Anthony Arillotta book notes - official/formal captain?

[davidf1989]

Hi what do people make of this early article about Felix Tranghese and Al Bruno? https://www.newspapers.com/article/dail ... 155506089/ also what kind of guy was Bruno?

[JoePuzzles234]

Thanks for the important details Joe, I've been referring to silverscreen wiseguys for years.

I appreciate you checking out the blog.

Just a couple comments: Basile was "chased" because an associate - a non member can't be shelved, if he's not in the pantry, so to speak.

The book uses shelved to mean chased, Arillotta also says it himself in interviews - like when Bruno "shelved" him from the crew for his drug dealing. I included both terms but probably should have been clearer there.

Ceravolo being preserved by Arilotta doesn't mean he was in bad standing; in regards to you saying Ceravolo being replaced by the Geas brothers "saved him from being chased/shelved like Basile". Basile, who asked to be taken off the list put him in bad standing which is why Artie Nigro wanted him killed. You say apparently though so idk if this is your position or the books position, I'm sure you get it either way.

Ceravolo not participating in the contract appears to have removed him from the list either way. Arillotta specifically says he told Nigro he was instead going to use the Geas brothers in order to keep Ceravolo in good standing. This is from the book:

I liked Reno and didn’t want him to fall into the same fate as Joey [Basile], so we shook hands, and I could see that a weight was taken off his shoulders—he wasn’t a killer.

Nicholas Parisi's book mentions Basile still being around Arillotta in later years, so it doesn't seem to have been a permanent issue. Ceravolo remained around as well and was collecting money for Felix Tranghese in 2004 from the Sarno cousins.

Sorry but what does TNU mean.

TNU = True Name Unknown (at least in my understanding), some people also use UNK (unknown) for people only identified by nicknames or other partials

[Pmac2]

From anthonys point of view in the book does he give a reason why the geas brothers beat up Felix trangese??? That was really a insult to there own crew. Having associates beat up a made guy. It couldnt have happened without Anthony's ok or urging. I heard nigro orders it why? I wonder what he says because after that Felix was done until he gets indicated after Anthony flips pins brunos murder on him n others

[OmarSantista]

Thanks for the important details Joe, I've been referring to silverscreen wiseguys for years.

I appreciate you checking out the blog.

Just a couple comments: Basile was "chased" because an associate - a non member can't be shelved, if he's not in the pantry, so to speak.

The book uses shelved to mean chased, Arillotta also says it himself in interviews - like when Bruno "shelved" him from the crew for his drug dealing. I included both terms but probably should have been clearer there.

Ceravolo being preserved by Arilotta doesn't mean he was in bad standing; in regards to you saying Ceravolo being replaced by the Geas brothers "saved him from being chased/shelved like Basile". Basile, who asked to be taken off the list put him in bad standing which is why Artie Nigro wanted him killed. You say apparently though so idk if this is your position or the books position, I'm sure you get it either way.

Ceravolo not participating in the contract appears to have removed him from the list either way. Arillotta specifically says he told Nigro he was instead going to use the Geas brothers in order to keep Ceravolo in good standing. This is from the book:

I liked Reno and didn’t want him to fall into the same fate as Joey [Basile], so we shook hands, and I could see that a weight was taken off his shoulders—he wasn’t a killer.

Nicholas Parisi's book mentions Basile still being around Arillotta in later years, so it doesn't seem to have been a permanent issue. Ceravolo remained around as well and was collecting money for Felix Tranghese in 2004 from the Sarno cousins.

Sorry but what does TNU mean.

TNU = True Name Unknown (at least in my understanding), some people also use UNK (unknown) for people only identified by nicknames or other partials

That's really interesting about Ceravolo being taken off the list either way, even though he stayed in good standing. Thanks for quoting Parisi and for the TNU definition. How would you compare Parisi's book to Arilotta's?

[chin_gigante]

I heard nigro orders it why?

Tranghese was perceived to be interfering in / obstructing the collection of extortion money. He got shelved around the same time. There weren't many active members left on the street in Springfield at that point either. Arillotta was in prison at the time and I think Fusco still was too. In one of his interviews, Arillotta talks about telling the Geas brothers to stop doing violence for New York because he felt they were being used.

[Pmac2]

that's interesting so in 2005 06 felix and maybe Mario f are the only made guys in Springfield. carlo is in worcester and has frank pug. so it's all associates and they actually beat up felix that's crazy . nigro was a greedy guy

[Wiseguy]

that's interesting so in 2005 06 felix and maybe Mario f are the only made guys in Springfield. carlo is in worcester and has frank pug. so it's all associates and they actually beat up felix that's crazy . nigro was a greedy guy

While they made money, that crew was a mess, particularly by West Side standards. Because it was Springfield, attrition had whittled it down to the point where a guy like Arillotta could even become made and effectively take over.

[JoePuzzles234]

That's really interesting about Ceravolo being taken off the list either way, even though he stayed in good standing. Thanks for quoting Parisi and for the TNU definition. How would you compare Parisi's book to Arilotta's?

I feel there is too much focus on the Billy Grasso murder for a book about Springfield (Parisi is apparently related to someone involved in that hit, I forget who exactly) but otherwise it's not a bad read and has some info about the 2000s that isn't discussed by Arillotta outside of interviews, like Frank Pugliano being shelved, opinions on Mario Fiore etc.

[davidf1989]

What do people make of this article about Emillo Fusco? https://www.masslive.com/news/2012/04/f ... led_f.html

[Pmac2]

why was frank pug shelved? was it because he participated in grasso murder? I always believe chin somehow masterminded it. grasso was a pain in the ass of everyone in CT and even started to encroach into mass. he made the guy who killed him. I forgot his name but he was a Springfield guy inducted into the patriarca family. he out today I think his last names Milano. the genovese guys helped in the plot to kill grasso but I dont think chin okayed it. they told grasso he was going to worcester to meet carlo then they killed him in a van in Hartford or somewhere. the key thing he was killed by a patriarca soldier with the ok of jr russo and boston behind him

[Pmac2]

I'm assuming carlo must have went to nyc and got frank pug a pass when he got out back in the early 2000s

[Blunts]

Thanks for posting the write up Joe. Much appreciated.

[JohnnyS]

What do people make of this article about Emillo Fusco? https://www.masslive.com/news/2012/04/f ... led_f.html

On the bit on Scibelli: Fusco had his eyes on taking over from Scibelli as capo of the Springfield crew. He was used as a liaison to the New England Family. He used to meet with Carmen DiNunzio and other high ranking members in Connecticut. He also travelling to New York to meet with high ranking Genovese members.

[JoePuzzles234]

why was frank pug shelved? was it because he participated in grasso murder? I always believe chin somehow masterminded it. grasso was a pain in the ass of everyone in CT and even started to encroach into mass. he made the guy who killed him. I forgot his name but he was a Springfield guy inducted into the patriarca family. he out today I think his last names Milano. the genovese guys helped in the plot to kill grasso but I dont think chin okayed it. they told grasso he was going to worcester to meet carlo then they killed him in a van in Hartford or somewhere. the key thing he was killed by a patriarca soldier with the ok of jr russo and boston behind him

He was shelved in 2005 by Nigro after failing to attend a meeting in New York. They wanted him to to be the new Springfield captain (or at least its local leader) after Arillotta was incarcerated but he refused because his brother Louis was appealing a life sentence and he didn't want to jeopardise that. Arillotta has also said Pugliano was afraid to go to New York City, likely related to all the violence going in within the crew.

[Stroccos]

Was supposed to be out with family today but weather cancelled that. The book isn't very long (231 pages on Kindle) so I knocked it out pretty quickly. These are my notes. They are too long to post in entirety on the forum but they are shared here on Google docs. The parts I found most interesting or otherwise seem relevant will be on this thread.

I am not posting the Manzi beef stuff because it's very long and probably worth a separate discussion.

There is a bunch of new info with the biggest revelation being that Arillotta claims to have been the formal Springfield captain - there is zero mention of Felix Tranghese being in this position. Overall, the book is worth a read.

Previous thread/chart for comparison

Induction, others proposed & Genovese ranks (Chapter 2)
Gives date of induction as August 11th 2003.

Joe LNU, a Genovese captain, met Arillotta at the Nebraska Steak House and took his jewellery and cellphone, stressing that his pockets needed to be empty.

Prior to the ceremony, Joe LNU was whispering with Steven Alfisi (described as a captain) and another Genovese member that Arillotta did not know.
Arthur Nigro, Mario Gigante and Lawrence Dentico were placed on a panel after Ernest Muscarella was arrested. He had been slated to become the family’s boss after Vincent Gigante, according to Arillotta.

Arillotta trusted Reno Ceravalo but did not feel the same about Joseph Basile. After Basile backed out of the contract and asked to be taken off the list for membership, Nigro wanted him murdered. He was apparently then chased/shelved but appears to have remained associated to Arillotta (at least per the Parisi book).

Ceravalo was willing to participate in the murder but was apprehensive/confused about dealing with all the Genovese members around him (cited as DeLevo, Bruno, Tranghese and Albert Scibelli).

Arillotta later decided not to use Ceravalo for the murder as he wasn’t a killer but because he liked him, told Nigro that he instead decided to just use the Geas brothers. This saved Ceravalo from being chased/shelved like Basile apparently.

Associates (Chapter 9)
At various times, Arillotta partnered with Anthony Scibelli, Reno Ceravolo, Francesco Depergola, Giovanni Calabrese, Richard Valentini, David Cecchetelli and Steve Marshall.

His “main associates” were the Geas brothers, Louis Santos, Ralph Santaniello and Ryan “Shakes” Fattini.

Santos was half-Italian and half-Dominican. During Arillotta’s time, you had to be a full-blooded Italian to become a member but in modern times, Santos would be a member.

Meeting members with Bruno & Philadelphia Lucchese family? (Chapter 10)
With Bruno, Arillotta met Carlo Mastrototaro, Luigi Manocchio and had sitdowns with New England members Carmen DiNunzio, Peter Limone, and Frederick Simone.

He also met with “guys in the Philadelphia Lucchese family” at some point with Bruno.
- I would imagine this Nicodemo S. Scarfo, maybe Salvatore Piccolo and Salvatore Pelullo?

Shelved from Springfield LCN (Chapter 12)
Arillotta was “shelved” by Bruno after his drug arrest in 1996, despite originally being proposed by him. Bruno had also told Anthony’s father that he should have killed him. This greatly upset Arillotta as his father wasn’t really connected and Bruno should have discussed these things with him directly.

He was shelved for around 2 years but during that time continued to deal with LCN. This included drug dealing and gambling with Eugene Onofrio and his partner Chicky TNU.

He would also do the same with Gambino associate (?) Joe Gallo TNU and Bonanno member John Spirito (assuming this is the father). Arillotta also developed relationships with the New England family.

Louis Santos informant? + Fusco & Bruno (Chapter 15)
Albert Scibell’s sons-in-law, Michael Cimmino and John Basile, sent word to Arillotta that Louis Santos was an informant. Arillotta did not believe this.

The New York members wanted Santos murdered when word reached them.

Emilio Fusco had confronted Bruno at the La Fiorentina Pastry Shop over his PSR/CI issue and only later met with Arillotta to discuss it. They then reached out to Felix Tranghese, who called John Bologna who told Tranghese to immediately drive to New York with the document.

After meeting with the panel (Nigro, Gigante and Dentico), Tranghese was instructed to murder Bruno while the Santos contract was “shelved.”

New Genovese member identified? + “boss territories” (Chapter 17)
Carlo Sarno, of C&S Vending, is identified as a Genovese member by Arillotta. He is a relative of Mario Fiore and I believe him to be this guy:
Carlo N. Sarno
DOB: 06/20/1968

Arillotta describes himself as the boss of Springfield, Hartford, Albany and parts of New Haven.

Captain? + John Bologna, Anthony Volpe & Eugene Onofrio info (Chapter 18)
Arillotta mentions that Bologna was involved in attempting to orchestrate the murder of Louis Santos and was also involved in discussions around murdering Mario Fiore.

He was transferred to the Genovese family from the Gambinos in 1999 and was considered a “puddle jumper.”

Bologna had turned down membership before, citing that membership made you a bigger target for law enforcement.

Pasquale DeLuca visited Springfield to “look around” and also induct “a couple of guys” into the family. Arillotta identifies them as Eugene Onofrio and Anthony Volpe, who were both made.

This conflicts with Arillotta previously stating that Onofrio was only inducted after he was off the street.

After Bruno was murdered, Arillotta took over as the “boss in our area.” This is the full quote:

After Bruno was killed and I took over as boss of the area, rumors on the streets had me responsible for the disappearance of Westerman and the Bruno murder—I had solid street credibility. No former captain from our area had these accolades, and this put me at a whole new level.

It seems like he is saying he was the local captain then. Maybe Bologna’s report that Tranghese was an “acting boss” means he was in that capacity for Arillotta?

Learning about Bologna cooperating & Emilio Fusco description (Chapter 19)
Arillotta learned from bookmaker John “Johnny Meatballs” Piteo about Bologna’s cooperation.

Prior to the indictments, Arillotta approached Emilio Fusco to assist with a cheque for 150,000 because Arillotta’s new lawyer didn’t want cash. Fusco refused and Arillotta thought him to be the “one of the dumbest people on earth.”

Attempting to get the Geas bros. to cooperate while in prison (Chapter 20)
Through his wife, Arillotta wanted Nicki Geas, a cousin of Ty and Freddy, to come visit so that he could relay to them that they should all cooperate. However, his wife found out about his girlfriend and their relationship broke down so no message was passed to Geas.

2005 crew info & incarceration with other CWs (Chapter 21)
After his 2005 conviction, Arillotta was incarcerated at Concord again and then later at MCI Gardner.

He says he had a reputation as a “capo in the Genovese family.”

While incarcerated, Genovese associates Ralph Santaniello, Richard Valentini, Ryan Fattini and John Rodier managed his street operations. Rodier would occasionally visit him and update him about the street situation.

While at an FCI for cooperators in the 2010s, Arillotta met Bonanno member Joseph Massino, Gambino CW Peter Zuccaro (who he identifies as a member) and former Philadelphia associate Theodore DiPretoro, involved in the Testa bombing.

Perspective on Springfield LCN remnants (Chapter 24 & Epilogue)
Mario Fiore and Frank Pugliano were still operating sportsbooks after all the indictments.

Today, Arillotta says the Manzis are still minor drug dealers and might still be involved in loansharking and bookmaking.

Albert Calvanese is not a member or captain but might still be involved in some street activities. He mentions Ralph Santaniello and Francesco Depergola being proposed from the 2016 bust.

Mentions the recent rumours about Ralph Santaniello being inducted and the social club takeover as reported by Barry. The book vaguely ends with this:

Is this a resurgence of the Mafia in Springfield, and how will Albert Calvanese react to the recent coup at the hands of his relatives, the Santaniellos? This remains to be seen.

solid breakdown , thanks for posting
did he mention how he fucked over his wife and kids in the book and had a affair with his wifes sister LOL does he included the good bad and ugly about himself or just to make him self look good