Dominick Lepore (Philadelphia)

 

D. Lepore

Dominick 'JB' Lepore was a member of the Bruno Family. 

 

He was a close associate of the Family's Consigliere Giuseppe 'Joe The Boss' Rugnetta (1896-1977).

Born June 25, 1912 in the Buccino comune of Salerno, Campania to Frank (29y) and Celia Mancini (16y). The family moved to the US in 1919, settling in Camden, NJ.

By 1930 the family resided at 1005 Winston St in South Philadelphia.

During the 1930 employed as a chef at different bars and restaurants in South Philadelphia.

On June 9, 1941 Philadelphia PD raided his home on 1005 Winston St and found 2000 numbers slips, representing an estimated 50,000 plays. Lepore and Michael Baldino (31y) were arrested.

On May 9, 1947 arrested on lottery charges. Also arrested were Joseph Esposito (35y) and Frank Rainer (31y). Lepore was released on bail.

During the 1950 he became a partner in Joe Rugnettas restaurant the South Philadelphia Grill located at 2026-28 South 12th St. The establishment served as Rugnetta's headquarters and was a major meeting Place for LCN Members and Associates during the period from the 1950s to the 1970s. Brother Sabato 'Sam' Lepore believed to hold the ownership as a front.

In December of 1954 the body of bootlegger Marcello 'Marshall/Mutt' Veneziale was found in the trunk of a car parked in South Philadelphia. He had been shot in the back of the head. 

 

According to one informant Veneziale had been seen in the South Philadelphia Grille the night he disappeared arguing with members of the Philadelphia Family, among them future Boss Angelo Bruno. Veneziale possibly assaulted Bruno. His brother, Charles Veneziale, became an FBI CI during the late 1950s and provided the FBI with information on Bruno Family members and their operations.

On Mars 7, 1958 and FBI CI reported:

"[Informant; believed to be Charles Veneziale] also advised that BRUNO's top Lieutenant in Philadelphia is one PHILIP TESTA of 10th and Christian Streets, who handles the pick-up of the numbers slips for BRUNO's numbers bank and also keeps the numbers writers in line. [Informant] also advised that after the disappearance of one MARSHALL VENEZIALE, a former South Philadelphia bootlegger, he learned that BRUNO left town by airplane. [Informant] stated that he had heard that BRUNO was at a meeting the night VENEZIALE disappeared, which was held at the South Philly Grill, which is owned by JOE RUGNETTA. He stated that quite an argument took place there, supposedly with BRUNO, VENEZIALE, JAMES "LEFTY" GATTI, and that BRUNO was supposed to have been seen leaving the grill holding a handkerchief over his eye. He stated that VENEZIALE had quite a temper and it is possible that VENEZIALE hit BRUNO and this led to his murder. [Informant] said the story is that JAMES "LEFTY" GATTI was supposed to have done the killing but at the last minute he got cold feet and that BRUNO did the job. This information is known to the Philadelphia Police Department. [Informant] was again contacted on March 21, 1958, but due to a previous appointment, was unable to take time to furnish any additional information."

On May 12, 1965 identified by the FBI as a Member of the Bruno Family. 

On October 20, 1967 identified by the FBI as a Member of the Bruno Family.

In 1972 he was named as one of Philadelphia's biggest gambling operators with 5 offices and an estimated 95 employees working for him.

In 1980 the Pennsylvania Crime Commission named him as a Member of the Bruno Family active in gambling and a daily visitor to the South Philadelphia Grille.

By 1980 he resided at 1830 South 12 St. in Philadelphia.

He died in February 1981 in Philadelphia.

Anthony Mosco (Bufalino)

 

A. Mosco 1970s

Anthony Mosco is a Member of the Bufalino Family.

Born June 12, 1942 in Endicott, NY to Vito Mosco (40y) and Nancy Piccarreto (36y).

Both parents were born in the comune of Corato in Bari, Apulia.

At the time the family resided at 323 Murphy Ave, Endicott, NY.

First arrested at age 16 on January 12, 1959 for speeding and driving without a license.

By the mid-1960 he was associated with Bufalino Family Member Anthony 'Guv' Guarnieri (1911-1990).

In May of 1976 Guarnieri, Mosco and Family Associate Joseph Maruca and others indicted on extortion charges. The indictment charges that they allegedly conspired to assault a Teamster steward at a construction site. The Teamster steward had tried to remove Mosco from a construction site, but he testified that the assault had nothing to to with either Guarnieri or Mosco. They were acquitted of the charges.

By 1980 Mosco was an inducted member of the Bufalino Family reporting to Capodecina Guarnieri.

In 1979 Guarnieri moved to Florida leaving Mosco and Anthony Santacroce, Jr as the only inducted Bufalino Family Members living in Endicott.

By 1980 resided at 702 North Rogers Avenue in Endicott.

In 1980 identified as a Member of the Bufalino Family by the Pennsylvania Crime Commission.

 

A. Guarnieri 1980s.

In 1982 Joseph Maruca was shot five times in Agawam, MA. Philadelphia Underboss and FBI CW Philip Leonetti testified that Genovese Family Member Adolfo Bruno confessed to the attempted murder of Maruca. 

Maruca himself turned CW in 1991 and claimed that he was targeted because he refused to turn over profits to members of the Bufalino Family. Bruno and the Genovese Family did the shooting as a favour to the Bufalino family, Maruca claimed.

In 1986, Mosco used his organized crime affiliation to obtain the position of business agent with Local 693 of the Teamsters Union. 

According to the Pennsylvania Crime Commission Mosco used position with the local, as well as the reputation of the Bufalino Family, to extort construction workers and employers working on interstate construction projects in the Binghamton, NY, area.

In October 1989 Anthony  Guarnieri and Anthony Mosco were indicted and charged with labor racketeering, conspiracy, and RICO offenses. Charged also were various labor union officials.

In 1990 identified as a Member of the Bufalino Family by the Pennsylvania Crime Commission.

On April 20, 1990, Mosco and Guarnieri were convicted of various RICO and labor racketeering charges. 

On August 12, 1990, Guarnieri was sentenced to 30 years in prison and Mosco was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Mosco was released from prison on July 18, 2005.

Edward Quirolo (Gambino)

 

E. Quirolo

 

Edward 'Eddie Guida' Quirolo was a Soldier in the Gambino Family.

Born June 7, 1910 in NYC to Victor Quirolo (32y) and Giuseppina Guida (27) in NYC.

Father owned the Victor Quirolo Funeral Home.

Father was born in Northern Italy in the Chiavari comune, close to the city of Genua. Mother was born in Sorrento in Campania.

At time of birth the family resided at 327 East 109th St. Father's funeral parlor had an office at the same address.

From 1926 to 1932 boxed professionally under the name 'Eddie Guida'. He fought 46 bouts with a knockout rate of 46%.

On June 2, 1935 older brother Guido Quirolo (1908-1950) married Helen Paterra. Bride was the sister of Joseph 'Joe Swede' Paterra (1906-1974) was a Soldier in the Genovese Family's East Harlem Crew. Brother also worked for Victor Quirolo Funeral Home and also resided at 327 East 109th St.

It is not known when Quirolo became associated with the Gambino Family but he was likely an Associate by the late 1930s.

 

Michael Baratta after being shot in the leg.

On August 5, 1938 Quirolo, Michael Baratta [Future Gambino Soldier] (1904-1988), Frank Cipoletti and four other men attempted to extort tavern owner Anthony Marano at his 'Dutch Tavern' in Astoria, Queens. During the following mele Marano shot Baratta in the leg and Quriolo was grazed by a bullet in the neck. 

He was taken to hospital for treatment, where he was arrested.

Initially charged with attempted extortion and assault. Marano later retracted the charges.

By 1940 Quirolo resided at 327 East 109th St and worked for the Victor Quirolo Funeral parlor.

During the early 1950s involved in Florida in a Florida business with among others Gambino member Joseph 'The Hat' Zingaro. 

 

An FBI informant advised:

"Concerning Royal House Fruit Company he stated this company was formed in 1953 and incorporated in the Bronx. The President was VINCENT SQUILLANTE, JOE ZINGARO was Vice-President and MARIO PICCININNI was Treasurer to the best of his recollection. These 1ndividuals were not stock holders and merely took a salary. One of the stock holders he recalls was OLIVIA SQULLLANTE, wife of VINCENT. He does not know any of the other stock holders.

He stated he has been in the produce business all of his adult life and has been employed by MARIO PICCININNI in the past.

In 1955, he, JOE ZINGARO and MARIO bought out the previous interests in Royal House Fruit Company for $1,000. The three put up §333 each. He said EDWARD QUIROLO never had a part of this business. He said Royal House Fruit Company is presently inactive having gone out of the fruit business in 1960.

About four years ago, JOE ZINGARO came to him with the idea of the company buying 110 acres of land in Florida. The total price for the land was $180,000 and it was decided Royal House Fruit would buy Into the deal. Reval House Fruit invested a total of about $1,000, EDWARD QUIROLO put in additional money and GEORGE MANZI also put money into this deal."

Around the mid-to-late 1950s Quirolo was inducted into the Gambino Family.

At two associations in 1960 interviewed by FBI agents concerning his association with Genovese Family member Anthony 'Fat Tony Salerno':

"In Feb. and Dec., 1960, Edward Quirolo advised he was born in the East Harlem area of NYC and that he had mown Anthony Salerno all his life. He became friendly with Salerno who was now known as a racketman. Salerno was well liked by the people in his area for doing small favors for them when they were hard up."

During 1962 involved in a Florida real estate deal with Philadelphia Boss Angelo Bruno. Bruno's brother-in-law Ralph Maranca acted as a courier during the deal:

"[Informant] stated EDDIE (QUIROLO), Undertaker from New York, was seen entering Penn Jersey Vending on February 9, 1962 and Mareh 8, 1962 to talk to ANGELO BRUNO concerning the purchase of parcels of land with BRUNO and mortgage money."

"EDVARD QUIROLO interviewed on March 23, 1962, by [redacted] and advised that-he was one of the owners 110 acres of land in Broward County, Florida  which was purchased for $180,000 in May, 1957.

QUIROLO also advised that he knows ANGELO BRUNO from Philadelphia and admitted meeting with him in Philadelphia on various occasions, in addition he met BRUNO in March 1962, in Miami Beach, Florida, to see if BRUNO, knew anyone who would be interested in purchasing the land, also CARLO GAMBINO attended this meeting. QUIROLO admitted GAMBINO previously."

"Philadelphia teletype to Bureau, 11/19/62.

Person believed to be RALPH MARANCA delivered an envelope to EDWARD QUIROLO, 327 East 109th Street, NYC, at about 6:30 pm, 11/16/62. Envelope appeared to contain legal papers and no money was observed in the envelope by NYO SAS. QUIROLO maintains a business and residence address at 327 East 109th St., and is a funeral director.

MARANCA arrived at residence at 6:29 pm and departed at 6:31 pm, in the same cab bearing NY license 0-19346. After MARANCA departed, QUIROLO left residence and visited a luncheonette several doors from his home. No one was observed meeting QUIROLO in the luncheonette.

JOSEPH VALACHI (protect) advised 11/8/62, that EDWARD QUIROLO is a “button man" in the CARLO GAMBINO family."

The real estate sale between Quirolo and Bruno was finalized during the summer of 1964.

On September 23, 1966 an FBI CI reported on Quirolo:

"Informant stated he is familiar with QUIROLO and knew 225 him to be a "button guy" in the GAMBINO "family" and operating in East Harlem, NY, as a shylock. Informant said he had recently heard that QUIROLO was having considerable trouble with his wife."

Quirolo died in June 1976 in Westchester, NY.

Joseph Frangipane (Lucchese)

 

J. Frangipane

Joseph 'Pippeneddu' Frangipane was a Soldier in the Lucchese Family.

Born September 5, 1925 in NYC to Leone (41y) and Antonia Scavuzzo (28y). Father was born in Ciminna, close to the city of Palermo. Mother was born in the Province of Trapani, Sicily.

Father worked as a Waiter and Elevator Operator.

At the time of birth the family resided at 232 Elizabeth St.

Through his paternal grandmother, Maria Cassato, he was related to Lucchese Capodecina Frank 'Chick Wilson' Citrano (1900-1960). The families both resided at 232 Elizabeth St. In 1920 Frank Citrano moved next door to 234 Elizabeth St.

By 1943 resided at 8 Prince St. Listed his employer as the American Labour Party.

By the mid 1940s associated with the Lucchese Family's Crew in Lower Manhattan. On August 3, 1945 he and three others, including future Lucchese Soldier Victor Panica (21y), were arrested for running a dice game. in Westbury, LI. About 70 players were present at the time of the raid. 

 

Peter Simonetti

The principle operator of the dice game was said to be Peter Simonetti (35y), a possible Lucchese Associate/Member. The game operated with Police protection. On July 23 1945, the operators had paid $300 to two Detectives to leave the game alone.

Simonetti was shot dead two weeks later as he sat in a car at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Houston Street. With him was future Lucchese Member John Nuccio. Nuccio's brothers Frank, Salvatore and Vincent would all become members of the Lucchese Family. Their father Sebastiano (1879-1941) may have been a member of the Lucchese Family as well. The Nuccio's resided at 265 and 268 Elizabeth Street.

On October 26, 1945 pleaded guilty to participating in the dice game and paid a $100 fine.

On September 8, 1947 arrested at an illegal still located on a farm in Newburgh, NY. 375 gallons of alcohol seized by police. Also arrested was Salvatore Nuccio and five others.

On September 1, 1955 arrested for theft in Manhattan. Also arrested were Geonvese Family members and brothers Frank 'Frankie Skimp' Caggiano and William 'Willie Skimp' Caggiano. 

By 1970 resided at 18 Wesley Place, Staten Island.

Sometime after mid 1984 Lucchese leadership appointed Frangipane to control of Local 20 Cement & Concrete Workers Union with the positions of treasurer and business agent. Lucchese Soldier Christopher Furnari, Jr was made Vice-President of Local 20. 

Local 20 had previously been under control of Lucchese member Luigi 'Louie Beans' Foceri (1922-1989).

Frangipane also exercised control over Local 46 of the Mason Tenders through Family Associate Peter 'Butch' Vario.

Lucchese Underboss and CW Al D'arco later testified about the Family's influence over Local 46:

"Before his conviction in 1989, Peter "Butch" Vario, a Luchese Family associate, who was also an officer of Local 46 & the nephew of Paul Vario, exercised influence over Local 46 for the Luchese Family. Butch Vario reported to Joseph "Pippeneddu" Frangipane, a made member of the Luchese Family."

On August 18, 1987 indicted for labour racketeering in the 'Conrax' case, an investigation that had been initiated in 1984. The indictment included 12 union leaders from Local 13 and 46 Mason Tenders, Carpenters Union 351 and Local 20 Cement & Concrete Workers. 

 

Local 13 Mason Tenders were controlled by the Genovese Family.

The indictment charged that the defendants: "systematically bled the construction industry in Queens through a pattern of extortion, bribery and various forms of collusion and fraud."

"[Butch] Vario and Walaski were also involved, along with Cervone and another codefendant, Joseph Frangipane, in a series of payoffs for labor peace from the Spartan Concrete Corp. ("Spartan"). Frangipane was the business agent of the Cement and Concrete Workers Local Union 20 ("Local 20" or "Concrete Workers"), whose territory included a Spartan jobsite on Atlantic Avenue in Queens. The site was also arguably within the jurisdiction of Vario's Mason Tenders' Local 46, which handled certain jobs involving concrete. Although Martin Padover, Spartan's president, had reported the job to the District Council of Cement and Concrete Workers Unions as required under the collective bargaining agreement, Vario, upon learning of the project, took the position that it was a Mason Tenders' job, rather than one for the Concrete Workers.

Padover sought Cervone's intervention to establish which union had jurisdiction. Cervone and Vario agreed that the job likely fell under the authority of both unions, and Cervone therefore arranged that Padover would pay bribes to officials of both. Frangipane was paid off through "ghost" paychecks, while Vario, despite Padover's view that Atlantic Avenue was a Concrete Workers' job, received a cash payment of $1000, "just to start off the relationship." This payment was the basis of Vario's conviction on Count 61 for labor bribery."

On November 18, 1988 found guilty of violating the federal Taft-Hartley labour stature. He was sentenced to six months in prison.

Frangipane is included in both the 1983 and 1988 Senate Charts of Lucchese Family membership.

On January 19, 1990 released from Federal prison.

He died April 25, 1992 in NYC.

Michael Catalano (Gambino)

 

M. Catalano 1970

Michael Catalano was a member of the Gambino Family. He was a close associate of Gambino Family Underboss Neil Dellacroce.

Born February 7, 1918 in NYC to Giorgio Catalano (27y) and Lucia Fortunato (24y).

Father born in Martone, in the province of Reggio Calabria, Calabria. Mother born in Miglionico, Provincia di Matera, Basilicata.

At time of birth the family resided at 284 Mulberry St.

In 1940 claimed employment at Standard Fruit and Ss Co. At the time he resided at 284 Mulberry St.

In 1950 he resided at 139 Mulberry St.

In 1954 arrested by the NYPD for criminally receiving stolen property.

On April 10, 1955 charged with Bank Robbery of the Chase Manhattan Bank branch on Roosevelt Ave, in Queens. The robbery that occurred four days earlier. Also charged was 'Big Frank' Cocchiaro, a member of the DeCavalcante family. The charges were later dismissed.

"0n 10/1/55 MICHAEL VINCENT CATALANO, advised SAS NICHOLAS DUNBAR and ARTHUR P, DUFFY that he met FRANK COCCHIARO about 1947 or 1948, both were working at the Palladium Dance Hall, Catalano advised that he knew at one time that Cocchiaro had worked on the docks for Gran-colombiana, He stated that he knew that FRANK COCCHIARO had trouble with his waterfront pass, and had to leave his job then. He has not seen too much of Frank since they were both arrested in 1/55, in Bklyn, NY. He stated, Cocchiaro was wholly innocent of any wrong doing and he blames himself for getting Cocchiaro in any difficulties, and at that time neither of them had any intention to hold up a bank."

In 1956 arrested by the NYPD for carrying a loaded pistol.

By 1958 he was an inducted member of the Gambino Family. His first Captain would have been Armand 'Tommy' Rava, a Close associate of Dellacroce. By that time he had moved to 248 Mulberry St, directly opposite The Ravenite Social Club at 247 Mulberry St. Dellacroce's headquarter. Dellacroce lived at 232 Mulberry St.

 

Rava headed a large Crew; among the soldiers in the Crew was Neil Dellacroce, Mike Catalano, Mike Caiazzo, Carmine Fatico, Anthony Ruggiano, Anthony Guerrieri and others.

Dellacroce 1970

 

After Rava was murdered in about 1958, Dellacroce was promoted to head the Decina and Catalano reported to him.

On february 11, 1959 one of fourteen individuals arrested by FBI Agents for the armed hijacking of a truck load of cigarettes. At the time he was an organizer for Ironworkers Local 40.

On May 12, 1960 interviewed by FBI agents:

"MICHAEL CATALANO was interviewed at his apartment located at 248 Mulberry Street, New York Clty. He advised that ANIELLO DELLACROCE is the godfather to his son and that he has known DELLACROCE all of his life due to the fact that they were both born and raised in the same neighborhood.

CATALANO said that due to the close proximity of their residence, he sees DELLACROCE several times a week on the street.”

From the mid 1960's Dellacroce and his crew was under increasing FBI surveillance.

"On July 21, 1967 an FBI CI gave information on Dellacroce's crew members: "[informant] advised that [redacted]. He noted that CATALANO is a very shrewed, clever individual who is highly regarded by DELLACROCE."

On May 20, 1958 the FBI conducted surveillance and observed Dellacroce and Catalano on Mulberry St:

"[subject] proseded North at Mulberry Street, while CATALANO remained in front of Ferrara's Pastry Shop. MIKE CIRILLI, who usually hangs out at Aniello Dellacroce's Social Club, was observed speaking to CATALANO on Mulberry Street near Grand Street.

...

While the unknown man was in the shoe shining parlor, ANIELLO DELLACROCE and MIKE CATALANO were seen conversing in the vicinity of Prince Street and Mulberry Street. In addition, at 4:15 PH, two unknown subjects entered the Ravenite Social Club."

In 1969 listed by the USDOJ Manhattan Strike Force as a Gambino Family Member.

On December 17, 1969 FBI Agents arrested Catalano and Dellacroce on charges of tax fraud they found five loaded handguns in his apartment on 248 Mulberry St.

"MICHAEL VINCENT CATALANO, subject in captioned case, was also arrested on 12/17/69, with NY File 166-2217. Five loaded handguns were found in CATALANOs apartment incidental to his arrest, and a separate Federal indictment is expected to be handed down on CATALANO, a convicted felon, regarding these unregistered handguns found in his apartment. 

CATALANO is a member of the CARLO GAMBINO "family" of LCN, and is under ANIELLO DELLACROCE."

In 1970 arrested three times for gambling and was fined a total of $60 after pleading guilty to loitering for the purpose of gambling.

On August 28, 1970 Catalano, Dellacroce and Philadelphia Boss Angelo Bruno was charged with contempt of Court. The grand jury questioned all three about a mob takeover of the gambling casino of the Hispanola Hotel in Santo Domingo, to which they either lied or refused to answer. 

Dellacroce was also asked the following questions about Bonanno Family Soldier Anthony Leone:

"Did you not warn Leone that he was talking too much and causing friction within the ‘family’? 

Did you not tell Leone to keep his mouth shut, to stop criticizing others within the ‘family’? 

Did you not tell Leone you had been asked to straighten him out and that if he didn’t, he would be discussed by the commission and 

the borgotta?"

 

On October 16, 1970 Catalano plead guilty to weapons possession and was sentenced to one year in prison.

On January 17, 1972 Catalano pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charge of contempt and was sentenced to 90 days in prison. 

On January 26, 1973 Catalano was found guilty of aiding Dellacroce to commit tax fraud and sentenced to two years in prison. The Daily News noted that Catalano had to rush over to his hysterical wife to try to calm her after the jury convicted him and Dellacroce who was sentenced to five years for tax fraud.

After his prison sentence Catalano's stature in LCN may have fallen as a FBI CW reported on July 24, 1973:

“[redacted] advised that he recently Heard a rumor to the effect that MIKE CATALANO was just thrown out of LCN. He stated that NEIL DELLACROCE, who was CATALANO's mentor, is presently in jail serving time at Rikers Island and that the word is that MIKE CATALANO could have taken all the blame for DELLACROCE and in this way taking DELLACROCE off the hook and as MIKE was going to jail anyway, it would not have made any difference to him. This is supposedly the reason he was thrown out."

 

Late 1980s outside The Ravenite

During the late 1980s  Catalano was photographed by the FBI standing outside the Ravenite Social Club.

He died 15 May, 1998 in the Bronx.

Anthony Calabro (Bonanno)

 

A. Calabro 1960

Anthony 'Blackie' Calabro was a member of the Bonanno Family.

Born August 27, 1927 to Agostino (45y) and Immaculata Ferraro (40y) in NYC.

Father born in Rossano in the province of Cosenza, Calabria.

At the time of birth the family resided  at 290 Fifth St. in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn.

During the 1940s and 1950s mostly involved in burglaries and robberies.

Possibly started as a Colombo Family Associate.

In 1949 sentenced to two years in Elmira Reformatory for assault and robbery. Released on parole in 1950. 

On September 1, 1951 arrested for burglary. At the Brooklyn Felony Court house he managed to escape by strolling away from the guards and the patrolmen who arrested him.

 

A. Brandofino 

 

On October 7, 1959 Calabro's crime partner Anthony 'Tony Lapp' Brandofino (1927-1990) was shot nine times in Brooklyn. Although seriously wounded he later recovered. Brandofino lived five blocks away from Calabro in Carroll Gardens.

The next day police arrested Colombo Family Members Calogero 'Charlie the Sidge' LoCicero, Benjamin LoCicero and Gregory Scarpa Sr. on suspicion of shooting Brandofino. They were later released without charges. Police suspected the shooting was connected with a dispute Brandofino had with Salvatore Scarpa, also a Colombo member:

"On October 7, 1959 members of that Squad were called upon to assist in solving the shooting of Anthony Brandofino, also known to the police as Tony Lapp. Specifically, they were called in because of their knowledge, acquired in the hijacking investigation, of the movements of Brandofino and of the members of the Persico group.

At approximately 2:15 a.m. on October 7, 1959, Anthony Brandofino received nine bullet wounds while walking along 59th Street in Brooklyn near Fort Hamilton Parkway. He managed to escape through an alley and climb through a window into the kitchen of a ground floor apartment where the police, in response to a radio call, found him. Brandofino would not tell the police who his assailants were, stating only that he would "take care of it" himself. He was taken to Maimonides Hospital in critical condition.

Shortly after Brandofino was removed to the hospital, it was learned that John Fahy, an off-duty patrolman who lived in the neighborhood, had been awakened by the shots and had seen an old model, possibly a 1954, rust or tan colored Pontiac pull away from the scene after a man ran from the alley and entered the car. Several other men were in the car. The description fitted an automobile which the police knew belonged to Hugh McIntosh. They had frequently seen McIntosh, Scarpa and other members of the Persico group riding around in it.

At daybreak that morning, a car which fitted the description given by Patrolman Fahy was found by Detectives Farrell and McCabe parked in the vicinity of Bond and Union Streets. On the seat they saw a paper bag, the contours of which indicated that it might contain a gun; on inspection, however, it was found to be empty. A check of the license plates disclosed that they had been issued to Hugh McIntosh, but for a different automobile. When taken down to view the Pontiac, Parolman Fahy stated that it was similar to the car he had seen pulling away from the scene of the shooting.

Because of the numerous shots that were fired, the number of men seen in the Pontiac and Brandofino's refusal to identify his assailants, the police deduced that the shooting was a "gangland" assault. Previous knowledge of Brandofino and the Persico group and the identification of McIntosh's car focused suspicion on that group, especially on Salvatore Scarpa. Scarpa was known to have had a fight with Brandofino three months previously over a girl, Antoinette DeMarzo.

At the very least, the police believed that various members of the Persico group, if they had not participated in the shooting, knew something about it. Accordingly, Sergeant Cooney, who was in charge of the Brandofino inquiry, directed that Scarpa and McIntosh and any of their associates be picked up for questioning."

On June 15, 1960 Calabro was arrested with Anthony Brandofino for attempting to break into a Brooklyn drug store at 8002 5th Ave, Brooklyn. He was released on bail. Reportedly the drug store had $50 in cash on the premises.

On August 7, 1960 arrested for burglary at a clothing store located on High St, Brooklyn. Again he was released on bail.

On August 27, 1960 arrested inside The Famous Restaurant located at 4818 13th Avenue, Brooklyn as he attempted to open a cabinet containing several hundred dollars. This time he was not released on bail. At the time he resided at 24 Sixth St, Brooklyn.

On or about February 20, 1970 Calabro is believed to have been involved in the murders of Joseph 'Joe Scarface' Vescovi (b. 1944) and Stanley 'The Doctor' Ackerman (b. 1922). Both were active criminals and Ackerman had served prison time for Grand Larceny. The murder believed to have been connected to a dispute between Vescovi and Colombo Capodecina Joe Yacovelli.

 

On June 27, 1972 an FBI CW reported [possibly Colombo Family Associate Joe 'Pesch' Luparelli]:

"Concerning the ice pick murder by JOE YACOVELLI in 1970 of a person described by [redacted] in the past as "Joe Wagoon Wheels", the NYCPD advised that [redacted] Identified the photo of JOSEPH VESCOVI as being identical to the murder victim. The PD advised on 6/20/72, this individual is JOSEPH VESGOVI, FBI # 391548E, NYGPD B # 560610. However, on 6/27/72, the NYCPD advised the correct spelling is VESCOVI with the same identifying numbers. The NYPD investigation reveals that VESCOVI's whereabouts have been unknown since about 2/20/70, and suspects he is dead.

The NYPD also advises they have identified [redacted] as [redacted] beat up [redacted] which led to VESGOVI being hit.

Other persons present when YACOVELLI murdered VESCOVI according [redacted] by below aliases are now identified by NYPD as indicated below, NYPD B # included where known:

"Sonny Red" is ALPHONSE INDELICATO, B # 218902, "Brother of Sonny Red" is JOSEPH INDELICATO, aka "J.B.", B4277804, "Sonny Red's son" is ANTHONY INDELICATO, B # 636465, "Blackie" is ANTHONY CALABRO, B # 262635, according to the NYPD he is now serving a 12 year sentence at Atlanta Federal Penitentiary on narcotics violations.

CARMINE DE BIASE aka "Sonny Pinto", and JOSEPH YACOVELLI all properly identified previously were also present at the scene of YACOVELLI's murder of VESCOVI.

 

Information in NYO files and obtained from NYS Parole indicate the apartment probably used for the VESCOVI murder is the ground floor at [redacted] wherein the same building, the [redacted] SONNY RED live."

 

In 1975 the FBI received further information about the Vescovi and Ackerman murders.

On January 29, 1975 an FBI CI advised that: "STANLEY ACKERMAN also known as "Stanley The Doctor" is possibly the individual who was murdered along with VESCOVI for their part in [redacted] JOSEPH YACOVELLI"

The Indelicato's were Associates (later Members) of the Bonanno Family, and Carmine DiBiase was an Associate or possible Member of the Genovese Family. Alphonse Indelicato resided at 117 Elizabeth St, Manhattan.

By 1970 Calabro spent considerable time on Mulberry St and had become involved in narcotics trafficking.

On November 20, 1970 indicted on narcotics charges along with his girlfriend Ada Villanueva:

"On July 17, 1970, Agent Scrocca, acting in an undercover capacity, met in Miami, Florida with Ada Villanueva for the purpose of infiltrating a narcotics ring. During their discussion of the narcotics trade, Villanueva asked Scrocca if he knew some of the people she had done business with in New York, including “Blackie from La Barraca.” [a Resturant]. When Scrocca inquired which “Blackie” Villanueva meant, she further identified him as Blackie Calabro from Mulberry Street, her boyfriend and business associate.

...

Two nights later, on August 6, Scrocca and Boccia again went to the La Barraca. They saw Villanueva enter the restaurant and leave soon thereafter. They also saw Calabro standing at the bar. On three separate occasions during the evening, Calabro walked from the bar and stood within five feet of their table, staring at them. Later in the evening, Boccia was followed to the men’s room in the rear of the restaurant by Calabro and an unidentified male. While Boccia was standing at the urinal, Calabro and his companion passed behind him; while doing so, one of them frisked the area of Boccia’s waist and grasped his sidearm.

On August 11, the agents’ undercover work resulted in Villanueva’s offer to purchase heroin. That afternoon Boccia met Villanueva in a restaurant less than a block from the La Barraca. She offered Boccia three kilograms of heroin at $18,000 per kilogram. Boccia agreed to buy one kilogram as a sample. He asked if Villanueva had the heroin with her. Villanueva said her “Italian boyfriend from Mulberry Street” would deliver it to her. She instructed Boccia to meet her at the La Barraca that evening at 8:00 P.M. for delivery of the heroin. 

The next evening, August 12, Boccia returned to the La Barraca where he saw Villanueva and Calabro seated together at the bar. After Villanueva joined the agent at a table, Boccia stated that he was pleased with the quality of the heroin and would want to purchase more in the near future. Villanueva said that Puga was bringing a load of cocaine from Miami which would be available shortly. Villanueva also told Boccia that she regularly received shipments of ten to twelve kilograms of heroin from Turkey. Boccia expressed an interest in the Turkish product rather than the lower quality French product. Villanueva explained that the heroin sold the night before in fact was from Germany and had been smuggled into the United States via France and Spain." 

Found guilty of violation of the federal narcotics laws Calabro was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Calabro is thought to have been inducted into the Bonanno Family in the Spring of 1978

He was identified as a Bonanno Soldier in the 1988 Senate Chart.

He died June 21, 1997 in NYC.