Joseph Licata Detention Memo - Interesting Notes

[Chucky]

During the meeting, LIGAMBI mentioned Johnny “Gonz” Casasanto and laughed. LICATA then stated: “At least we finally got to get him! Huh!” (More laughter) John Casasanto, a/k/a “Johnny Gonz,” a Philadelphia LCN Family associate, died from a gunshot wound to the back of his head in November 2003. (The second superseding indictment avers that LIGAMBI’s was the acting boss of the Philadelphia LCN Family at this time.) Casasanto’s killing remains an unsolved murder. However, LICATA’s statement acknowledges that the Philadelphia LCN Family endorses the use of violence.

During the meeting, LICATA bragged that he was incarcerated with a former boss (Junior Gotti?) of the Gambino LCN Family, and predicted to members of the Genovese and Lucchese LCN Families that he would become a rat. These statements confirm LICATA’s close relationships with members of other New York LCN families. These statements also demonstrate the contempt of LCN members for cooperating witnesses.

LICATA inquired about the current leadership of the New York Gambino LCN Family, and wondered what would become of JG and other members of the current triumvirate when the old leaders (JJC, NC, LDM) are released from prison. LICATA also elicited that PG is the real boss of the crime family, but will probably be incarcerated for a long time.

LICATA also inquired about the current leadership of the DeCavalcante LCN Family, which is also known as the “Elizabeth Crew.” LICATA discussed the recent demotion of specific members of the DeCavalcante LCN Family. LICATA noted the sons of a former DeCavalcante leader had been identified as the new power in the family, and expressed both astonishment and disdain about the new leadership. LICATA asked the CW to check with the Gambino administration to verify the new leadership of the DeCavalcante LCN Family because LICATA had business with the crime family.

LICATA also discussed by name a number of “caporegimes” and soldiers in the New York Genovese LCN Family, also referred to as “the Westside,” and noted that, among other things, the family controlled the Port of Newark.

LICATA told the group how VC is a “friend with us... and he’s with me,” indicting that VC is a made member of the Philadelphia LCN Family who reports to LICATA, his capo. The CW stated that he did a lot of stealing with VC including trailer loads of gold and diamonds. LICATA stated: “I’m the boss of making three cents with him.”

LICATA discussed how RL is an LCN associate in his crew, but will never become a made member because he was proposed by Peter Caprio, a former “caporegime” of the North Jersey crew who became a cooperating witness for the government. LICATA further discussed how RL went to LIGAMBI and LIGAMBI ignored him.

LICATA talked about the mob parties at the 311 Club, a Newark social club controlled by the North Jersey crew of the Philadelphia LCN Family. LICATA discussed how Philadelphia LCN Family members Caponigro, Joseph Ciancaglini, Sr. (capo), Frank “Faffy” Iannarella (capo), Tommy Del Giorno (capo), and Nicky “The Crow” Caramandi (soldier) frequently came up to the club. LICATA and LIGAMBI referred disparagingly to Del Giorno as a “fucking rat bastard.”

LICATA stated that, after Steven Mazzone (a member of the Philadelphia LCN Family convicted in
the Merlino RICO case), who LICATA identified as the “consigliere,” gets off of supervised release, more people will become fully initiated members of the Philadelphia LCN Family through “making” ceremonies. LICATA explained that Joseph Merlino is calling shots from prison by telling LIGAMBI to “make” certain people. According to LICATA, LIGAMBI will only “make” guys he knows well, and will let Merlino “make” the guys he wants when he comes home from prison. LICATA also stated that the leadership in Philadelphia has asked him if he wants to propose any new members. LICATA stated that, while he is not ready to do it now, he will propose new members in near future. LICATA stated to the CW that he had already proposed VM and JS previously to LIGAMBI and wants them to be “made” before proposing any new members. LICATA added that he will propose reliable guys who will earn money for him and not give him headaches. LICATA discussed how he does not want to face another criminal prosecution where his guys cooperate with law enforcement.

LICATA related that Joseph Pungitore tried to have Joseph Grande killed by conveying to LIGAMBI and STAINO that Grande remained loyal to Nicky Scarfo, Sr., and disloyal to LIGAMBI. LICATA stated that he intervened with LIGAMBI to save Grande. LICATA stated he admired Grande who returned to Philadelphia when he was released on parole, not knowing whether he would live or die.

LICATA stated that Joseph Sodano was killed because he was making $30,000 to $40,000 per week with gambling machines and other racketeering activity, but was conning the Philadelphia LCN Family hierarchy about his profits. LICATA stated that Sodano was called to report, but failed to appear, so he was killed. LICATA noted that this occurred while LICATA was in prison (December 1996), and said that it would never have happened if LICATA had been out at the time. LICATA would have persuaded Sodano to meet with the LCN hierarchy and give up whatever share of his profits they demanded.

[Wiseguy]

Interesting stuff. Thanks for posting Chucky.

[B.]

Fucking great info, brother.

The DeCavalcante bit is interesting -- would be great to see the actual transcript and if he mentions names. Might confirm Barizini's rumors about the Merlos being in leadership positions, as I can't think of any (known) members who might fit that description except the Riggis, who seem an unlikely choice for leadership at the time of this recording.

He also confirms what Caramandi said in his book about spending a lot of time up at the 311 Club and getting close to Caponigro. Fresolone was familiar with DelGiorno in his book and there were wiretaps of Sodano talking about DelGiorno in Avena's office, so that'd be how they knew him, too.

[Doobeez]

Awesome, Chucky..thanks for putting this up.

[Chucky]

No problem guys.

Seems like the Grande/Pungitore fight was a more serious than how it was alluded to in the Fazzini memo as Pungitore went to Ligambi and Staino to have Grande killed.

I'm assuming the old Gambino leadership Licata refers to (JJC, NC, and LDM) is Joseph Corozzo, Nick Corozzo, and Leonard DiMaria?

[B.]

No problem guys.

Seems like the Grande/Pungitore fight was a more serious than how it was alluded to in the Fazzini memo as Pungitore went to Ligambi and Staino to have Grande killed.

I'm assuming the old Gambino leadership Licata refers to (JJC, NC, and LDM) is Joseph Corozzo, Nick Corozzo, and Leonard DiMaria?

Remember, too, that Scarfo asked Phil Leonetti to kill both Joe and Wayne Grande. Kind of ironic I guess that Grande would then stay loyal to Scarfo while Pungitore sided with the new regime and wanted Grande dead. His name hasn't come up at all since then.

[Pogo The Clown]

Remember, too, that Scarfo asked Phil Leonetti to kill both Joe and Wayne Grande.

I don't recall this. What was this about?


Let me add that the RL (the one who was with Caprio and will not get made) that Licata refers to is most likely Raymond Lepore.


Thanks for postng this Chucky.


Pogo

[B.]

Remember, too, that Scarfo asked Phil Leonetti to kill both Joe and Wayne Grande.

I don't recall this. What was this about?

The Grandes had Wayne's brother-in-law Salvatore Piccolo (Scarfo cousin) dealing drugs for them and the Grandes had also been pissing off other members in jail. I believe they were all still in jail, so the idea was that if they got out, Leonetti would kill them and also Scarfo's wife Mimi. Leonetti said he had no intention of killing any of them, especially Mimi even though he (Leonetti) hated her too haha.

Piccolo would continue dealing drugs for Wayne Grande and Grande ultimately flipped on him.

[Rocco]

Remember, too, that Scarfo asked Phil Leonetti to kill both Joe and Wayne Grande.

I don't recall this. What was this about?


Let me add that the RL (the one who was with Caprio and will not get made) that Licata refers to is most likely Raymond Lepore.


Thanks for postng this Chucky.


Pogo

Yeah its Frenchie from Nutley NJ who Licata is referring to when he says RL. Hes been around forever.

[Pogo The Clown]

Thanks B. Was there anyone Scarfo didn't want to kill?


Pogo

[willychichi]

Great info Chucky thanks for sharing it

[brianwellbrock]

The Grandes and Pungitore seemed to have been beefing for ages. I think Leonetti talks about how while they were in jail Wayne would whisper in peoples ears in front of Pung to start shit. I think the trouble dated back to when Grande was serving a contempt charge and he thought Pung didnt provide for his wife or some shit. Anybody else heard that?


This also goes to show that even as of 2010 Scarfos name, even if it was a faint one, still rung a bell with these guys. In all actuality, the guys talking (Ligambi and Licata) and the guys being talked about (Pung, Grande, Caprio, Sodono) had all been inducted by Scarfo. So Im guessing even if its just a little it seems that once Ligambi became AB and his son got made which were around the same time, Scarfo had some say on the street.

[Pogo The Clown]

LICATA also inquired about the current leadership of the DeCavalcante LCN Family, which is also known as the “Elizabeth Crew.” LICATA discussed the recent demotion of specific members of the DeCavalcante LCN Family. LICATA noted the sons of a former DeCavalcante leader had been identified as the new power in the family, and expressed both astonishment and disdain about the new leadership.

I wonder who these demoted members where and who theses sons are?


Pogo

[B.]

Wayne Grande also apparently used to go into Joe Pung's club (bar? I can't remember) and put "That's what friends are for" by Dionne Warwick on the jukebox to rub salt into the wound after they participated in Salvie Testa's murder. Wayne Grande seems to have been a nasty, nasty fellow by all accounts.

Pogo -- I figure the sons might be Joe and Michael Merlo, though I don't know of their father ever being more than a soldier. Could also be the Collettis or others who have been made in the last 10 to 15 years.

[Pogo The Clown]

The Merlo's and Colletti's immediately came to mind. Like you said though Joseph Merlo Sr. was only a Soldier. Jake and Joseph Colletti were Capos so it could be them. Then again Licata could have been wrong or simply exaggerating with the "former leader" part. Another guess could be the Corsentinos whose father Carlo was also a long time member. Really though there are so many 2nd generation members and associates in this family that it can be anyone.


Pogo