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.