Video Poker Gambling Bust Pittsburgh (August 2015)

[JCB1977]

I don't know how I missed this one, but here is another video poker bust in Westmoreland County, PA. Westmoreland County was long dominated by the LaRocca Family, in particular, Kelly & Sam Mannarino as well as Sonny Ciancutti. If poker machines are in Westmoreland County, I have to believe wholeheartedly that Ciancutti knows about them. Local bookmakers still pay homage to him because of who he "was." Probably not mob run, but I'd bet the deed to my house that Sonny knows who is involved.


http://www.wtae.com/news/178-video-gamb ... n/34686100

[Wiseguy]

Wasn't this the same one?

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=1073&p=16547#p16547

[phatmatress777]

Yeah I believe we discussed that one. You really believe that modern day bookmakers are paying sonny homage bc o who he is? Idk if I truly believe that... Giving money to a guy when you don't have to? Idk maybe or maybe not


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[phatmatress777]

I'd have to say if anyone is getting kicked up are the ianaelli's the younger ones and possibly the old man seemed to be involved in a lot things in western pa


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[JCB1977]

Yeah I believe we discussed that one. You really believe that modern day bookmakers are paying sonny homage bc o who he is? Idk if I truly believe that... Giving money to a guy when you don't have to? Idk maybe or maybe not


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No Phat, what I meant by "paying homage" is the local bookmakers still give him respect around town, restaurants and The Meadows track management and employees roll out the red carpet when he's around. Unless his health has changed dramatically, as of 2013 he was a daily high roller at Meadows Racetrack...he lived in a small, tiny home in Arnold and I'm not aware of any children he and his wife Sylvia (Thorpe) Ciancutti may have had.

One thing is for certain, Sonny had that area wired for 50 years and then some, I can say that I know with 100% certainty that Sonny has floated enough cash to small time bookmakers as a bank for their operation and gets a steady cash flow that pays back his investment and allows him a very healthy weekly retirement plan. His money has money, that's how well off he is. But he's smart, a genuine wiseguy who knows how to invest his cash into real estate, businesses and in trusts offshore for nieces and nephews. He's 85 now, guys like Scarillo, Cutone Jr. and Masselli (now deceased) were his top guys along with Risha, however, Sonny didn't like that Risha testified under a grant of immunity about Masselli, who along with his wife were constant companions with the Ciancutti's. Sonny still comments how Risha sticking the knife in Masselli's back accelerated Ralph's death. And these guys all had their own proteges who ran numbers for Sonny. He's lived a good life virtually unscathed after being active in the rackets since 1950. No need to shake anybody down anymore...but there are still a number of guys who are men of respect and give him a taste. Sonny's discreet, always talks through three or more people to distance himself, that was evident on the thousands of hours of audio recordings the Feds planted over the years.

[JCB1977]

And to clarify, I don't mean Sonny extracts a tax on a big area. Just a few guys he's truly helped out along the way that were loyal and in a position to give back. He's taking $4k per week from those fellas and a broad (no offense AG). Nothing compared to his $50k per week norm for over 30 years. I guess my point is that Sonny led a charmed life with no major busts other than federal gambling arrests. He came up under Kelly Mannarino who was a stone face killer, although his charm & charismatic personality fooled most, Sonny was a guy who you could sit down with and settle a dispute. Ex: Sonny Amato wanted Ciancutti out of a portion of his turf and Sonny had few high rollers that wanted to deal with him instead of Amato. They sat down and Ciancutti walked out of Braddock News Stand with $20k cash to stay off Amato's turf and hand over the action to Amato.

Most of the bookmakers today are certainly enjoying a "mob free" organization controlling all the rackets in town.

[phatmatress777]

I see what you are saying now jcb I guess I just got a different picture in my head when I read what you had typed! My bad!


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[phatmatress777]

And I couldn't imagine living in Arnold god that place is a true shit hole! I know a lot of white older citizens wish the mob would return to new ken to clean it up! Used to be such a nice place when pittsburgh had industry ! It never slept due to all the shift work in the town... Bars and taverns open 24 hrs a day bc every hour usually someone was just getting off work


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[JCB1977]

And I couldn't imagine living in Arnold god that place is a true shit hole! I know a lot of white older citizens wish the mob would return to new ken to clean it up! Used to be such a nice place when pittsburgh had industry ! It never slept due to all the shift work in the town... Bars and taverns open 24 hrs a day bc every hour usually someone was just getting off work


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Sonny was a star athlete at New Kensington High School and had football scholarship offers to Pitt and WVU. His mom was a craps dealer for 30 years in one of Sam Mannarino's New Kensington illegal casinos. He has lived at 1906 Kenneth Ave in New Kensington for many, many years. You could google it and get a look at the house. Sonny Amato lived in a very modest home as well in East McKeesport at 704 Broadway Street where his wife Betty still resides. Betty hit the super lotto in the early 2000's for $12 million and ironically, Sonny Ciancutti's wife hit the super lotto for $3 million in the 1990's.

[FriendofHenry]

I believe that Sonny's Mom worked at one of Sam's clubs run by Chuck Teemer before Chuck was moved to the Club 30 in Chester, W Va.

[Wiseguy]

Most of the bookmakers today are certainly enjoying a "mob free" organization controlling all the rackets in town.

I think that's a good example of a lot of areas where there is no longer a formally structured family but there are remnants made up of associates, blood family or even the odd still-active member involved in the the basic gambling and loansharking rackets.

[FriendofHenry]

I may be mistaken but I believe a "Friend of Mine" was part of Zucco Vending.
If I'm correct then I also believe one of our Forum Members worked with Zucco.
Out of respect to him, I'll let him chime in if he so desires. Other wise it ain't none of my business.

[Stroccos]

And I couldn't imagine living in Arnold god that place is a true shit hole! I know a lot of white older citizens wish the mob would return to new ken to clean it up! Used to be such a nice place when pittsburgh had industry ! It never slept due to all the shift work in the town... Bars and taverns open 24 hrs a day bc every hour usually someone was just getting off work


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Sonny was a star athlete at New Kensington High School and had football scholarship offers to Pitt and WVU. His mom was a craps dealer for 30 years in one of Sam Mannarino's New Kensington illegal casinos. He has lived at 1906 Kenneth Ave in New Kensington for many, many years. You could google it and get a look at the house. Sonny Amato lived in a very modest home as well in East McKeesport at 704 Broadway Street where his wife Betty still resides. Betty hit the super lotto in the early 2000's for $12 million and ironically, Sonny Ciancutti's wife hit the super lotto for $3 million in the 1990's.

Was sonnys brother Louis ever made?

[JCB1977]

And I couldn't imagine living in Arnold god that place is a true shit hole! I know a lot of white older citizens wish the mob would return to new ken to clean it up! Used to be such a nice place when pittsburgh had industry ! It never slept due to all the shift work in the town... Bars and taverns open 24 hrs a day bc every hour usually someone was just getting off work


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Sonny was a star athlete at New Kensington High School and had football scholarship offers to Pitt and WVU. His mom was a craps dealer for 30 years in one of Sam Mannarino's New Kensington illegal casinos. He has lived at 1906 Kenneth Ave in New Kensington for many, many years. You could google it and get a look at the house. Sonny Amato lived in a very modest home as well in East McKeesport at 704 Broadway Street where his wife Betty still resides. Betty hit the super lotto in the early 2000's for $12 million and ironically, Sonny Ciancutti's wife hit the super lotto for $3 million in the 1990's.

Was sonnys brother Louis ever made?

No. Plus, LaRocca wasn't a fan because of his reputation involving narcotics.