Lucchese Arrests NJ State Case - April 2025

[Dr031718]

So the Lucchese admin on the street is DeSantis as the Acting Boss. Frank Papagni as Underboss and Anthony “Bowat” Baratta as the Consigliere but Zappola is identified as being on a ruling panel?

This is similar to what Pennisi has said but if Zappola is on a ruling panel then why is there an Acting Boss? Usually, we don’t see an Acting Boss and a ruling panel in a family

It’s not uncommon for a family to operate with both a panel and an acting boss (or even an official boss) on the street at the same time. I can think of quite a few examples across different families going back decades.

For instance, John Pennisi explained that Lucchese acting boss Michael DeSantis appointed a two-man panel to fill in for the consigliere position in 2017.

Mikey DeSantis became the acting boss with Stevie Crea still remaining as the underboss, but the consigliere position was void…Mikey could’ve easily placed a Brooklyn guy in the consigliere position, and no-one could’ve questioned it. Instead, a two-member consigliere panel was created which consisted of Andrew DiSimone and Freddie Boy Santorelli. These were two Bronx guys who were very well liked by the old administration…Following my departure from the family, Andrew was subsequently given the official consigliere position.

John Pennisi, ‘2017 Lucchese Consigliere’, YouTube video, 1:43, 2 April 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFITutLrBF0.

Jerry Capeci reported in the early 2010s that Gambino family acting boss Domenico Cefalu was utilising a ‘revolving panel’ of three captains to insulate the administration and help run the borgata.

Sources say the family’s Sicilian-born boss, Domenico (Italian Dom) Cefalu, and underboss, Frank Cali, have…a revolving panel of three septuagenarian capos who serve as the family’s ‘street boss’ in dealings with other capos and important soldiers.

Jerry Capeci, ‘Gambinos Take A Page From Chin Gigante’s Bag Of Tricks’, Gang Land News, 15 August 2013, https://www.ganglandnews.com/members/column857.htm.

Capeci later reported that a panel was helping run the Bonanno family along with acting boss John Palazzolo.

Sources on both sides of the law say Bonanno boss Michael (Mikey Nose) Mancuso…put Joe C on the ‘shelf’…in his place as acting boss, Mikey Nose named aging wiseguy John (Johnny Skyway) Palazzolo…underworld sources say a panel of wiseguys is assisting the 82-year-old Palazzolo.

Jerry Capeci, ‘Mikey Nose Pans Acquittal By Musical Consiglieres; Puts Joe C On A Shelf’, Gang Land News, 18 July 2019, https://www.ganglandnews.com/members/column1166.htm.

Former Bonanno captain Peter Lovaglio also testified that the family used both an acting boss and a panel at the same time on at least one occasion during his time on the street. In late 2015 or early 2016, Lovaglio went to a meeting with the panel where he was informed that Joe Cammarano (the then-acting boss) had decided to shelve him.

We had a meeting, there was a panel meeting that they called me to and they gave me 30 other reasons that we were having these discussions about me getting shelved…I met with the panel…At that time it was John (Zancocchio) and Joe Sabella who told me I was on the shelf by direction of Mr Cammarano…Some of the soldiers in my crew were complaining about monies. And I was told by the panel that they were going to discuss that. And then I was put on the shelf.

Peter Lovaglio, testimony, United States v Cammarano, No 18-CR-15 (SDNY, 27 February 2019), 526-7.

The Bonanno family has a long history of using a panel or committee to assist an acting boss. For instance, Joe Massino testified that in 1981 the family was run by Sally Ferrugia (acting boss), Steve Cannone (consigliere), and himself and George Sciascia (on a committee).

Q At some point, did the Bonanno crime family captains hold a vote to select an acting boss?
A Yes, we did…We met with the commission and we were having a lot of trouble in the family and the commission was getting fed up. We were meeting like every other week. So, they said, ‘Go downstairs and vote for an acting boss.’ We went downstairs, and we were voting for an acting boss…We won eight, seven, Sally Ferrugia was the acting boss.
…
Q How long did Sal Ferrugia remain acting boss?
A Fair to say three years.
Q What happened after about three years?
A Phil Rastelli came home in April of ’83 and he took him down.
Q During the time that Sally Ferrugia was acting boss who was the underboss?
A We had no underboss.
Q What about the consigliere, did you have one?
A Yes, we did, Stevie Beef.
…
Q After the three captains were killed, who was running the Bonanno crime family?
A Sally Ferrugia, me and George from Canada.
Q Was there a consigliere?
A Yes, Stevie Beef.
Q Who decided who was going to be on the committee running the family?
A Phil Rastelli.
Q Just to be clear for the record, approximately what year did you end up on the committee running the Bonanno crime family?
A In 1981.

Joseph Massino, testimony, United States v Basciano, No 05-CR-60 (EDNY, 12 April 2011), 4739-41, 4755.

Massino also used a panel to help run the Bonanno family in the 1990s when he was on the street as the official boss. The panel members were delegated to supervise some of the captains, and were authorised to meet and resolve disputes with other families.

Q Did there come a time that you were on the administration of the Bonanno family?
A Yes.
Q But when was that?
A Late ‘90s.
Q Who put you on the administration of the Bonanno family?
A Joe Massino.
Q And what’s a ruling panel?
A Well, a panel that make rules.
Q Is it the same thing or different from the administration?
A I would say it’s the same thing.
Q And when you served on the administration were you also on the ruling panel?
A Well, Joe Massino makes the rules. We just help him.
…
Q Did Mr Massino tell you anything about what your responsibilities would be?
A Yes.
Q What did he say your job would be?
A Some of the captains to report to me, check with them, see everything was running smooth, and if there was a problem, to try to solve the problem…If there was a problem with another family I would try to mitigate it. Try to solve it.

Frank Coppa, testimony, United States v Massino, No 02-CR-307 (EDNY, 7 June 2004), 21488-9, 21503-4.

Sal Vitale, while the official underboss of the family, also functioned as a panel member. Vitale testified that the panel was formed to help him run the family because the Anthony Spero (the official consigliere) had been arrested and was unable to fulfil his duties. Appointing a captain and Vitale to a panel allowed Massino to fill this gap in the family’s leadership without having to give someone the acting consigliere title.

Q Do you recall that when Mr Spero was charged – was arrested, that someone else was set to act in his place?
A To work in conjunction with me?
Q To work in conjunction with you.
A Yes.
Q That is because he had been arrested…and he didn’t have the ability to do what he had the ability to do previously, right?
A True.
Q So Mr Massino – is it Mr Massino that appointed someone to act on his behalf?
A On Spero’s behalf, yes.
Q And at that point in time, you and – who was that that was appointed to act on Mr Spero’s behalf?
A I think the first individual might have been Big Louie…I think it was Louie Tartaglione or Louie Ha-Ha in the very beginning.
Q And it was you and Louie Ha-Ha that were acting on a committee so to speak?
A True.
Q And you actually held a position of official underboss at that point in time, right?
A True.
Q And Mr Ha-Ha held what official position?
A Captain.
…
Q And when he was official captain, was he called the acting consigliere or was he just called acting on a committee?
A Acting on a committee.

Salvatore Vitale, testimony, United States v Persico, No 04-CR-911 (EDNY, 29 November 2007), 3005-6.

There were other reasons for the formation of this panel to help run the family. Vitale testified that the panel ensured that he could have a witness with him when he met with another family. This set-up also shielded Massino from having to meet with the captains while he was on parole.

Q What is the committee?
A Committee is that anybody who the boss appoints. At the time we had no consigliere. Our consigliere was incarcerated. So Joe felt I could work with Frankie Coppa, I could work with George, I could work with Big Louie and other individuals that were on the commission – I mean on the committee…If we had to see a captain or go out and see another family, so I would have a witness with me. I could take one of these individuals with me.
…
Q Do you know if the Bonanno family had a ruling committee, a ruling panel or ruling committee?
A When Mr Massino was not able to function?
Q After the time that he was released from jail.
A In ’92?
Q Yes.
A I would run around with him, put any captain he designated.
Q What was the purpose of that committee?
A To shelter him from meeting the captains. He wasn’t able to function because he was on a five-year parole.

Salvatore Vitale, testimony, United States v Basciano, No 03-CR-929 (EDNY, 1 March 2006), 2579-80, 2636-7.

Louie Tartaglione corroborated rationale behind the witness system, and confirmed that the panel served as Massino’s eyes and ears with the rest of the captains.

Joe wanted a committee formed and the committee was Louie Ha-Ha, Sal Vitale and myself, and the idea of that was any time you go to a meeting, that nobody goes by themselves. You always have to go with two people, and to service all the captains, see them like once every seven to ten days, see what they’re doing, ask them how everything is, and after we got done with that, then we bring back all the information to Joe Massino.

James Tartaglione, testimony, United States v Basciano, No 05-CR-60 (EDNY, 21 April 2011), 5750.

Even after Massino got off parole and could meet freely with others, he kept the panel in place, appointing three captains to it while Vitale was on house arrest.

Q You mentioned you were part of a three-man committee. What did the committee do?
A The committee helped run the family with Joe Massino.
…
Q Who created the committee?
A Joe Massino.
Q Did he explain why he was creating the committee?
A Yes.
Q Why?
A Sal Vitale was under house arrest and he needed help running the family.
…
Q While you were on the committee, what was your role with respect to other captains?
A I think I had four or five captains that had to report to me.

Richard Cantarella, testimony, United States v Basciano, No 03-CR-929 (EDNY, 3 July 2007), 1922, 1964-5.

Massino himself testified that another benefit of appointing a captain to a panel was that it gave them experience of running the family.

A We had like 17 captains. So many reported to my brother-in-law Sal Vitale, so many captains reported, five or six, to Tony Green, and so many reported to TG. It’s like a panel. So I wanted to give them the experience.
Q Experience of what type of responsibility?
A In case I’m not around to run the family.

Massino, testimony, 12 April 2011, 4823-4.

===

So, to sum up, there are multiple reasons why a family might utilise a panel or committee while an acting or official boss is on the street at the same time. A panel can substitute for another administration member if the position is vacant or the holder is otherwise unable to carry out their responsibilities (through incarceration, house arrest, parole, etc). While the Lucchese family appears to have a full administration on the street at this time, it’s important to remember we do not know for sure how active they all are (especially considering the fact that Anthony Baratta is 86 years old). As the Bonanno panel members pointed out, a committee is useful regardless as it insulates the boss (or acting boss) from having to meet with the rest of the captains.

One other reason that is perhaps worth keeping in mind is that, as Massino noted, appointing a captain to a panel can essentially serve as training on how to run the family in the future. We know from Pennisi that George Zappola has been floated as a possible successor to Vic Amuso as the official Lucchese boss, so putting him on a panel would allow him to gain that experience. It would also do so without having to appoint him to an acting or official administration position.

Teddy Persico’s recently revealed role as heir apparent of the Colombo family is arguably a comparable case.

In mid-November 2020, the Colombo family leadership met at a restaurant in Brooklyn…During the meeting, it was decided that (Andrew) Russo would continue to serve as family boss and that Persico would take over the leadership after Russo and upon his completion of federal supervised release.

United States v Russo, US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, No 21-CR-466 (Memorandum of law in support of the government’s motion for permanent orders of detention), 14 September 2021, PACER, 1, ECF No 20.

While not identified as a member of any panel, Persico has been identified in court documents and reporting on the case as a captain who was kept abreast and had input on the running of the family.

In the April 13, 2021 talk…prosecutors wrote, (Vincent) Ricciardo used a hand-signal to inform cooperating witness Andrew Koslosky that Persico had the ‘power and ability’ to give orders to underboss Benjamin Castellazzo…On the tape, Ricciardo told Koslosky that Castellazzo ‘would now be overseeing the (union shakedown) scheme.’ In response, Koslosky asked whether ‘Teddy in Staten Island’ was involved. Ricciardo was heard cryptically stating ‘this guy,’ was involved…prosecutors asserted that, as he spoke, Vinny Unions made a ‘hand signal for the letter T’, which (Koslosky) understood was Ricciardo’s code for Persico…Ricciardo then explained, the prosecutors wrote, that Persico’s order was ‘the last word’.

Jerry Capeci, ‘Skinny Teddy To Remain Behind Bars At Least Until Next Year’, Gang Land News, 24 March 2022, https://www.ganglandnews.com/members/column1294.htm.

It would make sense that Zappola, as a contender to be the next official boss, would similarly be given input into how the Lucchese family is run, or at least put in a position (like on a panel) that would allow him to gain experience in a leadership role.

Very interesting

There have been some unsubstantiated rumours that DeSantis wants to step down and retire, this indictment could potentially change that

My guess would be if Zappola goes away for an extended period Papagni steps up to the boss seat as the old Brooklyn crew will want to keep power

[B.]

Re: Wayne Cross, I don't know if he's actually Italian or what. His son looks Italian in the obit and as Pogo mentioned named all the grandkids super Italian names.

As mentioned he is a big bookmaker who goes back decades with the Pernas and Taccettas but he was also mentioned on the Stefanelli tapes as Joe Grande was in touch with Cross before he was released from prison and Scoops Licata was going to have Cross set up a meeting between him and Grande. While you would assume they were talking about Wayne Grande, they clarify that it is the Wayne who was "with" Michael Taccetta then Licata clarifies that Cross was placed direct with Joe DiNapoli when Michael Perna went to prison, that Joe DiNapoli loves him.

So whatever Cross's actual background / status is, he was important enough to be direct with the consigliere and was being used by a Philly captain to help reel in a rogue Scarfo era soldier.

[Brovelli]

Wayne on the other hand, not so Italian lol

[Ivan]

Chart of defendants.

[JohnnyS]

Just gone back and had a look at my notes on Cross. Cross was present at the 2015 Lucchese Christmas party. Pictured standing with the Bronx administration, Matty Madonna, Stevie Crea and Joe DiNapoli. Feds described him as a long time Lucchese associate and a bookie. He was also pictured at Richard DeLuca's wifes wake in the same year, he attended with Joseph Cariti (ph) (Joe Caridi Jr?)

Cross was said to have been in business with Crea Sr, the DiNapoli's and Larry Wecker. He also had dealings with Bonanno member Patty Maiorino.

Not sure why I thought Caridi was still in prison in 2015. That will be Joe Caridi he was with.

[chin_gigante]

A quick question, when you say assist in running, and you cite Barrata's ag, do you mean in a messenger capacity or an actual decision making capacity. Would he have any discretion or simply serve as a messenger?
If it's in a messenger capacity (meets with capos, relys information and instructions) then is 'panel' member an incorrect term as it imply part of a group with an ability to make decisions.

I suppose it will vary from situation to situation. A panel will have more authority in a situation where there is no acting or official boss on the street. As Frank Coppa pointed out, they were helping Massino but Massino was the one who made the rulings. A big part of the job is being a messenger, but panel members are delegated more authority than a regular captain in that they are an extension of the administration and can make more decisions when it comes to settling disputes and meeting with other families.

[chin_gigante]

Pete Caprio wanted to kill Wayne Cross on the sneak before he got arrested. He hoped everyone would assume that the NJ Lucchese crew were responsible for the murder.

[Gustazul]

Recent pic of Ralph Perna Jr., Little Joe Perna and John Perna.



Also one of Ralph Gibilisco, an associate arrested in the latest case, with Andy Merola from the Gambinos.

[NJShore4Life]

Probably the best and most detailed article about this bust , in my hometown newspaper The Asbury Park Press today:

https://www.app.com/story/news/crime/20 ... qb2u9sip5l

-Dante

[HairyKnuckles]

Re: Wayne Cross, I don't know if he's actually Italian or what. His son looks Italian in the obit and as Pogo mentioned named all the grandkids super Italian names.

As mentioned he is a big bookmaker who goes back decades with the Pernas and Taccettas but he was also mentioned on the Stefanelli tapes as Joe Grande was in touch with Cross before he was released from prison and Scoops Licata was going to have Cross set up a meeting between him and Grande. While you would assume they were talking about Wayne Grande, they clarify that it is the Wayne who was "with" Michael Taccetta then Licata clarifies that Cross was placed direct with Joe DiNapoli when Michael Perna went to prison, that Joe DiNapoli loves him.

So whatever Cross's actual background / status is, he was important enough to be direct with the consigliere and was being used by a Philly captain to help reel in a rogue Scarfo era soldier.

Cross´s grandmother was Florence Martella. So Wayne´s father (Donald) was half italian. So this makes Wayne a quarter italian.

Edit - Wayne´s mother was Bernadette Noviello. What does that make him? lol

[johnny_scootch]

Cross´s grandmother was Florence Martella. So Wayne´s father (Donald) was half italian. So this makes Wayne a quarter italian.

Edit - Wayne´s mother was Bernadette Noviello. What does that make him? lol

If his father is half and his mother is full that makes him 3/4 Italian, which is more than some other guys who have been made in the past but usually it's the paternal side providing that all important last name that's needed.

Let's be honest if this was a guy we've never heard of and he had a vowel at the end of his name and the government identified him as a Lucchese soldier just like they've done here there would be no discussion and he'd be on Pogo's Lucchese list yesterday.

[OcSleeper]

Not that it means anything, but Cross is the 2nd seemingly non-Italian individual identified as a member in 2025. In January the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrested a drug network with ties to the Gulf Cartel and among the arrested was Walter Bassett, who they say is a documented Genovese member.
viewtopic.php?p=288841&hilit=Bassett#p288841

[Tonyd621]

Chart of defendants.

John Perna looks like he is on some pills or some shit. Or wayyyyy too much ozempic.

[outfit guy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoWlJ0Dl5xg

[JerryB]

Pretty succinct summary by NY Times, published yesterday:

Elected Official Is Among Dozens Charged in a Mob-Linked Gambling Case
Alyce McFadden

By Alyce McFadden
April 11, 2025

A member of a New Jersey town council and several reputed Lucchese crime family members played roles in an illegal betting ring that netted more than $3 million, prosecutors said.

A local elected official is among nearly 40 people charged with racketeering and other crimes connected to an illegal gambling ring run by members of the Lucchese organized crime family, New Jersey’s attorney general said on Friday.

Those charged with being part of the ring, which prosecutors say used international gambling sites and shell corporations to hide its profits, included high-ranking Lucchese family members, according to Matthew J. Platkin, the attorney general.

“Organized crime in 2025 may look different than it did 50 years ago,” Mr. Platkin said at a news conference, “especially thanks to the online component, and some of the language may have changed, but it’s the same old story: criminals motivated by greed and power who think they are above the law.”

The elected official, Anand Shah, a member of the Prospect Park borough council, managed both illegal poker games and an online sports book tied to the crime family, prosecutors said. He faces racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and other charges.
Image
Anand Shah, wearing a suit and blue shirt, speaks in front of a microphone outside.
Prosecutors said Anand Shah, a Prospect Park council member, managed illegal poker games and an online sports book associated with the Lucchese family.Credit...Anne-Marie Caruso/NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK, via Imagn

Mr. Shah could not be reached for comment on Friday. Prospect Park’s mayor, Mohamed T. Khairullah, said in a statement posted on social media that he was committed to transparency and ethics in the borough government and that the crimes Mr. Shah is accused of were “unrelated to his duties in municipal government.”

At the news conference, Mr. Platkin said he was aware of the public’s distrust in New Jersey officials and institutions.

“The arrest of a sitting council member only adds fuel to that fire,” he said.

Thirty-five of the 39 people charged in the case were arrested in a sweeping takedown that began early on Wednesday, said Theresa L. Hilton, the director of the Division of Criminal Justice in the attorney general’s office.

The New Jersey State Police searched poker clubs in Totowa, Garfield and Woodland Park, as well as a business in Paterson, that prosecutors said had been used to store gambling machines. Two of the clubs were run from the back of restaurants.

Mr. Platkin hailed the searches and arrests as a result of a two-year investigation and an “incredible amount of planning” in coordination with the State Police and the F.B.I.

“This was not a backyard betting pool, this was a highly structured, highly profitable criminal enterprise run by people who believed they were above the law,” Ms. Hilton said.

Those charged included Joseph R. Perna, 56, a reputed Lucchese captain known as Big Joe, and George J. Zappola, 65, whom prosecutors believe is a member of the crime family’s so-called ruling panel.

Two reputed Lucchese soldiers, John G. Perna, 47, and Wayne D. Cross, 75, were also charged. Together, Mr. Platkin said, the four men oversaw the gambling ring and received a cut of its proceeds.

A lawyer representing Mr. Zappola, Marco A. Laracca, declined to comment on the charges. Lawyers for Mr. Cross and John Perna did not respond to requests for comment. Joseph Perna could not immediately be reached.

All 39 defendants were charged with first-degree racketeering, second-degree conspiracy and various other crimes. Two defendants were also accused of engaging in “a continuous series of retail thefts” at businesses that included Home Depot. Prosecutors said in a statement that the men had stolen more than $22,000 in merchandise from Home Depot and had used it to “flip” properties as a way of laundering money.

“Romanticized versions of organized crime have been the subject of countless movies and television shows, often set right here in the Garden State,” Mr. Platkin said at the news conference. “But the reality of organized crime isn’t romantic or cinematic.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/nyre ... olice.html