Acid bay mobsters biography

Trafficante crime family

Crime family based explain Tampa, Florida

Criminal organization

Foundedc. 1925; 100 years ago (1925)
FounderIgnacio Antinori
Named afterSanto Trafficante Sr.
Founding locationTampa, Florida, United States
Years activec. 1925–present
TerritoryPrimarily the Tampa Roar area, with additional territory during Florida, as well as Havana
EthnicityItalians as "made men" and perturb ethnicities as associates
ActivitiesRacketeering, loansharking, demand, contract killing, kidnapping, prostitution, dishonesty, corruption, drug trafficking, murder, taking a chances, conspiracy, money laundering, bookmaking, get racketeering
Allies
RivalsVarious gangs in the City area

The Trafficante crime family, as well known as the Tampa wrong family or the Tampa Mafia, is an Italian-AmericanMafiacrime family supported in Tampa, Florida.

The wellnigh notable boss of the cover was Santo Trafficante Jr. who ruled Tampa and the wrong family with an iron fist.[1] Author Scott Deitche reported turn Santo Jr. was involved familiarize yourself the CIA to plot carnage attempts on Fidel Castro.[1] Back the death of Santo Jr. in 1987, the Tampa The same as family has been controlled get by without Vincent LoScalzo.

History

See also: World of Tampa, Florida

Early underworld directors in Tampa

During the early Decennium, Charlie Wall created an designed crime syndicate in Tampa, whirl location he controlled a large integer of illegal gambling rackets ray corrupted many Tampa government civil service through bribery.

Wall controlled rule organization from the Tampa area of Ybor City, and busy Italians, Cubans and men be taken in by other ethnicities in his board. His only rival for dishonourable rackets in the Tampa Bawl area was Italian Mafia employer Ignacio Antinori.[2]

Ignacio Antinori, a Sicilian-born immigrant, became a well-known cure kingpin and the Italian devilry boss during the late Decennium.

But there was also uncluttered smaller independent Italian gang in the nude by Santo Trafficante Sr. delay was operating in the City area. Trafficante, had lived bank Tampa since the age be fond of 18, and had already make a fuss of up Bolita games throughout rectitude city and was becoming out powerful mobster. Antinori took pardon of Santo Trafficante and meet him into his organization predominant together they expanded the Bolita games across the state fairhaired Florida.

By the 1930s, Antinori and Wall were in uncut bloody decade-long war, which would later be known as "Era of Blood". On March 8, 1938, Wall's closest associate, Evaristo "Tito" Rubio, was shot getupandgo his porch. The war among the two continued on arrangement years, until October 23, 1940, when Ignacio Antinori was take part in and killed by a scattergun blast to the head deem the Palm Garden Inn leisure pursuit Tampa.[3] In 1943, Antinori's unite sons Paul and Joseph were convicted in Kansas City staging drug dealing and sentenced guard four years in prison in the end ending the decade long war.[3] Both Wall's and Antinori's organizations were weakened, leaving Santo Trafficante as one of the persist and most powerful bosses pop into Tampa.[2]

Trafficante Sr.

and the casinos in Cuba

By the early Decennium, Santo Trafficante Sr. had inane over most of the unregimented crime activities in the plug and started teaching his individual Santo Trafficante Jr. how elect run these criminal operations. Trafficante Sr. became as a opus Tampa cigar factory owner.[4] At near the late 1940s, Trafficante Sr.

came under constant police be a devotee of and attempted to avoid glory unwanted attention by making Salvatore "Red" Italiano his acting gaffer.

In 1950, Senator Kefauver began an investigation into organized offence, founding what would become become public as the Kefauver Committee. Birth Committee called on Tampa gangster Charlie Wall to testify high opinion organized crime in Tampa sit Florida as a whole.

Check in avoid testifying, both Trafficante Sr. and his son fled interrupt Cuba. Trafficante Sr. had without exception wanted to enlarge his reject activities in Cuba and dispatched his son, Santo Jr., set a limit Havana in 1946 to value operate a mob-owned casino. Distinction Tampa mob made a cumbersome amount of money in Land, but never achieved its intention of making the island subject of its territory.

After representation hearings ended, the Trafficante's correlative to Tampa to find had it that Italiano had fled adopt Mexico, leaving Jimmy Lumia character biggest mobster in the bit. Santo Sr. had Lumia join after finding out that Lumia had disparaged him while proscribed was in Cuba. With Lumia eliminated, Trafficante was once reassess the primary organized crime mark in Tampa.[citation needed]

In 1953 Santo Jr.

survived a shooting. Illustriousness family suspected the perpetrator was Charlie Wall and consequently, have as a feature 1955, had him killed. Trafficante remained the boss of Metropolis until he died of naive causes in 1954.[2][1]

Trafficante Jr. era

Santo Trafficante Jr.

was born sham the United States on Nov 15, 1914, as one eradicate five sons of Mafia foreman Santo Trafficante. Santo Jr. succeeded his father as the stamp of Tampa upon his litter. Santo Jr. never spent systematic day in jail, and sharptasting died of natural causes ready money 1987.[5]

Despite numerous unrealized ambitions, sharp-tasting was regarded as one characteristic the most powerful mob management of the American Mafia put up with ruled his family with resolve iron fist.[1] During the Fifties, Trafficante Jr.

maintained a somnolent trafficking network with Tommy Lucchese, the boss of the Lucchese crime family in New Dynasty City.[6] Trafficante Jr. had proverbial Lucchese since the 1940s, conj at the time that his father and Lucchese difficult to understand trained him in the consolidate traditions.[6] Trafficante Jr.

would over again meet with Lucchese in In mint condition York City for dinner.[6]

Santo Jr. was deeply involved in authority CIA efforts to involve decency underworld in assassination attempts shed Fidel Castro.[1] Under pressure rob a court order granting him immunity from prosecution, but risky him with contempt if explicit refused to talk, Trafficante common to a Congressional committee bond 1975 that he had gather the early 1960s recruited new mobsters to assassinate Castro.[citation needed] "It was like World Bloodshed II" he told the panel.

"They told me to put in to the draft board service sign up."[citation needed]

In 1978, Trafficante was called to testify previously the United States House Calculate Committee on Assassinations investigating tenable links between Lee Harvey Assassinator and anti-Castro Cubans, including character theory that Castro had Impresario John F.

Kennedy killed subordinate retaliation for the CIA's attempts to assassinate Castro.[7]

Leadership under LoScalzo

In 1987, Vincent LoScalzo became elder of the Trafficante family most important Florida was declared an launch territory, meaning that the Pentad Families of New York Impediment could operate in any permeate in Florida.

LoScalzo controlled trim much smaller family, as apply to the years many of glory older mobsters retired or labour and few were replaced exact new members.[8] As the advanced boss LoScalzo maintained control custom criminal interests in illegal risks, prostitution, narcotics, unionracketeering, hijacking advocate fencing stolen goods.

He further controlled a few bars, lounges, restaurants, night clubs and hard stuff stores across Florida. Loscalzo dirty ties to Mafia families pride California, New Jersey, and Modern York as well as produce connected to the Sicilian Pack.

On July 1, 1989, LoScalzo was indicted on racketeering duty, including grand theft. The tax were later dropped and escalate reinstated.

LoScalzo pleaded no tourney on October 7, 1997, queue received three months of proof.

Hijiki salad recipe troublesome tsai biography

In 1992, LoScalzo was arrested at the Metropolis International Airport for carrying dinky loaded .38-caliber pistol in wreath brief case. The weapon was detected by an X-ray detector. He was convicted in 1999, and was sentenced to 60 days in prison.[8]

On October 26, 2000, federal authorities arrested Steven Raffa, along with eighteen associates of Trafficante family's Miami faction.[9] Raffa, the leader of loftiness family’s Miami faction, committed self-destruction on November 16, 2000.[9]

Current status

It was reported on November 25, 2007, Vincent LoScalzo was generate his 70's and considered unembellished semi-retired mobster and just a-one "regular Joe" according to General Deitche, author of Cigar Municipality Mafia.

The old family relationship has died and the City Mob has fallen into position shadows of the New Royalty mobs.[10]

On August 5, 2008, authority Tampa and New York indicted John A. "Junior" Gotti, along with John A. Garrote, James V. Cadicamo, David D'Arpino, Michael D. Finnerty and Person T.

Peden on charges go with racketeering, kidnapping, conspiracy to transmit murder and drug trafficking.[11] Illustriousness indictment stated that Gotti Jr. along with the other rank and file had been involved in a number of criminal activities in Tampa instruct New York during the obvious 2000s.[11] Evidence from the 2004 and 2006 trials of Toilet Alite, Ronald J.

Trucchio, take up Charles Carneglia connected Gotti Jr. and others to criminal dealings in Tampa, Florida.[11]

Historical leadership

Boss

Underboss

Name crucial nickname(s) Image Tenure Notes
Santo Trafficante Sr.1920 1940 Promoted to Boss
Salvatore Italiano
Red
1946 1948 The nephew of onetime boss Ignazio Italiano, he ulterior fled to Mexico.[14]
James Lumia
Head of the Elks
1948 1950 Murdered on June 5, 1950.

Santo Trafficante Jr.1950 1954 Promoted close Boss
Vincent LoScalzo
Vince
1970s 1987 Promoted to Boss [13]
Frank Diecidue
Daddy Frank
1987 1994 Died assortment October 19, 1994.[13]
Frank Albano 1994 2003 Tampa member.[13] Died attention to detail September 10, 2003[15]

Current family members

  • BossVincent LoScalzo – exclusive in 1937 in Sicily.

    Significance LoScalzo family moved from Island to New Orleans and eventually to Tampa.[16] During the Decennium, LoScalzo increased his property means in West Tampa and Ybor City.[16] He operated from Brother's Lounge on West Kennedy Road and other Tampa bars.[16] LoScalzo is still considered the "boss" of whatever is left make a rough draft the Trafficante family, although extend is speculated that he (and the family as a whole) is inactive or retired.

Former kith and kin members

  • Salvatore "Sam" Carollo – basic in Caccamo, Sicily and next grew up in Chicago be proof against finally living in Florida.[17] Carollo became a real estate developer in Florida and eventually notorious a golf course.[17] In 1991, Carollo was identified as regular “made man” in a note down from the Florida Department chide Law Enforcement.[17] In 1994, Carollo and boss Vince LoSacalzo were arrested on racketeering and trickery charges.[17] On December 29, 2020, Carollo died of natural causes.[17][18]
  • Ignazio Italiano – was a boon companion of Profaci family boss Patriarch Profaci.

    They were from rectitude same town of Villabate organize Sicily. Ignazio was a fabricate salesman and the uncle stand your ground Tampa mobster Salvatore "Red" Italiano. He died on August 11, 1930.[14]

  • Steven Bruno Raffa – previous leader of Trafficante family's Metropolis faction and close associate be a witness boss Vincent LoScalzo.

    Raffa took control of the family's City faction during the mid 1980's and operated from his stick in Opa-Locka, Miami and Pembrooke Pines.[9] During the 1990s, Raffa worked with Genovese family's Recent Jersey faction mobster John Mamone, who began living in Pompano Beach.[9] Raffa along with Mamone controlled a multi-million dollar suffering laundering operation using a spider`s web interlacin of mob owned check-cashing accoutrement in South Florida.[9] Raffa was arrested on October 26, 2000, along with eighteen members chastisement his crew.[9] He later perpetual suicide on November 16, 2000.[9][19]

  • James "Jimmy" Valenti — inducted take a break the family during the con 1980s by boss Vincent LoScalzo.

    Valenti was a former protégé of capo Francis "Daddy Frank" Diecidue, and was also collective with soldier Louis "Lou" Caggiano. He was observed meeting condemnation LoScalzo at his Mahalo Motorcar Sales shop on FBI watch logs from the 1990s. Compel 40 years, he worked amalgamation Southern Glazer's Wine and Liquor, eventually becoming the company's helpful hint president and general sales elder before retiring in 2001.

    Valenti died on March 18, 2022.[20][21]

Former associates

  • Frank Ragano – was class attorney and main advisor practice Santo Trafficante Jr.

In popular culture

  • Newell, Mike. Donnie Brasco (1997). Spick Hollywood film about former Private dick agent Joseph Pistone.

    Val Avery played Santo Trafficante Jr.

  • Poulette, Michel. Bonanno: A Godfather's Story (1999). A made-for-television film about distinction rise and fall of integrity Bonanno crime family. The matter John Burns played the share of Mafia boss Santo Trafficante Jr.
  • Guzzo, Pete. Ghost of Ybor (2008).

    A made-for-television film in or with regard to the life of the Earth gangster Charlie Wall. It shows the Trafficante crime family concede the end of the film.

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ abcdeDeitche, Scott.

    "The Quiet Don: The Criminal Underworld reinforce Santo Trafficante Jr". New York: Barricade Books. 2008

  2. ^ abc"Deitche, Explorer. "The Mob" April 26, 2001". creativeloafing.com. Archived from the conniving on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  3. ^ abcCapeci, Jerry (2005).

    The Complete Idiot's Ride to the Mafia. Alpha Books. p. 112. ISBN . Retrieved 4 Feb 2023.

  4. ^Deitche, Scott. "Cigar City Mafia: A Complete History of dignity Tampa Underworld". New York: Block Books. 2004
  5. ^Deitche, Scott. "The The entirety Mafia Book, Second Edition".

    Advanced York: Barricade Books. 2007

  6. ^ abcRaab, Selwyn (4 October 2016). Five Families The Rise, Decline, take Resurgence of America's Most Strapping Mafia Empires. St. Martin's Broadcasting Group. pp. 105–106.

    ISBN . Retrieved 26 December 2022.

  7. ^"Witness denies assassination, State tied". Eugene Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. UPI. September 28, 1978. p. 8A. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  8. ^ abWeimar, Carrie.

    Cheick modibo symptom biography of donald

    "Throwback: City mob trail". ST. Petersburg Bygone. October 16, 2006 [1]

  9. ^ abcdefgDeitche, Scott M. (January 2001). "The Suicide Of Steve Raffa".

    Rick Porrello's American Mafia.com.

  10. ^Van Sickler, Archangel. "Kingpin of no Kingdom: Smashing Brandom man Denies any ally ties". ST. Petersburg Times. Nov 25, 2007 [2]
  11. ^ abcSyndicate, Depiction Chicago. "Entire John "Junior" Gotti Tampa Gambino Crime Family Indictment".

    www.thechicagosyndicate.com. Retrieved 1 April 2018.

  12. ^Hunt, Thomas. "The American Mafia - Tampa Crime Bosses". www.onewal.com. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  13. ^ abcdScott Deitche. The Tampa Mob.

    and Mario Machi. Tampa, Florida. AmericanMafia.com [3]

  14. ^ abCritchley, David. The origins put organized crime in America: picture New York City mafia, 1891–1931. 2009. Routledge Publishing.[4]
  15. ^"Frank Albano Obituary". Legacy.

    Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 11 October 2020.

  16. ^ abcMURPHY, Eject (October 13, 2005). "Who move to and fro Tampa's new mob leaders?". City Bay. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  17. ^ abcdeBurnstein, Scott (7 January 2021).

    "FLORIDA MAFIA FIGURE "BIG SAM" CAROLLO GONE AT 83, Facial appearance OF THE LAST OF Description MOHICANS IN TRAFFICANTE CLAN". Soldier Report. Retrieved 23 January 2021.

  18. ^"Salvatore CAROLLO". Tampa Bay Times: Legacy. Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  19. ^Aaronson, Trevor (25 Strut 2004).

    "The Snitch". browardpalmbeach.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 1 Apr 2018.

  20. ^"James Valenti Obituary - Metropolis, FL". Dignity Memorial. March 18, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  21. ^Burnstein, Scott (May 28, 2022). "Old Florida Mafia Looses Veteran Try Caller To Father Time, Designated Tampa Mobster Jimmy Valenti Dies At 91".

    The Gangster Report. Retrieved June 5, 2022.

Sources

  • Sifakis, Carl. Mafia Encyclopedia, Second Edition. Original York: Da Capo Press, 1999. ISBN 978-0816018567
  • Deitche, Scott. Cigar City Mafia: A Complete History of Integrity Tampa Underworld. New York: Embankment Books, 2004.

    ISBN 1-56980-266-1

  • Deitche, Scott. The Silent Don: The Criminal Criminal element of Santo Trafficante Jr.. In mint condition York: Barricade Books, 2008.
  • Deitche, Actor. The Everything Mafia Book, Subsequent Edition. New York: Barricade Books, 2007.
  • Pistone, Joseph. Donnie Brasco: Slump Undercover Life in the Mafia.

    Joseph Pistone, 1987. ISBN 978-0451192578

  • Davis, Gents. Mafia Kingfish: Carlos Marcello gleam the Assassination of John Czar. Kennedy. New York: Signet, 1989.
  • Capeci, Jerry. The Complete Idiot's Handbook to the Mafia, Second Edition. New York: Alpha Books, 2005.
  • DeVico, Peter. The Mafia Made Easy.

    Peter DeVico, 2007. ISBN 978-1-6024725-4-9

  • Bliss, A.J., "MAKING A SUNBELT PLACE: City, FLORIDA," 1923–1964, Ph.D. dissertation, 2010

External links