/25/61: Johnny Peanuts answers to Greco.

- 12/22/61: Charles Dongarra details.

92-NY-1270 – Section 3:

- 1/10/62: Frank Mauro AKA Anthony Milano is in charge of numbers racket for Greco in Bridgeport, CT. T-1 advised that Mauro resides at 139-17 Franklin Ave., Flushing, NY, and was employed at Local 17, Mason Tenders Union. He was born 12/5/1910. Follow up could not confirm Mauro.

92-NY-1270 – Section 4:

- 6/19/63: Johnny Peanuts is John Manfredonia.

- 6/20/63: Greco is acquianted w Joseph “Joe theWop” Cataldo. He operates in Greenwich Village as a shylock and is associated w Thomas Eboli. Toddo Marino is a button man and may be a caporegime.

- 2/25/63: Redacted is a button man and his captain is Tommy Palmer.

- 9/3/63: Informant says on 9/2 that Aniello Dellacroce visited the nightclub Jazzland, which he recently took over. The Irish mob, angry over not having been invited, entered the club late at night. Hugh Mulligan, Irish mob leader, went to Dellacroce’s table, which included Greco, Pete De Feo and others, and said, “You wops are the greatest. First you produce Caruso, then [redacted] and now the greatest tenor of them all, [redacted].” Dellacroce became incensed. Mulligan was intoxicated and didn’t notice. Mulligan then put a wad of rolled bills on the table and said, “I’ll bet this roll that when they put that tenor Cago on national hookup for his solo, the FBI will back him up with an all wop glee club.” Dellacroce and his associates immediately got up and left. [Note: “Cago” refers to Joe Valachi, AKA Joe Cargo]
- 10/8/63: Greco has a crew of four or five oldtime buttonmen who repeatedly proved themselves as reliable hit men in the past. Calogero DeLutro was also at Jazzland w Dellacroce and Greco.

- 10/10/63: Greco was interviewed by FBI. He told them that Joe Valachi should be in a mental hospital. He told them that if they checked the FBI would find out that his family has a history of mental disorders. He refused to say which family member has a mental disorder.

Greco became angry when it was suggested that Genovese was the cause of Valachi’s position as a stool pigeon. Greco stated that under no condition did Vito Genovese ever sell narcotics to anyone, and he would attest to that fact at any time.

1/9/64: Frankie the Wop is under Greco.

1/29/64: John Massiello, a shylock, and Phil Cuccia are both associates of Greco.

5/26/64: Informant was offered membership by Palmer, Tony Russo, and “Joe the Wop” Gennaro. Informant said he prefered to be independent. Cuccia is a Palmer soldier. Cuccia resides in White Plains and was made by Palmer and number of years ago. He controlled Palmer’s action in CT until he was kicked out. Cuccia’s cousin Phil Cuccia replaced him. Palmer has money invested in shylocking through Cuccia and Massiello. Joseph Gennaro is a captain under Carlo Gambino and has the same powers as Greco. Palmer and Rocco Pellegrino have a bookmaking operation at the Dunes Hotel in Miami Beach, run by Cuccia. Palmer aslo had a deal with Angelo Bruno. Johnny Peanuts Manfredonia handles shylocking for Rocco Pellegrino. Cuccia is a messenger between Pellegrino and Greco.

6/18/64: Bruno Barone, a shylock and bookmaker, overheard Palmer say that “if these cops raise the ‘nut’ one penny more, he was going to have a few of them killed.” The weekly payoff [the “nut”] was raised from $50 to $250.

92-NY-1270 – Section 5:

- 3/5/65: Greco and Biondo were in Hallindale, FL from 2/12-2/22/65. Gerardo Catena was in Miami during the same period. Rocco Pellegrino has a gambling operation center in a car wash in Westchester County, NY.

- 3/10/65: Mike Sabella was operating a ziganette game in the Miami area, as were Thomas Greco, Frank Dioguardi, Joseph Indelicato, and some racket guys from Chicago. Sabella is a captain in the Bonanno crew. Paul Vario is an associate of Sabella.

- 5/12/65: Charles Dongarra is very sick. He and Greco control the Lower East Side, but Joe Biondo is the dominant individual.

- 8/3/65: Arthur Leo, a Gambino caporegime, died on 7/10/65.

- 9/29/65: Joe Armone and Greco attend the Yonkers Race Track every night from 9/22-9/25/65. Toddo Marino, an “old-time ‘button man’,” came to their table for 30 min on 9/23.

- 12/6/65: Angelo Caruso operates the Shoreview Social Club on East 12th Street. Anthony Accetta is about 70 years old. Charlie Biondo of Long Island was a “button” in the Gambinos. When Albert Anastasia was alive, one of his bosses in Brooklyn was Jimmy Macri. They had a beef and Macri was murdered, and his brother Benny disappeared.

- 2/7/66: Dom De Quarto is a button in the Genovese and the BIL of Joe Armone. Josie Armone is De Quarto’s sister. De Quarto did not get along w Steve Armone. When Joe Armone was doing time in the 1950s, Steve Armone asked De Quarto to help contribute to support Joe’s family. De Quarto refused and said he had no obligation to help. If Joe’s family didn’t have enough, it was Joe’s fault. Steve was bitter toward De Quarto after that.

- 4/18/66: Informant said Palmer is married and has no children. He raised two neices as his own daughters. His bro Charlie was the father of the neices. Around 1931/32 Charlie and another Italian hoodlum on the East Side named Cowboy Larry were strongarm men for the Italian element. Charlie and Larry had a falling out with the Jewish mob, and the Jewish mob had two brothers, Allie and Abie Wagner, who were hopheads and gunmen, and were told to kill Charlie and Larry. One evening Charlie and Larry were killed in front of a nightclub on 2nd Ave and 4th Street called Blackbottom. After this Palmer swore revenge on his brother. A short time later one of the Wagners was killed with another hoodlum. The surviving brother went to St. Paul, Minn. or Detroit. When the Wagner brother was killed in the Midwest he was dressed as a woman. [Note: Charles Greco, 28, of 432 E. 13th St., and Lawrence Viscordi AKA Cowboy Larry, 30, of 403 E. 12th St., were shot and killed in the Black Bottom, 64 E. 4th St., Manhattan, shortly before 4 am on 10/31/1930; Abe Wagner escaped an ambush on 2/20/1931 as he passed 65 Suffolk St. at 1:30 am; Al Wagner was shot and killed and Harry Brown wounded in the Hatfield House Hotel at 115 (or 103) East 29th Street – not in the Midwest and not while wearing women’s clothes – on the same day; the Wagner brothers had been attempting to muscle in on Waxey Gordon’s “preserves”; later it was reported that the Grecos and the Wagners worked for Gordon, and the Greco gang blamed the Wagners for killing Charles Greco and demanded Gordon kill them; on 7/25/1932 Albie Loeb was shot and killed in the street in St. Paul, Minn. – he was later ID’d as Abe Wagner – and may have been killed in retaliation for the murder of the “Gorilla Kid” (Harry Davis).]

- 4/20/66: Albert Anastasia was killed because he was “kill crazy.” He gave Carlo Gambino a hard time. Gambino was a skipper then demoted, then made consigliere, then demoted again. Anastasia did NOT kill or order the killing of Arnold Shuster. Toddo Marino is a skipper. Joe Zicarelli is a skipper. Mike Clemente was a skipper, but does not know if he still is. Harry Fontana was a skipper, but informant does not know if he still is. Anthony Anastasia was a skipper until his bro was killed. Tommy Palmer is a skipper. Salvatore Imperiale AKA Westo is a member. Jimmy Squillante was a member who may have been related to Anastasia. He believes Squillante was having an affair with another member’s wife and was getting out of line with the garbage association. Bibs is a member under Joe the Wop Gennaro. Leo Grillo is a member and old school, meaning he is very treacherous and will kill on a moment’s notice.

Carmine Galante is a skipper and a “mad dog killer.” Mike Miranda is a skipper and a mad dog killer. Tony the Sheik Carillo is a member and a mad dog killer. Toddo Del was a skipper prior to his death, and Patsy Del a member prior to his death.

- 6/14/66: Joe Armone and his brothers, Jerry Spinelli, and Frank Valente’s FIL from Rochester (a long time member) came to Joe Biondo’s wake. The people in Miami – Tommy Palmer, Pete De Feo, and Frank Celano – were told not to come.

9/26/66: Nicoletti from Philadelphia visited Greco at Lanza’s Restaurant

9/29/66: Joseph Tortorici AKA Joe Stutz was originally with the “forerunners” of the Gambino Family, but has since been with the Genovese. George Smurra was a button man under Jimmy Alo. Joe Biondo was “an old mustache.” Vincent Corrao was originally with Luchese before joining the Gambinos. Mr. Bibs (Philip Perfetti) was made 8 or 9 years ago and was under Joe Franco and then partnered with Carmine Lombardozzi. Frank Pasqua was a made guy under Vincent Squillante. Nicholas Marangello is a member under Lilo Galante. Matty De Lorenzo is a capo in the Gambino Family. Willie Cottone is a member under Joe Gennaro. Edward Quirolo is a Gambino member. Thomas Greco is inactive. He reportedly started with Lucky Luciano and “made” Carmine Galante.

12/6/66: Pete Valenti is married to Palmer’s daughter [neice?] and owns the Yukon Club at 3rd Ave. in the 1950s.

12/30/66: Romeo’s Restaurant (49th and Broadway) closed down and its fixtures were auctioned off. Greco still owns part of the other Romeo’s on 42nd Street.

3/16/67: Informant said Morty Rosenberg was heavily in debt and his life was threatened by the creditor. Rosenberg went to Mike Scandifia, and Scandifia requested a sitdown at Lanza’s Restaurant with Greco, Biondo and REDACTED. An arrangement was made and Greco, Biondo, Scandifia, and Carmine Lombardozzi split the proceeds, and none went to the man who originally loaned the money. Later, Rosenberg got into debt with Larry and Joe Gallo. Joe Gallo refused to give him a chance and in 1959/1960 Rosenberg was killed and his body found in Coney Island. [Note: the body of Morton Rosenberg, 44, was found on Bath Beach on 4/19/1961. He was shot in the head in his parked car. Joe Gallo and several associates were arrested on a related case and sentenced to prison in December.]

- 5/5/67: Informant advised that Thomas Greco, his wife, divorced daughter [neice?], and two grandsons [grandnephews?] were scheduled to leave for NY from Florida.

- 5/18/67: Informant advised that Tommy Lapadura, [redacted] is with Big Sam Puma and that both are buttons under Tommy Palmer.

- 10/20/67: Joe Gallo, Carlo Gambino, Jerry Spinelli, Tom Greco, Angelo Caruso, Alfred Armone and others attended the wake of Jimmy Lefty.

- 4/24/68: Jimmy Napoli met with Thomas Greco in a room at Yonkers Raceway
- 7/3/69: Phil Cuccia and Rocco Pellegrino are both Genovese members from Westchester County.

- 10/8/68: p222 of 225 informant names members of Genovese Family, but several names are redacted, such as 92-3150 who was a soldier under Greco. Thomas Marino is a soldier under Joe Lanza.

92-1270 – Section 6:

- 10/15/68: Joe Lanza died on 10/9/68. Phil Albanese, Tommy Palmer and Joe Lefty were at the wake. On 8/21/68 Joe Lefty and Charles Gagliodotto were in a conversation at Lancers Restaurant, 1st Ave, NYC. A few days later Gagliodotto was found murdered in Queens.

- 12/12/68: When Tommy Palmer goes to Florida he leaves Black Lefty Lapadura and Joe Lefty in charge of his operations. “Figi” Ficarotta told informant that Greco is at the Miami racetrack almost daily.

- 5/26/69: Informant in touch with Anthony Ficarotta. Greco told informant that Tommy Eboli will be next Genovese boss.

- 7/24/69: Informant has not seen Sally Burns in recent weeks [according to NARA Record Number: 124-10305-10021 Salvatore “Sally Burns” Granello was part of Greco’s crew].

- 7/31/69: FBI asked Greco about Sally Burns at Lanza’s Restaurant. Greco said he read in the papers that Burns was wanted by the FBI. He had no idea where Burns was at, but heard that he was afraid to turn himself in to the FBI as Nassau County has a warrant on him, and he could get 20 years. If he knew where Burns was he would tell him to turn himself in since they would find him sooner or later. The FBI reminded Greco of the provisions of the statute on harbouring fugitives. Three days later agents asked if Greco heard that Burns was killed. Greco said he had not seen him, but knows he is not dead because he would have heard about it.

- 9/4/69: Agents asked informant to speculate who might have killed Burns. Informant said he heard that 4 or 5 month’s ago REDACTED’s son was killed. REDACTED was in police custody. REDACTED went to the wake of his son and became violent in trying to ascertain the reason why his son was killed, who ordered it, and who carried it out. The word was that his son was out of control. About two weeks before his release from jail he became violent. He became arrogant and was killed.

Recently Tommy Ryan has been unavailable due to his heart attacks, so Frank Tieri has been suggested to replace him. Asked who might handle a contract on Burns, he suggested Figgy AKA Ficarotta. White male, 5’5”, 45 years old, 115-120 lbs. Palmer’s two closest associates were Sammy Pomer, who died 15 months ago, and Ficarotta. Figgy carries and ax in his car and has a reputation as a “killer and a psycho.” He attempted to kill Vinny Siciliano from Astoria. [Vincent “Vinnie the Cat” Siciliano was a burglar who was shot multiple times, first in 1959, then in 1964, and a bomb that may have been intended for him went off in 1967; by August 1967 he survived his sixth attempt; Siciliano had been giving out info to the police and feds since 1959, then published a book “Unless They Kill Me First” in 1970.]
- 10/17/69: The card game operated by Palmer and Joe Lefty shut down.

- 10/24/69: Ficarotta is Greco’s godson, a shylock, and probably a made guy.

- 12/9/69: Palmer told informant that Frank T. Mari is dead. He had a “bad attitude” and was disposed of.

- 3/25/70: Greco has lived in Florida since Dec 1969.

- 5/21/70: Greco said this to FBI agent: “You drove Joe Biondo to his death. If I had been his wife I would have laced your coffee with poison. I’m hoping someday I’ll have the opportunity to kill you. I’d like to watch you suffer, as you die. Don’t think that I wouldn’t kill you if I could get you in a spot out of sight of witnesses. I’d enjoy killing you. I hope I get the chance some day. I don’t see why I should like you – you have tried your best for almost 14 years to send me to jail.”

- 6/8/70: Palmer returned to NYC and frequenting Lanza’s Restaurant.

- 7/24/70: Informant said membership books were open in 1942 and 1957. There were many button guys who were undercover who no one was aware of.

- 12/14/70: Figi Ficarotta has reputation on the East Side as a killer. He is arrogant and not well-liked. Ficarotta has always been under Palmer.

- 2/10/71: Palmer’s crew now hangs out at a coffee shop on 10th Street and 2nd Ave. Crew consists of Ficarotta and three redacted names.

- 4/15/71: Palmer called Joe Colombo a “crack pot.” Colombo was running the Italian-American Civil Rights League.

- 4/28/71: NY T-2 said REDACTED is a button under Palmer and was one of the LCN’s top hit men during the Maranzano wars. Later he became a heavy gambler and lost much money.

- 6/9/1971: Joe Colombo was shot during rally. REDACTED told informant that Colombo had the biggest LCN family with 425 members, and 300 were at the rally. Shortly before the incident, Carlo Gambino accused Colombo of making $¼ million from the IACRL and that Colombo set up branches in 18 states. Gambino asked Colombo for a piece of the action. Colombo refused saying, “We have over a quarter of a million dollars invest in the New York City area and we’re not making any money.” This conversation took place a month before the shooting. Informant’s impression was that the Colombo killing was well-organized and set up by LCN. [This section appears to have info from Frank Bompensiero.] Jasper Matranga died in San Diego on 7/1/71. No members of the San Diego LCN attended his funeral.

- 7/15/71: Info from San Diego about Chicago members Accardo, LaPorte, Pilotto, etc. Yonnie Licavoli was boss of Toledo before he went to prison.

- 9/20/71: Thomas Greco lives at 51 Trenton Ave., Long Beach, NY. He said he has cancer of the gums and diabetes.

- 12/30/71: Gagliodotto was murdered in 1969 in retaliation for the murders of Frank Tuminaro, brother of fugitivie, and Frank Gangi, brother-in-law of fugitive. The murders were motivated by a narcotics deal. [All three were arrested together in 1965 in a mass narcotics bust; Gangi and Tuminaro were both killed 8/15/68, and Gagliodotto on 8/22/68.]

92-NY-1270 – Section 7:

- 7/18/72: Greco was asked by agents about the murder of Tommy Eboli. He said Eboli was a “west side guy” and that he was an “east side guy,” and he did not wish to discuss the matter any further. He said he has diabetes and possible cancer and is confined to his home most of the time, so he wished authorities would leave him alone.

- 1/17/73: Source said Greco is retired and inactive from LCN. His place may be taken over by REDACTED. [Another doc says Joe Lapadura.]

- 2/1/74: Source says Tommy Palmer has been replaced.

- 4/29/74: Partially redacted list of Genovese capos and their crews. “Crew formerly run by Thomas Greco was given to [REDACTED] and is now run by [REDACTED] AKA [REDACTED]. Matty Di Lorenzo is the only soldier in the crew whose name is not redacted. Says Mike Clemente is direct to the boss [was previously under Mogavero]. Anthony Russo and [REDACTED} are not “good fellows.”

- 6/16/75: “Joe Beck” Di Palermo delivers money to Greco by courier; Di Palermo is part of Greco’s old crew.

- 5/12/75: Details about the Colombo Family. Says Sammy Puma was in Tommy Palmer’s crew.

- 6/11/75: Various identifications. John Ardito, Frankie Carbo – apparently he was a Bonanno but switched Families, Pete De Feo, others.

- 6/27/75: Samuel Franco was a made guy in Palmer’s crew.

- 9/4/75: Source said Tommy Palmer died in Florida 3 or 4 months ago.

- 4/19/79: List of deceased Genovese members with their dates of death.

[PolackTony]

Wow, this is really great info. Thanks for posting and summarizing!

[Pmac2]

What family did this guy belong to? What was his official status.

[Charlie]

Longtime westside captain. From what Rick and others have gathered it appears he took over Luciano when he became boss.
Seems Ficcarotta was one feared mf in his times. According to Pogo's chart his son is captain of the same crew, which would probably make it one of the oldest intact regimes in New York ?

[HairyKnuckles]

Thanks for the summary.

Greco associated with lots of guys based on he Lower East Side and its perhaps easy to think they were all under him. But one of the guys mentioned, George Rizzo, was actually under Gus Frasca. Puma, Franco, Joseph Lapadura and Joseph Loiacono were some soldiers under Greco. Loiacono later succeeded Greco as captain and Massera succeeded Loiacono.

[Angelo Santino]

Thanks for the summary.

Greco associated with lots of guys based on he Lower East Side and its perhaps easy to think they were all under him. But one of the guys mentioned, George Rizzo, was actually under Gus Frasca. Puma, Franco, Joseph Lapadura and Joseph Loiacono were some soldiers under Greco. Loiacono later succeeded Greco as captain and Massera succeeded Loiacono.

I wonder if Joseph Loiacano was of any relation to former boss Loiacano (1915-1920) who, if Luciano was made in 1917 then he was made when Loiacano was boss.

[HairyKnuckles]

He could very well be. Father and son. One thing for sure, Loiacono (the one under Greco), his son (also named Joseph) joined the Bonanno Family. They shared the same nick name "Lefty".

[Antiliar]

Thanks for the summary.

Greco associated with lots of guys based on he Lower East Side and its perhaps easy to think they were all under him. But one of the guys mentioned, George Rizzo, was actually under Gus Frasca. Puma, Franco, Joseph Lapadura and Joseph Loiacono were some soldiers under Greco. Loiacono later succeeded Greco as captain and Massera succeeded Loiacono.

So is this who you have for soldiers in Greco's crew? Is anyone missing or in the wrong place?

Anthony “Figi” Ficarotta (10/20/1927-) [Address: 51 Route 306, Suffern, NY (1983)]

Samuel Franco

Charles Gagliodotto, AKA “Chalutz,”

Salvatore “Sally Burns” Granello

Joseph “Lefty” Lapadura (9/14/04, San Cataldo, Caltanisetta- ) [F: Angelo Lapadura, M: Biagia Occhipuita; W: (1) Anita Manganioni, (2) Phylis May Proto; Immigrated to NY on Sicilian Prince, arriving on 12/21/1905; Address: 401 3rd Street, Brooklyn, NY (1960), 193 Bay 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY (1983); Occuption: longshoreman, retail linoleum store owner]

Mickey “Blue” Lapidura

Joseph “Lefty” Loiacono (10/30/1907-1988) [Address: 99 Malone Ave., Staten Island, NY (1983)]

Frank Mauro AKA Anthony Milano 12/5/1910 resides at 139-17 Franklin Ave., Flushing, NY, and was employed at Local 17, Mason Tenders Union

Big Sam Puma

[Antiliar]

Joseph Loiacono's birth record shows his father's name was Ciro:

Name Giuseppe Loiacono
Sex Male
Birth Date 30 Oct 1907
Birthplace Manhattan, New York, New York, United States
Birthplace (Original) Manhattan, New York
Race White
Father's Name Ciro Loiacono
Father's Age 37
Father's Birthplace Italy
Mother's Name Rosa Castello
Mother's Age 30
Mother's Birthplace Italy
Event Type Birth

Other records show that his name was Carmelo. Carmelo Loiacono and Rosa Castello both arrived from Marineo in 1894. So it's possible that Joseph was a nephew of Salvatore.

[JoelTurner]

It’s interesting that Salvatore Granello is said to be in Greco’s crew.

This document says he was in the DiMino crew. (https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... elPageId=7).

[B.]

So that's Joe Loiacano of the Genovese, the DiPalermo-Benanti clan of the Luccheses, and Joe Silesi of the Gambinos with heritage in Marineo. Some of the older Lucchese Little Italy guys were likely from there as well. Then for Baucina you have Vinnie Mauro of the Genovese, LoCascios and DioGuardis of the Lucchese, and LoCascios of the Gambinos, plus the Morales of the Bonannos.

Thanks for posting the Greco breakdown. Always cool to compare/contrast how things were perceived on the street vs. actual organizational intel. For example some non-members saw the different crews there as one entity (what the FBN called "the Mulberry Mob") despite them belonging to different Families. Its not intuitive on an organized crime level unless you have that inside view.

[MichaelGiovanni]

These kind of posts are the best! Thank you for putting this together. Much appreciated!

[HairyKnuckles]

Thanks for the summary.

Greco associated with lots of guys based on he Lower East Side and its perhaps easy to think they were all under him. But one of the guys mentioned, George Rizzo, was actually under Gus Frasca. Puma, Franco, Joseph Lapadura and Joseph Loiacono were some soldiers under Greco. Loiacono later succeeded Greco as captain and Massera succeeded Loiacono.

So is this who you have for soldiers in Greco's crew? Is anyone missing or in the wrong place?

Anthony “Figi” Ficarotta (10/20/1927-) [Address: 51 Route 306, Suffern, NY (1983)]

Samuel Franco

Charles Gagliodotto, AKA “Chalutz,”

Salvatore “Sally Burns” Granello

Joseph “Lefty” Lapadura (9/14/04, San Cataldo, Caltanisetta- ) [F: Angelo Lapadura, M: Biagia Occhipuita; W: (1) Anita Manganioni, (2) Phylis May Proto; Immigrated to NY on Sicilian Prince, arriving on 12/21/1905; Address: 401 3rd Street, Brooklyn, NY (1960), 193 Bay 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY (1983); Occuption: longshoreman, retail linoleum store owner]

Mickey “Blue” Lapidura

Joseph “Lefty” Loiacono (10/30/1907-1988) [Address: 99 Malone Ave., Staten Island, NY (1983)]

Frank Mauro AKA Anthony Milano 12/5/1910 resides at 139-17 Franklin Ave., Flushing, NY, and was employed at Local 17, Mason Tenders Union

Big Sam Puma

This is what I have (what I think I know...)

Ficarotta was made ca 1977
Charles Gagliodotto could very well have been under Greco but he was very close with Jimmy Alto. So Jimmy Alto could also have been under Greco. David Petillo too
Granello under Generoso
Mickey "Blue" Lapidura not made
Frank Mauro not made

This is what I have on Greco crew members:

Paul Carbo
Sam Franco
Joseph "Joe Lefty" Lapadura
Joseph "Joe Lefty" Loiacono
Salvatore Puma
Charles Gagliodotto?
Jimmy Alto?
David Petillo?

[Antiliar]

This is what I have (what I think I know...)

Ficarotta was made ca 1977
Charles Gagliodotto could very well have been under Greco but he was very close with Jimmy Alto. So Jimmy Alto could also have been under Greco. David Petillo too
Granello under Generoso
Mickey "Blue" Lapidura not made
Frank Mauro not made

This is what I have on Greco crew members:

Paul Carbo
Sam Franco
Joseph "Joe Lefty" Lapadura
Joseph "Joe Lefty" Loiacono
Salvatore Puma
Charles Gagliodotto?
Jimmy Alto?
David Petillo?

Do you have dates for Paul Carbo, Sam Franco or Salvatore Puma? Jimmy Alto and David Petillo are interesting. Petillo was associated with Luciano in the 1936 prostitution case, so he would make sense. Thomas Pennachio and Ralph Ligouri were two others. What's your opinion about them? In the early 1930s August Del Grazio was a drug courier for Luciano, so I wonder about him also.

In Petillo's FBI file one CI says he was in Michele Miranda's crew. Another, however, says something really interesting. "On April 26, 1926, that CHARLES GAGLIODOTO, also known as "Chalutz," was, in the past, closely associated with DAVEY BETILLO, also known as "Little Davey.""

"The informant advised that, in the 1930's, BETILLO and GAGLIODOTO were two of the most feared members of the Italian syndicate. He said it was common knowledge among the hoodlum element that these two were hired killers for the syndicate. They are alleged to have killed between twenty and thirty (20 and 30) persons in Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago and New York areas."

"{REDACTED] advised further that BETILLO often dressed as a woman and GAGLIODOTO accompanied him as an escort. In this manner, they aroused no suspicion in contacting the victim, and identification was almost impossible once they succeeded in fleeing the scene of the murder."

Looking into Jimmy Alto's very short and heavily redacted FBI file, it says he was under "Jimmy Blue Eyes" Alo. Why do you think he was under Greco?

[Wiseguy]

I heard Greco was on record with Dan.