Buffalo/Ontario Mob Acitivity

[NickleCity]

Great discussion. I love the different points of view! Here is a lynchpin for me: Did Joe Todaro really retire in 2006 and was the Buffalo mob really dead thereafter with little to no activity thereafter, or was this a misinformation campaign?

New evidence seems to indicate that Todaro never really retired. Even more, the Monty Massimi murder in 2007 appears to have the earmarks of continued mob activity in the supposed "dead years."

First, this murder created a lot of hubbub in innuendo about Buffalo mob and the possible role that it played in what happed. As I looked into this murder, it certainly appears both sides (the murderer/those involved in alleged cover-up & the victim) had significant ties to the Buffalo mob.

Second, the murder takes place only 1 year before Bongiovanni, the corrupt DEA agent, is accused of beginning to take bribes and coverup for his friends in (depending on who is reporting) IOC or the Buffalo mob. See: https://www.wkbw.com/news/i-team/exclus ... y-feds-say

Here is a quote:

From 2008 to 2017, the DEA agent “provided information about investigations, including the status of specific investigative techniques, potential witnesses, and confidential sources during routine recurring meetings with drug traffickers who were paying him bribes,”

Here are the alleged mob and political connections to the murderer, Sam Vacanti, and his drug trafficking crew. These allegations come from a Topix Forum that is no longer available and they are likely a good part of the innuendo a Buffalo News article refers to about this murder. (See below.)

First, Mark Grisanti (Former NY State Senator) married Maria Amoia. (Remember Frank “Chicky Bots” Grisanti had been arrested in the late 80’s drug ring discovered after BUSICO (Is he related?). https://buffalonews.com/1988/11/30/worl ... u-s-probe/ .

Second, Maria Amoia’s sister is Joann Vacanti whose son was part of the Amoia's Drug Business.

Remember, Amoia he was put in place by the Todaro's man Acticoli. After Andy Aiello was busted in the BUSICO operation it is reported that Todaro replaced him with John Anticoli as Buffalo’s drug importer. Gangsters Inc in an article titled “Puparo Presents: The Roarding ’80 Part 1” writes:

Buffalo
15 September 1983 were 18 kilos of heroin found in tile crates headed for Andrea Aiello's warehouse in Niagara Falls, the feds replaced the heroin and let him ship it to Filippo Ragusa, a soldier from Rochester. Lorenzo Scaduto arranged with savatore Bartolotta to have Pietro Graffeo and Domenico LoGalbo to fly to Buffalo. Police then busted the operation and seized in total 24 kilos of heroin (including the first 18 kilos) and arrested Filippo Ragusa and Mannino`s man Paola La Porta in Buffalo and Aiello was replaced as Buffalo's drug importer by Todaro's associate John Anticoli. His main men were Sam Amoia jr and Carmen Gallo, they sold the drugs to dealers from the west and the east side who sold it to the hispanics and the blacks. Gallo was killed by Dwayne Miles and Jeff Culbreath from the Winslow Avenue Gang from the west side. Gallo's stepfather was Frank BiFulco.

From what I understand the Amoia's have a long history with the mob in WNY. Amoia’s, Grisanti’s, Vacanti’s, & Pieri’s are all related via marriages.

Gina Masimmi knew John Amoia whose son Sam, I believe, married Shirley Pieri. Here is his online obituary that Gina signed:

Gina Massimi.png

John Pieri on John Amoia's Obituary.png

Here is a link to Amoia's obituary where these condolences are found. https://lombardofuneralhome.com/tribute ... tuary.html

Third Joann's son Sam Vacanti was a known narcotics trafficker--and in November 2007 he murdered Monty Massimi. Here is a portion of aBuffalo News article on the murder:

Police make arrest in 2007 homicide
The Buffalo News
13 Sep 2008
By T.J. Pignataro

Salvatore M. Vacanti A Town of Tonawanda man has been charged in the targeted shooting last year of another man outside of a Kenmore Avenue pizzeria.

Salvatore M. Vacanti, 24, of Colvin Boulevard was arraigned Thursday afternoon in Buffalo City Court on charges of second degree murder for allegedly shooting 44-year-old Monty V. Massimi as he left Jacobi’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, 914 Kenmore, on April 3, 2007.

Buffalo police provided few official details about the slaying following Vacanti’s arrest.

“It was a 17-month investigation that culminated in the arrest of Mr. Vacanti,” said Dennis J. Richards, chief of detectives. Richards added that Massimi’s death “was not a random act of violence” and that “Massimi was, in fact, the intended target of the shooter.”

While police stayed tightlipped, the shooting has generated heavy interest on an Internet blog about the murder.

The blog was launched just days after Massimi was killed and was still active late Friday. Posts have been rife with innuendo from those claiming to know about the murder.

Nearly 2,200 items have been posted to the blog since its inception and several mentioned Vacanti as being involved in the murder months ago.

“Some cases take time,” explained Richards. “Some cases aren’t solved overnight, but they’re not forgotten.”

Massimi, who had lived in Lockport and also had a Buffalo address, was shot several times in the head and upper body after leaving Jacobi’s about 9:30 p.m. that night. At the time, police said Massimi was found with one leg out of a car and the door open.

Police then were working to determine whether Massimi might have been lured out to his car before he was shot.
Both subjects were known to police in varying degrees.

Massimi, who served nearly 15 years on first-degree robbery and weapons charges, was released on parole in April 2005, according to state corrections records. He was charged after two employees were shot at in a 1989 Niagara Street food-store robbery.

Vacanti was previously convicted of disorderly conduct in 2002, according to court records.

He was was arrested Thursday by Buffalo homicide detectives Mark J. Lauber, Mark J. Vaughn and William C. Donovan and was taken to the Erie County Holding Center.

Fourth, the innuendo alleges that the DA at the time, Frank Sedita, botched the handling of this case. Remember Joe Sedita had represent the interest of the Mob controlled local 210: See this article: https://buffalonews.com/1996/10/07/repu ... local-210/

Additionally, the innuendo suggests that Frank Sedita Sr. who was Buffalo Mayor from '58-'61 & '66-'73 had weekly lunches with mobsters at Local 210. Here is another source that refers to Sedita's alleged “tie-ins” to organized crime in Buffalo.

Buffalo Mayor Frank Sedita Mob Ties.png

Fifth, Mark Grisanit's stepson is John Amoia and his nephew is Adam Amoia. It is alleged in the innuendo that Adam Amoia was an accessory to the Massimi murder, and that John Amoia received the murder weapon. The murderer, Sammy Vacanti, gave the murder weapon to John Amoia who buried it behind the swimming pool at Grisanti's home. The weapon was later unearthed and given back to Sam Vacanti and Adam Amoia (who was allegedly with Sam and David Gambino the night of the murder). The murder weapon was never found by the authorities.

Sixth, the Massimi homicide pictures were leaked and posted to a blog in order to silence those who were talking and influence/limit the testimony of against Vacanti or David Gambino.

Seventh, a poster on the Topix Forum says what many who live in Buffalo believe:

Buffalo, NY is and always will be one of the most corrupt cities in America because there are too many people in high places who have family ties to drug trafficking, gambling, and murder, that goes back to at least 3 generations of Italian mobsters who's close knit relatives have managed to reach every position of power available in Buffalo: Mayor, Police Chief and District Attorney not to mention countless Judges. I'm not going to mention any names but this is going to have to be dismantled on a federal level. These people run the city with no fear of prosecution. Their nephews, uncles and cousins run around North Buffalo, Kenmore and the West Side of Buffalo dealing major cocaine and heroin, but they always seem to escape the yearly FBI round ups....

Eighth, the known drug traffickers in this case with alleged mob ties are: David Gambino, Sammy Vacanti, Louie Vacanti, Adam Amoia, JR, Faust Novino and Fillipo Inglima

Ninth, Sammy Vacanti eventually turned and gave up many in his drug trafficking crew. This lead to many arrests in several states and in Canada. David Gambino and a Zip named Filippo Inglima were given large sentences for their role in this drug trafficking ring just 5 or 6 years ago. Here is a link to the FBI's press release: https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/buffa ... ug-charges

The above could easily be dismissed as innuendo and hearsay... I get that. But when you couple the innuendo above with the victim's connections to organized crime it is a whole lot harder to dismiss. So in my next post, I will outline Massimi's connections to individuals who are members of and/or associated with the Buffalo mob.

[NickleCity]

Here is what I found about Massimi after learning about the corrupt DEA agent helping his drug trafficking friends who are alleged to be connected to Italian Organized Crime:

First, a Rose (Bunny) Bongiovanni from Las Vegas signed his guest book. Is she related to Buffalo raised Gerard Bongiovanni, a Vegas judge who was accused of taking bribes from the Buffalo mob in the 1990’s when they were running a large drug trafficking operation from there?

Rose Bongiovanni Massimi Murder.png

This following article indicates Judge Bongiovanni was from Buffalo: https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/dec/1 ... bery-char/

"He never paid me a penny," Bongiovanni said sternly in a voice that still carries the accent of his Buffalo, N.Y., upbringing

.

This article suggests the bribes he received were from a Cosa Nostra family: https://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/apr/1 ... the-bench/

District Judge Gerard Bongiovanni has been stripped of his gavel based on accusations that he accepted bribes and gifts, a court official said.

The 50-year-old judge was suspended Wednesday with the unsealing of a 13-count federal indictment charging him with fixing tickets, releasing inmates on their personal recognizance and other rulings based on favoritism.

Some of those rulings were for members of the La Cosa Nostra organized crime family, the FBI alleges

This article ties the judge to Ben Spano. The Spano family were known Buffalo mob associates and members. https://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/apr/1 ... ents-case/

Do a search of Buffalo News and mob and several articles will come up—especially related to Salvatore Spano who became and informant.

* MOB CONNECTION: La Cosa Nostra associate Ben Spano allegedly called Bongiovanni in December 1995, asking him to release his brother from the Henderson jail, the FBI affidavit said. The judge ordered the release. Bongiovanni's secretary allegedly helped to fix tickets and perform other favors for La Cosa Nostra associates and members.

Here is a court document cites the Bongiovanni case and states that Ben Spano was a member of the Buffalo Mob. https://www.scotusblog.com/wp-content/u ... tition.pdf

Spano called Bongiovanni on December 29, 1994, at his home and this phone call was intercepted by the FBI. App. 199. Bongiovanni’s secretary, Diane Woofter, called Spano on February 13, 1995, and this phone call was also intercepted by the FBI. App. 202. Bongiovanni’s defense counsel filed a motion mentioning the allegations from Agent Hanford’s affidavit that Spano was a member of the Buffalo La Cosa Nostra, which operated companies in Las Vegas. App. 227.

Here is one more. This suggests Dottore was involved with the Buffalo Mob and Judge Bongiovanni too:

In 1984, Dottore, who lawmen suspect has ties to the Buffalo mob, found himself on trial in federal court for allegedly trying to launder money at the Royal Casino.

At the time, Dottore was the general manager of the casino, owned by Joseph Slyman.

Dottore and Slyman, his co-defendant, were ultimately found innocent of the charges, a stinging blow to the government's costly investigation.

The two men were represented by the city's top two criminal defense lawyers, Richard Wright and Oscar Goodman.

Today, Dottore, who insiders say went on to fancy himself as a "courthouse fixer," has become a target of the Bongiovanni probe.

FBI agents are looking into allegations Dottore funneled money to Bongiovanni in return for courthouse favors.

I believe the above is from: https://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/apr/1 ... -to-judge/

Second It appears Monty Masimmi is in a picture with Buffalo raised mobster and Los Angelos Mob Captan Jimmy Caci. For comparison I've included a picture of Jimmy Caci with Buffalo Mob Boss Joe Todaro Sr below.

Monty Massimi and Jimmy Caci.png

Todaro & Caci.jpg

[NickleCity]

CONTINUED

Third, the Cino’s signed his guest book. Remember Stephen Cino Sr. And Bobby Panero (Joe Todaro Sr.’s Cousin?) were accused then acquitted of planing the “Fat Herbie” Blitzstein hit in Vegas during the late 90’s. And in 2016 Stephen Cino Jr. was convicted for being part of a drug trafficking ring that moved narcotics from Vegas to Western Virginia/Eastern Kentucky. Here is a link to article on drug bust: https://www.heraldcourier.com/news/drug ... 03885.html

Stephen Cino.png

Fourth, the Durante’s singed his guest book. Remember the funeral director Charles Durante recently died in a suspicious manner. https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/ma ... rth-bailey Durante has significant connections and it was rumored that he had been using again.

Durante Massimi Ralated to Funeral Director Suspicious Death.png

Dennis Durante involved in dealing cocaine: https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1420202.html

Dennis Durante arrested on drug charges: https://buffalonews.com/1997/08/05/drug ... ck-papers/

Tony Durante arrested in one biggest drug rings broken up by police in WNY. It involved William Koopman a hitman for the Buffalo mob. Se: https://buffalonews.com/1994/12/11/refu ... -21-years/

See also: https://buffalonews.com/1990/07/16/koop ... -sentence/

Charles Durante’s death was just ruled a suicide by Amherst police, but was it? https://buffalonews.com/2020/01/08/susp ... a-suicide/

Fifth, the Alessi’s signed his guest book and signed it for Buffalo Capo Frank “Butch” Bifulco. David Alessi works at La Nova for Joe Todaro Jr. Paolo Alessi is mentioned several times in FBI documents on Joe Todaro Sr. And Erie County Legislator Michael Alessi was Cammilleri’s nephew and became a “reluctant” witness against Jimmy Sicurella. https://buffalonews.com/1989/05/07/new- ... i-killing/

Alessi and Butch Bifulco. Massimi.png

Alessi, also signs for Frank BiFulco--see above.

[NickleCity]

CONTINUED
Here are FBI documents on the Paul Alessi:

Alessi (section on narcotics).PNG

Josephine Alessi.PNG

Here is the link to Monty Masimmi’s obituary and guestbook. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/ ... d=87075148

Finally, complimenting #1 a few post before, Joe and Rose Bongiovanni signed Cacie’s obituary and guestbook. Article about Caci: https://buffalonews.com/2011/09/04/jimm ... local-mob/

Jimmy Caci Obituary with Bongiovanni’s signing guest book.PNG

Here is a link to Caci’s obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/ ... 962&page=4

[SonnyBlackstein]

Sorry but there is no way that a Canadian LE agency is going have a better grasp on what is going on in Buffalo than the Buffalo FBI field office.

For the love of god NO ONE IS SAYING THAT!

Once again, THIS IS NOT a comparison of the FBI’s word vs the RCMP’s. Jeezus H. Christ.

This is a comparison of a specialist LE agency’s position which includes up to date information vs another Organisation position PRE THE NEW DATA.

AGAIN, the FBI come out tomorrow stating ‘despite the Violi tapes there is no operational LCN family in Buffalo’ I’ll be the first to bury Buffalo as an operational enterprise.
But. They. Haven’t.

This is not disbelieving the FBI. The FBI has not released a statement post the Violi revelations. Their position is PRE VIOLI. The RCMP’s is POST. You are actively denying the position of the RCMP, the evidence and their own conclusions. And you are doing so based on a pre data position and post data silence where you are baselessly assuming the FBI’s position is the same.

It’s not the Feds vs the RCMP. It’s not disbelieving the Feds.
We don’t know the FBI’s stance post Violi. As soon as we do the debate is over. But until then, the best understanding of the LCN landscape in the area is the RCMP’s, as it includes the latest information of first hand evidence of the Buffalo family. We do not know the FBI’s position on this evidence is, until then the RCMP’s evidence and positions are the most likely conclusions.

And 2017 is hardly dated information since what we are discussing here is stuff from the 2017 Violi bust. In 2017 we have the head of the FBI field office saying there are only a few members remaining in the area, no viable organization, no leader and no organized crime activities. This position was supported by local and state LE officials who use to investigate OC. To me that is pretty definitive.

Pogo, the FBI HAS NOT released it’s position on Buffalo post Violi.
That’s the fucking point of the issue here.

As soon as they do, this all goes to bed.

[BeatiPaoli]

To NickleCity: As a very silent observer, treating this thread as an on-going true-crime novella, I must just take a moment to commend you on some very, very impressive research and diligence on this very interesting subject. Yours is the type of information that makes this Forum worth reading every day.

Regards,
BeatiPaoli

[NickleCity]

To NickleCity: As a very silent observer, treating this thread as an on-going true-crime novella, I must just take a moment to commend you on some very, very impressive research and diligence on this very interesting subject. Yours is the type of information that makes this Forum worth reading every day.

Regards,
BeatiPaoli

Thank you... and let me remind everyone of what was being said of Buffalo in Vegas during the supposed "dead years.: Here is a like to what I wrote several pages back: viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4122&p=118486&hilit=vegas#p118486

[Pogo The Clown]

AGAIN, the FBI come out tomorrow stating ‘despite the Violi tapes there is no operational LCN family in Buffalo’ I’ll be the first to bury Buffalo as an operational enterprise.
But. They. Haven’t.


Pogo, the FBI HAS NOT released it’s position on Buffalo post Violi.
That’s the fucking point of the issue here.

As soon as they do, this all goes to bed.

Well that is a near impossible standard to set. In the last 20 years we have seen LCN members and Associates busted in KC, Rochester, Scranton, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Tampa, New Orleans, Rockford and even Dallas. In none of these instances can I recall the FBI releasing a statement afterwards saying that they still considered these families defunct. So why would they release a statement about a Hamilton based member busted by Canadian authorities?


As for the Violi revelations that case was a joint investigation involving the FBI. Morena was informing and wired up since 2014 (or was it 2013). So stands to reason that his information regarding Hamilton-Violi would have been known to the FBI when they declared Buffalo finished in 2017.


According to the hype Buffalo started "resurging" in 2014. So again how believable is it that when the Feds were making that statement in 2017 there had in fact been a structured viable family with all these members operating right under their noses for 4 years without them even having the smallest whiff about it? Even with Morena wired up in Canada?


We are now into the 7th year of this supposed Buffalo resurgence with these supposed 20 new made members running around and we still haven't seen any real LCN cases out of Buffalo. How many more years have to pass before we write it off as the usual hype?


Pogo

[SonnyBlackstein]

So the RCMP are lying?
According to.... you.

You’re asking me to take your word over the RCMP’s?

Why would I take your word about how ‘unlikely’ it is over the evidentiary conclusions of a law enforcement agency?

Your opinion vs the findings of the federal LE agency of Canada.

Hysterical. Of all the people in the world, both you and Wiseguy are telling everyone to ignore and dismiss a premier specialist Law enforcement agency.

How.... ironic.

[SonnyBlackstein]

Pogo and Wiseguy: I take it it’s acceptable to dismiss the findings of LE enforcement agencies when their conclusions do not concur with your narratives?

Yes?

[Pogo The Clown]

Right it is just my word. It is not the Buffalo FBI Field Office, the National FBI, NY State and local OC investigators and Federal OC prosecutors saying it. What ever Canadian LE might say they are not in the position to have a better grasp of what is going on in Buffalo than all of the above combined.


And what exactly did the RCMP say? That there are Todaro family members active in Canada? We knew that already. Have they said anything about the membership, structure and activities on the US side?


Pogo

[SonnyBlackstein]

It is not the Buffalo FBI Field Office,

Correct. The Buffalo FBI office has not released a statement cornering Buffalo LCN post the Violi revelations.

[Pogo The Clown]

Nor have they on the other 9 families I mentioned. So I take it we can assume they have also changed their position on the viability of these families as well?


Pogo

[Fughedaboutit]

Right it is just my word. It is not the Buffalo FBI Field Office, the National FBI, NY State and local OC investigators and Federal OC prosecutors saying it. What ever Canadian LE might say they are not in the position to have a better grasp of what is going on in Buffalo than all of the above combined.


And what exactly did the RCMP say? That there are Todaro family members active in Canada? We knew that already. Have they said anything about the membership, structure and activities on the US side?


Pogo

Nobody cares about your word. All these years you ride the cock of the reports, now that they do not agree with you, we are to take your word? LMAO...I dont think so.

[Pogo The Clown]

Surprise. The guy with a room temperature IQ, and evidently no reading comprehension skills, jumps in to stir the pot and of course add nothing to the discussion.


Pogo