 |
| 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment