The Sixth Family
Page 58
CHAPTER 33:
The Hells Angels interaction with the Sixth Family comes from interviews with former Montreal city and Quebec provincial police officers, police files, the diaries of biker turncoat Dany Kane (filed in R. v. Sebastien Beauchamps and R. v. René Charlebois in Quebec Superior Court) and author interviews with an underworld source. Information on the Gervasi family troubles comes from an interview with former police commander André Bouchard and the RCMP’s “Criminal Intelligence Brief Vol. 9, No. 2,” dated April 2, 2002, obtained under the Access to Information Act. This brief, as well as interviews with several police officers in 2001, was also helpful on the murder plot against Vito. There are a number of recent books of substance exploring the biker war, including The Biker Trials by Paul Cherry (ECW, Toronto, 2005), Hell’s Witness by Daniel Sanger (Viking, Toronto, 2005) and The Road to Hell by Julian Sher and William Marsden (Knopf, Toronto, 2003).
CHAPTER 34:
The Sixth Family’s overtures in Ontario come from author reporting from 2001 to 2005, including interviews with: former Detective-Constable Bill Sciammarella, who retired in May 2006 from the Toronto police force after years of chasing some of the most significant mobsters; Detective-Inspector Paul Sorel, the officer in charge of York Regional Police’s investigative services; other York police officers; RCMP Chief Superintendent Ben Soave; former Detective-Sergeant Mike Davis, of the Toronto homicide squad; Sergeant Robert Thibault, of the organized crime investigations unit of the Sûreté du Québec; Detective Inspector Larry Moodie, with the Ontario Provincial Police’s illegal gaming unit; a mob-linked career criminal in Toronto; a Toronto mobster; a biker friend of Panepinto’s who attended his funeral; the manager of a Toronto-area gym that Panepinto invested in; and a longtime trusted associate of an active Mafia family in Hamilton, Ontario. Interviews were supported by multiple police files. The spate of Mafia murders in Ontario come from author interviews and research from 1997 to 2006. The meeting between Vito and the Musitanos is from the Montreal police dossier. OMG’s corporate information comes from documents filed in Corporacion Americana de Equipamientos Urbanos S.L. v. Olifas Marketing Group Inc., et al (03-CV-252398CM1, Ontario Superior Court) and registration papers filed with the Ontario government in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2006. Giacinto Arcuri and Giancarlo Serpe’s contact with Enio Mora is from R. v. Arcuri and the subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada (2001 SCC 54, File No. 27797). Information on OMG lobbying comes from the Public Registry of Lobbyists and an interview with the lobbyist; City of Toronto’s involvement with OMG comes from interviews with city staff, corporate documents and internal correspondence. The CFSEU assessment of the power of the Sixth Family comes from secret police intelligence reports obtained by the authors.
CHAPTER 35:
The Sixth Family’s stumbles in Ontario come from many of the above noted sources. The family’s appearance in Project Omertà comes from the Crown’s disclosure filed in R. v. Caruana, et al. For further details on the rise and fall of the Caruana-Cuntreras, read Bloodlines by Lee Lamothe and Antonio Nicaso (HarperCollins, Toronto, 2001). The Siderno Group is documented in Vincenzo Candido + 23 from the Tribunale di Reggio Calabria (Judgement No. 230/01, June 27, 2001). The death of the Calabrian fugitives comes from interviews with both homicide and organized crime investigators and the attendance of the Sixth Family at Panepinto’s funeral from author observation. The gambling pinch comes from the arrest sheets at the time of the raids. Juan Fernandez’s background comes from interviews with sources noted for Chapter 31, as well as documents filed in R. v. Fernandez (Ontario Court of Justice, 2004), parole records and author observation of Fernandez. His involvement with José Guede, informant testimony and the wiretap transcripts come from R. v. Guede in Quebec court and R. v. Fernandez in Ontario court. The car dealer scenario comes from confidential police files and an interview with the dealer involved, whom the authors have chosen not to name as he appears to be more a victim than anything. The police corruption conversations come from the Project R.I.P. recordings; the soundtrack of Fernandez’s arrest was also captured by police over an audio probe secretly placed in his SUV. Vito’s appearance in the OMG Jeep comes from the Montreal police arrest report; the fallout from it comes from author interviews with company officials and letters and affidavits filed in the OMG suit. Quotes from Vito come from “Alleged Mobster: No City Link” by George Christopoulos, Toronto Sun, February 4, 2003 and the statement that the new owners of OMG’s assets have no links to organized crime comes from documents and letters sent by the company’s lawyers in response to a telephone inquiry.
CHAPTER 36:
The Joy Club face-off comes from an interview with Montreal police Sergeant Mitchell Janhevich, supported by a police incident report and a visit to the locations involved. The “no crowning” quote comes from an interview with a Carabinieri officer. The organizational structure and expanse of the Sixth Family comes from a synthesis of dozens of police reports and intelligence files, aided by author observations, numerous interviews with police, legal and civilian sources and author visits. Vito’s automobile interest comes from the Tax Court files and his golf routine comes from his testimony in R. v. Morielli.
CHAPTER 37:
Arrest details come from an interview with an arresting officer, the charges and related information from U.S.A. v. Vito Rizzuto (03-CR-01382, Eastern District of NY) and “Record of the Case for the Prosecution.” The pre-arrest police surveillance of Vito comes from an affidavit by Montreal police detective Nicodemo Milano, dated January 15, 2004. Vito’s pending arrest was revealed in “Eyeing Canadian Club” by Jerry Capeci in the New York Sun, January 15, 2004, also published on Capeci’s Web site www.ganglandnews.com, followed by “FBI probes Canadian Mafia ‘Godfather’” by Adrian Humphreys, National Post, January 17, 2004. The post-arrest glee comes from U.S. Department of Justice press releases and press conference. Louie Ha-Ha’s fugitive flight is from “Long arm of the law nabs wiseguy” by John Marzulli, New York Daily News, December 30, 2004.
CHAPTER 38:
The Bonanno Family’s renaissance under Massino comes largely from trial testimony of five Bonanno turncoats—Vitale, Lino, Frank Coppa, Richard Cantarella and James Tartaglione. Vitale was particularly insightful in U.S.A. v. Basciano. Information on Squad C-10 comes from interviews, the testimony of Special Agent Gregory Massa and contemporary news accounts. Agent McCaffrey’s quotes are from her court testimony and Secrets of the Dead: Gangland Graveyard broadcast on PBS, November 16, 2005. The turning of Barry Weinberg comes from court records, government exhibits and Five Familes by Selwyn Raab (St. Martin’s, New York, 2005), where the “Fredo” story also comes from. Anthony Graziano’s Florida crimes come from U.S.A. v. Graziano, et al (02-CR-60049, Southern District of Florida) and his New York crimes from U.S.A. v. Cosoleto, et al (02-CR- 307, Eastern District of NY) and an interview with lawyer Paul McKenna. The conversations of the Bonanno wiseguys were secretly recorded by turncoat mobsters who agreed to work for the government.
CHAPTER 39:
Information here is culled from both of Massino’s recent racketeering cases (CR-02-307 and CR-03-929), interviews with and releases by officials with the U.S. Department of Justice, a statement from Judge Nicholas Garaufis provided by his office, an interview with a federal agent involved in the case and visits to the locations involved. Massino’s family’s quotes are from “Family spurns mob boss leak to feds” by Anthony M. DeStefano, Newsday, January 30, 2005. Contemporary news accounts helped with trial color.
CHAPTER 40:
The Bonanno informants’ identification of Vito comes from court transcripts, a visit to the courtroom and an examination of the government exhibits. Vito’s quotes come from his sworn affidavit filed in Vito Rizzuto v. Minister of Justice of Canada (T-316-04, Federal Court of Canada). Vito’s legal arguments come, in part, from legal memos prepared by John W. Mitchell for Vito’s defense. The “war chest” collections are from sworn accounts filed in court but not publicly r
eleased. Noël Kinsella’s quotes are from Hansard. The evidence against Baldo Amato comes from a prosecutor’s memoranda filed in court; his plea to be left alone and Fiordilino’s hesitant appearance are captured in the files of U.S.A. v. Amato. Amato’s private investigator was encountered by the authors.
CHAPTER 41:
The Moomba clash comes from police reports, photographs and a visit to the area. Vito’s prison stay comes from an interview with a longtime friend of his. The Sixth Family’s response to the Moomba deaths, the Varacalli kidnapping and the D’Amico confrontation is documented in RCMP search warrant applications (500-26-042048-060, Quebec Superior Court). Other kidnapping information comes from interviews as part of contemporary reporting by authors and an interview with former police commander Bouchard. Vito’s place in the Montreal underworld comes from a lengthy interview with a veteran gangster. The press conference by anti-Mafia authorities in Rome was covered by Italian newspapers and the past of Giuseppe Zappia is largely from police files and Canadian news accounts. Quotes from Silvia Franzè are from author interviews in 2007. Details on Vito’s alleged co-conspirators on the bridge come from RCMP files in Canada and Direzione Investigativa Antimafia files in Italy, and case files in Richiesta di Rinvio a Giudizio (Nr. 12417/03, Tribunale di Roma). The post-arrest assessment comes from an interview with a senior police investigator in 2006.
CHAPTER 42:
The Project Cicéron / Project Colisée assault on the Sixth Family comes from documents filed in Quebec court in support of the RCMP search warrant applications; subsequent charge sheets; interviews with several investigators; confidential law enforcement reports; releases from the RCMP; the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (February 1, 2007); a study of photographs; and surveillance and visits conducted by the authors. The financial information comes from Loi de l’impot sur le revenu c. Giuseppe Torre (T-1951-06, Federal Court of Canada) and Loi de l’impot sur le revenu c. Nick Rizzuto (ITA- 13069-06, FCC).
EPILOGUE:
The downfall of Vito came in two court appearances in Brooklyn, attended by the authors. His prison movement from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and information on the remaining strength of the organization is from police files. The new charges from Italy come from the Direzione Investigativa Antimafia in Rome.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Far-reaching geography and the vast stretch over time of the events covered here were only two of the many challenges we faced in researching and writing this piece of underworld history. A host of kind-hearted people—and the occasional mercenary figure—stepped up to help ease our burden. We extend our appreciation to all.
Out of respect for their underworld code or a fear of aggrieved colleagues, numerous people within the criminal milieu spoke with us on the condition that we not identify them. Similarly, on the other side of the law, several law enforcement and legal sources requested their name not appear in this book. Their reasons were strangely similar: fear of institutional reprimand and castigation from a boss. The men and women in both of these categories are among the most valued contributors to what has become The Sixth Family.
Interviews and research for this project was conducted in several countries. In that regard, some of the most appreciated assistance came from guides, translators and research assistants, almost all of who did not wish to be publicly named. We express our gratitude regardless of anonymity.
Some who have helped us in our continuing curiosity on organized crime include: Detective-Constable Anthony Saldutto and former Detective-Constable Bill Sciammarella of the Toronto Police Service; Montreal Police Sergeant-Detective Pietro Poletti; former RCMP Staff Sergeant Larry Tronstadt; RCMP Staff Sergeant Reginald King; former Special Agent Bruce Mouw, who led both the FBI’s Bonanno Squad and Gambino Squad; former RCMP Constable Michel Michaud; former RCMP Chief Superintendent Ben Soave, who was the head of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit; RCMP Inspector Glenn Hanna; former Montreal Police Commander André Bouchard; former FBI Special Agent Joseph Pistone (a.k.a. “Donnie Brasco”); former RCMP intelligence analyst Pierre de Champlain; Chief Superintendent Silvia Franzè of the Direzione Investigativa Antimafia; former Montreal Police Sergeant-Detective Robert Menard; former Ontario Provincial Police Detective-Constable Ron Seaver, who passed away in 2005; York Regional Police Detective David Stilo; and Sergeant Robert Thibault, organized crime unit, Sûreté du Québec.
At the office of the United States District Attorney, Eastern District of New York, Robert Nardoza, Samantha Ward, Samuel D. Noel and Pietro Deserio were helpful. Investigative reporters, writers and journalists who were gracious with their time, include: Paul Cherry, Michel Auger, Daniel Sanger, Alexander Norris, André Cédilot, Allison Hanes and Graeme Hamilton, in Montreal; Anthony M. DeStefano, Claudio Gatti and Jerry Capeci in New York; Robert Benzie, Antonio Nicaso and John Greenwood in Toronto; and Daniel Nolan in Hamilton.
Marian L. Smith, historian at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services History Office; Sallie Sypher, deputy Putnam County historian; John Celardo and Aloha South at the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration; and Sue Swiggum and Marj Kohli of www.theshipslist.com aided us greatly. Staff at the FBI’s Freedom of Information-Record Dissemination Section in Washington, D.C. was generally true to their name and the National Parole Board in Canada is a model of how a government agency can provide a timely release of relevant information while still complying with privacy legislation. Clerks at the various courts we visited around the world were generally helpful despite themselves.
For translation work, additional research in various countries and other support we thank: Dr. F. and A. Miosi, D. and V. Hearn, N. and G. Robinson, Andy Petepiece, Martin Patriquin, Les Perreaux, Kim McNairn, Ian Stuart, Steve Meurice, Jennifer Kirk, Natalie Alcoba, Melissa Leong, Scott Maniquet, Anne Marie Owens and Stewart Bell. In terms of the book’s creation, we benefited from the considerable talents of Elizabeth Schaal, Don Loney, Julien Béliveau, Jean-Louis Morgan, Pam Vokey and Brian Rogers.
And above all, thanks to Paula and company and Lucy for letting the Sixth Family take us away from our first families.
INDEX
A
Abbate, G.M.
Adams, George
Afghanistan
Africa
Agrigento, Sicily
Agueci, Alberto
Agueci, Vito
Akwesasne reserve
Alberta Stock Exchange
Albino, Antonina. See Bono, Antonina
Albino
Alevizos, Constantin “Big Gus,”
Alfano, Nicolino
Algeria
Alitalia
Alliance
Amato, Baldassare “Baldo”
arrest of
Bonanno meeting
at Bono wedding
death of Bonventre
death of Galante
death of Perrino
death of Sciascia
entry to U.S.
at Green Acres Mall
induction ceremony
Pizza Connection
racketeering-robbery charge
American Mafia
area of control
development of
in drug network
dual membership
influx of Sicilians
Sicilian conflict with
structure of
Americana Hotel
amico nostra
Amodeo, Gaetano
Amuso, Vittoria “Little Vic,”
Andres, Greg
Andrew, William
anti-gang laws
Antoine-Berthelet Ave., Montreal
Apalachin, NY
Arcadi, Francesco “Frank”
arrest of
at the Consenza
daily meetings
dispute with D’Amico family
Italian warrants
Macri shooting
as suspect
as target
at weddings
&nbs
p; Arcuri, Domenico
Arcuri, Giacinto
Arcuri, Giuseppe
Arcuri family
Arcuro, Rosario
Armstrong, Louis
Aruba
Asaro, Joseph
Ashcroft, John
Asia
Asphalt Workers Union
Association de Siculiana