Tony Lima, A sitting LCN boss informant after all?

[Ed]

We know that former San Francisco boss Tony Lima cooperated with federal agents in the 1960s after he was busted down to soldier in the 1950s.

http://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/sanfranlima.html

But since that article was published, new information has emerged that shows Tony Lima (SF 2689) may have taken over again as boss of the San Francisco Crime Family around 1970, replacing former boss James Lanza after he voluntarily stepped down. The sources of the information appear to be SF member Sal Costanza and Lima himself. (Peter Misuraca wasn’t talking too much at this time.)

https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... 6&tab=page

Most histories of the San Francisco Crime Family maintain Lanza ruled until his death in 2005.

Informants noted that the LCN Commission hadn’t yet sanctioned the leadership change so perhaps it was never approved and Lima never replaced Lanza officially. (Fratianno refers to Lanza as boss at this time and never mentions the change in any of his books.)

https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... earch=lima

In any case, pending more Intel, it raises the possibility that the FBI had a sitting LCN boss feeding them information, perhaps a first of its kind.

BTW, in one section of the report, the FBI notes Lima and the other informants had provided the names of 11 new recruits to the San Francisco Crime Family. These poor saps thought they were joining a secret criminal organization and lo and behold the boss is giving up their names first chance he gets.

[Stroccos]

Good work ed

[SonnyBlackstein]

Great stuff Ed

[DPG]

Really makes you wonder how many of these guys were talking back in the day.

[JCB1977]

Really makes you wonder how many of these guys were talking back in the day.

The one thing we do know is that a most if not all Mafia members were sociopathic. I believe that at some point, more than we know have “talked.” Talking and informing are two different things. Maybe they felt talking/being cordial with the Feds may help them in the future if indictments are handed down. It’s not uncommon for criminals to play both sides of the fence.

[DPG]

Owen Madden and other gamblers in Hot Springs talked to the Feds like it was nothing. Of course they were not committing any federal crimes either. Madden spoke with the FBI about local politicians and confirmed Chicago/NY/NJ Gangster visits for the feds also.

[JeremyTheJew]

Owen Madden and other gamblers in Hot Springs talked to the Feds like it was nothing. Of course they were not committing any federal crimes either. Madden spoke with the FBI about local politicians and confirmed Chicago/NY/NJ Gangster visits for the feds also.

Confirmed Chicago/N.Y. visits??? Interesting. As far as I can tell, Hot Springs was more of a vacation spot, but maybe some big meets went down there? Interesting

[aleksandrored]

if he never officially replaced, then how did the position of boss become?

[DPG]

Owen Madden and other gamblers in Hot Springs talked to the Feds like it was nothing. Of course they were not committing any federal crimes either. Madden spoke with the FBI about local politicians and confirmed Chicago/NY/NJ Gangster visits for the feds also.

Confirmed Chicago/N.Y. visits??? Interesting. As far as I can tell, Hot Springs was more of a vacation spot, but maybe some big meets went down there? Interesting

I'll put something together when I get some time. At work right now lol