Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

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JoePuzzles234
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Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by JoePuzzles234 »

Was supposed to be out with family today but weather cancelled that. The book isn't very long (231 pages on Kindle) so I knocked it out pretty quickly. These are my notes. They are too long to post in entirety on the forum but they are shared here on Google docs. The parts I found most interesting or otherwise seem relevant will be on this thread.

I am not posting the Manzi beef stuff because it's very long and probably worth a separate discussion.

There is a bunch of new info with the biggest revelation being that Arillotta claims to have been the formal Springfield captain - there is zero mention of Felix Tranghese being in this position. Overall, the book is worth a read.

Previous thread/chart for comparison

Induction, others proposed & Genovese ranks (Chapter 2)
Gives date of induction as August 11th 2003.

Joe LNU, a Genovese captain, met Arillotta at the Nebraska Steak House and took his jewellery and cellphone, stressing that his pockets needed to be empty.

Prior to the ceremony, Joe LNU was whispering with Steven Alfisi (described as a captain) and another Genovese member that Arillotta did not know.
Arthur Nigro, Mario Gigante and Lawrence Dentico were placed on a panel after Ernest Muscarella was arrested. He had been slated to become the family’s boss after Vincent Gigante, according to Arillotta.

Arillotta trusted Reno Ceravalo but did not feel the same about Joseph Basile. After Basile backed out of the contract and asked to be taken off the list for membership, Nigro wanted him murdered. He was apparently then chased/shelved but appears to have remained associated to Arillotta (at least per the Parisi book).

Ceravalo was willing to participate in the murder but was apprehensive/confused about dealing with all the Genovese members around him (cited as DeLevo, Bruno, Tranghese and Albert Scibelli).

Arillotta later decided not to use Ceravalo for the murder as he wasn’t a killer but because he liked him, told Nigro that he instead decided to just use the Geas brothers. This saved Ceravalo from being chased/shelved like Basile apparently.

Associates (Chapter 9)
At various times, Arillotta partnered with Anthony Scibelli, Reno Ceravolo, Francesco Depergola, Giovanni Calabrese, Richard Valentini, David Cecchetelli and Steve Marshall.

His “main associates” were the Geas brothers, Louis Santos, Ralph Santaniello and Ryan “Shakes” Fattini.

Santos was half-Italian and half-Dominican. During Arillotta’s time, you had to be a full-blooded Italian to become a member but in modern times, Santos would be a member.

Meeting members with Bruno & Philadelphia Lucchese family? (Chapter 10)
With Bruno, Arillotta met Carlo Mastrototaro, Luigi Manocchio and had sitdowns with New England members Carmen DiNunzio, Peter Limone, and Frederick Simone.

He also met with “guys in the Philadelphia Lucchese family” at some point with Bruno.
- I would imagine this Nicodemo S. Scarfo, maybe Salvatore Piccolo and Salvatore Pelullo?

Shelved from Springfield LCN (Chapter 12)
Arillotta was “shelved” by Bruno after his drug arrest in 1996, despite originally being proposed by him. Bruno had also told Anthony’s father that he should have killed him. This greatly upset Arillotta as his father wasn’t really connected and Bruno should have discussed these things with him directly.

He was shelved for around 2 years but during that time continued to deal with LCN. This included drug dealing and gambling with Eugene Onofrio and his partner Chicky TNU.

He would also do the same with Gambino associate (?) Joe Gallo TNU and Bonanno member John Spirito (assuming this is the father). Arillotta also developed relationships with the New England family.

Louis Santos informant? + Fusco & Bruno (Chapter 15)
Albert Scibell’s sons-in-law, Michael Cimmino and John Basile, sent word to Arillotta that Louis Santos was an informant. Arillotta did not believe this.

The New York members wanted Santos murdered when word reached them.

Emilio Fusco had confronted Bruno at the La Fiorentina Pastry Shop over his PSR/CI issue and only later met with Arillotta to discuss it. They then reached out to Felix Tranghese, who called John Bologna who told Tranghese to immediately drive to New York with the document.

After meeting with the panel (Nigro, Gigante and Dentico), Tranghese was instructed to murder Bruno while the Santos contract was “shelved.”

New Genovese member identified? + “boss territories” (Chapter 17)
Carlo Sarno, of C&S Vending, is identified as a Genovese member by Arillotta. He is a relative of Mario Fiore and I believe him to be this guy:
Carlo N. Sarno
DOB: 06/20/1968

Arillotta describes himself as the boss of Springfield, Hartford, Albany and parts of New Haven.

Captain? + John Bologna, Anthony Volpe & Eugene Onofrio info (Chapter 18)
Arillotta mentions that Bologna was involved in attempting to orchestrate the murder of Louis Santos and was also involved in discussions around murdering Mario Fiore.

He was transferred to the Genovese family from the Gambinos in 1999 and was considered a “puddle jumper.”

Bologna had turned down membership before, citing that membership made you a bigger target for law enforcement.

Pasquale DeLuca visited Springfield to “look around” and also induct “a couple of guys” into the family. Arillotta identifies them as Eugene Onofrio and Anthony Volpe, who were both made.

This conflicts with Arillotta previously stating that Onofrio was only inducted after he was off the street.

After Bruno was murdered, Arillotta took over as the “boss in our area.” This is the full quote:
After Bruno was killed and I took over as boss of the area, rumors on the streets had me responsible for the disappearance of Westerman and the Bruno murder—I had solid street credibility. No former captain from our area had these accolades, and this put me at a whole new level.
It seems like he is saying he was the local captain then. Maybe Bologna’s report that Tranghese was an “acting boss” means he was in that capacity for Arillotta?

Learning about Bologna cooperating & Emilio Fusco description (Chapter 19)
Arillotta learned from bookmaker John “Johnny Meatballs” Piteo about Bologna’s cooperation.

Prior to the indictments, Arillotta approached Emilio Fusco to assist with a cheque for 150,000 because Arillotta’s new lawyer didn’t want cash. Fusco refused and Arillotta thought him to be the “one of the dumbest people on earth.”

Attempting to get the Geas bros. to cooperate while in prison (Chapter 20)
Through his wife, Arillotta wanted Nicki Geas, a cousin of Ty and Freddy, to come visit so that he could relay to them that they should all cooperate. However, his wife found out about his girlfriend and their relationship broke down so no message was passed to Geas.

2005 crew info & incarceration with other CWs (Chapter 21)
After his 2005 conviction, Arillotta was incarcerated at Concord again and then later at MCI Gardner.

He says he had a reputation as a “capo in the Genovese family.”

While incarcerated, Genovese associates Ralph Santaniello, Richard Valentini, Ryan Fattini and John Rodier managed his street operations. Rodier would occasionally visit him and update him about the street situation.

While at an FCI for cooperators in the 2010s, Arillotta met Bonanno member Joseph Massino, Gambino CW Peter Zuccaro (who he identifies as a member) and former Philadelphia associate Theodore DiPretoro, involved in the Testa bombing.

Perspective on Springfield LCN remnants (Chapter 24 & Epilogue)
Mario Fiore and Frank Pugliano were still operating sportsbooks after all the indictments.

Today, Arillotta says the Manzis are still minor drug dealers and might still be involved in loansharking and bookmaking.

Albert Calvanese is not a member or captain but might still be involved in some street activities. He mentions Ralph Santaniello and Francesco Depergola being proposed from the 2016 bust.

Mentions the recent rumours about Ralph Santaniello being inducted and the social club takeover as reported by Barry. The book vaguely ends with this:
Is this a resurgence of the Mafia in Springfield, and how will Albert Calvanese react to the recent coup at the hands of his relatives, the Santaniellos? This remains to be seen.
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by JohnnyS »

Thanks for the breakdown Joe. Some interesting new details there like this Carlo Sarno, I've seen him mentioned before but wasn't aware he was a made guy. He also has a brother named Gerry who he ran the vending business with. They were once being extorted by the Genovese Family.

More in depth details on Arillotta's induction: viewtopic.php?t=12526
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by CornerBoy »

is the john mitchell that arilotta used the same one who prosecuted all the mob guys?
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by chin_gigante »

On Arillotta's position, he's described himself as a captain a few times in different interviews but I'm not sure what to make of it. He also says in various other interviews that the plan was to make Tranghese the official captain after Bruno while Arillotta, reporting to the administration, secretly controlled things without taking the heat. Not sure how much of the captain rank is a marketing thing (like calling himself a boss) or trying to get across his authority. His sentencing memorandum only refers to him as a soldier. Personally, I struggle to see how he could have been made the captain because he also says the Genovese administration deliberately avoided introducing him as a member in Springfield to insulate him. How would anyone know he was their captain if they weren't introduced to him?

I suspect we'd only get a clear answer on this by looking at his and Tranghese's testimony from the two trials in the case. I had a look before and the transcripts aren't available on PACER, so that would require going direct to the SDNY to request them (which would be pricey).

I've also had a look at the book and I'm not sure what to make about the O'Nofrio thing either, especially as you pointed out considering it explicitly contradicts what Arillotta has said in podcasts. Maybe it's an error on the co-author's part.
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by JoePuzzles234 »

chin_gigante wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 12:16 pm On Arillotta's position, he's described himself as a captain a few times in different interviews but I'm not sure what to make of it. He also says in various other interviews that the plan was to make Tranghese the official captain after Bruno while Arillotta, reporting to the administration, secretly controlled things without taking the heat. Not sure how much of the captain rank is a marketing thing (like calling himself a boss) or trying to get across his authority. His sentencing memorandum only refers to him as a soldier. Personally, I struggle to see how he could have been made the captain because he also says the Genovese administration deliberately avoided introducing him as a member in Springfield to insulate him. How would anyone know he was their captain if they weren't introduced to him?
It's definitely a weird situation, especially since he now clearly mentions dealing with Carlo Sarno and Mario Fiore. Fiore at one point represented Gennaro Sarno in the vending issue at what Arillotta states was a sitdown, so surely there are are formal introductions made by that point?

Tranghese being avoided as a topic might relate to your point about marketing, it's obviously a lot less impactful to say "I was the effective boss but this other elderly member was the formal caporegime for Springfield."
I suspect we'd only get a clear answer on this by looking at his and Tranghese's testimony from the two trials in the case. I had a look before and the transcripts aren't available on PACER, so that would require going direct to the SDNY to request them (which would be pricey).
Hopefully he uses the book as a launching point for another podcast attempt or something like that (like DiLeonardo etc), will be a lot cheaper to just donate and ask questions that way.
I've also had a look at the book and I'm not sure what to make about the O'Nofrio thing either, especially as you pointed out considering it explicitly contradicts what Arillotta has said in podcasts. Maybe it's an error on the co-author's part.
It could be, not sure how involved Bradley was. I found the part about Volpe being inducted pretty interesting as well, I would assume it was Arillotta who said he knew him to be a member - maybe his proposal by Mario Gigante went through in the end?

It turns around to Onofrio regardless, since it's not clear where the info is coming from in the first place.
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by Antiliar »

Arillotta is on Facebook, so you could probably reach out and ask him a few questions. I wouldn't inundate him with too many questions, maybe just the top three. I would start out by saying you purchased his book.
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by OmarSantista »

Antiliar wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 2:20 pm Arillotta is on Facebook, so you could probably reach out and ask him a few questions. I wouldn't inundate him with too many questions, maybe just the top three. I would start out by saying you purchased his book.
This is funny to me because I asked him a question in a long form paragraph on instagram and he didn't respond after he said he'd answer my question lol.
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by OmarSantista »

Thanks for the important details Joe, I've been referring to silverscreen wiseguys for years. Just a couple comments: Basile was "chased" because an associate - a non member can't be shelved, if he's not in the pantry, so to speak. Ceravolo being preserved by Arilotta doesn't mean he was in bad standing; in regards to you saying Ceravolo being replaced by the Geas brothers "saved him from being chased/shelved like Basile". Basile, who asked to be taken off the list put him in bad standing which is why Artie Nigro wanted him killed. You say apparently though so idk if this is your position or the books position, I'm sure you get it either way. Sorry but what does TNU mean.
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by Antiliar »

OmarSantista wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 3:27 pm
Antiliar wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 2:20 pm Arillotta is on Facebook, so you could probably reach out and ask him a few questions. I wouldn't inundate him with too many questions, maybe just the top three. I would start out by saying you purchased his book.
This is funny to me because I asked him a question in a long form paragraph on instagram and he didn't respond after he said he'd answer my question lol.
Maybe he got high and forgot.
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by CornerBoy »

is this guy can sell five books, frank fordlino could sell Ten
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by OmarSantista »

Antiliar wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 3:36 pm
OmarSantista wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 3:27 pm
Antiliar wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 2:20 pm Arillotta is on Facebook, so you could probably reach out and ask him a few questions. I wouldn't inundate him with too many questions, maybe just the top three. I would start out by saying you purchased his book.
This is funny to me because I asked him a question in a long form paragraph on instagram and he didn't respond after he said he'd answer my question lol.
Maybe he got high and forgot.
Lol that'd be funny. I think he didn't because, either the subject matter was too deep or the length of the paragraph turned him off
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by Manf »

A bit off topic but how did the the Genovese family end with a crew in Springfield?
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by B. »

Manf wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 5:26 pm A bit off topic but how did the the Genovese family end with a crew in Springfield?
Likely through the early Camorra network that fed into the Genovese Family. There are connections going back to at least the 1920s.

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Great summary, Joe. Thank you.
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by Pmac2 »

I don't know why he keeps referring to being a capo. He knows he wasnt. He testified after brink was killed NYC never appointed a new capo. Was he in charge of Springfield after Bruno murder yes but there was only a few made guys on the street then. He had a short run like 2 years he was locked up for most of his time as a made guy 2003 till 2010. He was locked up for 5 years inbetween
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Re: Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

Post by Pmac2 »

Be better if felix trangese told his story he was made in 1982 and was around forever. He have alot more story's also cousins to the scibellis . he's been around he's radio silent
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