The true Carlo Gambino

[B.]

Gambino has a mythical status in the history of the mob and next to names like Al Capone, Charlie Luciano, and John Gotti he is probably the most well-known name to the general public. But what is really known about him when we strip away the hyperbole? I like when we take another look at some of the more infamous/famous guys.

Here is a basic overview. Please feel free to share any other details about Gambino you might have.

- Gambino enters the US in the early 1920s and joins relatives who are already presumably entrenched in the local D'Aquila family. It's not known to me when he first shows up on the radar in association with underworld activity but it's assumed that he quickly and easily slips into the Palermitani fold -- are there any mentions of him pre-Castellammarese war?

- He is ID'd as a "boss" with the Masseria faction by Valachi during the Castellammarese war, and when his similar looking brother Paolo (said by Maranzano to be an associate then) was mistakenly shot, it was revealed that the Gambino brothers were part of a faction secretly allied with Maranzano (Frank Scalise being one of the leaders of this faction). His name doesn't come up again that I know of during this period.

- Informants have said that Gambino replaced capodecina Joseph Castellano (relative of Gambino) upon his death (1946, I believe). This group was apparently separate from Castellano's cousin Frank Castellana's crew, though both crews included relatives of the Gambino, Castellano/a, Masotto clan, an indication of the influence that this particular clan had in New York. This means that contrary to popular belief, Gambino was not a high-ranking member until late in the Mangano regime. Leading up to this promotion, Gambino was heavily involved in the lucrative gas stamp scams mentioned by Valachi which may have given him more economic power.

- By the time of Anastasia's death, Carlo Gambino is identified by both Magaddino and Bill Bonanno as the consigliere. His crew may have been taken over by his brother Paolo, who was later identified as a captain, but there isn't concrete info on this. Joe Bonanno claims that Anastasia was borderline abusive to the meek Gambino, but Bonanno also had clear biases against Gambino. According to Dominick Montiglio (whose info is unreliable, but should be considered for his relationship to Gaggi), Gambino remained a close ally of Frank Scalise until Scalise's murder, which may have been a factor in Gambino's involvement in the anti-Anastasia conspiracy.

- Magaddino says Gambino's position as consigliere is one of the reasons Gambino was named acting boss of the family. After two or three years as acting boss and the murders of several alleged Anastasia loyalists (Rava, Robilotto, Squillante) , Gambino is confirmed as the official boss ~1960 with former consigliere Joseph Biondo as his underboss and longtime captain Joe Riccobono as consigliere.

- Gambino is at the core of many disputes almost immediately following his elevation to official boss. He backs Philadelphia soldier Angelo Bruno against his boss Dominic Pollina, with Bruno taking over the position of boss. He is accused of supporting the Gallo brothers along with Tommy Lucchese. Gambino was also heavily involved in the Bonanno war, having been an alleged target (along with Magaddino and Lucchese) of the Bonanno-Magliocco alliance. From the DeCavalcante tapes, it is clear that Gambino was a major factor in turning the tide of the war, as he sent word to the various mafiosi in the NY/NJ area to cut business ties to Bonanno loyalists.

- Biondo is removed as underboss due to issues with his conduct and replaced around the mid-1960s with former Anastasia loyalist Neil Dellacroce. Joe Riccobono suffers from mental and physical health issues and Joe Gallo is named acting consigliere before taking the official position. Both of these men would continue in these positions long after Gambino's eventual death.

- Gambino and Lucchese form close ties through the marriage of their children, an alliance that continues until Lucchese's death in 1967. By the mid-late 1960s Gambino is regarded by the media and even some LE/underworld sources as a defacto "boss of bosses" and the most influential mafia leader in the country, due in part to the size of his organization and the death/retirement of other well-known mafia leaders. Much of this is myth, but he is no doubt a first among equals in terms of influence. Gambino is highly influential over Angelo Bruno/Philadelphia and DeCavalcante/Elizabeth, though there is reason to believe the Gambino family was highly influential over these families before Gambino was boss.

- In 1967 Gambino's cousin Paul Castellano is named acting boss and Gambino takes a back seat. Castellano continues as acting boss for nearly a decade and replaces Gambino following his death. During this period Gambino is known for his opposition to opening the books and Gambino reluctantly agrees to open them near the end of his life after pressure from other families. Also during this time, some distant relatives/paesani from Sicily become involved in the family and a "zip" faction grows, though it is not known to what degree they were supported by Gambino.

- Following Gambino's death in 1976, he becomes an even more mythological figure and is regarded as the definitive "old school" Sicilian mafia boss in the US. This reputation increased after Castellano was murdered by flashy Neapolitan-American John Gotti, whose connections trace back to the old Anastasia faction.


What else can we fill in?

[Ivan]

What else can we fill in?

He married his first cousin, and his parents were first cousins.

[Angelo Santino]

I know exactly what sparked you posted this, lol. Lord have mercy.

In a matter of opinion, Gambino was pretty much prodded up by Lucchese who was a far more influential boss.

[Pogo The Clown]

In addition to his influence over Philly and NJ he also had a lot of influence over the Colombos via Joe Colombo and then later on Acting Boss Vinny Aloi (who was his godson I believe). He also had sway over the Bonannos via Gaspare DiGregorio and Paul Sciascia.


Was it ever established that Gambino orchestrated Tommy Eboli getting killed? I know it was commonly believed that Gambino pushed for it over some failed drug deal but I don't know if that was one of those urban legends that gets repeated. If so then he would have had a lot of say in Funzi Tieri taking over the Genovese family.


Pogo

[Lupara]

Paul Sciascia.

Sciacca I believe. Not related to Gerlando Sciascia as far as I know. [emoji14]

[Stroccos]

wasnt he a also a major narcotics trafficor with his b rother

[Manf]

If Paul was the acting boss as far back as 1967, why was it considered some kind of big surprise that he would be the next boss?

[AlexfromSouth]

Gotti propaganda.

[Angelo Santino]

If Paul was the acting boss as far back as 1967, why was it considered some kind of big surprise that he would be the next boss?

This is a good point. Didn't the entire Neil Narrative come out of Dominick Montiglio's Sniper On The Roof story which hasn't been verified? Very recently he posted a photo of Roy DeMeo's death photo which turned out to be Chuckie English and when called on it the person was banned from his blog.

But basically yes, there is evidence to suggest that Paul (or at least the Gambino circle) succeeding Carlo was not very newsworthy. One thing I'd be interesting in knowing more about is Dellacroce's crew(s) and what their lineages were.

[bronx]

carlo was picked up off the boat by the castellano's and brought to bath beach.blood relatives were here already

[bronx]

100 % with daquila

[Antiliar]

Carlo Gambino's sister Giuseppa/Josephine married a Giammona, I believe Giovanni "John" Giammona. He was a descendant of Antoninio Giammona, the earliest known Palermo Mafia boss. He was the boss of Uditore from the 1860s or 1870s to the 1890s, and his son-in-law was a Giuseppe Riccobono. So the Gambinos have a long lineage in the Mafia.

[bronx]

very true,Antillar,, lou giamona was made with luchesse's and killed by them.killed by animo and gas here

[bronx]

naimo

[Angelo Santino]

Carlo Gambino's sister Giuseppa/Josephine married a Giammona, I believe Giovanni "John" Giammona. He was a descendant of Antoninio Giammona, the earliest known Palermo Mafia boss. He was the boss of Uditore from the 1860s or 1870s to the 1890s, and his son-in-law was a Giuseppe Riccobono. So the Gambinos have a long lineage in the Mafia.

The line of Riccobonos, Virzis, Gambinos, Scalicis, Castellanos, Manganos, D'Aquila, Mineo, Inzerillos, Di Gregolis, Giallombardos, Calis, Trovatos, Lupos et al. all came from within a ten mile radius. Given that Sangiorgi wrote about the Mafia factions of 1890's Palermo, we can break down even further as to what blood families were probably with what Palermitan' group. But as it relates to America, the Gambinos were the Palermitan group, followed by the Colombos (for a time).

The amazing takeaway, is that the NY mafia didn't divide themselves into location but familial/associate connections which is why "territory" is pretty much secondary. There was never a Harlem Family or a South Brooklyn Family but rather compaesani connected to other compaesani. Which is why you see (inside one family) members from Brooklyn connected to East Harlem, members from Elizabeth connected to E39 and the Bronx. And if you focus on another family, say the Bonannos, it was Williamsburg and then E 11st in Manhattan. It wasn't arranged but simply chain migration. Had Morello or D'Aquila been inclined they could have nipped this in the bud and there could have been 6 or 10 or whatever families, but they didn't. Which is why 5 groups grew to the colossal entities they became which rivaled any Family size in Sicily. Interesting shit to be honest. There was no fail-safe for this unlike certain mainlanders and even that's up in the air.