The Sixth Family (87 page)
Authors: Lee Lamothe
OPPOSITION IN MONTREAL
came from two men, Vic Cotroni (top left), the old Godfather, and Paolo Violi (top right) his street boss. Violi’s mob secrets were aired at a public crime commission and he was called to testify, as seen above. Despite his refusal to cooperate, he was killed soon after (below), securing Montreal for the Sixth Family.
came from two men, Vic Cotroni (top left), the old Godfather, and Paolo Violi (top right) his street boss. Violi’s mob secrets were aired at a public crime commission and he was called to testify, as seen above. Despite his refusal to cooperate, he was killed soon after (below), securing Montreal for the Sixth Family.
“THE ZIPS”
THE BONO WEDDING
in 1980 was a meet-and-greet for drug barons; when photographs from the wedding were seized by the FBI, it was an intelligence coup. (top) Vito, Joe LoPresti and Gerlando Sciascia pose at the Sixth Family’s table (with police-adhered name tags stuck on the photos). Santo Giordano, a fellow “Zip,” is seated at the far left of the photo in a light-gray suit. (middle) Cesare Bonventre and Baldo Amato (standing above Bonventre) at their table. Sal Catalano, the Zips’ Brooklyn street boss (left), was among the hundreds of guests, not all of whom were involved in crime.
in 1980 was a meet-and-greet for drug barons; when photographs from the wedding were seized by the FBI, it was an intelligence coup. (top) Vito, Joe LoPresti and Gerlando Sciascia pose at the Sixth Family’s table (with police-adhered name tags stuck on the photos). Santo Giordano, a fellow “Zip,” is seated at the far left of the photo in a light-gray suit. (middle) Cesare Bonventre and Baldo Amato (standing above Bonventre) at their table. Sal Catalano, the Zips’ Brooklyn street boss (left), was among the hundreds of guests, not all of whom were involved in crime.
THE THREE CAPTAINS
Alphonse “Sonny Red” INDELICATO
Philip “Philly Lucky” GIACONNE
Dominick “Big Trinny” TRINCHERA
A NEW YORK REBELLION
was led by “Sonny Red” Indelicato (seen in the bottom picture, in briefs, walking with his son, Bruno) supported by “Philly Lucky” and “Big Trinny.” Sonny Red’s faction, seen at the Bono wedding (middle), was an early distributor of the Sixth Family’s heroin in New York. Their relationship soured, however, and members of the Sixth Family then joined with Joe Massino in plotting to quell the rebellious group.
was led by “Sonny Red” Indelicato (seen in the bottom picture, in briefs, walking with his son, Bruno) supported by “Philly Lucky” and “Big Trinny.” Sonny Red’s faction, seen at the Bono wedding (middle), was an early distributor of the Sixth Family’s heroin in New York. Their relationship soured, however, and members of the Sixth Family then joined with Joe Massino in plotting to quell the rebellious group.
AFTERMATH
THE DAY AFTER
the three captains were massacred in Brooklyn, the FBI caught Vito Rizzuto (middle, with garment bag and cigarette) leaving a motel in the Bronx with Joe Massino (far right), Gerlando Sciascia (left) and Giovanni Ligamarri, another Zip involved in their drug ring.
the three captains were massacred in Brooklyn, the FBI caught Vito Rizzuto (middle, with garment bag and cigarette) leaving a motel in the Bronx with Joe Massino (far right), Gerlando Sciascia (left) and Giovanni Ligamarri, another Zip involved in their drug ring.
WEEKS LATER,
Sonny Red’s body was found in a vacant lot in Queens. He had been shot and dumped in a shallow grave. His slaying would not be solved for more than 20 years.
Sonny Red’s body was found in a vacant lot in Queens. He had been shot and dumped in a shallow grave. His slaying would not be solved for more than 20 years.
SONNY BLACK
was found dead and rotting outdoors after his New York colleagues learned that Donnie Brasco, the supposed crook he was pushing for Mafia membership, was actually an undercover FBI agent. He refused the government’s protection and embraced his underworld death sentence: “Hit me one more time; make it good,” he said, after being shot and wounded by his mob pals. They complied.
was found dead and rotting outdoors after his New York colleagues learned that Donnie Brasco, the supposed crook he was pushing for Mafia membership, was actually an undercover FBI agent. He refused the government’s protection and embraced his underworld death sentence: “Hit me one more time; make it good,” he said, after being shot and wounded by his mob pals. They complied.
CESARE BONVENTRE
fared no better, despite his standing as a leader among the Zips and a friend of the Sixth Family. In 1984, just as he was about to be arrested in the Pizza Connection case, he was also brutally killed by his colleagues. When police found his body in a New Jersey warehouse it was in two pieces, each half in a different metal drum.
fared no better, despite his standing as a leader among the Zips and a friend of the Sixth Family. In 1984, just as he was about to be arrested in the Pizza Connection case, he was also brutally killed by his colleagues. When police found his body in a New Jersey warehouse it was in two pieces, each half in a different metal drum.
DRUGS FLOWED
into North America by plane, train, boat and truck, thanks to the Sixth Family. In 1987, police seized the trawler
Charlotte Louise
(above) on the east coast of Canada and eventually found a load of hashish hidden in its water tanks (left). Police suspect it was one of many.
into North America by plane, train, boat and truck, thanks to the Sixth Family. In 1987, police seized the trawler
Charlotte Louise
(above) on the east coast of Canada and eventually found a load of hashish hidden in its water tanks (left). Police suspect it was one of many.
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