Florio Isabella, member?

[B.]

Going through an FBI list of informant identities, many of them coded or redacted, and one left unredacted is Florio Isabella. I have seen his name listed as a Lucchese or Genovese member but I don't know if either is accurate. Was Isabella a member?

It's not clear what information he may have provided or the extent of his cooperation, but he is clearly labeled as an FBI informant.

EDIT: Nevermind, he was a PCI, meaning potential informant.

[Raven]

He was Joe Pantoliano, the actors step dad or cousin or something like that

[Raven]

I have to find specifically where but I read Valachi said Florio Isabella was in prison with him and Genovese and came into their cell once to talk to Genovese.

[B.]

I have to find specifically where but I read Valachi said Florio Isabella was in prison with him and Genovese and came into their cell once to talk to Genovese.

I saw a report from someone who was in prison with them (maybe Valachi) that discussed how Isabella regularly met with an FBN agent while in prison and would keep Vito Genovese updated on the agent's questions. Luciano and Genovese appear to have had a contact in the FBN, so who knows what the story is with Isabella.

However, I re-checked the report in question and Isabella was simply a "potential" informant. He was given a number symbol however and is referenced on a list of sources who provided info, so some kind of information from him appears to have been used. Could be an indication that he was somewhat cooperative or had previously given information (maybe to the FBN), hard to know for sure, but something was suspicious with him.

[maxiestern11]

I have to find specifically where but I read Valachi said Florio Isabella was in prison with him and Genovese and came into their cell once to talk to Genovese.

I saw a report from someone who was in prison with them (maybe Valachi) that discussed how Isabella regularly met with an FBN agent while in prison and would keep Vito Genovese updated on the agent's questions. Luciano and Genovese appear to have had a contact in the FBN, so who knows what the story is with Isabella.

However, I re-checked the report in question and Isabella was simply a "potential" informant. He was given a number symbol however and is referenced on a list of sources who provided info, so some kind of information from him appears to have been used. Could be an indication that he was somewhat cooperative or had previously given information (maybe to the FBN), hard to know for sure, but something was suspicious with him.

Good morning B, THAT is very surprising news (although what’s comes out in the past with Lobardozzi and others gone bad you can’t be surprised at anything)..... I always thought Florio (Flo) Isabella was around the Bonanno’s. I believe he came out of the 4th ward with the likes of Al Walker, Tony Mirra.... that bunch

[maxiestern11]

I have to find specifically where but I read Valachi said Florio Isabella was in prison with him and Genovese and came into their cell once to talk to Genovese.

I saw a report from someone who was in prison with them (maybe Valachi) that discussed how Isabella regularly met with an FBN agent while in prison and would keep Vito Genovese updated on the agent's questions. Luciano and Genovese appear to have had a contact in the FBN, so who knows what the story is with Isabella.

However, I re-checked the report in question and Isabella was simply a "potential" informant. He was given a number symbol however and is referenced on a list of sources who provided info, so some kind of information from him appears to have been used. Could be an indication that he was somewhat cooperative or had previously given information (maybe to the FBN), hard to know for sure, but something was suspicious with him.

Good morning B, THAT is very surprising news (although what’s comes out in the past with Lobardozzi and others gone bad you can’t be surprised at anything)..... I always thought Florio (Flo) Isabella was around the Bonanno’s. I believe he came out of the 4th ward with the likes of Al Walker, Tony Mirra.... that bunch.... meant to say Lombardozzi

[Raven]

I bet JD would have a good idea if he was made or not. Anyone able to contact him? Kinda wonder if Genovese being boss would even talk to a lower level associate, but if Isabella gave him valuable info, I suppose he would.

[Raven]

Also in Pantolianos book he refers to Isabella as a wiseguy, but that probably means nothing.

[HairyKnuckles]

It appears Isabella was first connected with the Lucchese Family but later switched to the Genovese Family. The information I got, says he was on record with William Paradiso (a Genovese wiseguy and a heavy drug guy who was made, or was scheduled to become made) before he was killed in 1978. Isabella does not show on any FBI lists as made and it appears he left the life, or possibly was chased after the Paradiso killing. He died in 1988. I doubt he was made.

One interesting titbit is that Isabella was arrested with Chin Gigante and four others (one of them being Benedetto Cinquegrana) in 1970 on charges of failing to register as convicted narcotics violators. At the time, Isabella was living in Englewood Cliffs in NJ.

He was a distant relative of Pantoliano, on his mother´s side.

[B.]

Thanks for the info.

Never a figure I had much interest in, but seeing his name unredacted caught my eye. Despite "only" being in PCI status, I found documents since the original post where he contributed as a source and it certainly appears he crossed the line even if his cooperation wasn't full.

[HairyKnuckles]

Thanks for the info.

Never a figure I had much interest in, but seeing his name unredacted caught my eye. Despite "only" being in PCI status, I found documents since the original post where he contributed as a source and it certainly appears he crossed the line even if his cooperation wasn't full.

He was sentenced to a 15 year long prison term for narcotics sometime around 1960. Do you know when he was released? If he was fully cooperating, I would assume he was released after just a few years.

[B.]

Thanks for the info.

Never a figure I had much interest in, but seeing his name unredacted caught my eye. Despite "only" being in PCI status, I found documents since the original post where he contributed as a source and it certainly appears he crossed the line even if his cooperation wasn't full.

He was sentenced to a 15 year long prison term for narcotics sometime around 1960. Do you know when he was released? If he was fully cooperating, I would assume he was released after just a few years.

Because he didn't become a full-on top echelon informant and seems to have stayed in "PCI" status, it doesn't appear he would have won any favors. Even if he did become a full-fledged CI it may not have helped with his sentence, as you can look at someone like Harry Riccobene who cooperated and he still served a massive narcotics stretch.