Michael Clemente
Michael Clemente (August 29, 1908 – December 1987), (also known as Mike Costello or Big Mike), was a New York
Biography
Born in New York City, Clemente lived in Brooklyn. He married Josephine Tresonte and was the father of three daughters. His official jobs included labor organizer, secretary, and business agent for Manhattan Local 856 of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA). Clemente's criminal record included rape, assault, disorderly conduct, extortion, conspiracy to violate federal liquor laws, and perjury.
Originally a lieutenant in a crew of Rocco Pellegrino, Clemente used his power at the waterfront to extort money from shipping companies and the companies that loaded and unloaded cargo. At one point, the president of a company managing
In 1977, the government gained the cooperation of William Montella, a shipping company employee, and planted undercover
On February 21, 1987, Clemente was released from prison.[1] Clemente died in December 1987.
In popular culture
Clemente was reportedly the inspiration for the character of waterfront boss "Johnny Friendly", played by Lee J. Cobb, in the 1954 film On the Waterfront.[2]
Further reading
- United States. Dept. of the Treasury (2007-10-18). Mafia: the government's secret file on organized crime. Harper. ISBN 978-0-06-136385-6.
References
- ^ "Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator". Archived from the original on 2011-05-25. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "On the Waterfront" Archived 2008-08-21 at the Wayback Machine Film Notes