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Anyone else worried that MGM’s The Westies will just be more Hollywood slop like The Godfather of Harlem?

Let’s be honest: the Irish mob in New York City effectively died with Mickey Spillane. Spillane was the last Irish mob boss to wield real political influence on Manhattan’s West Side through the McManus political machine, and he was also the last to competently oversee rackets tied to projects like the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Jimmy Coonan, by contrast, while a solid earner on an individual level, presided over a loose crew of drug and alcohol fueled associates who struggled to run anything beyond narcotics trafficking, theft, and violence. It’s also worth remembering that Coonan effectively agreed to serve as Paul Castellano’s enforcer. As Sammy “The Bull” Gravano put it, “They were nuts.”

Now, if MGM accurately captures these complexities, I’ll be all in on the show but I suspect it will be Hollywood-ified to death.

u/TrueGosaBrostra — 2 hours ago

🔥 Hot ▲ 53 r/Mafia

Boston: What do former mob haunts say about modern day Greater Boston? (from The Boston Globe)

Image 1 - former Somerville MA garage that was home to the Winter Hill gang (now a church); Image 2 - former Triple O's Lounge, a Whitey Bulger hangout, now an upscale restaurange; Image 3- a home in South Boston where Bulger committed several murders and buried the victims, now a condo; Image 4 - 98 Prince St, HQ of the Angiulo family; Images 5 - Jason Angiulo & John Cincotti watch jurors in 98 Prince St; Image 6 - authorities inside 98 Prince Street

u/CT-CT — 17 hours ago

▲ 19 r/Mafia

Mob Meetings at Gerace’s Home?

Crystal Quinn talked about meetings at Gerace's house after the Bongiovanni arrest that she observed and described as “mob meetings.” She said that Gerace advised her "you can't be at the house when they arrive or there's going to be a problem."

u/BuffaloMobTwitter — 10 hours ago

▲ 19 r/Mafia

AMA with Scott Deitche. Please post any questions you have , Scott will be on at 8.

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u/PAE8791 — 12 hours ago

▲ 18 r/Mafia

1970: Future Buffalo bosses Joseph “Lead Pipe” Todaro Sr and Joseph Todaro Jr were arrested along with Rochester members/associate Dominic Chirico, Angelo Vaccaro and Sam Minkoff. Running gambling junkets out of Buffalo, Rochester and Niagara Falls to Las Vegas. They would all be acquitted in 1971.

Angelo Vaccaro was originally a Pittsburgh associate who became a Capo for the Rochester Family/Buffalo renegade faction.

Dominic Chirico was also a Capo and was the bodyguard/driver for boss Frank Valenti. He was killed in 1972 in a move to unseat Valenti as boss.

A week before the arrests Joseph Todaro Jr visited a fortune teller who told him “Be very careful for the next few days. Lay low or you’ll be picked up if you’re not careful. Get away from easy money. Current leads are bad.” As it turned out she was right.

u/JA2391 — 12 hours ago

▲ 18 r/Mafia

Bio on Kansas City associate Michael Albanese

Michael Albanese (2018)

Michael Albanese is an inactive associate of the Kansas City family.

Born September 25^(th) 1972 in Manhattan to Gandolfo Joseph Albanese and Jeanine Gamble. Father’s family from Polizzi Generosa comune of Palermo, mother non-Italian from Missouri.

The family initially lived in the Bronx (Riverdale) but later moved to Gravesend in Brooklyn.

Gandolfo J. Albanese, an apparent LCN affiliate, was incarcerated on drug charges in the mid-to-late 1970s. Following release, the family separated with Michael and his mother moving to Kansas in or around 1981.

They resided in the East Argentine neighbourhood of Kansas City, located on the Kansas state side.

Albanese was involved in various crimes by the end of high school, with juvenile record including convictions for vehicle thefts and burglary.

Close friends at this time included marijuana trafficker Roland Vaca as well as Kansas City associates Dominic Messina and Joseph “Joe Pete” Simone.

Albanese & Roland Vaca

Through these connections, Albanese attended a party celebrating the prison release of probable Kansas City member James Duardi in June 1989.

Around December 1990, took part in the theft and later sale of a Camaro IROC-Z from a car dealership in Johnson County, Kansas.

Arrested around a week after selling the vehicle and incarcerated at Johnson County Jail. While in custody, approached for interview by FBI Special Agents Tarwater and Scott regarding activities of Joe Pete Simone.

Refused offers to cooperate and pled guilty to felony auto theft charges in July 1991. Received 1-to-4-year sentence and released on probation after 4-month incarceration at KDOC El Dorado CF in Butler County.

After release, employed in flooring business and moved to 2302 Minnie Street, Kansas City (MO).

Believed by this time to be active with a group reporting to James Duardi.

On November 19^(th) 1993, Albanese stabbed Jay Hudson to death during a physical altercation resulting from a traffic collision in Westport.

He fled from the scene but turned himself the next morning and was released on a 50,000-dollar bond, on charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

While out on bond, assaulted Todd Eck with a beer bottle at The Fallout Tavern on July 30^(th) 1994 during what may have been a romantic dispute. Given separate bond of 75,000 dollars and case later dismissed.

Albanese (KCPD)

Convicted at trial in December 1994 for the Hudson case, on voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action charges. Released on 100,000-dollar bond to await sentencing.

Received 45-year sentence in March 1995, on basis of prior and persistent offender laws. Remained free on appeal.

The FBI identified Albanese as a participant in narcotics activities during this time, primarily connected to the Young Italians group and marijuana trafficker Roland Vaca.

A crew of varied Kansas City associates and affiliates tied to made member William Cammisano Jr., among those involved included Cammisano relative Anthony “Tony Mike” Nigro, Joseph Balano, Nicholas LanFranca as well as Occhipinto brothers Leonard and Michael.

Albanese would facilitate interactions between the Young Italians and South American traffickers active on the Kansas side of the city.

Others connected to these drug deals were Duardi associates Joseph Riley (maître d at Italian Gardens) and federal informant Joseph Bartels.

Joseph Bartels

An operational chart depicting the Kansas City hierarchy around this time was prepared by Roose and is available here.

On February 13^(th) 1996, Albanese’s conviction in the Hudson case was overturned as a result of the jury not being instructed on self-defence.

Around March 1996, Joe Riley, Nick LanFranca and Joe Bartels began discussing possible drug dealers that could be targeted in rip-offs.

Riley related that these plans were sanctioned by James Duardi and would involve other unnamed associates, likely including Albanese given previous narcotics activities.

It is unclear if any drug rip-offs ever took place as a result of Bartels’ involvement and the FBI being aware of the plans.

Phone wiretaps on Riley’s home and telecommunications business at 6445 Metcalf Avenue recorded increased contact between Albanese and Riley throughout late 1996.

In mid-January 1997, Riley contacted Bartels regarding a cocaine deal with a fictional supplier. After being informed of the conversation, the FBI approved a transaction that would act as a sting operation.

On January 23^(rd), Bartels confirmed a 70,000-dollar cocaine deal with Riley with Albanese contacted several times that same day in relation to the purchase.

Joseph Riley (FBI)

Bartels departed Kansas City for several days as part of the sting operation, returning to Missouri on January 29^(th) with the deal organised for the next day.

KC Police Department surveillance on January 30^(th) placed Riley with Albanese and Nick LanFranca at The Diner restaurant located at 301 Grand Boulevard.

Continued KCPD surveillance observed Riley contacting Bartels via a payphone at a drugstore, with Albanese listening to the conversation.

Before proceeding to Motel 6 (I-29 & Barry Road) for the drug deal, Riley dropped off Albanese at a nearby McDonalds.

Riley met with Bartels and after being shown the cocaine, reconfirmed the purchase before leaving to pick up Albanese. After spending time at a bar, they drove to Nick LanFranca’s home and collected him.

LanFranca (KCPD)

After a brief stop at an Applebee’s, the group continued to Motel 6. In the parking lot, Riley exited the vehicle and Albanese moved into the driver’s seat to reposition the vehicle.

Riley entered Bartels’ room after a greeting and then shot him in the chest, attempting to shoot Bartels in the head during the ensuing struggle.

Federal agents in the adjoining motel room then stormed in and shot Riley to death, with Albanese and LanFranca arrested in the parking lot.

LanFranca charged with federal VOSR case from previous drug conviction and returned to USP Leavenworth in late February 1997.

Both indicted in July 1997 on drug conspiracy charges. LanFranca turned CW in August.

Albanese was represented by attorney Salvatore Mirabile, godson of Kansas City boss Anthony T. Civella.

Trial for felony murder charges re. Riley shooting began on December 1^(st) 1997, with second degree murder verdict delivered 3 days later. Received life sentence that following January.

Convicted at trial in March 1998 for federal drug charges, received 30-year sentence.

Incarcerated at MODOC Crossroads CC and later at Western Missouri CC. Named as unindicted co-conspirator in marijuana operation run by Roland Vaca in February 2000.

CW Nick LanFranca died in July 2012.

Albanese (2019)

Granted parole hearing in August 2020 and released from Western Reception DCC on August 8^(th) 2022.

No evidence has since emerged connecting Albanese to possible Kansas City remnants.

reddit.com

u/JoePuzzles234 — 13 hours ago

▲ 17 r/Mafia

What was the legend of the three Spanish knights who allegedly founded Cosa Nostra, 'Ndrangheta and the Camorra in the middle ages?

I was watching a bit of Giacomo Amato's stream last night while I was drifting off to sleep (yeah, I know it's lame) and someone was asking him about it. He didn't know much about it, but I swear that I've heard people talk about that on here before...

Three men of honor who founded three societies of honorable men, or whatever the story goes.

reddit.com

u/Pure-Lime8280 — 20 hours ago

▲ 17 r/Mafia

Rules and regulations of the American Mafia

The rules of the mafia are a popular topic of discussion in every comment section on social media. Do you have to pull a trigger to become a member? Do both your parents have to be 100% italian? Is there an official rule against dealing drugs? Can you be a member if someone in your family is a cop?

Cosa Nostra has a lot of rules and policies but most of them are flexible and almost all of them are violated on a regular basis. Below are some quotes on the subject from FBI interviews with several different informants and co-operators up until the late 1960´s:

”Originally” all members were sicilian, calabrian or neapolitan but at this time (1960´s) it´s likely that anyone with italian descent would be accepted for membership. No jew or member of other nationality has ever been admitted into the organisation.

If an individual is considered trustworthy he may be permitted to carry out assignments for members, up to and including a ”hit”. As a matter of fact most hits are assigned to individuals who are not yet members. Carrying out a hit doesn´t mean that an individual will automatically become a member. It´s not necessary for members of the family to have done a hit, but it´s necessary that he is considered capable of handling such an assignment with efficiency and discretion.

It is possible for a pimp to become a member if he has reformed and proved this to members of the organisation. It is also possible for a man whose wife has been a prostitute to become a member if she has reformed and does not revert to her old ways.

In the old days prospective members had to be extremely well known to their sponsor and be completely trustworthy. Personal reputations had to be good and it was very hard to qualify for membership.

After WW2 requirements changed and restrictions were somewhat lowered, possibly due to younger men being released from the military and pressing for membership.

Originally the wealth and earning capability of a prospective member did not count, but at the present time this is very important. It is possible that an individual would now be inducted if he is considered a good provider for the family.

An individual considered for membership is checked out completely, as are his relatives to make sure no one has ever co-operated with or been part of the police. There is an age requirement of 17 years in America, and 13 years in Sicily.

Informant states that the purpose of the organization had it´s origin in Sicily under French occupation, the purpose was to ”protect the weak”.

One of the informants state that members are chosen because they´re sharp and shrewd in some ways but stupid in other ways. Meaning they can handle most situations but are willing and able to follow leaders blindly.

No member may be addicted to narcotics or he is doomed by the organization, ”panderers” (pimps and dealers) are not desirable but some have been admitted..

In case a caporegime dies a member under him has the right to transfer to another regime (crew) if he doesn´t want to remain under a newly appointed caporegime. If a member wishes to have dealings with a member of a different family he must obtain the permission of his caporegime and his boss.

u/Proletarian187 — 20 hours ago

▲ 15 r/Mafia