Paul Castellano crew questions

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Nasabeak
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Paul Castellano crew questions

Post by Nasabeak »

1. What was the makeup of Castellano’s crew both before the merger with Corrao’s crew in 1969, and up to 1976?

2. I’ve read on here that contrary to Murder Machine, Nino Gaggi might not have been Acting Capo from Paul’s elevation to Acting Boss in 1967, but that Thomas Massotto, Bitch Guglielmini, and possibly Eppolito Sr would’ve been Acting Capos at points. If true, any idea when each guy was Acting Capo around?

3. I’ve read also that Guglielmini’s crew was merged with Castellano’s - if so, when?

4. Is it possible that Nino Gaggi’s status was exaggerated in Murder Machine? Castellano’s partial file (up to 1970) doesn’t mention him, but in the book he’s literally called Paul’s right hand man. It seems in the 1960s, at least, Massotto was more likely his right hand guy.

Thanks in advance
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Re: Paul Castellano crew questions

Post by bn »

From late 50s to 1969 here were some guys under him:

- Bartolo 'Benny' Castellano (d.1958)
- Constantino 'Connie' Castellano (d. 1967)
- Thomas Masotto
- Vittorio 'Victor' Masotto
- Pietro Castellana
- Gandolfo 'Buddy' Sciandra
- Frank 'Butch' Guglilemini
- Anthony 'Nino' Gaggi
- Joseph Guglielmini
- and probably others


Some point Eppolito Sr. was demoted and his crew was given to Castellano but I don't know when it was given. Some guys given to Castellano were


- James Eppolito Sr.
- Peter 'Petey 17' Piaceneti
- Accursio 'Swifty' Marinelli (may have already been under Paul)
- Francesco Bonino


Joseph 'Joe Brewster' DelMonico and Johnny Chiarello were both under Gaggi by the 70s but I don't know if they were under him earlier or where they came from. Maybe they were under Jimmy The Blonde Corrao.
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Re: Paul Castellano crew questions

Post by B. »

There's an FBI report from later in the 1970s where an informant thought Gaggi was Castellano's consigliere because of their close relationship. He was also seen visiting Castellano's home frequently. No doubt they were close but he might not have started with one of those crews.

Gaggi may have reported to one of the Scalise-linked Bronx captains when he was made. Montiglio implies Gaggi got his start with the Scalise faction (who were allies of the Castellano-Gambinos). His early involvement with the mafia was in Manhattan, then he moved to NJ (Scalise faction had at least two members there), and finally Brooklyn. Records confirm his father was related to the Scalises like Montiglio said, so it makes sense he came up around them. Carlo and Paolo Gambino may have been under Scalise themselves early on as they lived in the Bronx.
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Ivan
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Re: Paul Castellano crew questions

Post by Ivan »

B. wrote: Sun Jan 08, 2023 4:44 pm There's an FBI report from later in the 1970s where an informant thought Gaggi was Castellano's consigliere because of their close relationship. He was also seen visiting Castellano's home frequently. No doubt they were close but he might not have started with one of those crews.

Gaggi may have reported to one of the Scalise-linked Bronx captains when he was made. Montiglio implies Gaggi got his start with the Scalise faction (who were allies of the Castellano-Gambinos). His early involvement with the mafia was in Manhattan, then he moved to NJ (Scalise faction had at least two members there), and finally Brooklyn. Records confirm his father was related to the Scalises like Montiglio said, so it makes sense he came up around them. Carlo and Paolo Gambino may have been under Scalise themselves early on as they lived in the Bronx.
Anyone know when Gaggi was made? I'm assuming about 1955?
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johnny_scootch
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Re: Paul Castellano crew questions

Post by johnny_scootch »

Ivan wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 7:31 am
B. wrote: Sun Jan 08, 2023 4:44 pm There's an FBI report from later in the 1970s where an informant thought Gaggi was Castellano's consigliere because of their close relationship. He was also seen visiting Castellano's home frequently. No doubt they were close but he might not have started with one of those crews.

Gaggi may have reported to one of the Scalise-linked Bronx captains when he was made. Montiglio implies Gaggi got his start with the Scalise faction (who were allies of the Castellano-Gambinos). His early involvement with the mafia was in Manhattan, then he moved to NJ (Scalise faction had at least two members there), and finally Brooklyn. Records confirm his father was related to the Scalises like Montiglio said, so it makes sense he came up around them. Carlo and Paolo Gambino may have been under Scalise themselves early on as they lived in the Bronx.
Anyone know when Gaggi was made? I'm assuming about 1955?
I remember reading somewhere that Gaggi killed Jimmy Jerome because he clipped Frank and Joe Scalise. Any truth to this?
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Re: Paul Castellano crew questions

Post by CornerBoy »

read that too somewhere- probably murder machine-------------Nino Gaggi seems very interesting from a non montiglio point of view. His whole blood family is legit i think. Most likely read that here. wish we knew more about him
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Nasabeak
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Re: Paul Castellano crew questions

Post by Nasabeak »

B. wrote: Sun Jan 08, 2023 4:44 pm There's an FBI report from later in the 1970s where an informant thought Gaggi was Castellano's consigliere because of their close relationship. He was also seen visiting Castellano's home frequently. No doubt they were close but he might not have started with one of those crews.

Gaggi may have reported to one of the Scalise-linked Bronx captains when he was made. Montiglio implies Gaggi got his start with the Scalise faction (who were allies of the Castellano-Gambinos). His early involvement with the mafia was in Manhattan, then he moved to NJ (Scalise faction had at least two members there), and finally Brooklyn. Records confirm his father was related to the Scalises like Montiglio said, so it makes sense he came up around them. Carlo and Paolo Gambino may have been under Scalise themselves early on as they lived in the Bronx.
Could you post that FBI report?
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