The Commission's Actual charges against Joe Bonanno

[Don_Peppino]

I want to preface this by saying, I am one of the few Joe Bonanno enthusiast in the genre. I was a one who hadca low opinion of his reign like many others and couldn't understand how he survived the alledged hit on Gambino, Lucchese and Magaddino. The logical conclusion I come to is either he wasn't involved or there was no hit to begin with.
What I want to lay out is, whether or not the Commission actually had the justification to take action and authority to remove Bonanno and whether or not did Bonanno commit a "killable offense". (Keep in mind, we all know what the outcome was but I just want to outline if it was "legal" based on the established 1931 Commission agreement)

The Precedence issue:
When Tom Gagliano decided to retire due to failing health, he brought Tommy Lucchese to the Commission as his replacement with the support of the Caporegimes. The Commission excepted this without rebuttal. This proves Bonanno's point about "autonomy" amongst the Families. The transition of power was a internal Family decision.
When the Mangano Bros. were removed, it was decided by the Commission (because Don Vincenzu was missing and Phil was murdered) that it was a Family matter. The Capos backed Anastasia (probably out of fear) amd with a co-sign from Frank Costello, Albert was excepted.
Once Albert was hit, it was decided by a panel that Carlo Gambino would be installed as temporary Boss (because there was opposition from the Anastasia loyalist and the Appalachin meeting never commenced). The probationary period would last until the next official Commission meeting to be held 1961/62 (which never happened). However there was a "unofficial" meeting to discuss the Gallo-Profaci war. The main antagonist of the meeting were Lucchese and Gambino calling for the removal of Profaci because of his losing grip on the streets and failing health. Bonanno defended Don Piddru and it was decided (out of respect for his power and legacy) that Profaci should be allowed to resolve his own Family's issues. When he dies, Joe Magliocco is "elected" to Boss but it was called into question because of the continuing Gallo problems. Magliocco is called to a meeting (with Lucchese, Gambino, Tommy Eboli and probably Stefano Magaddino) where he is told to hold another election and fined $40 grand (or some varying amount) for the false election transgression. Afterwards, out of fear for his life (like the Castellano/Gotti situation) Magliocco decides to act first by hitting Gambino and Lucchese. The order was giving to Joe Colombo. Colombo's biographer has some interesting info to the forefront. "Don Carlo was like a godfather to Colombo after his father's murder. Colombo even had the opportunity to get sponsored by Gambino but Colombo chose the Profaci's because of the Familial connection"- S.J. Perdie. That adds a different layer to the idea that Colombo was just an opportunist who told the Commission out of fear. He had a personal connection to the individual. Even with going to the Commission, who's to say that Colombo would've automatically been Boss, with two factions (mainly the Gallos) to contend with. It wasn't until later, that the Gallps excepted Colombo as Boss (based on how je conducted himself during the kidnappings of their Caporegimes).
Bill Bonanno's name got thrown into the mix because he was living with and driving Magliocco. Bill, Gaspare Di Gregorio and Johnny Burns were sent to Lucchese to assure him, they weren't involved. He seemed to except it.

By this time, Lucchese and Gambino begain to placate Stefano Magaddino and stroke his ego as the senoir member of the Commission. Don Stefano brought alot of weight to this alliance. He was the cousin of Bonanno and the senoir Castellamarese in the country (although, Bonanno was the defacto leader). This made everything alot easier to digest. The other borgatas (Chicago, Genovese, Detroit, Philly and NJ) had some gripes but generally went along to get along.

The real problem begins:
Bonanno tried to instigate a situation where Frank Desimone (Boss of L.A) would get whacked. Bonanno tried to use L.A. member in San Diego, Frank Bompensiero. San Diego (a quietly interesting mob city) had members from L.A, former Gambinos, Bonannos and I'd assume other Families. Bonanno member Antonio "Tony" Bello was put to the conspiracy and word got to New York thru former Gambino turned L.A member, Marco LiMandri. The reason this applies to New York is, although Desimone was represented by Bonanno at the time, the Los Angelas Family had long-standing ties to the Luccheses thru Jack Dragna (a fellow corleonesi and alledgedly an original member of the Gagliano Family) .

The actual charges:
Bonanno was summoned to the Commission to answer 4 charges. In my opinion, two were justifiable and the other two were kinda b.s.

#1.) The books were closed in 1955. Bonanno was accused of making members off the record. (This was hypocritical because all the other Families did this but it was an offense that he could've been called in for)

#2.) Instigating a hit on Boss Frank Desimone. (This charge was warranted but it was based on hearsay and never attemped. Bonanno should've answered for it.)

#3.) Paolo Violi waa a member of the Luppino clan in Toronto. Violi began to shift allegiance to the Cotroni's in Montreal. This was Stefano's beef because Toronto was his territory and it was seen as poaching assets. Although, I believe this was more internal Canada business (not necesarily Bonanno's master plan), coupled with charge #1. Specfically in Canada, Stefano had a legit beef.

#4.) Chicago had two beefs with Bonanno. First, his acquisition of the Grande Cheese company. Milwauke and Chicago fought it out over this company but Joe Bonanno ended up owning it thru John Dibella. The company was lucrative. I'm sure then being an acual sticking post, this just left hard feelings for Bonanno with Chicago. Secondly, Arizona was considered "open" territory but it still fell under Chicago jurisdiction. Bonanno moved there only as a resident in 1942 but by the mid 50's, he has a stake his claim on the Arizona with a crew led by Joe Venza.
Now maybe Bonanno overstepped his boundaries for not getting permission to really establish a crew and not just live there, it might have gone differently.

This is what I believe based on the information available. When it comes to Bonanno's involvement with Magliocco. I think its plausible that he knew about it. But I think its more likely that a guy who attended the 1928 meeting in Cleveland would be adept enough to make a move like that. He was a underboss for 30 years. I think he could handle himself. He just handled it wrong in my opinion. As far as the story goes, I think is something that got caught up in the "telephone game". Became an opportunity for a smear campaign on Bonanno (on top of his other transgressions).
Then it becomes a convoluted mash-up of the two stories.
And ultimately, a tighly wrapped way to explain getting rid of Bonanno.

Now I'm in no way implying that Bonanno was in the right. He did commit several "legal" offenses under the jurisdiction of the Commission. But no killable offenses in my opinion. Bonanno being Boss or DiGregorio being Boss was up to the Family to come to a conclussion. It was a Bonanno Family matter and they didn't want to kill their Fathers (for whatever reason, but I believe, it would've sent shock-waves thru the Castellamarese network. That was already declining.)

Lastly, in the case of their Commission seat. Once the Capo regimes splintered, Bonanno's power was called into question. A contingent of guys based in Long Island (Gaspare DiGregorio, Paul Sciacca, Rusty Rastelli, Frank Mari, Mike Adamo and others) with the support of Stefano Magaddino, split and without a majority sway either way, the Bonannos had no official leader. Gaspare couldn't bring a close to the situation and Paul Sciacca was picked. I believe Tommy Lucchese endorsed him. They were Garment center guys. But Sciacca never had a fully formed Family either (he had to whack out Frank Mari and Mike Adamo) . Eventually Joe Diamond unifies it but didn't live long enough to get the Commission seat. Rusty and Galante. No unity. Up until Joe Massino. You need the whole weight of 250-300 guys to say "Hey, you must recognize me as a Boss because I have a full army behind me". As opposed to, having a war, getting down to 150 and 1/3 can be swayed to new management and the other 3rd couldn't care either way. It's a big difference.

Anyways this is here for scrutiny, discussion, debate, analysis, and learning. This is just my opinion based on my interpretation of the Bonanno books, wiretap transcripts and years of trying to understand the patterns of LCN. I hope this inspires some fruitful conversation.

One thing I want to note is the "Probationary or Temporary" status of Gambino's Boss claim. Now we all know that generally, within his Family, he was excepted as the Boss. But The Commission ruled in 1957/58 that Gambino was to Boss on "Probation" until the next "Official" Commission meeting in 1962/63. As of that time, Gambino was not ratified as Boss by the Commission. But Bonanno was still technically the last official head of the Bonanno Family. So it seems, Bonanno wasn't gonna take orders from a false-Commission.

[Antiliar]

Another precedence was splitting up crime families. We know of two borgatas that voluntarily dissolved (Birmingham and Madison) and one that was dissolved by force (Newark). Birmingham and Madison felt they had too few members to continue, while the circumstances with Newark are murky. Nick Gentile gave an explanation that fails because his time sequence is erroneous. A CI in an FBI file suggests that Joe Profaci may have been the prime mover in the breakup. Bonanno, Magaddino and Profaci were the last surviving bosses who were around and personally involved it. In the Magaddino tapes we learn that (if I recall correctly) breaking up the Gambino borgata after the Anastasia murder was also discussed. There was discussed of breaking up the Bonanno borgata too during the Banana War.

[thekiduknow]

Good write up, although I'd point out that Bonanno was removed because he refused to come in when the Commission called him in. Rather than any of the big reasons, attempted take over of LA, sneaking in members etc, it was a procedural issue that ultimately lead them to stop recognizing him as the rappresentante. DeCavalcante and Joe Zicarelli talk about it at length, with Sam stating that the Commission calling in a boss is the same as a boss calling in a soldier, in that he has to go or risk being shelved or killed. Gaspar DiGregorio was shelved for the same reason, however he was then placed under the protection of the Commission.

Sam does state that the Commission can intercede in a borgata, and cites his family and Pittsburgh as examples. Gambino being made provisional boss is another example.

I don't think that DiGregorio was appointed boss the same way Gambino was, it does appear that he was "elected"(although I believe Magaddino was backing him), there's some discussions on different wiretaps about the family trying to reach a consensus.

[CabriniGreen]

Good write up, although I'd point out that Bonanno was removed because he refused to come in when the Commission called him in. Rather than any of the big reasons, attempted take over of LA, sneaking in members etc, it was a procedural issue that ultimately lead them to stop recognizing him as the rappresentante. DeCavalcante and Joe Zicarelli talk about it at length, with Sam stating that the Commission calling in a boss is the same as a boss calling in a soldier, in that he has to go or risk being shelved or killed. Gaspar DiGregorio was shelved for the same reason, however he was then placed under the protection of the Commission.

Sam does state that the Commission can intercede in a borgata, and cites his family and Pittsburgh as examples. Gambino being made provisional boss is another example.

I don't think that DiGregorio was appointed boss the same way Gambino was, it does appear that he was "elected"(although I believe Magaddino was backing him), there's some discussions on different wiretaps about the family trying to reach a consensus.

Did you ever see the Mary Ferrell docs, that had Gerry Catena saying Luchesse and Gambino played the Commision by never actually informing Bonnano that he was to appear before them? So as to recieve consent and consensus for his sanction? I think they were picking on Zerilli too....

[HairyKnuckles]

Sam DeCavalcante did not have the extensive knowledge of what the Commission could do or could not do. He did not sit on it and was not at the creation of the Commission when the rules were established. He stated what he was told by Gambino and Lucchese who certainly had their on agenda. I´d bet my last dollar on that it was those two who picked DeCavalcante as a messenger between the parties.

The issue between Bonanno and the Commission was fueled and reached its peak when DiGregorio lost the election for the consigliere spot. It appears he was sour because he went to his in law Magaddino and complained about it. Some captains were sceptical to Bill Bonanno´s elevation and rightfully so. But in that regard, the Commission had no right to dictate how Joe Bonanno was supposed to run his Family. It was a new order and Lucchese/Gambino were fed up by Bonanno and his way, and the old timers (Profacis, Maglioccos) way of thinking. It was a clash in philosophy and politics that Bonanno eventually lost.

[johnny_scootch]

I was a one who hadca low opinion of his reign like many others

Anyone with low opinion of Joe Bonannos reign is a fool.

[Don_Peppino]

Good write up, although I'd point out that Bonanno was removed because he refused to come in when the Commission called him in. Rather than any of the big reasons, attempted take over of LA, sneaking in members etc, it was a procedural issue that ultimately lead them to stop recognizing him as the rappresentante. DeCavalcante and Joe Zicarelli talk about it at length, with Sam stating that the Commission calling in a boss is the same as a boss calling in a soldier, in that he has to go or risk being shelved or killed. Gaspar DiGregorio was shelved for the same reason, however he was then placed under the protection of the Commission.

What are your thoughts on the panel of 3 rule where Bruno, Zicarelli and DeCavalcante were supposed to inform Bonanno officially? Now I know that it's a technically and Bonanno did in fact KNOW the Commission wanted to see him but if he wasn't "officially" notified based off established perimeters was he really wrong not to come in? Technically speaking. We can clearly come to the conclusion, that the Commission was reformed with Magaddino, Luchesse, Gambino, Eboli & Catena and Colombo without Bonanno representation. In Bonanno's mind, this wasn't a Commission he had to adhere too because the full Commission had not ratified the 5 year agreement, at least not with his involvement.
Once DiGregorio lost support, it further weakened their position. I truly believe that manpower and a united front is what plays a part in recognition.

[Don_Peppino]

Sam DeCavalcante did not have the extensive knowledge of what the Commission could do or could not do. He did not sit on it and was not at the creation of the Commission when the rules were established. He stated what he was told by Gambino and Lucchese who certainly had their on agenda. I´d bet my last dollar on that it was those two who picked DeCavalcante as a messenger between the parties.

I agree with the DeCavalcante remark. There was alot of ignorance surrounding the capabilities of the Commission and the official rules on how to form a Family, especially with the Bonannos. This is were their "clannish" nature hurt them. It was a weakness that was exploited. Gambino and Lucchese were upper level guys for 20yrs before becoming Boss. They knew how politics worked. The Bonanno leadership (exception of Joe himself) at the time was ill-equipped to out manuever them. They were being told how to run THEIR Family by other Fathers. But Stefano Magaddino was the catalyst being the senoir Commission member. They needed someone with equal power (perception wise) to be an authority on what or what not was in the jurisdiction of the Commission.

When Bonanno says that "Sam's father was honorable but he is not so honorable", my perception is he was talking in the case of coming in. Bonanno felt DeCavalcante was playing for the Commission (which he was) and his word couldn't be trusted.

[thekiduknow]

Sam DeCavalcante did not have the extensive knowledge of what the Commission could do or could not do. He did not sit on it and was not at the creation of the Commission when the rules were established. He stated what he was told by Gambino and Lucchese who certainly had their on agenda. I´d bet my last dollar on that it was those two who picked DeCavalcante as a messenger between the parties.

The issue between Bonanno and the Commission was fueled and reached its peak when DiGregorio lost the election for the consigliere spot. It appears he was sour because he went to his in law Magaddino and complained about it. Some captains were sceptical to Bill Bonanno´s elevation and rightfully so. But in that regard, the Commission had no right to dictate how Joe Bonanno was supposed to run his Family. It was a new order and Lucchese/Gambino were fed up by Bonanno and his way, and the old timers (Profacis, Maglioccos) way of thinking. It was a clash in philosophy and politics that Bonanno eventually lost.

I don't see DeCavalcante just following what Gambino and Lucchese told him, he really tried to step in and mediate between Bonanno and the Commission. He stuck his neck out to try and get Bonanno to come in one more time, when they were ready to dethrone him and were telling DeCavalcante to give it up.

I also don't buy that DeCavalcante wouldn't have an understanding of the Commission just because he wasn't a sitting member. You don't get to the top of a family without understanding the politics of the organization. And again, it's not like there aren't other examples of the Commission stepping into a family when there factional disputes.

[thekiduknow]

Good write up, although I'd point out that Bonanno was removed because he refused to come in when the Commission called him in. Rather than any of the big reasons, attempted take over of LA, sneaking in members etc, it was a procedural issue that ultimately lead them to stop recognizing him as the rappresentante. DeCavalcante and Joe Zicarelli talk about it at length, with Sam stating that the Commission calling in a boss is the same as a boss calling in a soldier, in that he has to go or risk being shelved or killed. Gaspar DiGregorio was shelved for the same reason, however he was then placed under the protection of the Commission.

What are your thoughts on the panel of 3 rule where Bruno, Zicarelli and DeCavalcante were supposed to inform Bonanno officially? Now I know that it's a technically and Bonanno did in fact KNOW the Commission wanted to see him but if he wasn't "officially" notified based off established perimeters was he really wrong not to come in? Technically speaking. We can clearly come to the conclusion, that the Commission was reformed with Magaddino, Luchesse, Gambino, Eboli & Catena and Colombo without Bonanno representation. In Bonanno's mind, this wasn't a Commission he had to adhere too because the full Commission had not ratified the 5 year agreement, at least not with his involvement.
Once DiGregorio lost support, it further weakened their position. I truly believe that manpower and a united front is what plays a part in recognition.

Scarpa reported that when the Commission investigated a charge, they would send delegations of two or three men would be appointed, so I think that was what Bruno et al were, a delegation to investigate/call Bonanno in to discuss the charges against him formally.

When Magaddino wanted Bonanno to come in during the Gallo/Profaci conflict, he just told Bill to have his father come in and help out, so I don't think that the Commission had to send three men to pass along a message, rather it seems that the delegation is for a specific purpose of investigating issues that arise. So when the Commission "rescinded the whole order", as DeCavalcante put it, I read that as them saying "Ok, you're back around, forgot about the investigations just come in to meet as the Commission", to which Bonanno still refused citing that it wasn't a full delegation.

[Don_Peppino]

Tommy Eboli had some contrasting thought on the situation

[Don_Peppino]

Any thoughts?

[Don_Peppino]

Good write up, although I'd point out that Bonanno was removed because he refused to come in when the Commission called him in. Rather than any of the big reasons, attempted take over of LA, sneaking in members etc, it was a procedural issue that ultimately lead them to stop recognizing him as the rappresentante. DeCavalcante and Joe Zicarelli talk about it at length, with Sam stating that the Commission calling in a boss is the same as a boss calling in a soldier, in that he has to go or risk being shelved or killed. Gaspar DiGregorio was shelved for the same reason, however he was then placed under the protection of the Commission.

Sam does state that the Commission can intercede in a borgata, and cites his family and Pittsburgh as examples. Gambino being made provisional boss is another example.

I don't think that DiGregorio was appointed boss the same way Gambino was, it does appear that he was "elected"(although I believe Magaddino was backing him), there's some discussions on different wiretaps about the family trying to reach a consensus.

The Commission wouldn't have the authority remove a (Commission sitting) Boss without detractors within a Family. Same thing in the Profaci Family. Joe Magliocco had known rebels to his position (the Gallos and quietly Joe Colombo), this is why his "false-election" wasn't recognized. Partly because Magaddino, Lucchese, and Gambino didn't WANT to recognize him. My basic understanding of "Rappresentante" is a representative of a particular grouping of people. When DiGregorio's group revolt, Bonanno is no longer "officially" Boss (from within the Family). But DiGregorio can't be official Boss either (even with Magaddino's backing) while there are Bonanno loyalist still around. They have to "make up" a stance about not recognizing Bonanno members who don't go along with the "Commission approved" DiGregorio. Why Not do that in the case of Magliocco? Simple, they didn't WANT too. I'm not arguing that Bonanno's removal was without merit, I'm arguing that it was politically motivated (possibly for operational reason), and underhanded.


Sam DeCavalcante's understanding of the Commission is from the standpoint of an outsider (not a sitting Commission member). At a certain point, Boss or not, he has to leave the room, when the final discussions/decisions are made. There were members who didn't even know the process of "forming a Family", surely DeCavalcante could have known certain things but I would think he was being puppeteered like DiGregorio was.

The Commission intercedes in the smaller Families (without Commission seat) issues but Gambino is the first instance where a Commission sitting Family Boss was directly influenced by the Commission.

[CabriniGreen]

Any thoughts?

Exactly what I was referring to... good post

[CornerBoy]

who is NG?

Can someone help me break this series of wire transcripts down?

I don't understand what the fuck eboli is driving at.

PArticularly the second half.

I don't get the overarching points nor do I understand the finer points.

Probably lack of historical knowledge of this whole thing, I've never really understood this whole thing.

Thank you very much