Lucchese crime family's Brooklyn faction
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Founded | 1950s |
---|---|
Founder | Lucchese crime family |
Founding location | Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States |
Years active | 1930s–present |
Territory | Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and Staten Island |
Ethnicity | Italians as "made men" and other ethnicities as associates |
Activities | Racketeering, bookmaking, loansharking, extortion, gambling, burglary, cargo theft, conspiracy, counterfeit consumer goods, murder, smuggling, fencing, union corruption, hotel robbery, hijacking and jewelry heists |
Allies | Gambino, Genovese, Bonanno and Colombo crime families |
Rivals | Various gangs |
The Lucchese crime family's Brooklyn faction is a group of
Before the merger the Vario Crew, sometimes known as the Canarsie Crew, had predominantly been based out of
The 19th Hole Crew, sometimes called Bensonhurst Crew, was based out of
History of the Vario Crew
Don Turrido Curiale
The earliest known leader of the Lucchese family's Brooklyn crew was Salvatore "Don Turrido" Curiale, an immigrant from Agrigento in Sicily.[1] Curiale was an original Brooklyn mobster before the Commission was created and would later join the Lucchese crime family.[1] In the 1960s, Curiale stepped down, and proposed his closest ally Joseph Schiavo to be made the caporegime of the crew, but Schiavo did not want it and suggested his protege Paul Vario be promoted instead. Schiavo continued controlling garment businesses with Curiale and Tommy Lucchese, while serving as an elder advisor to Paul Vario.[1]
Paul Vario's power
Paul Vario received money from members of his crew and local criminals. Vario's crew was involved in hijacking cargo shipments from
Henry Hill's drug organization
Two of Vario's crew members, Henry Hill and Jimmy Burke, began dealing in amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Hill ran his criminal enterprise with his wife Karen, William Arico, Anthony and Rocco Perla, Robin Cooperman, and Judith Wicks. In early 1979, Burke and Hill began selling heroin.
After Robert "Bobby" Germaine Jr., the son of Henry Hill's drug partner, became an informant, Hill was monitored. In 1980, Hill was arrested for drug dealing and looking at several life-sentences. He accepted the option to become an informant.
Hill's testimony led to 50 convictions. In 1980, on Burke's orders,
Burke was given 20 years for fixing sporting events and a life sentence when the authorities convicted him for murdering scam-artist Richard Eaton. Vario was given a 12½-year sentence during the KENRAC trial.
Robert's Lounge Crew
The Robert's Lounge Crew was a semi-independent group of criminals working under the Vario Crew, led by Jimmy Burke, and based in Burke's bar, Robert's Lounge. They were active from 1957 to 1979.
The Robert's Lounge crew comprised numerous members, some described as inept, whose specialties included armed robbery, hijacking, and murder. Although an independent outfit, they were closely associated with the
Historical leadership
Caporegimes of the Vario crew (merged)
- c. 1930s–1962: Salvatore "Don Turiddo" Curiale — stepped down, retired
- 1962–1988: Paul Vario — sentenced in 1984 to 12+1⁄2 years in prison; died on May 3, 1988
- Acting 1967–1970: Salvatore "Babe" Vario — youngest brother to Paul Vario
- Acting 1970–1988: Vito "Tuddy" Vario — brother to Paul Vario
- 1988–1991: Alphonse "Little Al" D'Arco — served as Street Boss from May 1990 to January 1991; then served as Acting Boss from January 1991 to July 1991, when he was demoted; he became a government witness on September 21, 1991[3]
- Acting 1990–1991: Louis Daidone — promoted to Caporegime
- 1991–1992: Louis "Louie Bagels" Daidone— imprisoned on May 1, 1992
- 1992–2010: Domenico "Danny" Cutaia— imprisoned and released in early 2000, he took control of the merged Brooklyn faction
- Acting 1996–1997: John Baudanza — demoted
- Acting 1997–2002: John "Johnny Sideburns" Cerrella — arrested in 2002
- Merged 2000: the 19th Hole crew merged into Cutaia's crew, creating the Brooklyn faction, Domenico Cutaia continued serving as Caporegime
Caporegimes of the 19th Hole crew (merged)
- c. 1960s–1981: Christopher "Christie Tick" Furnari — promoted Consigliere; indicted on February 15, 1985, convicted on November 19, 1986, in the Mafia Commission Trial and sentenced on January 13, 1987, to 100 years in prison.
- 1981–1986: Vittorio "Vic" Amuso — promoted to boss
- 1986–1987: Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso — promoted to Consigliere
- 1987–1991: Frank "Big Frank" Lastorino— promoted to Consigliere; imprisoned in April 1993
- Split 1988: Crew splits forming the new McDonald Ave Crew in Bensonhurst
- 1991–1995: George "Georgie Neck" Zappola — became a fugitive in 1991, captured and imprisoned in 1995
- Acting 1991–1995: George "Georgie Goggles" Conte — imprisoned in 1995
- 1995–2000: Joseph "Joey Flowers" Tangorra — arrested in November 2000
- 2000: Merged with the Vario crew, creating the Brooklyn faction
Caporegimes of the McDonald Ave crew (merged)
- 1988–1991: Peter "Fat Pete" Chiodo — on May 8, 1991, shot 12 times, becomes a government witness testifying against Vic Amuso and Anthony Casso
- 1991–1996: Richard "Richie the Toupe" Pagliarulo — imprisoned in 1992, receiving a life sentence
- Acting 1991–1996: Frank "Frankie Bones" Papagni — promoted to Consigliere
- 1996–1998: Eugene "Boopsie" Castelle — promoted to acting underboss
- 1998: Merged with the 19th Hole crew in Bensonhurst
Caporegimes of the Brooklyn faction
- 2000–2010: Domenico "Danny" Cutaia — imprisoned, released from prison on October 5, 2013,[4]died August 14, 2018
- Acting 2000–2002: John "Johnny Sideburns" Cerrella — arrested in 2002
- Acting 2003–2008: Michael "Mikey Bones" Corcione — arrested in 2008
- Acting 2010: Carlo Profeta — arrested in 2010
- 2010–2017: John "Big John" Castellucci — arrested, and demoted
Current members and associates
- Members of the Brooklyn faction
- Ray Argentina (Soldier) — before merger was with Vario-Cutaia crew
- John Baudanza (Soldier) — before merger was with Vario-Cutaia crew
- Salvatore Cutaia (Soldier) — before merger was with Vario-Cutaia crew
- Michael "Mikey Bones" Corcione (Soldier) — before merger was with Vario-Cutaia crew
- Carlo Profeta (Soldier) — before merger was with Vario-Cutaia crew
- Peter Vario (Soldier) — son of Paul Vario, former capo of crew, former Vario-Cutaia crew member
- John "Big John" Castellucci (Soldier) — former capo of Brooklyn faction before demotion
- John "Johnny Sidenurns" Cerella (Soldier) — before merger was with Vario-Cutaia crew
- Joseph DiBenedetto (Soldier) — son-in-law to boss Vic Amuso, before merger was with 19th Hole-Bensonhurst crew
- Scotty Gervasi (Soldier) — before merger was with 19th Hole-Bensonhurst crew
- Vincent "Vinny" Zappola (Soldier) — the uncle to George Zappola, before merger was with 19th Hole-Bensonhurst crew
- Joseph M. "Little Joe" Perna (Soldier) — former member of the New Jersey faction, before joining the Brooklyn faction under capo John Castellucci
- Frank "Frankie Bones" Papagni (Soldier) — before merger was with 19th Hole-Bensonhurst crew
- George "Georgie Goggles" Conte (Soldier) — before merger was with 19th Hole-Bensonhurst crew
- James "Jimmy Frogs" Galione (Soldier) — before merger was with 19th Hole-Bensonhurst crew
- Frank Giacobbe (Soldier) — before merger was with 19th Hole-Bensonhurst crew
- Louis "Louie Jet" Gampero (Soldier) — was an associate to Ray Argentina and the Vario-Cutaia crew; inducted sometime in mid 2010s, joining the Brooklyn faction
- Danny Campo (Soldier) — former associate of Patrick "Patty Red" Dello Russo, the underboss who sponsored his induction in late 2010s
- John "Butch" Arpino (Soldier) — former associate of Louie Daidone, became an associate of Patty Red Dello Russo who sponsored him for induction in 2010s
- Imprisoned members of the Brooklyn faction
- Louis "Lou Bagels" Daidone— former Capo of the Vario crew, currently serving life in prison
- Nicky Scarfo Jr. — former Capo of New Jersey faction before joining the Brooklyn faction under capo John Castellucci, currently in prison
- Associates of the Brooklyn faction
- Joseph Cutaia (Associate) — before merger worked as associate to Vario-Cutaia crew
- Victor Sperber (Associate) — before merger worked as associate to Vario-Cutaia crew
- Louis Colello (Associate) — before merger worked as associate to Vario-Cutaia crew
- John Rodopolous (Associate) — before merger worked as associate to Vario-Cutaia crew
- Peter "Petey Links" Bartolemeo (Associate) — associate of John Pennisi
- John DiLorenzo (Associate) — associate of John Pennisi; owner of "Rosemarie's Pizzeria & Restaurant" out of Farmingdale, Long Island; was the subject of several sit-downs due to other families claiming him as being on record with them
- Joe Fama (Associate) — formerly on record with Little Joey DiBenedetto and owner of DiFama Concrete out of Staten Island, poached by Matty Madonna
Past members and associates
These are past members and associates who have retired, transferred to another crew, been murdered, or died other ways.
- Soldiers of Vario crew
- Frank Manzo(Soldier)
- Vito "Tuddy" Vario (Soldier)
- Peter "Rugsy" Vario (Soldier)
- Peter "Jocko" Vario (Soldier)
- Salvatore "Babe" Vario (Soldier)
- Thomas Vario (Soldier)
- Peter "Pete the Killer" Abinati (Soldier)
- Leonard Vario Jr. (Soldier)
- Joseph D'Arco (Soldier)
- Bruno Facciolo (Soldier, murdered in 1990)
- Rosario Sacco (Soldier)
- Luigi Sacco (Soldier)
- Alfonso "Foo" Curiale (Soldier)
- Paolo Danna (Soldier)
- Ray Argentina (Soldier)
- Joseph Chiavo (Soldier)
- Carmine "Fats" Taglialatela (Soldier)
- Anthony "Tony Blue Eyes" Stabile (Soldier, murdered in 1982)
- Emmanuel "Manny from Miami" LoGiudice (Soldier, died in 1978)
- Daniel “Danny” Rizzo (Soldier) — before merger was with 19th Hole-Bensonhurst crew, died 2015
- Anthony Guzzo (Soldier) — half-brother of Vito Guzzo Jr., a made member in the Colombo family, inducted under capo John Castellucci, later transferred to Joseph "Joe Cafe" DeSena Crew
- Associates of the Vario crew
- Clyde Brooks (associate, died in 1994)[citation needed]
- Angelo 'Sonny Bamboo' McConnach (associate, died in 1996)
- Joseph Abinati (associate)
- Thomas "Tommy Red" Gilmore (associate, Murdered on February 6, 1989)
- Frank James Burke (associate, murdered on May 18, 1987)[5]
- Jimmy Burke (associate, died on April 13, 1996)[5]
- Louis Cafora (associate disappeared in March 1979)[5]
- Thomas DeSimone (associate, murdered on January 14, 1979)[5]
- Richard Eaton (associate, murdered on July 18, 1979)[5]
- Henry Hill (associate, became a witness in 1980, died on June 12, 2012)[6]
- Martin Krugman (associate, disappeared on January 6, 1979)[5]
- Angelo Sepe (associate, murdered on July 18, 1984)[5]
- Louis Werner (associate, convicted on May 16, 1979)[5]
Former headquarters and hangouts
The crew operates throughout the New York City; The latest headquarters maintained under capo "Big John" Castellucci was the Cigar Vault Emporium in Staten Island. Some of its former headquarters and hangouts are:
- La Donna Rosa Restaurant in Little Italy, Manhattan
- Bargain Auto Junkyard[citation needed]
- Euclid Taxi Cab Company in Brownsville, Brooklyn[citation needed]
- Geffkens Bar – a bar owned by Paul Vario
- Kew Motor Inn[citation needed]
- Robert's Lounge – the former headquarters of Jimmy Burke's crew, located on Lefferts Boulevard and Rockaway Boulevard in South Ozone Park, Queens[7][8]
- The Bamboo Lounge – former hangout, located on Rockaway Parkway and Avenue N in Canarsie, Brooklyn[9][10][11]
- The Lefferts Bar –[11]
- The Suite – a former hangout owned by
Government informants and witnesses
- Richard Bilello – associate, murdered on October 28, 1974[citation needed]
- Alphonse "Little Al" D'Arco – became a witness on September 21, 1991, died in 2019
- Theresa Ferrara – became a government informant, disappeared on February 10, 1979[5]
- Peter Gruenwald – associate, became a witness in 1978,[5] died in 1979
- Henry Hill – associate, became a witness in 1980, died on June 12, 2012[6]
- John Pennisi – became a cooperating witness in 2018, after being falsely accused of being an Informant
- Steven Lapella – associate, indicted along with Dom Cutaia in 2008, and soon became a cooperating witness
In popular culture
- Goodfellas (1990), directed by Martin Scorsese, is based on the Vario Crew and the life story of crew associate Henry Hill (portrayed by Ray Liotta)
References
Notes
- ^ ISBN 9781250037435. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "Robert's Lounge Crew". TruTV.
- ^ "Declaration of Alphonse D'Arco in Mason Tenders RICO Suit". Thelaborers.org. October 5, 1994. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007.
- ^ "Inmate Locator: Domenico Cutaia". Bureau of Prisons.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j May, Allan. "The Lufthansa Heist Revisited: Cast of Characters". TruTv.com. p. 20. Archived from the original on 2012-04-28.
- ^ a b "Henry Hill, Inspiration For "Goodfellas", Dead At 69". MTV. June 13, 2012.
- ISBN 9780307556462.
- ISBN 9780671723224.
- ISBN 9780307556462.
- ISBN 9780671723224.
- ^ ISBN 9781449061258.
- ISBN 9780671723224.
Sources
- Nicholas Pileggi, Wiseguy: Life In A Mafia Family (1986)
- Greg and Gina Hill. On the Run: A Mafia Childhood
- May, Allan. The Lufthansa Heist Revisited. TruTv.com