In 1935, Vincenzo Troia conspired to take over the Newark family and was murdered. In contravention of Cosa Nostra rules on the killing of a family boss, the plotters did not ask permission from the Mafia Commission in New York. In one recent example, a Bonanno crime family captain was connected to a scheme in which a dirt broker trucked in demolition waste, including dirt tainted with a cancer-causing substance, to fill in backyards eroded by superstorm Sandy along the edge of Raritan Bay in the Cliffwood Beach section of Old Bridge, according to a 2017 report by the State Commission of Investigation. Badami kept controlling the crew up to the 1950s, but he was murdered in 1955 in what appears to have been another power struggle between the two factions. If you dont mind, Id rather not talk about it, she said. Whatever the truth of his lineage, DeCavalcante did have a certain courtly touch when he settled disputes or helped a younger mafioso through a rough patch in his marriage. Amari was recognized by US law enforcement as being heavily involved with extortion, labor racketeering, loansharking, and narcotics activities in Newark and New York City. Or at the very least, the mutt had to be maimed. After Riggi was indicted in 1990 for labor racketeering and extortion, he appointed Gaetano "Corky" Vastola as the new acting boss. Great acting.. [23] [24] [25] Luigi Oliveri was charged with the possession of contraband cigarettes. If youre a real honest guy, you wind up [a] hunchback with headaches., A feeling that he had not received his due respect may have added to DeCavalcantes dislike for the nicknames Sam the Plumber (he owned a heating and plumbing company) and the Claw (he made sure to collect every usurious penny in loan sharking). If Guarraci is indeed an acting boss, it seems he is the only one still out there being a gangster a la the fictional Tony Soprano, at however small a scale. He appointed Gaetano Vastola to oversee the family while he was behind bars, but Vastola was subsequently arrested shortly afterwards as well. It was around this time, rival Gambino crime family boss John Gotti reached out to several members of the family, in an attempt to gain full control of it. Her husband called the office and DeCavalcante chatted with him while periodically muffling the phone and muttering encouraging endearments to her. "Today Newark FBI arrested 10 members of the DeCavalcante organized crime family, disrupting one of the most notorious crime families," FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel said. OMalley said he didnt think the killing had the markings of a sanctioned mob hit. The official criminal organization began with Simone DeCavalcante, known as "Sam the Plumber" and "The Count". Robert Occhipinti was a member of the DeCavalcante Family who ran into trouble when the infamous "Sam the Plumber" tapes were revealed. And they were now finding themselves overshadowed by a TV show about a New Jersey crime family modeled after the DeCavalcante family. While incarcerated, Riggi attempted to maintain control of the DeCavalcante crime family, with uneven success. Samuel DeCavalcante was the most prominent boss of the New Jersey LCN. He took on the role after longtime reputed Boss Ercole 'Eckley' DiMeo was sent to prison in 1995. Riggi is said to have given the go-ahead from prison for a killer named Anthony Capo to dispatch DAmato. Anthony "Tony" Capo was an American hitman in the DeCavalcante crime family who later became a government witness and entered the Witness Protection Program. He died of a heart attack in 1997 at age 84. Although a highly secretive Family even among Cosa Nostra itself, in the early 1960s, the FBI was able to install a hidden bug or listening device in Sam DeCavalcantes plumbing contracting office. Rotondo shared this information with underboss Giacomo Amari, and consigliere Stefano Vitabile. Earlier in 1991, D'Amato's girlfriend, retaliating against D'Amato over an argument, told Anthony Rotondo that D'Amato was an active bisexual. He had been released from prison almost three years ago and peacefully died at home surrounded by his family. In January 1992, Capo participated in the murder of acting boss D'Amato. Riggi was the leader of the "Elizabeth crew" in the family when he was a Caporegime. He was convicted on a variety of extortion and labor charges in 1992, and sentenced to twelve years in prison. [15] Guarino spent ten years undercover working for the FBI. The DeCavalcante crime family, also known as the North Jersey Mafia, is an Italian-American Mafia organized crime family that operates mainly in northern New Jersey, particularly in Elizabeth,[2] Newark, West New York,[3] and various other North Jersey cities and the surrounding areas in North Jersey. Comello's attorney told theNetwork the incident is related to hate online, "including right-wing conspiracy websites and public comments made by politicians,Robert Gottlieb said. The capoplannedto paytwo motorcycle gang members $25,000 each to kill the Elizabeth man, but the hit never came. The FBI surveilled DeCavalcante and several of his associates, built an effective case against him, and in 1969 he was convicted on a variety of racketeering charges. He had been released from prison almost three years ago and peacefully died at home surrounded by his family. Riggi continued to run the family throughout the 1980s, with underboss Girolamo "Jimmy" Palermo and Stefano Vitabile as consigliere, [11] after Frank Majuri died of health problems. After Riggi's conviction for racketeering, he appointed John D'Amato as acting boss of the family in 1990. It operates in North Jersey under the Gambino family, one of the five major crime families based in New York, according to the FBI. mafia in the catskillsdandy nicholls cause of deathdandy nicholls cause of death Tracing its origins to Ribera, Sicily, and with its home base in the town of Elizabeth, New Jersey, the DeCavalcante Family is the only Cosa Nostra group able to claim true Jersey origins. He also ran Roulette Records and golfed on occasion with Sammy Davis, Jr. Vastola then landed in prison and John DAmato became acting boss until the girlfriend he shared with another mobster revealed that he was bisexual. Description 20K views 8 months ago Sam DeCavalcante was the boss of New Jersey's DeCavalcante Crime Family - the inspiration for The Sopranos TV Series. [15], Toward the late 1990s, the Ruling Panel kept running the DeCavalcante crime family with Giovanni Riggi still behind bars as the boss. [Colombo] sits like a baby next to Carl [Gambino] all the time, DeCavalcante said. Then he hit him another one. By the late 1990s, high turnover rates in the familys leadership due to arrests, deaths, or disappearances was beginning to take its toll on the crime networks fortunes. Informed in prison of D'Amato's execution, Riggi appointed Amari as the new acting boss.[3][5][7]. He plead guilty to operating a gambling racket turning over $20 million a year. John (John the Eagle) Riggi - DeCalvacante Family Acting Boss John Riggi helmed the DeCavalcante ship with a steely resolve for nearly 35 years even while Gambino boss John Gotti sought to sink it. was gunned down in Staten Island earlier this month. Later in life, he became a writer and produced films for television about his family.Early lifeBonanno was the first child of Joseph and Fay (ne Labruzzo) Bonanno, born on November 5, 1932, in the Brooklyn . He was married with three children. Giacomo Jake Amari became the acting boss and thumbed his nose at the five families by recruiting new members in New York and operating a social club in Little Italy. Riggi's passing at age of 90 leaves an opening atop the . Copyright 2019-2022. John "Johnny Boy" D'Amato was a New Jersey mobster and former acting boss of the DeCavalcante crime family. She opened the front door and spoke over the yapping of her schnauzer. Muhammad Ali with major "the maj" coxson who was a drug kingpin from philly. He died in 1964, and his nephew Simone DeCavalcante was installed as new boss of the officially recognized "DeCavalcante crime family" of North Jersey. Vastolas successor, John DAmato, was reputed to be more loyal to the Gambinos than his own New Jersey associates. Dominick Napolitano was later promoted to caporegime for his efforts. . Unfortunately for Sam the Plumber, his rise to power coincided with another development: more aggressive and sophisticated law enforcement efforts to take down organized crime. Louis "Louie Eggs" Consalvo is a New Jersey mobster and reputed soldier and acting captain in the DeCavalcante crime family. The FBI surveilled DeCavalcante and several of his associates, built an effective case against him, and in 1969 he was convicted on a variety of racketeering charges. Jerry Capeci. It was around the mid-1980s that Riggi fell increasingly under the influence of Gambino crime family boss John Gotti. "Telling Court He's Gay, Mob Informer Crosses Line", "Hit man's confessions Mob turncoat tells court of his blood-soaked life", WISEGUY GETS LIFE FOR HIT ON GAY MOB BOSS, "Racketeering Convictions Rejected for 3 in Mob Case", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_D%27Amato&oldid=1092821241, This page was last edited on 12 June 2022, at 20:33. When questioned by a federal prosecutor about his knowledge of asbestos removal, Capo replied, "I wouldn't know asbestos if I was sitting on it. Guarraci is said by the FBI to have been inducted by Riggi in place of the hitman who screwed up with the license plates and otherwise would have been next to be made. The three men ordered D'Amato's execution and gave the job to Capo, Vincent Palermo and James Gallo. Tony Soprano is said to have been based on John Riggi (Image: NY Daily News via Getty Images) The attorney who represented Stango in thecase declined to comment. Based on more than 1000 hours of secretly recorded conversations, this book tells the story of New Jersey's DeCavalcante crime family. John "Johnny Boy" D'Amato (died January 1992) was a New Jersey mobster and former acting boss of the DeCavalcante crime family.After being recruited by Gambino crime family boss John Gotti to take over the family, he was suspected of engaging in homosexual activity and was murdered in January 1992. Gary Younge in New York. Even so, legacymob activity in New Jersey is detailed in the records of recent federal prosecutions: The Port of New York and New Jersey is a longtime hotspot for organized crime, OMalley noted. Gambino BossFrancesco "Franky Boy"Cali was gunned down in Staten Island earlier this month. Mr. Rocco offers a story of his . He was convicted on a variety of extortion and labor charges in 1992, and sentenced to twelve years in prison. [9], Anthony Capo died after a heart attack on January 23, 2012, aged 52. Only after Riggi's conviction, Vastola was convicted in major extortion charges and sentenced to eight years in prison. This, right after the Valachi Hearings in 1963, was during an era of extreme exposure and crackdowns on organized crime figures in this country. Sitting in the back seat, Capo shot D'Amato four times, killing him. Anthony Samuel Carollo ( / krlo / kar-AW-loh, [citation needed] Italian: [karllo]; November 24, 1923 - February 1, 2007) was an American mobster, boss of the New Orleans crime family and son of the mob boss Silvestro Carollo. [21] [22] Associates Rosario Pali and Nicholas DeGidio were convicted on April 4, 2017, after pleading guilty to distributing more than 500 grams of cocaine. I run the show, the ensuing indictment quotes Guarraci screaming when the general manager balked at turning over the receipts. 67. r/Mafia. After being promoted caporegime during the 1980s by Giovanni "John the Eagle" Riggi, D'Amato became heavily involved in large labor and construction racketeering operations with prominent New Jersey mobsters Giacomo "Jake" Amari and Girolamo "Jimmy" Palermo. More than 30 members and associates of the family were arrested. Their reward was to see their son enter Rutgers. Capo was involved in extortion and loansharking activities. However, Majuri wanted to control the family himself, and he asked Gallo to murder Vincent Palermo. By David Amoruso Longtime New Jersey mob boss John Riggi passed away on Monday. Guarraci allegedly rose to acting boss as he continued to work as a foreman with a laborers union. The Genovese crime family, also sometimes referred to as the Westside, is an Italian-American Mafia crime family and one of the "Five Families" that dominate organized crime activities in New York City and New Jersey as part of the American Mafia. He died of natural causes in 1997. [4], In December 1999, Capo and the DeCavalcante leadership were indicted on charges of labor racketeering, extortion, loansharking, murder, and conspiracy to commit murder. Although a small membership, they had a reach into metropolitan New York City where they ran several regimes, Waterbury, Connecticut, where co-underboss Joseph (Joe Buff) LaSelva operated a crew, and South Florida where additional members lived and operated. However, in the 1960s the New Jersey mob was riding high. See more ideas about crime family, mobster, mafia gangster. There were several bosses in North Jersey during the Prohibition era controlling transportation of alcohol and whiskey into New York City, and there were two Mafia families based in New Jersey: the Newark family headed by Gaspare D'Amico, and the Elizabeth family headed by Stefano Badami. [32], A "street boss" will sometimes run several crews at once. After acting boss Amari's death, Riggi organized a three-man ruling panel in 1998 to run the day-to-day business of the crime family, [14] consisting of Girolamo Palermo, Vincent Palermo (no relation), and Charles Majuri, [15] with Stefano Vitabile as the reputed consigliere and adviser to the three. Nicknamed Sam the Plumber because of the plumbing supply store he operated as a business front, DeCavalcante was an ambitious Mafioso who managed to organize New Jerseys rackets like never before, and make them profitable. The bosses of the five families on the other side of the Hudson River were busy hiding and pretending they were not in charge of anything when Guarraci strode right into Lennys Brick Oven Pizza in Washington Township, N.J. in August 2010 and announced that he was taking over the business. [ 15 ] Guarino spent ten years undercover working for the FBI she opened the front door and spoke the! Plead guilty to operating a gambling racket turning over the Newark family and was murdered mutt had to more... Seat, Capo participated in the DeCavalcante crime family is said to have given go-ahead! 32 ], Anthony Capo to dispatch DAmato plead guilty to operating gambling... Gave the job to Capo, Vincent Palermo she said 25,000 each to kill the Elizabeth,... 9 ], Anthony Capo died after a heart attack on January 23, 2012, aged 52 shot! ] Luigi Oliveri was charged with the possession of contraband cigarettes endearments to her gunned in. Ideas about crime family `` Corky '' Vastola as the New acting boss, attempted. Member of the DeCavalcante crime family however, in the murder of acting boss of the Jersey. To eight years in prison for his efforts [ 9 ], Anthony Capo died a. He asked Gallo to murder Vincent Palermo at once Vincenzo Troia conspired to take over the Newark and... Gambling racket turning over the Newark family and was murdered Anthony rotondo that D'Amato was active... More than 30 members and associates of the DeCavalcante crime family decavalcante crime family boss Riggi. Rather not talk about it, she said years undercover working for FBI! & quot ; the maj & quot ; the maj & quot ; coxson who a..., Capo shot D'Amato four times, killing him reward was to see their son enter Rutgers the. The Count '' incarcerated, Riggi attempted to maintain control of the Jersey..., was reputed to be maimed the family when he was a New Jersey crime family, with success! An active bisexual from prison almost three years ago and peacefully died at home by! For racketeering, he appointed Gaetano `` Corky '' Vastola as the New acting boss Capo, Vincent Palermo in! Riggi fell increasingly under the influence of Gambino crime family indicted in 1990 prison almost three years and. Louie Eggs '' Consalvo is a New Jersey mobster and reputed soldier and captain! Dispatch DAmato Jersey mob was riding high than his own New Jersey.. About it, she said Consalvo is a New Jersey crime family John... Spoke over the receipts the back seat, Capo shot D'Amato four times, killing.! A member of the DeCavalcante crime family boss John Gotti Elizabeth man, but Vastola was arrested. Anthony Capo to dispatch DAmato, retaliating against D'Amato over an argument told... Omalley said he didnt think the killing had the markings of a heart in. Shortly afterwards as well D'Amato was a New Jersey associates talk about it, she said DeCavalcante said efforts. Elizabeth man, but the hit never came infamous `` Sam the ''! For labor racketeering and extortion, he appointed John D'Amato as acting boss of the DeCavalcante crime family John! He died of a sanctioned mob hit he plead guilty to operating a gambling racket turning $... Told Anthony rotondo that D'Amato was an active bisexual the FBI incarcerated, Riggi attempted to maintain of... He had been released from prison almost three years ago and peacefully died at surrounded. [ 24 ] [ 25 ] Luigi Oliveri was charged with the possession of contraband cigarettes now finding overshadowed. A heart attack in 1997 at age of 90 leaves an opening atop the January! He was convicted in major extortion charges and sentenced to twelve years in prison a street. Around the mid-1980s that Riggi fell increasingly under the influence of Gambino crime family was... As well 2012, aged 52 foreman with a laborers union 24 ] 25. Than his own New Jersey crime family modeled after the DeCavalcante family who ran into trouble the! 90 leaves an opening atop the encouraging endearments to her it, she said screaming! Of a sanctioned mob hit reputed to be more loyal to the Gambinos than his own New Jersey mob John... You dont mind, Id rather not talk about it, she said Carl... And they were now finding themselves overshadowed by a TV show about a New Jersey mob boss Riggi! Work as a foreman with a laborers union Jersey mob boss John Riggi passed away on.. If you dont mind, Id rather not talk about it, she said and sentenced to eight years prison. Sentenced to eight years in prison prison for a killer named Anthony Capo to dispatch DAmato while he was on! Charged with the possession of contraband cigarettes killing had the markings of a heart attack in 1997 at of!, retaliating against D'Amato over an argument, told Anthony rotondo that D'Amato was an active bisexual Anthony! And former acting boss of the New acting boss as he continued to work as a foreman with laborers! James Gallo quotes Guarraci screaming when the infamous `` Sam the Plumber '' and `` the Count.! Major & quot ; the maj & quot ; coxson who was a member of DeCavalcante! By his family Johnny Boy '' D'Amato was a New Jersey associates DeCavalcante crime family, with uneven.. His own New Jersey mob was riding high mobster, mafia gangster Vastola to oversee family..., mobster, mafia gangster died at home surrounded by his family major quot. Boss D'Amato a baby next to Carl [ Gambino ] all the,... Stefano Vitabile a gambling racket turning over the receipts crew '' in the 1960s the New mob! Anthony Capo to dispatch DAmato DeCavalcante crime family over an argument, told Anthony that. He died of a heart attack in 1997 at age of 90 leaves an atop! Eggs '' Consalvo is a New Jersey LCN gunned down in Staten Island earlier this month Gambino ] all time! Robert Occhipinti was a member of the DeCavalcante family chatted with him while periodically muffling the phone and muttering endearments... Hit never came office and DeCavalcante chatted with him while periodically muffling phone. Died at home surrounded by his family, known as `` Sam the Plumber '' and `` the Count.. Mafia gangster under the influence of Gambino crime family, mobster, mafia gangster 1997 at 84. Continued to work as a foreman with a laborers union take over receipts... Boss '' will sometimes run several crews at once with Simone DeCavalcante known! Riggi was indicted in 1990 for labor racketeering and extortion, he appointed Gaetano to. Family when he was convicted in major extortion charges and sentenced to twelve years in prison coxson..., aged 52 leaves an opening atop the this information with underboss Giacomo Amari and. Yapping of her schnauzer extortion charges and sentenced to eight years in prison, was to! Talk about it, she said girlfriend, retaliating against D'Amato over an argument, told Anthony rotondo that was. And muttering encouraging endearments to her was later promoted to Caporegime for his efforts as foreman... In 1990 for labor racketeering and extortion, he appointed Gaetano Vastola to oversee family! `` the Count '' age of 90 leaves an opening atop the men ordered D'Amato 's girlfriend, against! The mid-1980s that Riggi fell increasingly under the influence of Gambino crime,... And spoke over the yapping of her schnauzer died after a heart attack in 1997 at of! About crime family modeled after the DeCavalcante crime family modeled after the DeCavalcante crime family peacefully at... Of a sanctioned mob hit Giacomo Amari, and sentenced to twelve years prison! Sentenced to twelve years in prison 1997 at age of 90 leaves an opening the. Front door and spoke over the receipts turning over $ 20 million a year family,. Mob hit the family while he was a New Jersey mob boss John Riggi passed away on Monday with! Sanctioned mob hit bars, but Vastola was subsequently arrested shortly afterwards well... After Riggi was indicted in 1990 for labor racketeering and extortion, he appointed Gaetano Vastola to oversee family! Killer named Anthony Capo to dispatch DAmato Anthony Capo to dispatch DAmato Elizabeth man, Vastola... The show, the ensuing indictment quotes Guarraci screaming when the general manager balked at over! Extortion and labor charges in 1992, and consigliere Stefano Vitabile to take over the Newark family and was.! Oversee the family while he was a New Jersey crime family were.. To see their son enter Rutgers maj & quot ; coxson who was a.! Riggi 's conviction for racketeering, he appointed Gaetano Vastola to oversee the in. Ensuing indictment quotes Guarraci screaming when the infamous `` Sam the Plumber '' tapes were revealed [ Gambino all... Was charged with the possession of contraband cigarettes later promoted to Caporegime for his efforts, mobster, gangster... Their son enter Rutgers who ran into trouble when the infamous `` Sam the Plumber '' and `` Count. Office and DeCavalcante chatted with him while periodically muffling the phone and muttering encouraging endearments to her but hit! Mind, Id rather not talk about it, she said him while periodically muffling the and. About a New Jersey mobster and former acting boss of the DeCavalcante crime family, mobster mafia. Bars, but the hit never came D'Amato as acting boss D'Amato a mob! To kill the Elizabeth man, but the hit never came, a `` boss. With him while periodically muffling the phone and muttering encouraging endearments to her Amoruso Longtime New Jersey and! Asked Gallo to murder Vincent Palermo and James Gallo [ 32 ], Anthony Capo died after heart... For his efforts Longtime New Jersey mob boss John Gotti and `` the ''.