Antiliar wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2017 7:28 pm
Eleuterio Patriarca came from Rocca d'Arce in Caserta, near Naples. Have no idea why Bianco was such a big deal, but there must have been something about him that people liked, maybe a certain leadership quality or intelligence.
Antiliar please tell me how do you look up people's ancestry? I would like to look Frank DeCicco's grandfather Frank b. 1881. Where did he come from and when, etc.
Also Casso's people.
The two most frequently used databases are Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. You can find more databases in the sticky on Researching the Mafia.
According to Francesco DeCicco's naturalization, he was born in Carbona on Jan 8, 1884. Doesn't say which province or region. His wife's name was Elizabeth. The Wikipedia entry that says Frank DeCicco's father was born in Italy is wrong. Vincent DeCicco was born in New York. Francesco died in 1966. If you go to Ancestry.com you'll see that someone made a family tree of the Frank DeCicco's ancestors, but they picked a different Francesco who was born in February 1885. The key to doing good research is to verify everything and double-check other people's work. That's how myths about the Mafia get to be popular. One guy gets something wrong and other people trust it without verifying.
Antiliar, the rest of your post just came out and I just read it. Thank you veey much ser, you are a true gentelman and nice guy. Thanks once again
Antiliar wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2017 7:28 pm
Eleuterio Patriarca came from Rocca d'Arce in Caserta, near Naples. Have no idea why Bianco was such a big deal, but there must have been something about him that people liked, maybe a certain leadership quality or intelligence.
Antiliar please tell me how do you look up people's ancestry? I would like to look Frank DeCicco's grandfather Frank b. 1881. Where did he come from and when, etc.
Also Casso's people.
The two most frequently used databases are Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. You can find more databases in the sticky on Researching the Mafia.
According to Francesco DeCicco's naturalization, he was born in Carbona on Jan 8, 1884. Doesn't say which province or region. His wife's name was Elizabeth. The Wikipedia entry that says Frank DeCicco's father was born in Italy is wrong. Vincent DeCicco was born in New York. Francesco died in 1966. If you go to Ancestry.com you'll see that someone made a family tree of the Frank DeCicco's ancestors, but they picked a different Francesco who was born in February 1885. The key to doing good research is to verify everything and double-check other people's work. That's how myths about the Mafia get to be popular. One guy gets something wrong and other people trust it without verifying.
Plus, the only Carbona I found is near Venice somewhere and I thought that frank was a neapolitan by heritage.
This is a subject I've always wanted to find out more about, but there seems to be NOTHING out there showing Bianco's early ties to Patriarca. He reported directly to Raymond so they definitely knew each other before the Colombo/Gallo mess. He also made sure Bianco was made while the books were closed too, it supposedly happened at a restaurant in Brooklyn in the early 60's IIRC. I would have thought Raymond would have wanted Bianco to become boss after he died but of course it went to Junior. I'm not sure if Raymond was able to name a successor or not.
Bianco was definitely born in Rhode Island as his SSDI record states his social was issued in Rhode Island as the state you are born in issues your SS#.
If I didn't have my case coming up, I would like to come back with you gentlemen when this is over with and really lay the law down what is going on in this country.....
Dug through Bianco's FBI files a bit... here is more info on his activities in the mid- through late-1960s and some background on him:
- In June 1964, Joe Colombo told Scarpa that Bianco was "under Patriarca", but because he was living in NYC he reported to Colombo. So it seems pre-1965, Bianco was officially still a New England member but was under the direction of Colombo.
- In February 1965, an informant (probably Scarpa again) said Bianco had gotten closer to Joe Colombo and believed Bianco would soon be "accepted as a transfer member to the Colombo family from the family of Patriarca." He claims that Bianco was closer to Joe Colombo by this time than anyone else in NYC.
- A Boston informant was interviewed about Bianco in late 1964 and mentioned his background in Providence, but that he had been living in Brooklyn for several years and gotten close with the Gallo brothers.
- Another informant said that Bianco had been a strong-arm man for Patriarca in Providence, butu got into "some kind of trouble" and had to leave Providence. He went to NYC and was "taken care of" by Joe Gallo who he knew from prison. This was right before the Gallo war broke out. This informant said that Bianco stayed loyal to Gallo through the war and was "very instrumental" in establishing peace between Gallo and Profaci. Claims that Bianco was not fond of Larry Gallo, but very close to Joe Gallo.
- Lived on President street, then later 86th street, followed by Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn. He did a lot of his socializing in Manhattan and was trying to move to the LES and get involved in rackets there.
- In December 1965, an informant claimed Bianco gave Larry Gallo two cases of champagne as a Christmas gift. Another informant (Scarpa) said that this champagne brought by Bianco was actually from Joe Colombo to Gallo.
- 9th grade education.
- Served in the army in California for about 9 months in 1953 but was dishonorably discharged for striking one of his superior officers and threatening another superior officer after Bianco refused an order to wash windows, claiming he had a back injury. His medical history did show a reptured disk. He was sentenced to two years of hard labor and had his pay forfeited as a result of the court martial.
- In 1952, prior to joining the army, he was arrested multiple times in Los Angeles for burglary, robbery, and assault with intent to murder. He was found not guilty or the charges were dismissed for each of these. It seems he went to Los Angeles to commit crimes originally, then later joined the army there.
- As of 1965, Bianco owned residences in Providence, Los Angeles, and had an apartment in Brooklyn.
- In 1953, he was diagnosed with a variety of mental issues, including emotional instability, anti-social personality disorder, and anxiety.
- By 1955, he is living in Providence again, eventually getting charged with assault in 1956, gambling (dice) in 1957, and doing some kind of property damage in 1959.
- By October 1959, he seems to have moved to New York, getting arrested twice under the alias "Joseph Andrezzi". One of these arrests was for a dice game, not sure the other but it appears to be gambling as well. He is later arrested in Brooklyn in 1961, then again in Manhattan that year, before getting busted a few more times in Brooklyn between late 1961 and 1962. In mid-1963 he gets hit with a gun charge then in December of that year was arrested on conspiracy charges.
- Despite his standing in both Brooklyn and Providence, Bianco and Scarpa were arrested burgarizing two telephone coin boxes in New Jersey in late 1965 but the charges were eventually dismissed. During this period and into 1966, Bianco was said to have no loansharking or numbers operations and made his money through stolen goods. By the middle of that year he had a numbers operation out of a pizzeria on 13th avenue, Brooklyn. By the late 1960s he's supposedly involved in trafficking "obscene film" from New England to NYC where he sells it.
- Bianco attended a meeting at Patriarca's office in Providence in early 1966 along with soldier Peter Limone and another redacted Boston member, plus Henry Tameleo.
- In February 1966, Bianco and two of his younger associates were at the Pussycat Bar in Manhattan where they harassed some girls who were there. The girls complained to Carmine Tramunti, as apparently it was his bar, and he contacted Joe Colombo. Colombo told Bianco he was unhappy with his behavior at the bar.
- An informant claimed Tramunti, who had attended Angelo Bianco's wake, was very close to Nicky Bianco. Yet another example of Bianco's inexplicable popularity.
- In 1966, the wedding of a relative of Smitty D'Angelo of the Bonanno family was attended by Nicky Bianco, Greg Scarpa, Joe Colombo, Rocco Miraglia, Modesto Santoro and a redacted name.
- Also in 1966, Bianco attended a wedding connected somehow to Colombo member Michael Savino. Other Colombo members in attendance were Larry Gallo, John Cutrone, Joseph Colombo, Greg Scarpa, Rocco Miraglia, John Fontana, John Oddo.
- By late 1968, Joe Colombo promoted Bianco to captain and was said to be contemplating having the former Gallo crew report to him. In early 1969, multiple informants said Bianco had taken over the "Larry Gallo group" in the family. Not sure if this means he took over a specific crew of Gallo men, or if he was just the liaison between Colombo and the Gallo group. More than one source said Larry Gallo was a captain sometime around the mid-1960s after Joe Colombo took over, so Bianco may have absorbed Larry Gallo's decina.
- In February 1969, Joe Colombo and Bianco were observed making a visit to the Ravenite Social Club on Mulberry street. Later that year, Bianco was seen at the 19th Hole in Brooklyn.
In June 1969, Bianco held a grand opening for the Cafe Royale, a nightclub in Queens Bianco owned a piece of. The grand opening was attended by a large number of Colombo members. Bianco is believed to have become part of the Cafe Royale when its owner, Joe DeMasi was shaken down by Bonanno associate Tommy Zummo, who would later be killed.
And here is the early 1970s, covering the Joe Colombo shooting and leading into Bianco's official transfer back to the Patriarca family in 1973:
- On December 23rd, 1969, Bianco was rumored to have survived a hit attempt "somewhere in upstate NY." Attempts by LE to get more info on this in 1970 proved fruitless.
- Met with Fat Tony Salerno in February 1970, reasons unknown. However, during this same period Joe Colombo was sick and tasked John Cutrone and Nick Bianco with issuing orders to the rest of the family. A source claimed that Bianco was the main one handling Colombo's business.
- Bianco owned a poodle that he took with him out and about.
- In September 1970, a meeting was held at Cousin's Bar in the Bronx, where the remaining Gallo crew hung out. Someone redacted was looking to take over the ILA in Brooklyn, formerly operated by Gambino captain Joe Colozzo who had died. Apparently Bianco and the Gallo group were angling to take over the ILA
- Bianco was campaigning on the front lines with Colombo for the whole Italian Civil Rights league.
- In late 1970, Colombo apparently used the Cantalupo Realty Christmas open house to introduce top Colombo members like Bianco, Rocco Miraglia, and Dick Fusco to "big shots" in legitimate fields like politics, medicine, real estate, insurance, and other business.
- In early 1971, Bianco was believed to have helped get a number of "Brooklyn men" (not sure if it means mob guys or not) work at the Trade Center. Not sure if this is the WTC or something else.
- In June 1971, Joey Gallo apparently attempted to recruit Bianco, but Bianco remained loyal to Colombo. That said, at this time Bianco was growing more upset with Colombo's leadership.
- Following Gallo's failed recruitment of Bianco, Bianco attempted to set up meetings with Gallo, which Gallo refused as he didn't accept Bianco playing the role of peacemaker.
- During this same period, an informant said that Bianco planned to gradually withdraw from Joe Colombo and return to Providence, where he purchased a home. So it seems Bianco was looking to get out of NY before the Colombo shooting. However, right after this Bianco also renewed the lease on his Brooklyn apartment for another two years.
- Bianco had become "disgusted" with Joe Colombo in the weeks leading up to the shooting and referred to Colombo as "crazy". He felt that Colombo's antics would get everyone arrested.
- Less than a week before the shooting, a meeting was held at the car dealership Bianco used as his headquarters and where much of the family business was conducted. This was a two hour meeting between Joe Colombo, Rocco Miraglia, John Oddo, Dominick Scialo, Nick Bianco, Frank Falanga, Vincent Corrao, a redacted name and several unknown Gambino guys (not clear if members or associates).
- The day of Joe Colombo's shooting, Bianco was seen at the home of underboss Charles Mineo some hours after the shooting.
- A few days after the shooting, relatives of Joe Colombo were ordered by Bianco to go to their summer home in upstate NY for their safety, with Frank Falanga and two unidentified guys staying with them as bodyguards. The names are redacted so it's not clear if it was just Colombo's sons or also other relatives.
- In early July, 1971, the "street talk" was about Bianco's failure to protect Colombo from being shot. The same was said for Rocco Miraglia. It was felt that guys like them had "leeched" off Colombo for years then didn't show the proper respect following his shooting.
- Other street rumors included Joe Gallo "playing footsy" with the FBI and CIA, and possibly getting their assistance in the Colombo hit.
- Bianco attended a meeting a little over a week after Colombo's shooting where Joe Yacovelli was promoted to acting boss. This meeting was held at Dick Fusco's home and was attended by Yacovelli, underboss Mineo, Bianco, Miraglia, Jiggs Forlano, Duke Santoro, Mimi Scialo, and some redacted names. Mineo was initially asked to run the family but turned it down due to old age and poor health.
- Another captains meeting was held a week after this one, with many of the same attendees. Yacovelli explained that he had been in contact with the Commission, which included Carlo Gambino and Carmine Tramunti. Tramunti was close to Colombo and "sick" over the news. There is a large redacted portion after this, but the informant says there was an "edict" and that he "had never heard anything so clear cut and ruthless since the days of the Gallo-Profaci war" and feels there will be "considerable bloodletting".
- Joe Colombo had a crew of six soldiers reporting to him at his time of death, and these men were assigned jointly to Rocco Miraglia and Nick Bianco at the time. It was felt this was done to pacify them given their relationship to Colombo. However, the Commission disagreed and these men were re-assigned to older captains and Miraglia and Bianco had no crews. Bianco and Miraglia began going everywhere together with three armed bodyguards, including one believed to carry a machine gun. Members Tony Augello, Mimi Scialo, and DUke Santoro were said to be carrying guns during this period as well.
- By late August 1971, Bianco had been demoted from his captain position and was assigned directly to Joe Yacovelli. He continued to use the car dealership as his HQ and by September was said to have imported two or three "strong arm thugs" from Providence.
- Three days prior to the rally where Joe Colombo was killed, Bianco had been given the contract to murder Joe Gallo.
- Following Joe Colombo's shooting, Gallo and Bianco were said to be "at odds", but Bianco's plan was to move away to New England.
- After the shooting, Bianco began spending weekends in Providence and returning to NYC during the week. During this time he was not seen in contact with Patriarca members.
- Through late 1971, Bianco, Miraglia, and Mike Savino continued to run their operations from the car dealership though there were noticeably fewer visitors. In November, things picked up a bit and John Oddo and Frank Falanga were among the visitors meeting with Bianco.
- On December 19, 1972, Bianco met with Ray Patriarca Jr. in Providence. Supposedly Bianco was in a "beef" in Brooklyn. He returned to Brooklyn during the holidays.
- In late January 1973, Bianco was seen at Alphonse Persico's home on Bath avenue. The next week, early February, Bianco was back in New England and said he was going to be staying there. Throughout February, Bianco was meeting with Providence "wiseguys" and by mid-month word was out that Bianco would be permanently moving back there.
- Rocco Miraglia, who had been acting as Bianco'a driver in New York, was upset that Bianco was moving and felt the change "wouldn't help" him. Miraglia was described as neither smart nor tough, and a degenerate gambler. Bianco was said to be the opposite.
- In early March, 1973, an informant claimed Bianco requested a transfer back to the Patriarca family, which was approved. The only stipulation was that all NYC members with business dealings with Bianco would be asked if Bianco owes them money.
- The same source who reported on Bianco's transfer back to the Patriarcas said that other members of the Colombo family had requested transfers to other families but these were denied and "word is out, no more transfers."
- Bianco's apartment lease was up in June, 1973, at which point he would return to move permanently to Rhode Island and assume "a position" in the Patriarca family. By this time, he was described as "cut off from confidence" with the Persico faction and was doing poorly financially since transferring back to the Patriarca family. It was felt that he would do well once he was settled in Providence.
Since this topic has also brushed on the shooting of Joe Colombo, here are a couple of other bits:
- Sources claimed that Carlo Gambino instructed his captains not to attend the Unity Day rally nor any other Italian Civil Rights League events. However, he said that it was up to the captains whether they allowed their soldiers to attend.
- The disappearance / murder of Salvatore D'Ambrosio in December 1969 seems to have been a bigger turning point in Colombo's fate than I was previously aware of. Following D'Ambrosio's disappearance, Colombo began telling people that D'Ambrosio was "on the lam," and the murder was a hot topic for some time into the early 1970s. I'm not sure what the reason was for the murder, but Carlo Gambino was said to be upset with Colombo for this murder and is the first I've heard of Gambino pulling his support away from Colombo. Does anyone have more info on the reasons for the murder and why Gambino would be particularly bothered by it?
B. wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2017 4:19 pm
Since this topic has also brushed on the shooting of Joe Colombo, here are a couple of other bits:
- Sources claimed that Carlo Gambino instructed his captains not to attend the Unity Day rally nor any other Italian Civil Rights League events. However, he said that it was up to the captains whether they allowed their soldiers to attend.
- The disappearance / murder of Salvatore D'Ambrosio in December 1969 seems to have been a bigger turning point in Colombo's fate than I was previously aware of. Following D'Ambrosio's disappearance, Colombo began telling people that D'Ambrosio was "on the lam," and the murder was a hot topic for some time into the early 1970s. I'm not sure what the reason was for the murder, but Carlo Gambino was said to be upset with Colombo for this murder and is the first I've heard of Gambino pulling his support away from Colombo. Does anyone have more info on the reasons for the murder and why Gambino would be particularly bothered by it?
Scarpa said that Persico wanted Colombo to make Sally D a capo in the Family and that Colombo had great anxiety over Persico and Sally D's ambitions. Said they wanted carte blanche from Colombo to start a new graveyard. Also says Colombo didn't want to make Sally D a captain and felt threatened his leadership was threatened by Persico and Sally D's ambition.
Thanks B! Now y'all see why I'm so interested in learning more about Bianco. It's rare to see a guy change families like he did but seemed to also have been well thought of by both families. I didn't realize he was so involved with things in NY though, so that is definitely interesting. I just wonder what took him back to NY, especially since he was a Raymond favorite and had direct access with Ray. I always thought Ray sent him to help NY out with the Gallo/Profaci ordeal but I'm obviously wrong as he was there before that it seems?
B are those files viewable by anyone? I'd love to read them myself.
If I didn't have my case coming up, I would like to come back with you gentlemen when this is over with and really lay the law down what is going on in this country.....
Also Miraglia was demoted at the same time as Bianco and he too (like Bianco) was a captain without a crew (made soldiers). Miraglia had also been directly assigned o Colombo during the 1960s. In the 1970s, he was part of Panarella´s crew and was the acting captain for that crew for a year (1973-1974).
