Nunzio Russo (Genovese)

1951 during Army medical exam.

 

Nunzio 'Nunzie Cal' Russo was an possible member of the Genovese Family.

Born December 28, 1929 in NYC to Luigi 'Louie Cal' Russo (19y) and Filomena Morelli (18y).

At time of birth lived at 233 Mulberry Street, NYC.

Numerous relatives involved with the mob. Father Luigi (1910-1972) listed by the FBI in 1962 and 1963 as a Genovese Family member. Uncle Giacomo 'Jake' Morelli was a Member of the Bonanno Family. Cousin Alexander 'Black Alex' Morelli (1939-2003) was a Capodecina in the Genovese Family, having replaced longtime Capodecina Peter DeFeo. Son-in-law Frank Gioia, Sr was a member of the Lucchese Family and grandson Frank Gioia, Jr was a member of the Lucchese family who flipped in 1994. 

Through an aunt he was a cousin of Gambino Family associates, brothers Carmine and Francis Consalvo, who both died under suspicious circumstances in 1975. In 1968 an FBI CI identified Carmine Consalvo as proposed for induction into the Gambino Family.

Through an uncle he was related by marriage to Edward 'Eddie Ottawa' Consalvo (1920-1981), listed by the FBI in 1962 and 1963 as a Genovese Family member.

In 1940 both his grandfathers, Nunziato Russo and Alessandro Morelli lived at 235 Mulberry Street.

By 1950 resided at 241 Mulberry Street.

By the late-1950s Russo was a made member of the Genovese Family. A FBI CI reported on Russo being an inducted member: "Regarding NUNZIO RUSSO, informant said it in assumed on the street on the Lower East side that he is a "made guy". He said this comes about as a result of a situation a few years ago in which NUNZIO vas involved in a beef over at gambling game. He said this problem was resolved when MIKE MIRANDA, in the presence of others involved, put hip arm around NUNZIE's shoulder and made the statement, 'he's my boy'"

On June 26, 1963 an FBI CI reported on the relationship between Nunzio Russo and Lucchese Family soldier Vincent 'Jimmy Jones' Potenza: "The informant said that [Vincent Potenza] is on RUSSO's payroll in this gambling operation. Informant said that the subject has no specific duties, but receives a handout in this matter from RUSSO with whom he had been very close prior to incarceration."

In August 1964 included in the FBI's list of Genovese Family members.

On December 19, 1967 an FBI CI advised: "JACK COUNNE (FORMER NY 4618-PC), FRANK MISTRELLA and NUNZIO RUSSO were operating a Black Jack game at 155 East 15 Street, NYC, apartment 12-E...On 12/16/67 Mistrella and fourteen others were arrested for gambling at the above address. He stated this game was doing twenty thousand dollars a week business."

On January 2, 1968 an FBI CI advised: "JIMMY PLUMERI, NUNZIO RUSSO, SAL APARO, FRANK MISTRELLA AND JACK COUNNE (FORMER NY 4618-PC) were operating a Black Jack game at 350 East 52 Street, NYC, apartment 12K. This was a nightly game. Informant knew of no interstate aspect to this game."

Two weeks later, on January 16, 1968 an FBI CI reported that: "NUNZIO RUSSO, SAL APARO and FRANK MISTRELLA were operating a Black Jack game at 333 East 66 Street, apartment 8-C, New York City, on a nightly basis...It is to be noted RUSSO, APARO and ARMONE are La Cosa Nostra members."

Jimmy Plumeri was a member of the Lucchese Family and Sal Aparo was a member of the Genovese Family.

Nunzio Russo's gambling associate and former FBI CI, Jack Counne, was found shot to death in Manhattan on March 8, 1975.

During the 1960s and 70s he ran gambling operations out of a social club on Grand Street in Manhattan, according to court testimony by his grandson Frank Gioia, Jr.

Nunzio Russo was identified as a Soldier in 1983 and 1988 Senate Charts.

By 1983 lived at 116 W 16 St. in Manhattan.

Nunzio Russo died August 28, 1987 in NYC.

Joseph Lanza (Genovese)

 

Joseph Lanza

Joseph Lanza was a member of the Genovese Family.

Born January 25, 1912 in NYC to Bernardo Lanza (26y) and Maria Schillaci (25y). Both parents born in Corleone, Sicily. Father worked as a plasterer.

Maria Schillaci's brother Giovanni 'Al Brown' Schillaci was a member of the Genovese Family who was deported to Italy in 1947.

Older brother Biagio (1907-1973) was a suspected member of the Genovese Family. Older brother Carmelo 'Charles' (1906-1977) was identified as a Genovese Family Soldier in a 1983 Senate Chart (although he was deceased at the time).

By 1929 lived on 774 Adee Avenue in the Bronx.

Four days after his 17th birthday arrested for assault and robbery. Released from Elmira reformatory on April 11 1929. Eight days later arrested for robbery and sentenced to 10 years. Returned to prison for parole violation in 1936. Released 1938.

In 1940 partner with brothers, Carmelo and Biagio in Actual Plastering Corp, located at 161 East 121th Street in Manhattan.

By the late-1950s he was an inducted member of the Genovese Family.

By the 1960s the Lanza brothers owned Lanco Construction Co, described as a major firm.

In 1970 brother Biagio was on the Executive Committee of The Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, representing the plasterers. Biagio was also a Business Agent for Local 60 of the Plasterers union.

In 1972 sentenced to Five months for his part in a Florida gambling operation run by Harlan Blackburn, the so-called 'King of Bolita'. Lanza had loaned Blackburn money after they were introduced in 1967 by Gambino Family member Thomas Altamura.

By the early 1970s Joseph Lanza was a close associate of Genovese Family Capodecina Philip 'Benny Squint' Lombardo and a member of his crew.

P. Lombardo

On February 11, 1972 FBI CI reported: "He stated that he knew JOE LANZA as an associate of LOMBARDO, and knew JOE LANZA to be connected with the Lanco Construction Co., Bronx, NY. He stated he knew JOE LANZA to be involved in the plaster business."

On October 26, 1972 FBI CI reported: "BENNY SQUINT is a captain in the GENOVESE family of LCN and JOE LANZA is a button under BENNY. [Informant] further advised that LANZA is a big shylock who uses an individual by the name of [redacted] (phonetic) to handle his shylocking business."

A cousin of Joseph Lanza provided FBI with information. On October 26, 1972 FBI CI reported: "

He advised that PHILIP LOMBARDO is a friend of his cousin, JOE LANZA. JOE LANZA is a salesman for the Lanco Construction Company, 1000 Brook Avenue, corner of Washington Street, Bronx, New York. He advised that [redacted] the brother of JOE LANZA, is the President of the Lanco Construction Company.

He stated that occasionally he has gone to a social club on East 116th Street near 1st Avenue, New York City. This social club is on the South Side of East 116th Street, and the front of this club is of glass, that is covered with brown paper. He stated this social club is for the plasterers, Although here is no sign indicating such on the building font ... He advised it would be difficult to get Italians to talk about any organized crime influence in the plasters union."

On July 18, 1974 FBI CI reported: "Source advised that captioned individuals [LANZA, LOMBARDO] continue to frequent the Colonial Tavern, on 116th Street and First Avenue, New York City, New York. He stated that LANZA used to conduct his shylocking operations from that same area."

On September 15, 1975 FBI CI reported: "...that earlier on the same day he was the area of 116th Street and 1st Avenue, NYC. He stated that he saw the following individuals in front of the Palma Boys Social Club: TONY SALERNO, [redacted], BUCKY FERRO, PATSY GENESE, BENNY LOMBARDO and JOE LANZA."

Joseph Lanza died June 1977 in New York.

James Battaglia (Genovese)

 

 

1955

James 'Jimmy Battles' Battaglia was a member of the Genovese Family.

Born July 27, 1912 in Manhattan to Giuseppe (33y), and Maria Ferranti (25y).

By 1920 resided on Oak Street in Manhattan, in the Two Bridges neighborhood, which later became the Knickerbocker Village.

In 1935 resided on 1567 79th Street in Bensonhurst.

On June 29, 1955 arrested in a Manhattan apartment on charges of bookmaking. An associate, Thomas 'Tom Riley' Seccamanie (36y) had been taking horse bets over the phone in a diffrent Manhattan apartment and then transmitting them to Battaglia.

By the late-1950s he was an inducted member of the Genovese Family.
 

On June 3, 1960 arrested with five associates on charges of possessing stolen goods and conspiracy. The group had set up dummy companies and ordered merchandise from other firms on 30 days credit. The operation was described as, "Buy now and never pay later". Battaglia was held on a $25,000 bail. Only part of the goods had been recovered. At the time Battaglia was president of Big City Shipping Co. of 235 West street, NYC.
 

One of the men arrested with Battaglia was Morty Rosenberg. In 1961 Rosenberg was the subject of a sit down between the Gambino and Genovese Families over money owed to an unspecified subject (apparently represented by Genovese Capodecina Tommy Greco) and Gambino Family member Mike Scandifia (apparently represented by Gambino Family Consiglieri Joe Biondo, and Capodecina Carmine Lombardozzi).

On March 3, 1967 FBI CI reported: "Informant advised that just before his most
recent brush with the law, he was [Redacted] of the garment area. An individual named Morty ROSENBERG's owed [Redacted] sent [Redacted] threatened ROSENBERG's life and ROSENBERG  thereafter talked to MIKE SCANDIFIA about this. SCANDIFIA requested a sit down on this matter and met with [Redacted] TOMMY GRECO and JOE BIONDO in Lanza's Restaurant. SCANDIFIA claimed that he had a piece of ROSENBERG and that ROSENBERG was broke. [Redacted] GRECO, BIONDO, CARMINE LOMBARDOZZI and SCANDIFIA split the proceeds and gave none of this money to [Redacted] who originally loaned the money to ROSENBERG.

Informant said that sometime later he learned that ROSENBERG was also in debt heavily to LARRY and JOE GALLO for money shylocked to him. [Redacted] met with the GALLO brothers on President Street and asked them if they would leave ROSENBERG alone until he had a chance to collect what was owed [Redacted] He stated that during this meeting, JOE GALLO became incense and indicated that he would not go along with [Redacted]. GALLO told [Redacted] that ROSENBERG 'had to be killed.' Informant said that a short time later, ROSENBERG's body was found in Coney Island. He stated that the above took place in approximately 1959 or 1960."

Larry and Joe Gallo were Colombo Family members.
 

The body of Morty Rosenberg was found April 19, 1961.

Morty Rosenberg

In 1962 identified by the FBI as a Genovese Family soldier under Tommy Eboli, Capodecina.

In August 1964 identified by the FBI as a Genovese Family member.

On March 18, 1965 arrested on bookmaking charges. One man wagering with Battaglia was a Wall Street broker who lost all his money and then stole money from 40 of his customers. The district attorney's spokesman called the broker a "bookmaker's dream".
 

On August 12, 1965 FBI CI reported: "Informant advised he has known BATTAGLIA as Jimmy Batts [Redacted] however he has not seen him [Redacted] Informant advised that this individual used to hang out in the Crescent area of the Bronx with 'POP' Dave aka The Old Man (David Amodeo)."

David Amodeo was a member of the Gambino Family.

On February 1, 1967 arrested along with Thomas Seccamanie on charges of operating a $5-million-a-year bookmaking operation. Battaglia carried 21 $100 bills when arrested. Both men released on their own recognizance. At the time Battaglia was living at 239 Floral Ave, Plainview, LI.

On June 28, 1971 arrested in a midtown Manhattan phone booth carrying $4,000 worth of gambling bets and $7,000 worth of loan shark records. He offered police $500 not to arrest him. Battaglia was set free after posting a $2,500 bail after an arraignment on charges of promoting gambling, possession of gambling records and bribery.


In September of 1977 arrested for operating a bookmaking operation out of his home on 239 Floral Ave. Police found $66,000 worth of gambling receipts.

In 1979 reported to be a member of Capodecina Ottaviano 'Tommy' Lombardi's crew.

He died on June 16, 1991 in Hicksville, Nassau, New York.