Post by Giovanni DiLeonardo on Mar 12, 2009 21:06:39 GMT -6
*IMPORTANT! Read each history carefully, and decide which family would be best suited for your character. Just because a family is dubbed the weakest or the strongest, doesn't mean they will stay that way forever.
The DiLeonardo Crime Family:
The DiLeonardo Crime Family, is probably the strongest modern Mafia family, and has had three name changes throughout it's history. It was founded in 1910, by forty year old Palermo immigrant, Ignazio "Iggy Weiss" Strollo. It was mainly made of barely literate Sicilian and Italian Immigrants, and was originally called the Strollo Unione, which meant "The Strollo Union", but it eventually came to be known as the Strollo Crime Family. In 1929, Iggy Strollo died of natural causes, and power passed to his cousin, Benedetto "Benny Boy" Strollo. Under Benny Strollo, the family became very powerful during Prohibition. Benny's reign wouldn't last long, on May 17, 1931, Benedetto Strollo was shot and killed by hitmen working for his main rival and Strollo caporegime, Vincenzo "Vinnie" Tortorello.
Tortorello took over after Benny's death, and reigned unchallenged as Don for thirty-three years, during which time the name was changed from the Strollo Crime Family to the Tortorello Crime Family. On August 8, 1964, Vincenzo Tortorello died in his sleep. Tortorello had never spent a day in an American prison. Taking over as Don, was American-born Salvatore "Tore" Gigante. Gigante was an enemy of Tortorello, and wanted to erase the memory of the Tortorello-era. Gigante did this by having all the supporters of Tortorello's son, Francesco "Frankie the Dock Worker" Tortorello, killed. Frankie Tortorello was spared, because he stepped aside to allow Gigante to take power.
Secondly, Gigante changed the name from the Tortorello Family to the Gigante Family. Tore Gigante, proved to be a poor leader and a greedy boss, and was despised by his underlings. After only five years, Tore Gigante was shot while getting a shave. The hit team was hired by Gigante's own brother, Niccolo "Nicky Boy" Gigante. Nicky Boy Gigante, succeeded Tore as Don, but proved to be just as terrible as his brother. Six years into his reign, Nicky Boy Gigante, was arrested on various charges and sentenced to life imprisonment in Pembrook Prison. Nicky tried to run the family from prison, but he was denied by an elected "Ruling Panel", of three powerful Gigante capos: Rocco "Rocky Del" Maritato, Daniel "Danny the Lion" Cozza, and Federico "Freddie Rig" Righetti. Out of the three, only Federico Righetti, would eventually become a full fledged Don.
By 1980, Rocco Maritato had been sentenced to life in prison, and Daniel Cozza had been killed. Only Federico Righetti remained to control the family. Righetti would reign as Don for twenty-seven years, and changed the name from the Gigante Family to the Righetti Family. This so called "Righetti Age", led the family to great prosperity and the highest number of members than any other crime family in the Country. On October 2, 2007, Federico "Freddie Rig" Righetti was shot outside a social club, by Sicilian Zips working for the DiLeonardo Brothers. Righetti's death ended the DiLeonardo War, and saw twenty-seven year old Giovanni "Handsome Jack" DiLeonardo, a powerful Righetti soldier who had immigrated from Sicily with his family at the age of seven, seize control of the family.
Just like with Righetti, Giovanni DiLeonardo changed the name from the Righetti Family to the DiLeonardo Family. The DiLeonardo Family, by far has the most brutal and violent past, and many of their current members are trigger-happy Sicilian nationals, also called "Zips". The DiLeonardo Family, is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is more heavily involved heavily involved in gambling rackets, money laundering, and white collar crimes. The DiLeonardo Family doesn't ban Narcotics Trafficking, but it makes it's members stay away from using their own products. Those who use, almost always sleep with the fishes. The DiLeonardo Family have a stranglehold over The Bronx, Little Italy, a small part of Brooklyn, and Las Vegas. The DiLeonardo Family also have operations in Sicily and Canada.
The Provenzano Crime Family:
The Provenzano Crime Family, is a powerful New York crime family. It was founded in 1937, by thirty-one year old Calabrian immigrant, Rinaldo "Ronnie Suits" Provenzano. Provenzano was a sadistic man, and many of his underlings at the time shared his qualities, like torturing their victims before killing them. It wasn't immediatly called the Provenzano Crime Family, but more simply, The Mott Street Gang. The name came from their base of operations, a restaraunt called Provenzano's on Mott Street. The family officialy became known as the Provenzano Crime Family, in 1946 when FBI Agents, watching the famiy, called Ronnie Provenzano, "Don of the Provenzano Crime Family."
Provenzano would reign for eighteen years, before being arrested on murder charges. Ronnie Provenzano was sentenced to life imprisonment in a Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, and power officially passed to Provenzano's underboss, fourty-six year old American-born Enrico "Henry Hacks" Nespola. Nespola proved to be a wise choice, and the family reached great heights on its power and influence. Though, on September 27, 1957, Nespola was arrested for the murder of a NYPD officer. Nespola was given twenty-five years in Pembrook.
Nespola would rule the family and it's operations from Pembrook, for six more years, before dying from cancer on July 1, 1963. After Nespola's death, power passed onto sixty-five year old Cristoforo "Chris the Horse" Sciacca. Sciacca's reign was rather uneventful, and six years after he came to power, Sciacca retired. Power then passed onto Michael "Crazy Mike" Provenzano, a great-nephew of Rinaldo Provenzano. Mike Provenzano, was mentally unstable, and proved to be too violent to be an effective Don. One year after he came to power, Mike Provenzano claimed he saw his great-uncle Rinaldo being beat-up by a group of thugs. It turned out the group of "Thugs" were just high schoolers messing around with each other. Mike killed two of them and injured three more. The courts deemed him unfit to stand trial and shipped him to an upstate mental hospital.
Following the failure of the reign of Mike Provenzano, the Provenzano underboss, a man by the name of Peter "Old Pete" Artucci. Artucci was sixty when he took over. Under Artucci, the Provenzano Family reached the heights it did under Enrico Nespola. Artucci ruled for twenty-five years, before dying peacefully at the age of eighty-five. After Artucci's death, power passed to Robert "Big Bobby" Lombardo, a third cousin to Michael Provenzano. Lombardo would rule for seven years, then on February 2, 2002, Bobby Lombardo was arrested on murder and racketeering charges. Bobby was sent to a federal prison in Colorado. Bobby ruled the family for six more years, before being killed on the prison excercise yard, by a young Provenzano wannabe. The Provenzano Crime Family, issued hit contracts on Lombardo and his family, because they believed Lombardo would eventually turn into a rat. Currently the rank of Don is undecided as many powerful Provenzano members have all come forward and are hoping to claim the spot of Provenzano Godfather. The Provenzano Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is more heavily involved in the Narcotics business. Many Provenzano Family members, are involved in drug trafficking and a few of the members have been known to sample their own products. The Provenzano Family controls Hell's Kitchen, Long Island, and the majority of Brooklyn.
The Graziano Crime Family:
The Graziano Crime Family, is currently the weakest of the Mafia families. It was founded in 1930, by twenty-two year old Neapolitan immigrant Pietro "Naples Pete" DiNapoli. The Graziano Family started out as nothing more than a gang that sold bootlegged liquor. Though once Prohibition was repealled, Naples Pete DiNapoli, expanded his gang into more organized crime, hence them becoming the DiNapoli Crime Family. Four years after the end of Prohibition, Pietro DiNapoli was shot and killed by a police officer while resisting arrest. Following DiNapoli's death, power passed to his right hand man, and fellow immigrant from Naples, Tommaso "Tommy Sands" Graziano. Graziano, seeing himself as a breath of fresh air for the DiNapolis, changed the name from the DiNapoli Crime Family to the Graziano Crime Family.
Tommy Sands would reign for sixteen years, before he died from throat cancer. Under his reign, the Graziano Family became very potent, and wealthy. For the first time, it was a real threat to the other Families. Succeeding Tommy Sands Graziano, was his underboss, Vincent "No Nose" Artuso. For seven years, Artuso would lead the family. Artuso was a poor leader, and was given many derogatory nicknames, like "Drunken Vince" and "Vince the Snake". Artuso was shot and killed by a hit team led by James "Jimmy Brown" DeLuca, a powerful Graziano capo. From 1960 to 1964, DeLuca would lead the Grazianos to becoming a powerful force in New York City. On May 1, 1964, Jimmy DeLuca was arrested and given life in prison for the murder of Vincent Artuso, four years earlier. DeLuca would continue to run the family from Prison, until his death from natural causes in 1977.
Succeeding DeLuca, was his underboss, Steven "Stevie Bagels" Argento. Argento was a smart leader, and he lead the family to great heights and power it had never seen before. Argento would rule as the Graziano Godfather until his died from natural causes on October 29, 2007. Steven Argento was eighty-four at the time of his death. Following Argento's death. an internal war ignited for power among the once loyal and powerful Graziano Family. This war lead to the death of many of it's most powerful members and the arrests of other members. All-in-all about sixty made men and high-ranking members were either killed, arrested, or became government informers. There is still no Don leading the Graziano Family, but it's internal war has ended, and all the Grazianos need is a strong leader pulling the reigns, and it can once again wield the power it used to. The Graziano Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is more heavily involved in the gambling and labor racketeering businesses. The late Graziano Don, Stevie Bagels Argento, wanted to keep the Grazianos involved in the more "Traditional" mafia businesses. Perhaps when a new Don takes over, he will wish to change that. The Graziano Family is the smallest, and controls only a small part of Midtown and Ozone Park in Queens.
The Caruso Crime Family:
The Caruso Crime Family, is currently ranked third in power. It was founded in 1933 by twenty-seven year old Palermo immigrant Lothario "Luther Skates" Caruso. From the moment it was created, Lothario Caruso, wanted to hold New York in an iron grip. Only five years after he created the Caruso Crime Family, he devised a plan to eliminate all other mafia leaders in New York, which included: Vincenzo Tortorello, Rinaldo Provenzano, Tommaso Graziano, and Matteo Coppola. Somehow, the targeted Dons, found out about Caruso's plan and had him kidnapped. Caruso was taken on November 1, 1938 by three masked men while he was standing in front of his Brooklyn home, and was shoved in the back of a car which quickly sped away with it's new occupant. Caruso wasn't seen again, until he stumbled into a New York City nightclub, on June 3, 1940 and didn't say a word about what happened to him.
Whatever happened to Luther Caruso, is unknown, but he immediatly retired as the head of the Caruso Crime Family and moved to Miami. Taking over for Caruso, was Osvaldo "Brooklyn Ozzie" Indelicato, a Calabrian immigrant. Under Brooklyn Ozzie, the Carusos became as powerful as the other New York crime families and began to expand it's sphere of influence. Ozzie Indelicato would rule for sixteen years, before dying from natural causes.
Ozzie was succeeded by his underboss, American-born Joseph "Joe Black" Gorgone. Gorgone, was just as powerful a leader as Indelicato, and the growth the Caruso Family experienced under Indelicato, was continued under Gorgone. On August 17, 1969, Joseph Gorgone, was killed by a hit squad led by his main rival, Anthony "Fat Tony" Aucciello. Aucciello, staged a bloody coupe to take control of the Caruso Family, that would lead to his arrest in 1970. Fat Tony was arrested without ever seizing the Caruso crown. With the imprisonment of Fat Tony Aucciello, the Carusos withdrew to regroup, and was labeled defunct by the FBI.
The Caruso Family, returned to the Mafia Commission on June 17, 1973, with Alphonse "Little Al" Petrizzo at it's head. Under Petrizzo, the Carusos began to regroup and the future looked bright. It was not to be. On May 1, 1975, Alphonse Petrizzo was shot in the back of his head and his body taken to some unknown location. It has never been found. Taking Petrizzo's place, was Peter "Diamond Pete" Donato. Donato was relatively young, and would reign for thirty-three years, but most of his time as Don was spent in a prison cell. In 1977, Diamond Pete Donato was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. Donato would rule the family from prison until his death in 2008. Briefly succeeding Diamond Pete Donato, was his Underboss, seventy-six year old Niccolo "Nick" Fontana. Fontana was deathly ill with cancer when he took power. Nick Fontana died on Janurary 9, 2009, at the age of seventy-seven. Currently the position of Don is undecided. The Carusos need a powerful leader to control them, so they can achieve the dream of Lothario Caruso, and control New York. The Caruso Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is more heavily involved in narcotics. Diamond Pete Donato and Nick Fontana, were heavily involved in the importation of cocaine from South America to the United States. Many of the Caruso Associates are known to test their products, but the Caruso Family bans the use of drugs among every rank above soldier. The Caruso Family has territory in Rochester and Albany and controls the majority of Queens.
The Coppola Crime Family:
The Coppola Crime Family, is currently ranked fourth in power. It was founded in 1930, by thirty year old Matteo "Matt-Sings-In-The-Night" Coppola, the son of first-generation immigrants from Naples. Matteo founded the Coppola Family, originally as "The Garibaldi Gunners," a street gang he used to intimidate local shop keepers. Though, by 1938, the membership to his gang was so large, he expanded into Organized Crime and became the Coppola Crime Family. When Caruso's plan to eliminate the other mafia leaders, which included Matt Coppola, was found out, Matteo orchestrated the Caruso kidnapping.
During the mid-1940s, Matteo Coppola was arrested and deported to Guatemala City, where he was accused of owning a passport from. Matteo Coppola, re-entered the United States in 1947, but found out his older brother, fifty-three year old Guido "Butcher Boy" Coppola had taken control in the two years Matteo had been gone. Matteo was made Guido's Underboss, and he was content until 1950, when he launched a war against his brother to retake control of the family. Guido was shot and killed two months after the war began, and Matteo was arrested on various charges and sentenced to life imprisonment. With both Coppola brothers out of the way, Coppola consigliere Carmine "The Doctor" DeGuido, took control of the family.
During DeGuido's reign, the family became powerful and many members were inducted. DeGuido's reign would last until 1979, when he died at the age of eighty-three from natural causes. DeGuido never spent a day in jail during his reign as Don. Succeding DeGuido, was his Underboss, Michael "Jersey Mike" Rotolo. Rotolo was a decent boss, but five years into his reign, on May 13, 1984, he was indicted for murder and sentenced to twenty-five years in Pembrook Prison. Rotolo decided to pass power to his cousin, Samuel "Sammy Tops" Pileggi. Pileggi was a good Don, but his drug addiction caused his actions to be uncontrollable, and Pileggi's Underboss ordered the death of Sammy Tops. Sammy Tops was gunned down on July 4, 1991 in front of his Long Island estate.
Pileggi was succeeded by his Underboss, Anthony "Tony Fish" Bruno. Bruno was a powerful Don, and would reign until his death from cancer on August 17, 2003. After Bruno's death, a war was ignited for power among the Coppolas. This war, caused many members to be killed and many more to be indicted or become federal witnesses. The war lasted for three years, until Gianni "Tough Gene" Cocozza, a powerful Capo from the Coppola Family's Sicilian faction, took control of the family on December 4, 2006. Tough Gene Cocozza's reign only lasted for two years, and on February 6, 2009, Gianni Cocozza was shot and killed by masked gunmen. Many speculate that the fifty-nine year old Michael "Jersey Mike" Rotolo, who is due to be released from prison on May 29th, ordered the hit on Cocozza in an attempt to regain power. This is unconfirmed, and many powerful Coppola Caporegimes have ousted Cocozza's Underboss and Consigliere, and are currently trying to seize the Coppola crown. The Coppola Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is not mainly involved in just a few things, it is evenly involved in everything. The Coppola Family controls Staten Island and parts of Northern New Jersey, which includes Atlantic City.
The Esposito Crime Family:
The Esposito Crime Family, is the strongest Crime Family in New Jersey, and because of that, it has come under the notice of New York City's Five Families (DiLeonardo, Provenzano, Graziano, Caruso, and Coppola). The Esposito Family, was founded in 1950, as the Bianco Crime Family, by a Sicilian immigrant from Corleone, named Uberto "The Barbarian" Bianco. Bianco spoke very little English and wasn't literate, but had a violent temper, hence his moniker "The Barbarian".
The bizzare and brutal antics of Uberto Bianco, proved to be too much to handle for his underlings, and on September 17, 1953, Uberto Bianco was killed in an elevator by one of his bodyguards. That bodyguard, a man by the name of Joseph "Joe the Gun" Esposito, seized power and changed the name to the Esposito Crime Family.
Under the leadership of Joe the Gun, the Espositos, became very powerful especially since they were running various prostitution rings in New Jersey. In 1970, Joe the Gun Esposito, was arrested for murder and sentenced to life in a Federal Prison in Colorado. He was succeeded by his Underboss, Salvatore "Sammy Cigarettes" Bellomo. Sammy Bellomo was a brutal man, but a very effective leader. Bellomo, had a weak spot for the women though, and in 1975, he was arrested for running a multi-million dollar prostitution ring. Sammy Bellomo was sentenced to fifteen years in the same Colorado Prison, where Joe the Gun Esposito was serving his sentence.
Bellomo, made his highest ranking caporegime, a man named Joseph "Joe Bananas" Bonamico as acting boss, until Bellomo was released. Bonamico, avoided arrest until July 17, 1988, when he was given life on a RICO charge. The Esposito Family, fell into dissaray until Bellomo was released two years later, and re-took the Esposito crown. Bellomo, who was already sixty-seven when he was released, only ruled for three more years until he himself died at the age of seventy. Taking over the Esposito Family, was Frank "Frankie Breeze" Versini.
Versini was a decent boss, and helped continue the Espositos in increasing their power. Versini died in 2004, and left a powerful Crime Family, in the hands of his unworthy successor, his oldest son Carmine Versini. Many of the high-ranking Esposito mobsters, felt that Carmine Versini, dubbed "The Dumbest Don", was unworthy to control the Family.
Their hands were stilled, until May 1, 2008 when Carmine Versini was shot by an Esposito hit squad under capo Nicholas "Nicky Shine" Pignatelli. Following Versini's murder, Pignatelli briefly took over as Don, before he himself was indicted on RICO charges and sentenced to life in prison on March 1, 2009. Currently, there is no confirmed head of the Esposito Crime Family, and the FBI is unsure of even who the top contenders are. The Esposito Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is mainly involved in prostitution, and many Esposito mobsters run high-class prostitution rings. The Esposito Family controls all of New Jersey except for Atlantic City and parts of Northern New Jersey. The Espositos along with the Falcone Family of Philadelphia and the Montagna Family of Buffalo, have begun an invasion of the Five Families turf of New York City.
The Falcone Crime Family:
The Falcone Crime Family, is based out of Philadelphia and is the strongest family in Pennsylvania, and because of that, it has come under the notice of New York City's Five Families (DiLeonardo, Provenzano, Graziano, Caruso, and Coppola). The Falcone Family, was founded in 1927, by twenty-eight year old Calabrian immigrant Ettore "Eddie End" Falcone. Falcone was a rarity among Italian immigrants, and especially Italian mobsters. Falcone was educated and once trained to become a priest, before dropping out and immigrating the the United States when he was twenty.
In 1940, Eddie Falcone was arrested for murder, and deported to his native Calabria, where he remained until his death in 1968. Succeeding Falcone, was his cousin and Underboss, an American-born named Michael "Mikey May" Salera. Under Salera, the Falcone Family, took control of many of Pennsylvania's other Crime Families, and expanded their sphere of influence to include, not only Philadelphia, but to include interests in Las Vegas and Northern California, by 1962. On August 17, 1964, Mikey Salera died from pneumonia, and power passed to his Underboss, Rinaldo "Ronnie Shacks" Amoroso.
Amoroso was a terrible Don, but he managed to keep power until 1969, when he was approached by his Underboss, Vincent "Vinnie Ocean" Mancuso, who gave Amoroso the choice to either give power to him or die. Amoroso gave up power to Mancuso and moved to Florida. Mancuso reinvigorated the Falcone Family, until his arrest on RICO charges in 1975. Mancuso was given life in a Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, and controlled the Falcone Family from prison until his death in 1983.
Taking over for Mancuso in 1983, was John "Domino Jack" Rizzuto. Rizzuto was as powerful and effective as Mancuso was, but his arrest in 1990, led to a "Domino" effect among the Falcones, which led to the arrest of many Falcone mobsters. This led to his moniker "Domino Jack". Domino Jack, despite this, led the family from a prison cell until The Commission took away the title of Don from him in 1995.
After the dethroning of Domino Jack, power passed to Philip "Lucky Phil" Torrisi. Torrisi was basically a lap dog of The Commission, and wouldn't allow his underlings any freedoms that wasn't approved by The Commission, such as using drugs and the transportation of drugs. On May 30, 2003, Phil Torrisi was shot and killed by a hit squad led by his Underboss, Thomas "Tommy Ducks" Calabrese. Calabrese would reign for six years, until he was arrested and sentenced to life in Pembrook Prison.
Calabrese wished to keep ruling the family from Prison, but his underlings refused to allow that. The title of Don is currently vacant and many successors have stepped up to try to claim the vacant Falcone throne. The Falcone Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is mainly involved in blue collar crimes, and many Falcone mobsters extort local Philadelphia businesses. The Falcone Family controls all of the city of Philadelphia and has interests in Las Vegas and Northern California. The Falcones along with the Esposito Family of New Jersey and the Montagna Family of Buffalo, have begun an invasion of the Five Families turf of New York City.
The Montagna Crime Family:
The Montagna Crime Family, is based out of Buffalo, and is the strongest Crime Family in New York except for New York City's Five Families, and because of that, it has come under the notice of New York City's Five Families (DiLeonardo, Provenzano, Graziano, Caruso, and Coppola). The Montagna Family was founded in 1957, as the Buffalo branch of a Sicilian-American crime family operating out of Montreal.
In 1960, a new Don took over the Montreal family, and allowed the Buffalo branch to become independent. The Montreal Don, picked Agostino "Tony White" Biondo. Thus, the Biondo Crime Family was created. The reign of Tony White, could only be described by one word, amazing. Though it was already the 1960s and the FBI was starting to crack down on mafioso, Tony White was able to bring the Biondo Family to prominice in New York. Unfortunately, by 1979, Tony Biondo was deathly ill with cancer. Biondo only lasted two more years, and he died on August 19, 1981.
Taking over for Tony Biondo, was his Underboss and son-in-law, Vito "The Gawk" Montagna. Montagna wanted himself, and not Tony Biondo to be known as the founder of the Family, so in a vain attempt to claim he founded the family, he changed the name from the Biondo Crime Family to the Montagna Crime Family. The reign of Vito Montagna would last until his imprisonment in 2000. Vito Montagna was known as a violent and hot-tempered man, but with a smart mind. Vito took the family to great heights, and once he was imprisoned on RICO charges, he named his brother, Santo "Holy Sam" Montagna as the new boss.
The underlings, especially the capos, hated Sam Montagna and after only three years as Don, Santo Montagna was shot on March 15, 2003 in a Buffalo restaurant. Taking over the Family, was capo Philip "Benny Squint" Luciani. Luciani would reign for almost six years, before being imprisoned on December 25, 2008 on RICO charges. The trial of Benny Luciani is still going on, but the FBI can confirm that he is no longer the Godfather of the Montagnas. It is unknown who the new Don is, or even who a possible successor is. The Montagna Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is mainly involved in gambling rackets and white collar crimes. The Montagna Family controls Buffalo and Niagra Falls. The Montagnas also have interests in Canada and Sicily. The Montagnas along with the Esposito Family of New Jersey and the Falcone Family of Philadelphia, have begun an invasion of the Five Families turf of New York City.
The DiLeonardo Crime Family:
The DiLeonardo Crime Family, is probably the strongest modern Mafia family, and has had three name changes throughout it's history. It was founded in 1910, by forty year old Palermo immigrant, Ignazio "Iggy Weiss" Strollo. It was mainly made of barely literate Sicilian and Italian Immigrants, and was originally called the Strollo Unione, which meant "The Strollo Union", but it eventually came to be known as the Strollo Crime Family. In 1929, Iggy Strollo died of natural causes, and power passed to his cousin, Benedetto "Benny Boy" Strollo. Under Benny Strollo, the family became very powerful during Prohibition. Benny's reign wouldn't last long, on May 17, 1931, Benedetto Strollo was shot and killed by hitmen working for his main rival and Strollo caporegime, Vincenzo "Vinnie" Tortorello.
Tortorello took over after Benny's death, and reigned unchallenged as Don for thirty-three years, during which time the name was changed from the Strollo Crime Family to the Tortorello Crime Family. On August 8, 1964, Vincenzo Tortorello died in his sleep. Tortorello had never spent a day in an American prison. Taking over as Don, was American-born Salvatore "Tore" Gigante. Gigante was an enemy of Tortorello, and wanted to erase the memory of the Tortorello-era. Gigante did this by having all the supporters of Tortorello's son, Francesco "Frankie the Dock Worker" Tortorello, killed. Frankie Tortorello was spared, because he stepped aside to allow Gigante to take power.
Secondly, Gigante changed the name from the Tortorello Family to the Gigante Family. Tore Gigante, proved to be a poor leader and a greedy boss, and was despised by his underlings. After only five years, Tore Gigante was shot while getting a shave. The hit team was hired by Gigante's own brother, Niccolo "Nicky Boy" Gigante. Nicky Boy Gigante, succeeded Tore as Don, but proved to be just as terrible as his brother. Six years into his reign, Nicky Boy Gigante, was arrested on various charges and sentenced to life imprisonment in Pembrook Prison. Nicky tried to run the family from prison, but he was denied by an elected "Ruling Panel", of three powerful Gigante capos: Rocco "Rocky Del" Maritato, Daniel "Danny the Lion" Cozza, and Federico "Freddie Rig" Righetti. Out of the three, only Federico Righetti, would eventually become a full fledged Don.
By 1980, Rocco Maritato had been sentenced to life in prison, and Daniel Cozza had been killed. Only Federico Righetti remained to control the family. Righetti would reign as Don for twenty-seven years, and changed the name from the Gigante Family to the Righetti Family. This so called "Righetti Age", led the family to great prosperity and the highest number of members than any other crime family in the Country. On October 2, 2007, Federico "Freddie Rig" Righetti was shot outside a social club, by Sicilian Zips working for the DiLeonardo Brothers. Righetti's death ended the DiLeonardo War, and saw twenty-seven year old Giovanni "Handsome Jack" DiLeonardo, a powerful Righetti soldier who had immigrated from Sicily with his family at the age of seven, seize control of the family.
Just like with Righetti, Giovanni DiLeonardo changed the name from the Righetti Family to the DiLeonardo Family. The DiLeonardo Family, by far has the most brutal and violent past, and many of their current members are trigger-happy Sicilian nationals, also called "Zips". The DiLeonardo Family, is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is more heavily involved heavily involved in gambling rackets, money laundering, and white collar crimes. The DiLeonardo Family doesn't ban Narcotics Trafficking, but it makes it's members stay away from using their own products. Those who use, almost always sleep with the fishes. The DiLeonardo Family have a stranglehold over The Bronx, Little Italy, a small part of Brooklyn, and Las Vegas. The DiLeonardo Family also have operations in Sicily and Canada.
The Provenzano Crime Family:
The Provenzano Crime Family, is a powerful New York crime family. It was founded in 1937, by thirty-one year old Calabrian immigrant, Rinaldo "Ronnie Suits" Provenzano. Provenzano was a sadistic man, and many of his underlings at the time shared his qualities, like torturing their victims before killing them. It wasn't immediatly called the Provenzano Crime Family, but more simply, The Mott Street Gang. The name came from their base of operations, a restaraunt called Provenzano's on Mott Street. The family officialy became known as the Provenzano Crime Family, in 1946 when FBI Agents, watching the famiy, called Ronnie Provenzano, "Don of the Provenzano Crime Family."
Provenzano would reign for eighteen years, before being arrested on murder charges. Ronnie Provenzano was sentenced to life imprisonment in a Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, and power officially passed to Provenzano's underboss, fourty-six year old American-born Enrico "Henry Hacks" Nespola. Nespola proved to be a wise choice, and the family reached great heights on its power and influence. Though, on September 27, 1957, Nespola was arrested for the murder of a NYPD officer. Nespola was given twenty-five years in Pembrook.
Nespola would rule the family and it's operations from Pembrook, for six more years, before dying from cancer on July 1, 1963. After Nespola's death, power passed onto sixty-five year old Cristoforo "Chris the Horse" Sciacca. Sciacca's reign was rather uneventful, and six years after he came to power, Sciacca retired. Power then passed onto Michael "Crazy Mike" Provenzano, a great-nephew of Rinaldo Provenzano. Mike Provenzano, was mentally unstable, and proved to be too violent to be an effective Don. One year after he came to power, Mike Provenzano claimed he saw his great-uncle Rinaldo being beat-up by a group of thugs. It turned out the group of "Thugs" were just high schoolers messing around with each other. Mike killed two of them and injured three more. The courts deemed him unfit to stand trial and shipped him to an upstate mental hospital.
Following the failure of the reign of Mike Provenzano, the Provenzano underboss, a man by the name of Peter "Old Pete" Artucci. Artucci was sixty when he took over. Under Artucci, the Provenzano Family reached the heights it did under Enrico Nespola. Artucci ruled for twenty-five years, before dying peacefully at the age of eighty-five. After Artucci's death, power passed to Robert "Big Bobby" Lombardo, a third cousin to Michael Provenzano. Lombardo would rule for seven years, then on February 2, 2002, Bobby Lombardo was arrested on murder and racketeering charges. Bobby was sent to a federal prison in Colorado. Bobby ruled the family for six more years, before being killed on the prison excercise yard, by a young Provenzano wannabe. The Provenzano Crime Family, issued hit contracts on Lombardo and his family, because they believed Lombardo would eventually turn into a rat. Currently the rank of Don is undecided as many powerful Provenzano members have all come forward and are hoping to claim the spot of Provenzano Godfather. The Provenzano Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is more heavily involved in the Narcotics business. Many Provenzano Family members, are involved in drug trafficking and a few of the members have been known to sample their own products. The Provenzano Family controls Hell's Kitchen, Long Island, and the majority of Brooklyn.
The Graziano Crime Family:
The Graziano Crime Family, is currently the weakest of the Mafia families. It was founded in 1930, by twenty-two year old Neapolitan immigrant Pietro "Naples Pete" DiNapoli. The Graziano Family started out as nothing more than a gang that sold bootlegged liquor. Though once Prohibition was repealled, Naples Pete DiNapoli, expanded his gang into more organized crime, hence them becoming the DiNapoli Crime Family. Four years after the end of Prohibition, Pietro DiNapoli was shot and killed by a police officer while resisting arrest. Following DiNapoli's death, power passed to his right hand man, and fellow immigrant from Naples, Tommaso "Tommy Sands" Graziano. Graziano, seeing himself as a breath of fresh air for the DiNapolis, changed the name from the DiNapoli Crime Family to the Graziano Crime Family.
Tommy Sands would reign for sixteen years, before he died from throat cancer. Under his reign, the Graziano Family became very potent, and wealthy. For the first time, it was a real threat to the other Families. Succeeding Tommy Sands Graziano, was his underboss, Vincent "No Nose" Artuso. For seven years, Artuso would lead the family. Artuso was a poor leader, and was given many derogatory nicknames, like "Drunken Vince" and "Vince the Snake". Artuso was shot and killed by a hit team led by James "Jimmy Brown" DeLuca, a powerful Graziano capo. From 1960 to 1964, DeLuca would lead the Grazianos to becoming a powerful force in New York City. On May 1, 1964, Jimmy DeLuca was arrested and given life in prison for the murder of Vincent Artuso, four years earlier. DeLuca would continue to run the family from Prison, until his death from natural causes in 1977.
Succeeding DeLuca, was his underboss, Steven "Stevie Bagels" Argento. Argento was a smart leader, and he lead the family to great heights and power it had never seen before. Argento would rule as the Graziano Godfather until his died from natural causes on October 29, 2007. Steven Argento was eighty-four at the time of his death. Following Argento's death. an internal war ignited for power among the once loyal and powerful Graziano Family. This war lead to the death of many of it's most powerful members and the arrests of other members. All-in-all about sixty made men and high-ranking members were either killed, arrested, or became government informers. There is still no Don leading the Graziano Family, but it's internal war has ended, and all the Grazianos need is a strong leader pulling the reigns, and it can once again wield the power it used to. The Graziano Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is more heavily involved in the gambling and labor racketeering businesses. The late Graziano Don, Stevie Bagels Argento, wanted to keep the Grazianos involved in the more "Traditional" mafia businesses. Perhaps when a new Don takes over, he will wish to change that. The Graziano Family is the smallest, and controls only a small part of Midtown and Ozone Park in Queens.
The Caruso Crime Family:
The Caruso Crime Family, is currently ranked third in power. It was founded in 1933 by twenty-seven year old Palermo immigrant Lothario "Luther Skates" Caruso. From the moment it was created, Lothario Caruso, wanted to hold New York in an iron grip. Only five years after he created the Caruso Crime Family, he devised a plan to eliminate all other mafia leaders in New York, which included: Vincenzo Tortorello, Rinaldo Provenzano, Tommaso Graziano, and Matteo Coppola. Somehow, the targeted Dons, found out about Caruso's plan and had him kidnapped. Caruso was taken on November 1, 1938 by three masked men while he was standing in front of his Brooklyn home, and was shoved in the back of a car which quickly sped away with it's new occupant. Caruso wasn't seen again, until he stumbled into a New York City nightclub, on June 3, 1940 and didn't say a word about what happened to him.
Whatever happened to Luther Caruso, is unknown, but he immediatly retired as the head of the Caruso Crime Family and moved to Miami. Taking over for Caruso, was Osvaldo "Brooklyn Ozzie" Indelicato, a Calabrian immigrant. Under Brooklyn Ozzie, the Carusos became as powerful as the other New York crime families and began to expand it's sphere of influence. Ozzie Indelicato would rule for sixteen years, before dying from natural causes.
Ozzie was succeeded by his underboss, American-born Joseph "Joe Black" Gorgone. Gorgone, was just as powerful a leader as Indelicato, and the growth the Caruso Family experienced under Indelicato, was continued under Gorgone. On August 17, 1969, Joseph Gorgone, was killed by a hit squad led by his main rival, Anthony "Fat Tony" Aucciello. Aucciello, staged a bloody coupe to take control of the Caruso Family, that would lead to his arrest in 1970. Fat Tony was arrested without ever seizing the Caruso crown. With the imprisonment of Fat Tony Aucciello, the Carusos withdrew to regroup, and was labeled defunct by the FBI.
The Caruso Family, returned to the Mafia Commission on June 17, 1973, with Alphonse "Little Al" Petrizzo at it's head. Under Petrizzo, the Carusos began to regroup and the future looked bright. It was not to be. On May 1, 1975, Alphonse Petrizzo was shot in the back of his head and his body taken to some unknown location. It has never been found. Taking Petrizzo's place, was Peter "Diamond Pete" Donato. Donato was relatively young, and would reign for thirty-three years, but most of his time as Don was spent in a prison cell. In 1977, Diamond Pete Donato was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. Donato would rule the family from prison until his death in 2008. Briefly succeeding Diamond Pete Donato, was his Underboss, seventy-six year old Niccolo "Nick" Fontana. Fontana was deathly ill with cancer when he took power. Nick Fontana died on Janurary 9, 2009, at the age of seventy-seven. Currently the position of Don is undecided. The Carusos need a powerful leader to control them, so they can achieve the dream of Lothario Caruso, and control New York. The Caruso Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is more heavily involved in narcotics. Diamond Pete Donato and Nick Fontana, were heavily involved in the importation of cocaine from South America to the United States. Many of the Caruso Associates are known to test their products, but the Caruso Family bans the use of drugs among every rank above soldier. The Caruso Family has territory in Rochester and Albany and controls the majority of Queens.
The Coppola Crime Family:
The Coppola Crime Family, is currently ranked fourth in power. It was founded in 1930, by thirty year old Matteo "Matt-Sings-In-The-Night" Coppola, the son of first-generation immigrants from Naples. Matteo founded the Coppola Family, originally as "The Garibaldi Gunners," a street gang he used to intimidate local shop keepers. Though, by 1938, the membership to his gang was so large, he expanded into Organized Crime and became the Coppola Crime Family. When Caruso's plan to eliminate the other mafia leaders, which included Matt Coppola, was found out, Matteo orchestrated the Caruso kidnapping.
During the mid-1940s, Matteo Coppola was arrested and deported to Guatemala City, where he was accused of owning a passport from. Matteo Coppola, re-entered the United States in 1947, but found out his older brother, fifty-three year old Guido "Butcher Boy" Coppola had taken control in the two years Matteo had been gone. Matteo was made Guido's Underboss, and he was content until 1950, when he launched a war against his brother to retake control of the family. Guido was shot and killed two months after the war began, and Matteo was arrested on various charges and sentenced to life imprisonment. With both Coppola brothers out of the way, Coppola consigliere Carmine "The Doctor" DeGuido, took control of the family.
During DeGuido's reign, the family became powerful and many members were inducted. DeGuido's reign would last until 1979, when he died at the age of eighty-three from natural causes. DeGuido never spent a day in jail during his reign as Don. Succeding DeGuido, was his Underboss, Michael "Jersey Mike" Rotolo. Rotolo was a decent boss, but five years into his reign, on May 13, 1984, he was indicted for murder and sentenced to twenty-five years in Pembrook Prison. Rotolo decided to pass power to his cousin, Samuel "Sammy Tops" Pileggi. Pileggi was a good Don, but his drug addiction caused his actions to be uncontrollable, and Pileggi's Underboss ordered the death of Sammy Tops. Sammy Tops was gunned down on July 4, 1991 in front of his Long Island estate.
Pileggi was succeeded by his Underboss, Anthony "Tony Fish" Bruno. Bruno was a powerful Don, and would reign until his death from cancer on August 17, 2003. After Bruno's death, a war was ignited for power among the Coppolas. This war, caused many members to be killed and many more to be indicted or become federal witnesses. The war lasted for three years, until Gianni "Tough Gene" Cocozza, a powerful Capo from the Coppola Family's Sicilian faction, took control of the family on December 4, 2006. Tough Gene Cocozza's reign only lasted for two years, and on February 6, 2009, Gianni Cocozza was shot and killed by masked gunmen. Many speculate that the fifty-nine year old Michael "Jersey Mike" Rotolo, who is due to be released from prison on May 29th, ordered the hit on Cocozza in an attempt to regain power. This is unconfirmed, and many powerful Coppola Caporegimes have ousted Cocozza's Underboss and Consigliere, and are currently trying to seize the Coppola crown. The Coppola Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is not mainly involved in just a few things, it is evenly involved in everything. The Coppola Family controls Staten Island and parts of Northern New Jersey, which includes Atlantic City.
The Esposito Crime Family:
The Esposito Crime Family, is the strongest Crime Family in New Jersey, and because of that, it has come under the notice of New York City's Five Families (DiLeonardo, Provenzano, Graziano, Caruso, and Coppola). The Esposito Family, was founded in 1950, as the Bianco Crime Family, by a Sicilian immigrant from Corleone, named Uberto "The Barbarian" Bianco. Bianco spoke very little English and wasn't literate, but had a violent temper, hence his moniker "The Barbarian".
The bizzare and brutal antics of Uberto Bianco, proved to be too much to handle for his underlings, and on September 17, 1953, Uberto Bianco was killed in an elevator by one of his bodyguards. That bodyguard, a man by the name of Joseph "Joe the Gun" Esposito, seized power and changed the name to the Esposito Crime Family.
Under the leadership of Joe the Gun, the Espositos, became very powerful especially since they were running various prostitution rings in New Jersey. In 1970, Joe the Gun Esposito, was arrested for murder and sentenced to life in a Federal Prison in Colorado. He was succeeded by his Underboss, Salvatore "Sammy Cigarettes" Bellomo. Sammy Bellomo was a brutal man, but a very effective leader. Bellomo, had a weak spot for the women though, and in 1975, he was arrested for running a multi-million dollar prostitution ring. Sammy Bellomo was sentenced to fifteen years in the same Colorado Prison, where Joe the Gun Esposito was serving his sentence.
Bellomo, made his highest ranking caporegime, a man named Joseph "Joe Bananas" Bonamico as acting boss, until Bellomo was released. Bonamico, avoided arrest until July 17, 1988, when he was given life on a RICO charge. The Esposito Family, fell into dissaray until Bellomo was released two years later, and re-took the Esposito crown. Bellomo, who was already sixty-seven when he was released, only ruled for three more years until he himself died at the age of seventy. Taking over the Esposito Family, was Frank "Frankie Breeze" Versini.
Versini was a decent boss, and helped continue the Espositos in increasing their power. Versini died in 2004, and left a powerful Crime Family, in the hands of his unworthy successor, his oldest son Carmine Versini. Many of the high-ranking Esposito mobsters, felt that Carmine Versini, dubbed "The Dumbest Don", was unworthy to control the Family.
Their hands were stilled, until May 1, 2008 when Carmine Versini was shot by an Esposito hit squad under capo Nicholas "Nicky Shine" Pignatelli. Following Versini's murder, Pignatelli briefly took over as Don, before he himself was indicted on RICO charges and sentenced to life in prison on March 1, 2009. Currently, there is no confirmed head of the Esposito Crime Family, and the FBI is unsure of even who the top contenders are. The Esposito Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is mainly involved in prostitution, and many Esposito mobsters run high-class prostitution rings. The Esposito Family controls all of New Jersey except for Atlantic City and parts of Northern New Jersey. The Espositos along with the Falcone Family of Philadelphia and the Montagna Family of Buffalo, have begun an invasion of the Five Families turf of New York City.
The Falcone Crime Family:
The Falcone Crime Family, is based out of Philadelphia and is the strongest family in Pennsylvania, and because of that, it has come under the notice of New York City's Five Families (DiLeonardo, Provenzano, Graziano, Caruso, and Coppola). The Falcone Family, was founded in 1927, by twenty-eight year old Calabrian immigrant Ettore "Eddie End" Falcone. Falcone was a rarity among Italian immigrants, and especially Italian mobsters. Falcone was educated and once trained to become a priest, before dropping out and immigrating the the United States when he was twenty.
In 1940, Eddie Falcone was arrested for murder, and deported to his native Calabria, where he remained until his death in 1968. Succeeding Falcone, was his cousin and Underboss, an American-born named Michael "Mikey May" Salera. Under Salera, the Falcone Family, took control of many of Pennsylvania's other Crime Families, and expanded their sphere of influence to include, not only Philadelphia, but to include interests in Las Vegas and Northern California, by 1962. On August 17, 1964, Mikey Salera died from pneumonia, and power passed to his Underboss, Rinaldo "Ronnie Shacks" Amoroso.
Amoroso was a terrible Don, but he managed to keep power until 1969, when he was approached by his Underboss, Vincent "Vinnie Ocean" Mancuso, who gave Amoroso the choice to either give power to him or die. Amoroso gave up power to Mancuso and moved to Florida. Mancuso reinvigorated the Falcone Family, until his arrest on RICO charges in 1975. Mancuso was given life in a Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, and controlled the Falcone Family from prison until his death in 1983.
Taking over for Mancuso in 1983, was John "Domino Jack" Rizzuto. Rizzuto was as powerful and effective as Mancuso was, but his arrest in 1990, led to a "Domino" effect among the Falcones, which led to the arrest of many Falcone mobsters. This led to his moniker "Domino Jack". Domino Jack, despite this, led the family from a prison cell until The Commission took away the title of Don from him in 1995.
After the dethroning of Domino Jack, power passed to Philip "Lucky Phil" Torrisi. Torrisi was basically a lap dog of The Commission, and wouldn't allow his underlings any freedoms that wasn't approved by The Commission, such as using drugs and the transportation of drugs. On May 30, 2003, Phil Torrisi was shot and killed by a hit squad led by his Underboss, Thomas "Tommy Ducks" Calabrese. Calabrese would reign for six years, until he was arrested and sentenced to life in Pembrook Prison.
Calabrese wished to keep ruling the family from Prison, but his underlings refused to allow that. The title of Don is currently vacant and many successors have stepped up to try to claim the vacant Falcone throne. The Falcone Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is mainly involved in blue collar crimes, and many Falcone mobsters extort local Philadelphia businesses. The Falcone Family controls all of the city of Philadelphia and has interests in Las Vegas and Northern California. The Falcones along with the Esposito Family of New Jersey and the Montagna Family of Buffalo, have begun an invasion of the Five Families turf of New York City.
The Montagna Crime Family:
The Montagna Crime Family, is based out of Buffalo, and is the strongest Crime Family in New York except for New York City's Five Families, and because of that, it has come under the notice of New York City's Five Families (DiLeonardo, Provenzano, Graziano, Caruso, and Coppola). The Montagna Family was founded in 1957, as the Buffalo branch of a Sicilian-American crime family operating out of Montreal.
In 1960, a new Don took over the Montreal family, and allowed the Buffalo branch to become independent. The Montreal Don, picked Agostino "Tony White" Biondo. Thus, the Biondo Crime Family was created. The reign of Tony White, could only be described by one word, amazing. Though it was already the 1960s and the FBI was starting to crack down on mafioso, Tony White was able to bring the Biondo Family to prominice in New York. Unfortunately, by 1979, Tony Biondo was deathly ill with cancer. Biondo only lasted two more years, and he died on August 19, 1981.
Taking over for Tony Biondo, was his Underboss and son-in-law, Vito "The Gawk" Montagna. Montagna wanted himself, and not Tony Biondo to be known as the founder of the Family, so in a vain attempt to claim he founded the family, he changed the name from the Biondo Crime Family to the Montagna Crime Family. The reign of Vito Montagna would last until his imprisonment in 2000. Vito Montagna was known as a violent and hot-tempered man, but with a smart mind. Vito took the family to great heights, and once he was imprisoned on RICO charges, he named his brother, Santo "Holy Sam" Montagna as the new boss.
The underlings, especially the capos, hated Sam Montagna and after only three years as Don, Santo Montagna was shot on March 15, 2003 in a Buffalo restaurant. Taking over the Family, was capo Philip "Benny Squint" Luciani. Luciani would reign for almost six years, before being imprisoned on December 25, 2008 on RICO charges. The trial of Benny Luciani is still going on, but the FBI can confirm that he is no longer the Godfather of the Montagnas. It is unknown who the new Don is, or even who a possible successor is. The Montagna Crime Family is involved in every traditional Mafia business, but is mainly involved in gambling rackets and white collar crimes. The Montagna Family controls Buffalo and Niagra Falls. The Montagnas also have interests in Canada and Sicily. The Montagnas along with the Esposito Family of New Jersey and the Falcone Family of Philadelphia, have begun an invasion of the Five Families turf of New York City.