Ed Scarpo's Blog, page 4

"We Don't Break Our Capos. We Kill Them," Said "Chin" Gigante

Frank "Farby" Serpico, former Genoveseacting boss, from Uptown crew.
Gently Revised
Mob associate Michael "Cookie" Durso flipped against the Genovese crime family and wore a wire hidden within a $3,000 Rolex wristwatch for three years -- all the while recording thousands of hours of "privileged" conversations among high-ranking members of the Genovese crime family.

In the end he rode off into the sunset of the Witness Protection Program with wife Vanessa. Financially, the couple was not h...

"We Don't Break Our Capos. We Kill Them," Said Vincent Chin Gigante

Frank "Farby" Serpico, former Genoveseacting boss, from Uptown crew.
Mob associate Michael "Cookie" Durso flipped against the Genovese crime family and wore a wire hidden within a $3,000 Rolex wristwatch for three years -- all the while recording hundreds of hours of "privileged" conversations among high-ranking members of the Genovese crime family.

In the end he rode off into the sunset of the Witness Protection Program with wife Vanessa. Financially, the couple was not hurting, either;...

Turncoat Linked to Gambinos for Decades Freed by Florida Governor, Feds

Scene of a murder

It's not very often a governor, his cabinet, three federal prosecutors and other government officials go to bat  for a former drug addicted mob associate -- but that is exactly what happened yesterday.
Kevin Bonner, for the past decade, had been serving 24 years of a state sentence at an undisclosed federal prison.
And yesterday his sentence was commuted, thanks to the Feds, as well as the state of Florida. Bonner has put away, or on trial, a multitude of Gambino wiseguys....

"The Last Don Standing" to Reveal Longtime Mafia Secrets

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Last Don Standing: The Secret Life of Mafia Boss Ralph Natale by Larry McShane and Dan Pearson will be available in the U.S. next March. 
The Amazon Kindle version is available for pre-order now at the discounted price of $12.99, a savings of 50 percent. The book, about the life of a former boss of the Philadelphia Cosa Nostra will download to Kindle devices on March 21, 2017.

Natale is the first-ever mob boss to turn state’s evidence, as the book's description notes.



Read Bugsy Siegel Did Not Invent Las Vegas

Last Don Standing "provides an insider’s perspective on the mafia."

Natale’s reign atop the Philadelphia and New Jersey underworlds brought the region’s mafia back to prominence in the 1990s. Smart, savvy, and articulate, Natale came up in the mob and saw first-hand as it hatched its plan to control Atlantic City’s casino unions. Later on, after spending 16 years in prison, he reclaimed the family as his own after a bloody mob war that left bodies scattered across South Philly. He forged connections around the country, invigorated the family with more allies than it had in two decades, and achieved a status within the mob never seen before or since until he was betrayed by his men and decided to testify against them in a stunning turn of events. 

Read Q&A With "Chin" Author Larry McShane

Using dozens of hours of interviews with Natale along with research and interviews with FBI agents, this book delivers revelatory insights into seminal events in American mob history, including:  

- The truth about Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance
- The murder of Jewish mob icon Bugsy Siegel
- The identity of the man who created modern-day Las Vegas 

With the full cooperation of Natale, New York Daily News reporter Larry McShane and producer Dan Pearson uncover the deadly reign of the last great mob boss of Philadelphia, a tale that covers a half-century of mob lore—and gore.

Read First Mob Boss Since Bonanno to Write Memoir

Larry McShane covers the Mafia, among other things, for the New York Daily News; he recently authored a book about Vincent "The Chin" Gigante.


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Chin: The Life and Crimes of Mafia Boss Vincent Gigante is available now.

Ronnie "The Rottweiler" Kerner: Last of the Tough Jews

Ronnie Kerner 


By  Nick Christophers
A Cosa Nostra News Exclusive Ronnie Kerner is one gangland figure you probably never heard of.

And that's precisely the way he wanted it.

A duel citizen of the United States and Israel, Ronnie was born in New York City. He grew up in Manhattan a troubled child, although he did not come from poverty. In fact, he seemed to have had plenty of opportunities. However, the divorce of his parents left his home life ugly.




Ultimately, Ronnie came from a broken home; he developed low self-esteem and sought the only acceptance important to him.
His mother always tried to do best by him as did his step-father, who he considers his real father who legally adopted him. But all the help and alternate schools could not tame his inner demons. As a teenager he joined a gang and learned the ways of the streets. Faced with the reality that he could not hold a legitimate job due to his disrespect for authority, the streets were the best remedy. 
He tried time and time again to hold a legitimate job. But to no avail. The only outlet that served some purpose for his pent up anger was boxing to let out his aggression. His Dad put a punching bag in his room. Ronnie soon befriended street toughs who were associated with OC made members and began to gravitate to them.
He was in his twenties when he began his affiliation with them. His major problem at this time was a completely out-of-control drug habit.

Ronnie's step-father and mother tried to help. They even pushed him to go to rehab (which he did, but was not cured).




(Pictured above, from left: John "Mighty" Carlo, Ronnie "The Rottweiler" Kerner and Anthony "Tony D" Palumbo in the prison yard at Danbury FCI.)

He much preferred the street, where he'd found what felt more like his true home. Though he'd started off hanging around with members of different mob crews, he felt closest to the Gambinos via his relationship with Lenny DiMaria, a captain, and his nephews, Joey and Tommy. 
Ronnie grew up close with Joey and Joe's father Sam (Lenny's brother-in-law) and became close to Lenny. 
It was at this time that he began spreading his wings across the mob spectrum. Among the Italians he learned the ins and outs of "the life". His mentor being Lenny was a welcomed bargaining chip when things went south. At one point he slapped around a known made guy who wanted retribution. But the Colombo family's Sonny Franzese’s along with Carmine Q (close friend of Sonny’s) checked the details of the incident and realized that Ronnie was in the right. This sealed his reputation on the street. Sonny and his family have a fondness for Ronnie as well.

In another similar incident, Ronnie went out of control due to being drunk and high on cocaine. A wiseguy called him out and Ronnie went at him. This caused a sit down with Ronnie "One Arm" Trucchio (Gambino Captain.) Again, Ronnie was proven justified. He was just too well liked by the uppers echelon.

There are many stories that could be told.

The bigger issue was his growing drug habit. His coke habit was spiraling out of control. Ronnie became a liability in his own self-destructive state due to his low self-esteem. He was also causing "bad" attention to himself and others. He talked too much and acted out plenty. He was not who he truly was as a person hence the “boys” and his family urged him to seek help. They all knew the real him and loved him, Family and friends alike. Ronnie was also unhappy with who he was and used the coke as the escape. In his mind nothing mattered whether he lived or died.

He finally went to rehab at the CARON Foundation Drug Rehabilitation on his own will. After completing his time there he came out more ruthless, calmer, cunning and sharper. Now without the drugs to blur his thoughts he was a fine tuned machine and a dangerous one as well as a diplomatic one. He learned from his mistakes. His connection to the wiseguys only enhanced his criminal habits. He began building his contacts in the boxing world as well with individuals like Vito Antefurmo, Paul Malignaggi and Gerry Cooney. Ronnie also entered into the underground boxing circuit and even joined as a partner with Cedric Kutchner of Gotham Boxing Promotion Company. He would eventually be on the cusp of the Pro Boxing world.

During his time on the streets he was pinched on non-Federal NYPD pinches including fraud charges and multiple assault charges. But by 2013 he was arrested by the FBI for Hobbs Act Extortion a major OC charge and conspiracy. The government gave him a deal to serve 3 to 5 years which he agreed to. But an odd situation occurred to change his sentencing where his daughter needed him due to a twisted homicide case in Ossining, New York (which he was a suspect in and cleared). The mother of his daughter ended up being convicted and incarcerated in connection to the homicide and Ronnie was given full custody. He raised his daughter on his own as a mother and father. Presently, he is re-married with two sons and his daughter.

As for the charge they offered him a downward departure with 3 years inside but based on the testimony of his daughters psychiatrist he would do one year in FCI "Federal Correctional Institution" in Danbury. Upon his release he went to a federal halfway house in Newark, New Jersey which lead to a house arrest for 6 months (ankle bracelet) with 3 years on paper. Before being sent to his new “home” he was at MCC "Metropolitan Correctional Center" in Manhattan. MCC has been the first stop for many a wiseguy from Vincent “The Chin” Gigante to John Gotti and everyone in-between.

During his short time at MCC he went into withdrawal due to not having his legal prescription medications and assaulted an inmate. The inmate did not fight back knowing Ronnie’s reputation and whom he was with. Ronnie was medically unresponsive while in the “hole” and ended up in a coma for 5 days at a local hospital. When he was better he was transferred to FCI Danbury.

While inside, he was greeted by many "street guys" and white collar Jewish criminals. He developed friendships with leaders of the Bloods, The One Percenters, Latin Kings and even the Mexican cartel. Ronnie was nick-named the "Senator" due to his ability to cross each crew with ease. But his main contact was Anthony (Tony D) Palumbo (Genovese capo) who he looked at as a father figure as he saw him as a son. Besides Anthony, Ronnie had close ties to Bonanno capos Bobby (Little Bobby) Lino and Pete (Peter Rabbit) Calabrese. He hung out with Dean DePreta (Gambino associate) and had many walk and talks with Phil "The King Of Wall street" Abramo - The New Jersey based DeCavalcante family.

He also befriended Bonnano boss Mikey "The Nose" Mancuso and his crew - Louie Attanasio, Jack Bonaventura and Bruno Indelicato. Ironically the one Ronnie had the most love hate relationship with was Gambino soldier Onofrio"Noel" Modica (a crew member of John Gotti's) His knack for diplomacy developed into what almost never happens in prison. Inner prison politics often dictate that you do not befriend those outside of your circle. His personality enabled him to broker some issues (mostly business issues) amongst rival groups. Ronnie had the negotiating tactics of Arnold Rothstein and the ruthlessness of Louis Lepke. All the while he had accompanied Jewish shot caller Eliyahu Weinstein (in for a Ponzi scheme) on business transactions and political situations. They were glued to the hip.

While he was inside many would “hook” him up with almost anything he needed i.e.: from magazines to a steak dinner. Whether it was a member of the Trinatarios or the Bloods or many others, they always made an attempt to link Ronnie up with what he desired. When Ronnie arrived at "Toler House" halfway house in Newark, New Jersey he had run into a close mutual friend, Mike "The Mad Dog" Taccetta (Lucchese upper.) When Mike left, Ronnie was the halfway houses go to guy for any and everything needed by his fellow inmates. Albert "Albee" Crisci" (Gambino associate) became like a brother to Ronnie. Ronnie was recently released and is on house arrest. His life is now on a different path with a new family to look after; "the streets" are not a draw any longer. Ronnie's life was and is like Sinatra’s i.e.; having friends in politics, Hollywood, singers and wiseguys. Ronnie is beginning to focus on being a venture capitalist and an investor in legit business. Besides that he has also caught the acting bug. Soon to come will be a book detailing Ronnie's exploits beginning from an affluent family, to a street thug / addict, boxing personality, wiseguy / gangster to finally a legitimate entertainer.

Why Did Federal Agents Raid Victoria Gotti's Home?

Carmine Agnello

Federal agents conducted authorized searches of Victoria Gotti's estate in the Long Island town of Old Westbury, as well as an auto-parts store located in the New York City borough of Queens.

The auto-parts shop is owned by Victoria's ex-husband Carmine Agnello, who is in jail pending a racketeering case, but it is run by the former couple's three sons.

The sons "appear to be the targets of the probe rather than their mom," the New York Daily News reported, adding that a federal...

Wiseguy Jerry Chilli Was a One-Man Crimewave

Jerry Chilli, at the top of the game.

Jerry Chilli*   died last Saturday from throat cancer; a private funeral mass will be held in Florida, which is where the Bonanno capo spent the greater part of his adult life. (Especially after New Jersey law enforcement officials, in no uncertain terms, told him to depart New Jersey.)

Chilli was a stone-cold gangster who shunned the limelight, who never "talked" and never took a step back, even when he knew there could be a steep price to pay. He was...

Gerard "Jerry" Chilli, Reputed Bonanno Capo, Died Yesterday: Sources

Gerard "Jerry" Chilli
EXCLUSIVE
Former Staten Island resident and reputed Bonanno crime family capo Gerard "Jerry" Chilli died yesterday in Florida of cancer, according to Cosa Nostra News sources.

Chilli, 81, was reportedly last living in Hollywood, Fla., based on news reports.
He died of throat cancer, according to sources. "Cigars got him," said one former Bonanno crime family member, who added that Chilli had been in the hospital for the last couple of months.


An alleged longtime Bonanno crime family member, Chilli was in and out of prison over the past few decades.
He supposedly was named capo in the Bonanno crime family after the 1979 Carmine Galante hit. The Fed's identified him as holding that rank in 1986. He allegedly started establishing ties in Florida in the 1980s, as well.

Also read Waterfront Case Recalls 1989 Gus Farace Hit
Chilli visited New York from his Florida home in December 2012, while on probation after a prison stint for extortion, as was reported.
FBI agents, surveilling him, spotted Chilli with Bonanno mobsters Anthony Rabito and Peter Lovaglio.
As a result, in May 2013 Brooklyn federal prosecutors hit Chilli with probation violation charges. He was arrested in Florida.
Chilli notoriously served as a mentor to Costabile "Gus" Farace, Jr.; it's been reported that Chilli played a role in setting up Farace's murder after the drug-dealing mob associate became a fugitive after shooting a DEA agent to death.


Also read Mobster Once Hot for Mob Wife Seeks Reduction

Profile of The Grim Reaper's Daughter, Linda Scarpa

Earlier this year, Linda Scarpa, daughter of Colombo mobster Greg Scarpa, appeared on Crime Watch Daily, a true-crime show about which we have written in the past, partly to promote her recent memoir.

Cosa Nostra News contributor Nick Christophers described Linda Scarpa's book, The Mafia Hit Man's Daughter, as one of the "few books (that) have truly captured mob life" accurately. (See the story here.)

Gregory Scarpa, known as "The Grim Reaper," was one of the most violent mobsters ev...

Cadillac Frank Pleads NOT Guilty; DeLuca Flipped

Headline corrected; story expanded
Francis "Cadillac Frank" Salemme has pleaded not guilty to the 1993 murder of Boston nightclub owner Steven DiSarro.

Salemme, 83, copped to the charge on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Boston.

Rhode Island ex-mobster Robert "Bobby" DeLuca cooperated with investigators, according to an affidavit, which also noted that DeLuca had implicated Salemme in the murder.
Paul Weadick pleaded not guilty last week.

Rhode Island mobster Robert “Bobby” DeLuca, who interest...