Gangland:3/24/16

[Dellacroce]

March 24, 2016 This Week in Gang Land
By Jerry Capeci

Grim Reaper Calls Burly Turncoat Who Made The Mob Pay For 12-Bullet Barrage

Twenty five years ago, a 450-pound whale of a mobster named Peter (Fat Pete) Chiodo miraculously survived a rubout attempt by a hit squad dispatched by his Luchese crime family bosses. Chiodo, a capo, was at a Staten Island gas station looking under the hood of his Caddy when the gunmen pulled up. In the fusillade of bullets that followed, Fat Pete caught 12 slugs.

But he lived not only to tell the tale but also to become the biggest and highest-ranked New York wiseguy to break his vow of omerta at the time. Gang Land sadly reports that in January, the burly turncoat finally cashed out his chips. He died the way most wiseguys hope to go — with his boots off, in bed of natural causes. He was 65.

After his testimony at seven trials helped send two Mafia bosses, two underbosses, and 18 other mobsters to long prison terms for numerous murders and other crimes, Chiodo disappeared into the Witness Protection Program. He was still in the program, somewhere in America, when he died following a long illness, according to several current and former FBI agents.

"He was one of the best cooperating witnesses, and he came at a very important time," said retired FBI agent Lucian Gandolfo, pointing to the mob violence that plagued New York in the early 1990s, particularly the murders being carried out by Luchese gangsters on orders from their trigger-happy leaders, boss Vittorio (Vic) Amuso and underboss Anthony (Gaspipe) Casso.

"He was the highest ranked mobster to cooperate in New York," Gandolfo continued. "He laid the groundwork for a lot of others. They all denied it, but we always felt that Pete starting the ball rolling made it much easier for them to come on board," said Gandolfo, referring to Luchese acting boss Alfonso (Little Al) D'Arco and Gambino underboss Salvatore (Sammy Bull) Gravano. Both men flipped in 1991, within months of Chiodo's own decision on July 11.

But the violent circumstances that drove Fat Pete to flip were vastly different than the ones that pushed Little Al and Sammy Bull to defect from their chosen ways of life. And the subsequent Luchese family shooting of Chiodo's sister in front of her Brooklyn home in an unsuccessful murder plot is considered the low point in the history of the American Mafia, by prosecutors, judges, and many wiseguys as well.

Chiodo's own near-death experience began on May 8, 1991, at about 3:40 PM as he stood telling his mechanic about his Caddy's noisy fan belt when a car pulled into the Getty gas station at Fingerboard Road and Bay Street, according to an FBI report about the shooting. Fat Pete "heard a popping sound," and saw "cement in front of the office chip away." He pulled out his own gun and began shooting at two assailants in baseball caps, he told agent John Flanagan and NYPD Detective Thomas Limberg.

Chiodo didn't recognize either man, but as Tom Robbins and I wrote in Mob Boss: The Life Of Little Al D'Arco, The Man Who Brought Down The Mafia, the shooters were D'Arco's mobster son Joseph and Frank (Fat Frankie) Giacobbe, who fired the first errant shot when he tripped getting out of his car.

"Instantly, Chiodo understood what was happening. He pulled his own gun and began firing back," we wrote, based on court records and the first-person, play-by-play account that was given to us by Joseph D'Arco, who did much of the shooting that afternoon.

"He was running backward, shooting. Giacobbe hid behind a large hoist. Despite his bulk, Chiodo moved surprisingly fast," we wrote.

"D'Arco had been instructed to serve as a driver and not to leave the car. But fearing that Chiodo would get away, he opened fire from the car window. Then he leaped out, gun in hand, charging in Chiodo's direction. The two men pegged bullets at each other. Joseph felt time slow down as he squeezed off rounds, aiming at Chiodo as he fled.

"Joseph felt like he was seeing more clearly than ever before, that he could even see the stitching on Chiodo's shirt. He felt the rush of air as bullets whistled past his head. For a moment, he thought Chiodo had another shooter. But it was Fat Frankie. 'He's shooting and he's coming closer to killing me than Pete.'

"He heard his own bullets thudding into Big Pete's massive frame. 'He's giving out these yells as they hit. Umph!' Chiodo finally fell to the ground. He lay there on his back. Joseph approached, aiming his gun for one last shot. It jammed."

Hours later, when Chiodo opened his eyes after the first of many emergency surgeries he would undergo in the next few months, he saw agents Flanagan and Gandolfo. They had warned Fat Pete that his bosses were plotting to kill him, advice he had shrugged off. Now, they wanted to make sure they didn't kill him in the hospital.

They even arranged for Limberg, an NYPD mob buster on the FBI's Luchese squad, wearing hospital scrubs, "to remain in the operating room during the procedure," we wrote in Mob Boss. "There were serious concerns, the law enforcement officials told alarmed hospital officials, that the gunmen who had shot the patient might try to finish him off right in the hospital.

"Gandolfo saw Chiodo slowly roll his eyes open. 'He didn't really smile,' recalled Gandolfo. 'But his eyes suggested he was much happier to see us than the guys in baseball caps pointing guns at him.'"

Even so, it took the agents two months to convince Fat Pete to break the solemn oath he took when he was "made" four years earlier in an apartment above a funeral parlor in Queens and join Team America.

"It's just the way I was brought up," he would later explain on the witness stand, as he helped the feds send Amuso and other top mobsters, including the boss and underboss of the Genovese family, and the underboss of the Colombo family to prison.

Though he was in constant pain, and often testified in a wheelchair, Chiodo could be witty and poke fun at himself on the witness stand, as he did in 1997, during the trial of Michael (Baldy Mike) Spinelli, who was convicted of plotting to murder Chiodo's sister.

When prodded that he was "physically bigger" than a young thief he had threatened, Chiodo smiled, rubbed his hand over his huge belly and cracked, "Not too many people I'm not physically bigger than."

In the same trial, he did a takeoff on the "You can call me Ray, you can call me Raymond, you can call me Johnson" shtick when asked if Casso's nickname was Gas or Gaspipe? "He's known as Gas. He's known as Gaspipe. He's known as Tony. He's known as Anthony. He's …," Chiodo chanted, until the attorney cut him off.

Over the years, Chiodo had numerous infections and other complications arising out of the horrific 1991 shooting. He also suffered several personal tragedies. His wife Philomena, who has since recovered, suffered a stroke. And in 2006, their son, who joined them in the Witness Program, was killed in an automobile accident.

Gandolfo, who became an ordained minister in 1996, and is currently an associate pastor at the Grace & Faith Church in Tampa, echoed many remarks uttered about Chiodo's importance as a government witness by his lawyer, prosecutors, as well as the judge at his sentencing, according to a transcript that was made available to the public this week following a request by Gang Land.

But Gandolfo said he was most proud that Fat Pete "never went back to the old life. He stayed very clean, he became a legitimate guy. He didn't get rich, but he did okay for himself."

Chiodo never responded to numerous requests to chat with Gang Land. He did have a few things to say at his sentencing, after his work as a government witness and his ability to better himself were enthusiastically praised by many, including Brooklyn Federal Judge Raymond Dearie, who sentenced him to probation.

"I dare say I am very overwhelmed being here today," he began. "This occasion has brought back the past and as I look around the courtroom, I see people that have helped me to get where I am now. You know, it's not often that you get a do-over in life and I tried every part of my being to become a human being that this court, this nation and the people that have helped me, could be proud of.

"Though I am not rich, I am because my life is dedicated to that now. These men that stand behind me that are here on my behalf of the people here have shown me what true honor is and what people of honor are about.

"I can't even start to describe my feelings for them and the things that they have done to make me see the errors of my ways and how to correct that. I tried at every instance, every request that the Court and the government had to do my utmost and to tell the truth and to help as many times as I could.

"I think back to the days where the marshal service was — had the responsibility of bringing me from one place to the other when I was in the wheelchair and the extraordinary efforts that they made on my behalf. I thought about this day for a long, long time and I really never thought it would be — thought it would come. I just thought I might not live to see that day.

"I am so glad that I am still here to look you in the eye and to tell you that the Peter Chiodo that existed before 1991 doesn't exist anymore. I can't even remember what he was like and my life since then, I feel I could be proud of, and everybody else that helped me could be proud also. Thank you."

If he were around today, and read that, Fat Pete would surely add the word "women" to those who stood behind him.

He is survived by his wife, his sister, and several grandchildren.

Garden State Nabs Genovese Capo For Two Health Industry Ripoffs

Joseph Denti Jr. followed his late dad, Joe Denti Sr. into the Genovese crime family. But unlike his flashy old man, Joe Jr. is a very low key wiseguy. His dad's rise to wiseguy stardom began when he became friends with Joe Pesci when the actor-to-be was waiting tables in the Bronx. The relationship helped Joe Sr. launch a life in the fast lane as a movie producer. A heart attack felled him in 1996, however, when he was living in a Beverly Hills home he rented from Charo, the Latina lovely who created the then-very sexy "cuchi-cuchi" wiggle, and still sings about it.

But Joe Junior has a way with women too. With the help of a former girlfriend, Denti, a capo in the crime family's New Jersey branch, was arrested and jailed last week for ripping off $250,000 from a Garden State doctor who was drawn into a scam involving a non-existent surgical center, according to fraud charges lodged by the NJ Attorney General's office.

Acting Attorney General Robert Lougy said Denti, 56, and an old flame, Heidi Francavilla, 58, along with a third cohort who owned a management company and was also going to pony up $250,000 in the venture, convinced the doctor that they had worked out "an arrangement with a labor union" to send its members to the new facility for a variety of medical services.

The management firm — Harbor Management LLC, which co-defendant Joseph Giardina runs out of his home in the tony, little-known Westchester County town of Waccabuc, about 45 miles from New York and near the Connecticut border — was real, but not much else, authorities say.

The trio claimed "they had the inside track on great investments in the health care industry, but we allege that they're really nothing but hustlers and con artists," said the attorney general.

The doctor, a Bergen County gastroenterologist, was told he would share equally in the medical fees and that his investment would be repaid before Giardina's, according to the AG's office. But "in reality, the venture was simply a scheme to defraud the doctor, and his $250,000 was diverted by Denti, Giardina and Francavilla for their personal benefit," said a spokesman.

The charges evolved out of a $3 million fraud and money laundering probe by the AG's office that led to racketeering charges against Francavilla and five others in September. "We followed the trail of stolen money and broken promises that these defendants allegedly left in their wake," said Elie Honig, the AG's Director of Criminal Justice.

In a separate scheme, Denti, of Wyckoff, and Ralph Perricelli Jr. were charged with stealing $100,000 from a North Arlington couple who thought they were investing in a blood-testing lab. The duo claimed to own it, but authorities say Pericelli was merely an employee and Denti had no connection to it, and that the cash was shared by Denti, Francavilla, and Perricelli. Pericelli, 55, of Ridgewood, was charged in a complaint, but not arrested. He was issued a summons, and awaits grand jury action.

Authorities say Francavilla, of Park Ridge, created several shell companies which the defendants used to launder money. She has been free on bail since her September arrest.

Her attorney Jeffrey Simms, told Gang Land that all Francavilla "ever did, or attempted to do, was make an honest living. In this case, I honestly and truly believe she was trying to help set up legitimate medical facilities and if any money was inappropriately used, or stolen, it was without her knowledge."

"We will vigorously contest the charges," said Denti's attorney, Maurice Sercarz. "They appear to be an effort to link Mr. Denti to old fraud allegations first pressed against others many months ago," the lawyer added.

Denti was released yesterday on a $50,000 bond that was agreed to by Sercarz and prosecutor Amy Sieminski at a bail hearing. Giardina, whose bond was also set at $50,000, was also released. His attorney did not respond to a call for comment.

Wiseguy Jailed For Going To 2015 Bonanno X-Mas Party Will Be Free To Attend 2016 Yuletide Bash

There was a mini-reunion of participants in the $6 million Lufthansa robbery trial in Brooklyn last week. And once again defense attorney Elizabeth Macedonio prevailed over the three trial prosecutors — albeit much less emphatically than she did at the stunning conclusion of the racketeering and murder trial of Bonanno capo Vincent Asaro four months ago.

The occasion was the sentencing of Asaro's mobster nephew Ronald Giallanzo for attending a family Christmas party in December with Bonanno boss Joseph (Joe Saunders Jr.) Cammarano and others. Giallanzo's attendance was in violation of his post-prison supervised release restrictions forbidding him from meeting with mobsters. In court talk, it's called a VOSR.

Giallanzo, 45, is a family capo and an alleged co-conspirator with his Uncle Vinny in several charges that didn't stick to Asaro at the Lufthansa trial. Like his uncle, Giallanzo also has sports a "Death Before Dishonor" tattoo. He pleaded guilty to meeting with Cammarano and other wiseguys at a December 16 Yuletide gathering at Boccelli's Restaurant in Staten Island, and on two other occasions in the past year.

Asaro prosecutors Lindsay Gerdes, Alicyn Cooley and Nicole Argentieri — for undisclosed reasons, she left before sentence was imposed — pushed for the statutory maximum sentence of two years.

"Christmas parties are notorious in the organized crime context as occasions for members and associates to gather and collect tribute payments on behalf of the entire crime family," the prosecutors alleged. They noted that Giallanzo "boldly" met with "the entire Bonanno crime family power structure" during a "year-longtime period" despite court orders against it. They also wrote that none of his claimed ailments "were serious enough" to keep him from violating his court-ordered supervision, and that in any event, the Bureau of Prisons could treat them properly.

Prosecutors asked Judge Nicholas Garaufis "to send a message" to Giallanzo and others that "flouting the Court's rules about associating with organized crime figures and convicted felons" is not acceptable. Macedonio countered that her client deserved no more than three to nine months.

For his part, Giallanzo apologized to the court and the large contingent of friends and family members — but not Asaro — who showed up to express their support. "I'm here to accept responsibility and put this behind me," Giallanzo told the judge.

Garaufis split the baby, although the Bonanno wiseguy clearly did better than he might have. The judge gave Giallanzo a year and a day, which in Bureau of Prisons time, means about ten and a half months behind bars.

Giallanzo, who has been incarcerated since his January 14 arrest, should be home around December 1, in plenty of time for this year's Bonanno family Christmas party. Since his supervised release has ended, he'll be able to attend without having to worry about a VOSR.

[Hailbritain]

Don't think capeci wrote this , he has posted a pic of patsy conte when he said its choido , thanks for posting

[Pogo The Clown]

Better column thzn usual this week. So much for the fresh street talk about Denti no longer being a Capo. Thanks for posting.


Pogo

[AlexfromSouth]

Where was Pete Chiodo from in Brooklyn?Bensonhurst,or was he a Staten island guy?

[SonnyBlackstein]

Good article this week.

He's hot or cold ol Jerry

[TommyGambino]

Better column thzn usual this week. So much for the fresh street talk about Denti no longer being a Capo. Thanks for posting.


Pogo

Who said that?

[AG777]

Where was Pete Chiodo from in Brooklyn?Bensonhurst,or was he a Staten island guy?

I remember reading he was from Brooklyn but his home was in Staten Island.

[Cheech]

Better column thzn usual this week. So much for the fresh street talk about Denti no longer being a Capo. Thanks for posting.


Pogo

Who said that?

gamms said he got into an argument with "E" and was knocked down. i took E as Ernie but could be way wrong.

lol. at your quotes pizza, everytime i think about george screaming out the window, 'these pretzels are making me thirsty!!!'lol.

did joe zitos kid get made? or am i thinking of joe dente.? who disrespected 'e' and is got bumped down? i think its dente actually now.

[Cheech]

[quote=gamms]i remember being told he [the son] disrespected 'e.' during a sit.and lost his stripes. lol.thats the truth about sr. though aint it? other than pesci, didnt he have frank vincent, and whats his name mickey rourke? maybe im just going senile.lol[/quote]

[Pogo The Clown]

I have no idea who this gamms is (though from the looks of it he is just another bullshiter claiming inside knowlege). I was thinking of someone else on the forums years ago but I forgot who it was.


Pogo

[Charlie]

I was one of the guys who said that Denti was demoted in the past and I stand by what I said. He was a captain in the Bronx and his former crew is now led by someone else. He's listed as a New Jersey captain which probably means he leads another crew ?

[Cheech]

gamms wasnt a bullshitter. who knows if he was wrong it was years ago. gamms was not a phony. you are to quick to put anyone down that can't cite it. its not a book report. you can choose to believe or not.

[Pogo The Clown]

Yeah I'm sure he really does have a line into the inner workings of the Genovese family. And how fortunate for us that he is on GBB to tell us all about it.


Pogo

[Cheech]

ok.

[Bruno187]

I know the press likes to throw titles around very liberally. He could very well head a new crew or not.
This scam sounds like a one and done job and not an ongoing thing. I hope for his sake it was "on the record", or he might have more problems than the State of NJ Attorney General's Office.