"NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
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"NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
My new Rat Trap article explores the identity of a Lucchese Crime Family member who gave up organizational details pre-Apalachin, but FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover ignored it.
Ten years later, Special Agent Anthony Villano reactivated the informant under the alias "Rico Conte."
If Hoover had acted on the Intel initially, events in the New York underworld might have unfolded differently.
https://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/infisabella.html
Ten years later, Special Agent Anthony Villano reactivated the informant under the alias "Rico Conte."
If Hoover had acted on the Intel initially, events in the New York underworld might have unfolded differently.
https://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/infisabella.html
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Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
Great article, thanks Ed.
Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
Ed my man, you managed to hit the spot, again. Thanks.
Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God - Corinthians 6:9-10
Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
Excellent article. Great work.
Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
Ed, can you write more of those pls?
Q: What doesn't work when it's fixed?
A: A jury!
A: A jury!
Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
As usual, amazing job! I really look forward to these write-ups. Wonderful work.
Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
Thanks. I appreciate everyone's comments. I've said this before, I write for a broad audience, but I value this group's opinion/feedback most.
Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
The Moretti/Chicago and the Siegel/Roselli information was priceless.
Wonder about that Moretti being eastern rep for the Ricca family....
Wonder about that Moretti being eastern rep for the Ricca family....
Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God - Corinthians 6:9-10
Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
Fantastic job, Ed. I've encountered Isabella's revelations many times over the years, but you finally attached a name to this mysterious informant. Added bonus on discovering more about his story in Joe Pantoliano's autobiography. Your detective skills make Sherlock Holmes look like an amateur.
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Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
Excellent work, as always, Ed, I can only echo some of the accolades that others have expressed.
Interesting to note that Isabella echoed Taglialatella’s claim that the Luccheses were conducting verbal-only inductions at this time.
I can also add, as another potential layer to Isabella’s close ties to Roselli and Genovese, that all three men were paesani. Florio’s father, Giuseppe Isabella, was from Alvigliano, which today is in Caserta province but at the time was in Terra di Lavoro, where both Genovese and Sacco/Roselli were from.
Interesting to note that Isabella echoed Taglialatella’s claim that the Luccheses were conducting verbal-only inductions at this time.
I can also add, as another potential layer to Isabella’s close ties to Roselli and Genovese, that all three men were paesani. Florio’s father, Giuseppe Isabella, was from Alvigliano, which today is in Caserta province but at the time was in Terra di Lavoro, where both Genovese and Sacco/Roselli were from.
"Hey, hey, hey — this is America, baby! Survival of the fittest.”
Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
Villain,
Maybe Roselli knew about Siegel's murder in advance but maybe not. It could be an empty brag. On the other hand, perhaps they consulted Roselli about who might be qualified to manage the casino after Siegel's death. Before Isabella's disclosures, I never really thought about Roselli's role, if any, in the building of the Flamingo.
Rick,
Isabella was staring into our faces for years. I was convinced that "Rico Conte" was dead by the publication date of Villano's memoir because he revealed Conte's family affiliation. As you might recall, Villano didn't mention "Julio" affiliation because Scarpa was still alive. That proved to be untrue.
I was also confused by the prison break comment. Carmine Taglialatella, another Lucchese informer, was also involved in a prison break. What a coincidence! For a while, I thought Conte was a conflation between NY 1839 and SF 3208. Later on, I zeroed in on Edward D'Argenio (his wife testified in the acid attack), but he was dead when NY 1839 was reactivated in 1966. I love these puzzles.
Tony,
Thanks for the genealogical information. I tried looking into it but didn't get very far using family search. It goes a long way to explain Roselli/Genovese friendship with Isabella. If I have your permission, can I use it with acknowledgment?
Thanks again guys.
Maybe Roselli knew about Siegel's murder in advance but maybe not. It could be an empty brag. On the other hand, perhaps they consulted Roselli about who might be qualified to manage the casino after Siegel's death. Before Isabella's disclosures, I never really thought about Roselli's role, if any, in the building of the Flamingo.
Rick,
Isabella was staring into our faces for years. I was convinced that "Rico Conte" was dead by the publication date of Villano's memoir because he revealed Conte's family affiliation. As you might recall, Villano didn't mention "Julio" affiliation because Scarpa was still alive. That proved to be untrue.
I was also confused by the prison break comment. Carmine Taglialatella, another Lucchese informer, was also involved in a prison break. What a coincidence! For a while, I thought Conte was a conflation between NY 1839 and SF 3208. Later on, I zeroed in on Edward D'Argenio (his wife testified in the acid attack), but he was dead when NY 1839 was reactivated in 1966. I love these puzzles.
Tony,
Thanks for the genealogical information. I tried looking into it but didn't get very far using family search. It goes a long way to explain Roselli/Genovese friendship with Isabella. If I have your permission, can I use it with acknowledgment?
Thanks again guys.
Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
Phenomenal. I know that you've been working on this one for a long time and am excited to see it come to fruition. Rat Trap continues to be one of the best resources on this subject.
Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
Awesome job Ed
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Re: "NY 1839:" the FBI's first Mafia informant
Excellent Ed!