MSRP Game News

Here it is once again. Also once again, I have completely lost my train of thought regarding new news.

For those of you who have not yet read this, this is a mix of fiction/non-fiction new that I have written because I was really bored. It has also been considered for a Pulitzer and every Noble Peace Prize possible. In 1,000 years scholars will refer to it as the greatest piece of literature ever composed.

This piece I have here is made-up Mafia news that is a mix of fiction and non-fiction. I started writing these awhile back and keep adding to it whenever I’m on the computer and have nothing else to do. I like reading about Mafia news so I thought it’d be entertaining to create my own. As you’ll probably notice I haven’t tried too hard on it and there are probably a lot of mistakes and whatnot, but I don’t care too much since I just do it to pass some time/entertain me when the internet gets boring.

*The story below is something I wrote a looooong time ago and what initially inspired me to expand on it with news stories. As I said it was written some time ago so it’s probably not the greatest piece of writing by I still find it entertaining. I may have also used it in a job before but I can’t remember.

Part I: Storia di Famiglia

On the Ides of March, 1883 a great ruler was born, and much like the Caesar before him 2,000 years earlier he would build a great empire. On that March 15th Giacomo Zu Altobello was born in a little village outside of Palermo. Throughout his childhood Giacomo ventured onto the streets of Palermo and saw many men walking around and it seemed as though the world was theirs. Little Giacomo wondered what kind of men could be so great. He would soon find out. For when he was only 9 years of age he witnessed his first murder. It happened outside a cafe in downtown Palermo. A large man in a white suit was sitting, enjoying an espresso when two men came from out of the shadows, and fired 13 rounds out of their guns striking the victim 7 times. It was on this day, at that moment, that Little Giacomo realized what real power was. Seven years later Giacomo’s life of crime began to wrap itself around him.

His father Vincenzo was murdered because he refused to pay protection money to the local mafia chieftain. In revenge for their father’s murder Giacomo and his older brother of five years, Gaetano, killed a mafia caporégime, the most powerful in the Castelliucco Family. This angered the mafia boss and in response he killed Giacomo’s brother, mother, and 3 little sisters. To escape the boss’s persecution 16 year-old Giacomo fled to the United States, and arrived at Ellis Island, New York in 1899. Giacomo hooked up with another Sicilian named Salvatore Puticelli and together they ventured into a life of crime. They joined the Five Points Gang in 1902 and quickly rose up as the gang’s best soldiers. By 1912 the two men were lieutenants in the gang, and had many men under them creating huge amounts of capital. In 1919 the boss of the Pointers and his right-hand man were gunned down in a café on Mulberry St. The hit was never officially claimed by anyone but it is believed the Altobello and Puticelli personally killed the boss. Giacomo became the unchallenged boss of the Five Points Gang after defeating many rival lieutenants in a year-long war.

Giacomo, “Little Joe” as he had become to be known, and Salvatore, “Sally Walnuts,” brought their crews with them and challenged a powerful Irish gang for control of the city’s organized crime. The Eastern Greens Gang was made up of ruthless Irishmen and was controlled by Felix “Tornado” Schank. At first neither of the factions seemed to mind each other, but with prohibition in full swing the two mobs began to battle for control of the bootlegging industry. The first attack and the signal of the beginning of the war was by the Altobello faction, which had now evolved into a Mafia Family (the Five Points gang quickly split into various factions after the boss was murdered, 4 of these factions along with Altobello’s family would become the ‘Five Families of New York), headed by Don Giacomo Altobello who made his longtime friend Salvatore Puticelli underboss.

The war began on a warm June 17th night, in 1920. As Arthur Stinchcomb, the man who ran Schank’s bootlegging operation, stepped out from his home and was gunned down by two blasts from a shotgun. The assassin was never identified but the hit is believed to have been carried out by a rising associate to the family, Antonio “Fat Tony” Orticelli. Simultaneously one of Schank’s largest breweries was completely destroyed by a bomb. In retaliation for this attack Felix Schank planned on taking out a high-ranking capo in the family and destroying 2 of Altobello’s breweries. A week after the war began capo Gaetano “Tommy the Gun” Eboli and 4 of his soldiers were machine-gunned to death in an Italian restaurant in Brooklyn’s Coney Island, and two of Altobello’s breweries were destroyed in upper Queens a day later.

The two warring factions went at each other’s throats for 7 long years, but on August 14, 1927 the war would come to an end. Felix “Tornado” Schank was enjoying an Old Style Italian pizza at Paulie’s Pizzeria in downtown Manhattan when two gunmen burst into the restaurant. One of the gunmen was on-loan from the Chicago Outfit; the other was recently made Antonio “Big Tony” Orticelli. The Chicago gunner took out his semi-automatic pistol and killed Schank’s two bodyguards, and Orticelli then opened his overcoat revealing a lupare, a Sicilian sawed-off shotgun; he pointed it at Schank and fired one of the barrels sending Schank to the floor. He walked over to the perforated Irish Gang boss and pointed the gun directly at Schank’s heart and fired the other barrel. The Tornado was dead, and the bootlegging war of New York died with him. The Altobello Mafia Family now had nearly complete control of the city’s bootlegging operations (although this would last only until prohibition was repealed and it was constantly challenged by the other 4 families).

The family enjoyed 19 years of peace, with only the regular mob hits that came with their life of crime. But in 1946 “Little Joe” decided it was time to take revenge for his family’s murders in Sicily. It was a decision he would come to regret. Don Altobello traveled to Sicily that year and met up with some old family friends, and also found out how he could get to Don Castelliucco. On the night of July 10th, 1946 Don Castelliucco was enjoying a night at the opera, it would be his last. As he exited the theatre without any bodyguards, why he was not protected is still not known, “Little Joe” walked up to him and kissed his hand, and then he grabbed his head and gave him the kiss of death and spoke these words, “Lei lasciato uno di ci vivo.” He then pulled out his pistol and fired 7 shots into Don Castelliucco’s head and chest, his vengeance was complete. Two years later Don Altobello’s mistake would catch up with him.

Angry at the assassination of Don Castelliucco the new Godfather sent a Sicilian assassin to kill Don Altobello. On the night of January 22nd, 1948 Don Altobello was enjoying a meal at his favorite restaurant, Pepe’s Italian Cuisine in the Bronx with two of his capos and the family’s best soldier “Big Tony” Orticelli. The group was alarmed when a car bomb went off outside and all but Don Altobello rushed outside to see what happened, the Sicilian’s diversion worked perfectly. As Don Altobello sat alone the Sicilian assassin stood behind him pointing a shotgun barrel at his head, and with the pull of the trigger Don Altobello was sent hurtling across the room landing face down, landing dead.

The funeral held for the Don was one of the biggest ever given to a gangster. The funeral motorcade had 475 cars, each adorned with magnificent flowers. The Godfather was laid to rest in his native village in Sicily, but his criminal empire did not die with him. The new boss of the family was installed two weeks after Altobello’s funeral; Don Salvatore Puticelli now reigned supreme. Many men were bumped up, but most notably Antonio “Big Tony” Orticelli was made a capo heading one of the biggest crews in the family. And for the next decade the family grew in strength, influence, and most of all wealth. The family had control in many unions, and was also into labor racketeering, extortion, protection money, gambling, prostitution, and many other illegal activities including the dirty business of narcotics.

Throughout Don Puticelli’s reign the family was involved in only one war which lasted about 40 months. This was known as the “Commission War.” The “Five Families” of New York went to war with each other over the amount each family controlled in labor racketeering. All five families fought each other simultaneously with each family suffering losses. The conclusion of this war gave each family a near equal amount of control over labor racketeering. Big Tony’s crew brought much of this wealth to the family, and for this he was rewarded. He was made family underboss in 1963 after the current underboss was sent away for life on racketeering charges. Giovanni Profaci was made capo of Orticelli’s crew. For the next decade Don Puticelli and his right-hand man would see to it that the family’s wealth and influence would extend too many other parts of the United States, and many other countries.

The only troublesome period during this time was when one of the family’s capos decided that he wanted to take over the family reigns. And on May 2nd, 1981 he made his move. As Don Puticelli was in the lobby of one his many hotels a murder motorcade of three cars slowly drove by the large lobby window. When the rat-i-tat-tat of machine-gun fire rung out everyone hit the floor, but when the shooting was done not a single bullet mark could be found. Don Puticelli cautiously walked over to the window to get a view of the situation outside. The bullets that were fired had been blanks to draw the Don to the window and when the boss’ bodyguard realized this he threw the Don to the floor and threw himself on top of him. Ten cars slowly drove by with each car spitting out hundreds of bullets. After the shooting was done only two of the Don’s soldiers lay dead, but the Don himself was unharmed.

The capo was soon found and made an example of. He was hung upside down on a meat hook and beaten with bats, cut with razors, and his eyes were burned out by a blow torch, but he was still not dead. His barely alive carcass was taken out to the country and buried alive. This murder was carried out by the family’s most feared hitman Giuseppe Giuliani, who at the young age of twenty had already committed numerous murders as an associate in the Orticelli Crew. After this renegade was taken care of the family peace returned. But it was again interrupted in late winter 1983 with the death of Don Puticelli. The aged Don died of a massive heart attack on February 24th, 1983. On his death bed he made his underboss, the elderly Antonio Orticelli, the new boss. The ‘Five Families’ “books” were also opened and many men were made. Among them was the ferocious hit man Giuseppe Giuliani; who soon put his longtime friends Paul Cicero and Angelo Punchinello “on the record” as official associates.

For the next five years the Altobello family along with the other four families raked in millions of dollars through their illegal activities and for the most part avoided any major convictions. This ended when the FBI came down with tremendous heat on the families and indicted many high-ranking men. Among these men was the underboss of the Altobello family Giorgio Morello. With a probable life sentence facing Morello many in the Altobello family feared he would break omerta and become a government witness. Don Orticelli decided he had to go. Before Morello could be arrested by the feds he was gunned down as he left a bookstore in Manhattan’s West Village by skilled hitman Giuseppe Giuliani. As a result of this a powerful capo, Giovanni Profaci, was named the new underboss and Giuseppe Giuliani was picked to head the family’s most powerful regime, the Orticelli Crew. Two of Giuliani’s associates, and longtime friends, were also inducted into the family as made men. Paul Cicero and Angelo Punchinello were officially a part of the Altobello Famiglia.

The families recovered from the FBI’s onslaught and got back to business as usual. But in the fall of 1994 the FBI struck the Altobello family again. Since 1987 the FBI had been building a huge RICO case against the “administration” of the Altobello family, and in the summer of 1994 Don Antonio was indicted on 4 counts of murder, 7 counts of racketeering, and 5 counts of extortion, and his underboss and consigliere were indicted on similar charges.. His trial, starting in summer 1995, lasted for 5 months with the prosecution and the defense going back and forth. But on November 2nd, 1995 the jury found all three defendants guilty. Antonio Orticelli, Giovanni Profaci, and Migelo Provenzano were each sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

This left the family in utter chaos, as there were no official members of the administration to lead the family and it was only a matter of time before war broke out. It soon became apparent that the two capos who would vie for power would be Giuseppe Giuliani and Antonio Riina. The intra-family war between these two crews would last 7 long months, with a total casualty count of 15 men. The war came to an abrupt end on July 22nd 1996. As Riina and three bodyguards stepped out from a black Cadillac on Lexington Ave. in Manhattan’s East Harlem, 5 gunmen rushed the vehicle with pistols blazing. The four men were cut down in a matter of seconds, and the Altobello family had a new (unofficial) leader. In the aftermath of the war Paul Cicero was bumped up to capo of the Orticelli Crew while Giuliani moved Angelo Punchinello over to the Bronx to head Riina’s crew.

Giuseppe Giuliani became acting boss while Orticelli remained the titular boss, and ran the family from prison. Giuseppe used a panel of 4 capos to function as his underboss and consigliere while he was acting boss and among the 4 were Cicero and Punchinello. After three years of running the family from a prison in California Don Antonio died on January 22nd, 1999 two weeks after he celebrated his centennial birthday. Three weeks after the late Don’s funeral Giuseppe Giuliani was crowned as the new boss of the Altobello family. At his coronation he named Paul Cicero and Angelo Punchinello as his underboss and consigliere respectively. The legendary Altobello Crime Family now had a new and strong administration in place.

**And that’s that. A shoddy piece I did many moons ago. On to my time-wasting fake news.

New York Times

Metro Edition

The Mafia Beat

News

- War breaks out between the Altobello and Lupertazzi Crime Families (2 of the 5 families of NYC; Altobello, Gaggi, Tattaglia, Barzini, Lupertazzi) after Altobello consigliere Angelo Punchinello shot in Brooklyn café by Lupertazzi capo Michael Franzese.

- 6-month long war between Altobello and Lupertazzi families ends after Lupertazzi underboss, and consigliere are murdered. An entire Lupertazzi crew is also wiped out by Altobello forces, and Phil Leotardo, a Lupertazzi capo, is shot and severely wounded but expected to make a full recovery.

- Mafia Boss Remo Gaggi, boss of the Gaggi Crime Family, sentenced to 10 years in prison on racketeering charges.

- Lupertazzi capo Michael Franzese shot to death in a Staten Island restaurant. It is believed that this was a part of the peace offering between the Altobello and Lupertazzi Crime Families.

- Information is leaked regarding the status of the Gaggi Family hierarchy. It is believed the Antonio Graziano is now the official boss with Charles Lombardo serving as his underboss and Alessandro Provenzano as consigliere.

- With Angelo Punchinello still in a recovery hiatus it is believed that Salvatore “Big Sal” Leone is now serving as acting consigliere for the Altobello Family.

- Altobello Family capo for New Jersey, Benito Maranzano, and five of his soldiers gunned down in Bronx warehouse.

- Altobello Family consigliere Angelo Punchinello and Miami Drug Lord Umberto Robina are each sentenced to 25 years in prison for conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

- Altobello family boss Giuseppe Giuliani severely wounded in an assassination attempt; struck by 9 bullets in the torso and lower body.

- Giuseppe Giuliani, boss of the Altobello Crime Family, pronounced clinically dead 2 times during the previous night, but doctors were able to successfully revive him each time and stabilize his condition; expected to make a full recovery.

- Authorities speculate that the Clover Gang hierarchy ordered the assassination attempt of Giuseppe Giuliani as members of the gang turn up dead in Chicago and NYC streets.

- Vincenzo “Vinny Slugs” Salieri, alleged soldier/made man, of the Altobello Crime Family, escapes a shooting with a minor flesh wound to his arm. It is thought that the shooting was related to the suspected war between the Clover Gang of Chicago and Salieri’s Mafia Family (Altobello) in NYC.

- With Giuseppe Giuliani still recovering from the attempt on his life authorities believe that Paul Cicero, Altobello Family underboss, is now the acting boss of the crime outfit. With their official boss wounded and their official consigliere serving a 25 year drug sentence, the Altobello Family’s administration has been severely weakened.

- Chicago Irish Mob, the Clover Gang, has lost one of its strongest enforcers. Notorious hitman William “Wild Bill” Sullivan was found shot to death in his Chicago home early Saturday morning. The apparent war between the Clover Gang and the Altobello Crime Family of NYC has no signs of slowing down.

- Conviction and imprisonment of Angelo Punchinello to be reviewed after defense attorneys cite use of inadmissible evidence by the prosecution.

- Information from “reliable sources” indicates that notorious drug boss Antonio “Tony the Bull” Montana has taken over Umberto Robina’s operations following the latter’s imprisonment on drug charges.

- Leaked information about the Altobello Family administration states that long-time consigliere Angelo Punchinello has stepped down and has been officially replaced by acting consigliere Salvatore Leone.

- Informants speculate that Miami drug lord Tony Montana has named Miguel Robina as his second-in-command. The latter’s father was the former boss of the cartel and is currently serving 25 years on drug convictions. Authorities speculate that this move by Montana is a power play to shore up Robina loyalists to his side. Others say that the two drug bosses will be at each other’s throats in no time.

- Reputed Barzini Family capo Paul Vario was found dead in a Bronx alley early this morning. Authorities are saying that the long simmering tensions between family boss Emilio Barzini and powerful capo Gaetano “Tommy Brown” Pinzolo have come to a head as Vario was a staunch supporter of Don Emilio.

- The Barzini Crime Family’s internal tensions have erupted into a full-blown war after the murder of consigliere Giovanni Ianiello. The aging mobster was massacred in front of his club when he was hit by 38 shots from sub-machine gun, shotgun, and pistol fire. It is widely believed that the hit was ordered by renegade capo Gaetano Pinzolo, or Tommy Brown as he is commonly known.

- The Barzini Family administration has been dealt another blow today following the murder of underboss Santino “Sonny” Morelli. Morelli was gunned down by two assailants as he was eating a plate of chicken alfredo in Pete’s Fine Cuisine in southern Brooklyn. It seems as though Tommy Brown is gaining the upper-hand in the family’s civil war but experts note that Barzini still has an army of killers he can call upon if they are still loyal.

- The forces of Gaetano Pinzolo were rolling for all the marbles today as they attempted to take out the leader of their Mafia Family, Emilio Barzini. Don Emilio received two gunshot wounds to his upper torso today as he stepped from the back of his Mercedes. Witnesses say that when the car pulled up to the three men rushed the car with pistols blazing. A total of 8 shots were fired but only two found their target. The wounds were relatively minor however as both bullets missed any vital organs.

- Authorities report that an apparent truce has been reached in the short, but violent, Barzini Crime Family civil war. Rebel capo Gaetano “Tommy Brown” Pinzolo was apparently made the family’s underboss at a meeting just yesterday with boss Emilio Barzini and members of the Mafia’s Commission. It is also believed that capo Philip “Chicken Man” Testa was made the family’s consigliere at the meeting. Authorities view the appointment of Pinzolo as a truce between the two factions in the family and believe Testa was made consigliere to serve as a voice of reason between the two factions as he remained neutral during the intra-family war.

- Alleged Lupertazzi Crime Family boss Giovanni “Johnny Sack” Sacrimoni was arrested on RICO charges today. If convicted Mr. Sacrimoni faces 100 years in prison. He was later released from custody on $3.5 million in bail.

- Philip “Chicken Man” Testa shot to death outside his HQ in the Bronx. Mr. Testa was believed to be the consigliere of the Barzini Crime Family and was seen by many to be keeping the truce between boss Emilio Barzini and his underboss Gaetano Pinzolo. Authorities speculate that Testa’s murder signals the beginning of renewed hostilities between the two factions. Authorities also speculate that powerful Brooklyn capo and staunch Pinzolo loyalist Joseph D’Amico will be elevated to acting consigliere.

- Lupertazzi Crime Family boss murdered in Little Italy’s Chinatown. Giovanni “Johnny Sack” Sacrimoni the short-lived boss of the Lupertazzi Mafia outfit was gunned down as he left a Chinese restaurant in southern Manhattan today. The RICO trail brought by the Federal Government against Mr. Sacrimoni was set to begin tomorrow, and there were rumors that Sacrimoni was planning to plead guilty. Terms of the guilty plea would’ve required Sacrimoni to admit to the existence of the Mafia and acknowledge his own membership to the organization. Authorities believe Mr. Sacrimoni was murdered to stop him from admitting to the existence of an Italian Mafia and any further “secrets” he may have divulged. Such a hit would’ve had to of been ordered by the Mafia’s Commission, which is a ruling body composed of powerful Mafia bosses from around the country. Federal and local law enforcement agencies in New York agree that Altobello Crime Family boss Giuseppe Giuliani is the most powerful organized crime boss in the country, and perhaps the world. Any order on a high-ranking boss such as John Sacrimoni would undoubtedly have to have his approval, and some crime experts are already saying that the hit on Sacrimoni was probably at Mr. Giuliani’s instigation.

- In the wake of last month’s mob assassination of John Sacrimoni the Lupertazzi Crime Family has entered a new era with a new administration. Philip Leotardo is now in control of the family and Gerardo Torciano is serving as the family’s underboss. Authorities believe that Mr. Leotardo’s tenure as boss will be much more violent than that of his two predecessors as he is known as someone who prefers bullets over words. Leotardo himself is believed to be responsible for 27 murders. With the recent resumption of hostilities in the Barzini Family’s civil war the streets of New York should be littered with Mafiosi bodies in no time.

- Lupertazzi Crime Family underboss Gerardo Torciano was gunned down in a New Jersey restaurant earlier today as he dined with alleged DiMeo Crime Family consigliere Silvio Dante. Authorities believe that there is a power struggle in the Lupertazzi Family right now and point to Faustino “Doc” Santoro as a likely suspect in the slaying. Santoro is a high-ranking capo and will likely be promoted to underboss following Torciano’s murder to avoid further bloodshed.

– Another high-profile Mafia hit strikes the streets today. Gaggi Crime Family kingpin Antonio “TG” Graziano was shot as he walked from his front porch early this morning. Graziano was hit by 7 bullets and died at the scene. It has long been suspected that even though Graziano was the boss in name the real power in the family was held by underboss Charles “the Brain” Lombardo. Lombardo has taken the reigns as acting boss and had reportedly promoted Francesco “Lefty Guns” Ruggiero, a powerful Jersey capo, to acting underboss. There are no solid leads in the shooting but authorities are already pointing their fingers at Lombardo and Ruggiero. Recent informant reports state that Graziano was exercising more of his authority as boss and was demanding a tax from every family member. There are also rumors that Lombardo could soon be butting heads with Gaggi Family consigliere Alessandro Provenzano as Provenzano was a close ally and personal friend of Graziano.

— Mafia violence continues today as another high-ranking Mafia member was shot to death. The apparent war between rival factions in the Barzini Crime Family led by boss Emilio Barzini and underboss Gaetano Pinzolo is once again escalating. Acting consigliere, and staunch Pinzolo loyalist, Joseph D’Amico was murdered as he left a Brooklyn warehouse this afternoon. No suspects have been identified or implicated in the slaying but the order would’ve most certainly come from Don Barzini himself. Authorities believe the war between Barzini and Pinzolo will escalate quickly and do not believe that both men will survive the year.

- Angelo “Fat Andy” Ruggiero has been promoted to consigliere in the hopes that his power will lean the war back in favor of the Barzini Family boss Emilio Barzini. The 78 year-old Ruggiero is a legend in the Barzini family and has been a capo operating out of Queens for some 30 years. It is believed that Ruggiero was made at the young age of 22 in 1951. Ruggiero is a vocal and physical supporter of the family boss; it’s believed that his crew is responsible for at least 5 murders in the family war.

- Legendary Altobello Crime Family capo Matthew “Matty the Horse” Ianiello was found shot to death in Atlantic City today. For over 3 decades Mr. Ianiello controlled Mafia rackets in the city and had generated huge amount of illicit funds for the Altobello bosses in New York. It is suspected that Ianiello was murdered for his involvement, and perhaps control, of a drug-trafficking ring in Atlantic City that had recently been indicted in Federal Courts, with Matty the Horse being the main defendant. It seems as though Mr. Ianiello has fallen victim to the Mafia’s broken rule of selling drugs as long as you don’t get caught. Like most high-profile Mafia hits the order would have had to of come from Altobello Family boss Giuseppe Giuliani.

– Update on Matthew Ianiello murder reported earlier today; police now have a theory on who shot the bullets that ended Mr. Ianiello’s life. Mafia up-and-comer Osvaldo “Ozzie” Altobello is believed to have been the trigger-man in the Mafia hit. Mr. Altobello is a soldier/made man in Ianiello’s crew out of Atlantic City and is also a great-grandson of Mafia Godfather Giacomo Altobello; founder of the Altobello Family and revered Mafia deity. Authorities are already saying the Ozzie will take over the AC crew’s leadership and become one of the youngest capos in the crime outfit.

- Mafia retribution hit the streets of New York today as the two leaders of the Gaggi Crime Family were wounded in an apparent Mafia hit attempt. Charles Lombardo and Francesco Ruggiero, boss and underboss of the family respectively, were shot as they stepped from a social club owned by Ruggiero in Staten Island. The two leaders assumed their positions after they allegedly ordered the assassination of previous Gaggi boss Antonio Graziano earlier this year. Once again law enforcement authorities and Mafia experts are pointing the finger at Altobello Crime Family boss Giuseppe Giuliani. One law enforcement official was quoted as saying “Mulberry Joe rules the underworld of organized crime with an iron-fist. If Lombardo and Ruggiero took out Graziano without his approval then there is no doubt in my mind that the attempt on these two today came on Giuliani’s orders. In the secret-society of the Mafia, and even organized crime as a whole, you don’t cross the street without Giuliani’s Ok.”

- Exactly one month ago alleged Gaggi Crime Family underboss Francesco Ruggiero was wounded in a failed hit-attempt. Today he was in the hitman’s crosshairs again and round 2 did not go Ruggiero’s way. Mr. Ruggiero was shot a total of 7 times; 4 in the chest and 3 in the head; he was pronounced dead at the scene. NYPD officials believe that this hit and the failed one from last month were both on the orders of Altobello Crime Family boss Giuseppe Giuliani as retribution for breaking the Mafia code of killing a boss without the Commission’s approval; earlier this year Ruggiero conspired with current Gaggi boss Charles Lombardo to murder previous boss Antonio Graziano. Authorities believe that Lombardo is still in grave danger and predict that “Mulberry Joe” will have his vengeance on him before the year is out.

- Apparent war building in Gaggi Crime Family as a powerful capo was murdered in southern Bronx today. With a vacancy in the underboss position following the murder of Francesco Ruggiero it seems as though the family’ capos are set to battle for the rank. The man seen by many to take the number two spot was New Jersey capo Christopher “Christie Tick” Furnari. Christie Tick was found shot to death in a New Jersey strip club last night. Mr. Furnari was seen by experts as the most powerful capo in the family and a possible future candidate for boss. Our mafia “insiders” currently have no leads on who might’ve ordered the hit. With the shotgun-killing of Furnari the next in line for the underboss spot would most likely be between Vito Patriarca and Michael DeFilippio, both Staten Island capos.

- The ultra-violent war between factions in the Barzini Crime Family is still red-hot. The leaders of each faction, boss Emilio Barzini and his own renegade underboss Gaetano Pinzolo, were each shot in failed hit attempts earlier today. Barzini was hit with 2 bullets in his torso as he stepped from a café on Manhattan’s Eastside. Mr. Barzini is currently in an IC unit in a Manhattan hospital and his recovery is uncertain. Rival faction leader Gaetano Pinzolo was hit with 9 bullets as he stepped from a loyal capo’s social club in southern Brooklyn late this afternoon. Amazingly Mr. Pinzolo was not hit in any vital areas and is expected to be released next week after his wounds are taken care of.

- Mafia violence hits the streets of New York again today as a war between the capos in the Gaggi Crime Family claims two more victims. Vito Patriarca and Michael DeFilippio were both shot to death outside of their respective houses on Staten Island. Authorities believe the family’s capos are fighting for position in the family with a vacancy in the underboss spot. Authorities say there is little family boss Charles Lombardo can do since his ultimate power lies with his capos. Some see this as a sign of weakness in Lombardo’s power and authority in his family, “You wouldn’t see this kind of disorder in the Altobello Family,” one expert says, alluding to the legendary power of that family’s boss Giuseppe Giuliani. With these latest two casualties it is up to speculation as to who the next candidate for underboss will be. Mafia insiders are saying that Gaggi consigliere Alessandro Provenzano is now in a strong position for the promotion despite his elderly age of 76.

- It seems as though the war between capos in the Gaggi Crime Family is over now that consigliere Alessandro “Ally Boy” Provenzano has been elevated to underboss. Insiders also say that Manhattan capo Carmine “Gribbs” Trumunti has been promoted to consigliere.

–The Mafia news keeps rolling in today as reports surface that crime boss Emilio Barzini has been arrested and indicted on RICO predicates. For the past year or so Mr. Barzini has been engaged in a power struggle with renegade underboss Gaetano Pinzolo, which has resulted in dozens of murders. If convicted on RICO counts Mr. Barzini faces up to 100 years in prison. Authorities are already saying that with Barzini being taken off the streets victory has been given in the war to Gaetano “Tommy Brown” Pinzolo.

- After a two-month trial Emilio “Wolf” Barzini boss of the Barzini Crime Family was found guilty on 4 of the 7 counts facing him earlier last week. Mr. Barzini was sentenced to 15 years in an Indiana prison yesterday. Mr. Barzini will enter prison at the age of 52 and with the possibility that he could be released in as little as 7 years he could be back on the streets before his 60th birthday. There is no word yet from Mafia experts as to how this will affect Mr. Barzini’s crime family and whether or not his longtime rival Gaetano Pinzolo will make a move for the boss’ chair. However it is suspected that Barzini will name “Tommy Brown” Pinzolo acting boss in his absence to attain some measure of peace between the family’s two rival factions.

-After a six-month absence Mafia violence hits the streets of New York again. Late last night Christopher Moltisanti became the first known Mafia murder victim following months of relative calm in the New York underworld; Moltisanti was believed to be a capo in New Jersey’s DiMeo Crime Family. Mr. Moltisanti was dining with Benito Fazio who is believed to be either an associate or soldier in Moltisanti’s crew. Moltisanti was hit with 12 bullets and died at the scene; Benito Fazio was hit 5 times and is still in critical condition in a Manhattan hospital. Witnesses say the two men were dining at a table near the back of Pete’s Italian Cuisine when 3 gunmen burst into the restaurant and opened up on the two mobsters with semi-automatic pistols. Law enforcement officials have no leads and no suspects in the slaying and Mafia experts have yet to point the finger at anyone.

-Two weeks after the latest public Mafia rubout New York’s underworld loses another soldier. Anthony Ligambi, acting underboss of the Barzini Crime Family, was shot to death as he stepped from his car in front of a club he owned. Travelling with Mr. Ligambi was Barzini acting boss Gaetano Pinzolo. Mr. Pinzolo was shot an astounding 16 times but has somehow managed to survive this far. He is currently in a Brooklyn intensive care unit. Our Mafia experts are debating as to whether the hit order came from Barzini boss Emilio Barzini who is currently vacationing in an Indiana prison, or from Altobello family boss Giuseppe Giuliani. The experts are saying that Mr. Giuliani recently learned of a meeting between the 4 other New York bosses where his murder was proposed by Gaetano Pinzolo.

- Mutiny is on-hand in the Barzini Crime Family as our experts report that a meeting between the family’s administration and capos earlier this week voted Emilio Barzini, who is currently serving 15 years in Indiana, out as boss. Reports are that Gaetano Pinzolo is taking over as official boss with Salvatore “Little Steven” Schrippa serving as his underboss. Mr. Barzini will reportedly be demoted to capo. Mr. Pinzolo is still in a Brooklyn hospital recovering from the severe wounds he suffered in an attempted hit earlier this month.

-Mafia violence seems to be heating up against this month as another high-ranking member of the New York Mafia was lost to a hail of bullets. Faustino “Doc” Santoro, alleged underboss of the Lupertazzi family, was shot to death by a three-man hit squad as he left his club in northern Brooklyn late last night. Experts agree that the hit order probably came from Lupertazzi boss Philip Leotardo as revenge on Santoro for ordering the murder of former Lupertazzi underboss and Leotardo protégé Gerardo Torciano last year. Experts are pegging powerful New Jersey capo Salvatore “S.S.” Sciacca as the family’s next underboss.

- An organized crime massacre occurred late last night in Manhattan’s West Side. 23 members of the Irish gang known as the “Westies” were slaughtered inside The Clover Pub. Police accounts vary but most agree that a hit-squad of at least 3 gunmen using machine-guns walked into the building and raked the premises. Recently there have been numerous kidnappings of Altobello Crime Family associates and authorities were looking hard at the Irish hoodlums from Manhattan as possible suspects. If this scenario were true it would seem that the bosses of the Altobello family responded to the kidnappings with extreme prejudice. Authorities’ estimate that the Irish gang was comprised of around 40 criminals before last night’s massacre.

- Over the past five years hits on powerful, high-profile members of the New York Mafia became commonplace. It seemed as though a big-time Mafia boss was being gunned down every other day. Well folks, today is no different. Only a mere 2 hours ago Charles Lombardo, alleged boss of the Gaggi Crime Family, broke from tradition and survived an attempt on his life. Mr. Lombardo was stepping from the back of a black Cadillac limo when he was rushed by four men wielding pistols. Mr. Lombardo was hit by 4 bullets out of a possible 7. Amazingly he was not hit in any vital areas and should be released later tomorrow. As of yet police have few clues to go on but our Mafia experts speculate that the hit could’ve came from within, possibly from Lombardo’s own underboss the elderly Alessandro Provenzano. Provenzano was a close, personal friend and mentor to the family’s previous boss Antonio Graziano, and it is not believed that Provenzano was aware of the plot against Mr. Graziano and thus may be seeking retribution for the hit believed to have been ordered by Mr. Lombardo.

- War has broken out in the Italian underworld again as families peering at each other from across the river finally decided to jump. Earlier this week an elderly Ukrainian man and his daughter were gunned down inside their home in what is being described as a case of mistaken identity in a failed Mafia hit. It is believed that the intended victim was Lupertazzi Crime Family boss Phil Leotardo who happens to bear a striking resemblance to the murdered Ukrainian. Anthony Soprano, boss of the New Jersey-based DiMeo Crime Family, is rumored to have ordered the hit in a pre-emptive strike against his rivals across the water. All-out war is now feared as several more mobsters have turned up dead including Robert Baccalieri; a DiMeo capo. Silvio Dante was also shot outside of his strip club in Northern NJ and is now in a coma, which doctors do not expect him to recover from. Mr. Dante is believed to have served as the consigliere in the DiMeo syndicate.

- Salvatore Sciacca, underboss of the Lupertazzi Crime Family, was shot to death outside of his northern Bronx home late last night by an unknown assailant. Police are chalking up the murder to the ongoing war between the Lupertazzi Family of New York and the DiMeo Family of New Jersey. Authorities and insiders are already speculating that Charles “Butch” DeConcini, one of the most powerful capos in the Lupertazzi Family, will step up to fill the void and may already be the primary man on the Lupertazzi war council.

- It seems as though a second Mafia war has broken out in America’s largest city as members of NY’s Altobello and Barzini Crime Families have been turning up dead and wounded. For the past several months the bosses of each family have apparently been trying to kill each other with Barzini boss Gaetano Pinzolo being severely wounded in a hit attempt earlier this year. Early last week two members of the Barzini Crime Family were gunned down outside of a Queens’ social club. The two men, whose names have yet to be released to the public, were identified as two notorious hit men for the Barzini Family. The very next day Vincenzo Salieri, Vincenzo Gagliano, and Gaetano Angelo were all wounded in hit-attempts. These three men are considered to be among the top shooters for the Altobello Crime Family. Authorities are speculating that the war between these two families could take many months as they are the two strongest Mafia outfits in the nation.

- Former Mafia boss Remo Gaggi paroled after serving only 3 years of his 10-year racketeering sentence. Authorities say that Mr. Gaggi is now only a capo in the crime family that bears his name but predict that he will make a move to reclaim his old power as boss and start a third Mafia war; Lupertazzi Family warring with DiMeo Family; Altobello Family warring with Barzini Family.

- Lupertazzi Crime Family boss Phil Leotardo shot to death at a gas station on Long Island. Mr. Leotardo was shot once in the head and once in the chest. His head was also crushed by his SUV’s rear tire after his wife ran from the vehicle without placing it in park. Authorities say that it’s almost a certainty that the forces of DiMeo boss Anthony Soprano pulled the trigger and are also saying that high-ranking members within Leotardo’s own family may have conspired against him to end the war. With this war seemingly finished attention will now shift to the violent battle between New York’s two biggest crime syndicates; the Altobellos and Barzinis.

- Altobello Crime Family underboss Paul Cicero wounded slightly in a hit attempt outside a suspected safe house earlier today. As Cicero and a bodyguard stepped from a car in front of the house two gunmen opened fire with semi-automatic pistols grazing the two men, car, and nearby buildings, but failing to kill their primary target. A total of 14 shots were fired, 3 of which hit Cicero and his bodyguard but in non-vital areas. Law enforcement officials attribute the failed hit to the current war between the Altobello and Barzini Crime Families.

- Over a 3-day span Barzini capo Alphonse Drucci and 13 members of his crew or regime were cut down in the streets of New York. Just last week Altobello underboss Paul Cicero was wounded in a failed hit attempt and it would see that this massacre of Barzini men was Don Giuseppe’s next move on the chess board. So far the war between the two families tips heavily in Altobello’s favor as they have managed to kill all their targets while the Barzinis have failed to kill any.

- Salvatore “Little Steven” Schrippa, underboss of the Barzini Family, was shot to death outside of a southern Pennsylvania house late last night. Schrippa was viewed as one of the most powerful, respected, and feared gangsters in New York City and is thought to have been orchestrating the war against the Altobello Family for Barzini boss Gaetano Pinzolo. Authorities say that the murder of Mr. Schrippa is a huge blow to the Barzini war effort.

- Altobello Family consigliere Salvatore Leone narrowly missed a date with the undertaker this morning as bullets from Barzini guns flew harmlessly by his head as he stepped from a house in northeast Maine. Mr. Leone and three bodyguards managed to beat the men back with their own guns killing one of the assailants. This marks another failed hit attempt by the forces of the Barzini Family as they continue to lose ground in the war with the powerful Altobello Family.

- The Barzini Crime Family was almost decapitated last night as family boss Gaetano “Tommy Brown” Pinzolo was wounded by sub-machine gun fire as he sat in his car with three bodyguards. Witnesses say that two men raked the car with gunfire with one standing in front of the car and the other standing at its side. Pinzolo’s three guards were all killed at the scene but amazingly Mr. Pinzolo was able to escape with only 4 bullet wounds of which only one was deemed serious and required immediate medical attention. Mr. Pinzolo has now survived a total of three attempts on his life and has been shot an astounding 29 times. He is currently being looked after in a South Carolina hospital where it is believed he has been hiding or “going to the mattresses” during the war with the Altobello Family. With Pinzolo in a hospital and underboss Salvatore Schrippa laying 6 feet under it seems as though the Barzinis are against the wall and Altobello victory could come soon.

- The Barzini crime syndicate suffered another serious setback in its war with the Altobello clan late last week. After speculation from media sources and tight lips from law sources it has finally been confirmed that Angelo “Fat Andy” Castellano was the gentleman gunned down in a southern New Jersey alley. Following last month’s murder of Barzini underboss Salvatore Schrippa and the wounding of family boss Gaetano Pinzolo a mere two weeks ago, it would appear that the Barzinis are on their last legs and may soon fall to Altobello gunners. There is no word yet from authorities or our own Mafia insiders who will fill the voids left open by the two murders.

- The Barzini Crime Family almost had its first victory in their war with the Altobello crew as Gaetano “Tommy Guns” Vercetti, a Manhattan capo, was seriously wounded in an ambush outside of a Queens’ warehouse two nights ago. Witnesses say two men approached Mr. Vercetti and two of his underlings as they stepped from a side-door on the building’s east side and unloaded dozens of pistol bullets into the three men. Vercetti’s and his two bodyguards survived the shooting thus far and are currently in a Queens ICU.

- Unconfirmed insider reports indicate that Don Gaetano of the Barzini Crime Family has picked two of his capos to fill the gaping holes left in his administration. 59 year-old Frank Vario has been made acting underboss and 74 year-old Vito Cotroni has been made acting consigliere. The two capos make their headquarters in the Bronx and Brooklyn respectively.

- It has been almost two months since the flames of the Altobello-Barzini firestorm licked at the New York sky, and our resident Mafia experts (which may or may not be a group of poorly-trained squirrels) tell us that there’s solid evidence that the two warring families ironed-out their differences at an official meeting of the Mafia’s Commission some time ago. They say that one proof of evidence is the Altobello Family’s alleged control of the International Longshoremen’s Union, which had been practically owned by the Barzini clan for the last half century. Last week’s shooting of Dino Mirabelli in Kansas City is also claimed as proof of an apparent truce. Mirabelli was a Midwestern-based capo for the Barzinis and was thought to be their point-man with the Union. Recently Altobello capo Giuseppe “Joe Batters” Accardo has been seen meeting with the Union’s president, John Wilson. Accardo is based in San Francisco, a city thought to be “free” of Mafia corruption, and is believed to control all Altobello operations west of Chicago. Even though the families are said to have reached a truce there is still no evidence that the Altobello Family gave anything in return, and it could be assumed that they were essentially the winners of the violent conflict. It is also alleged that Francesco Vario and Vito Cotroni were officially made underboss and consigliere of the Gaggi Family at the Commission meeting while Charles “Butch” DeConcini is now recognized as the sitting boss of the Lupertazzi Family; perhaps his reign will put a shoe in the revolving door of Lupertazzi bosses.

- While my area of expertise is seeded in the Italian Mafia and Jack Daniels there was a report involving the Drug Cartels down south that caught my wavering attention. Over the past two weeks it seems as though the “power structure” of the Miami-based Robina Cartel has been wiped off the map. The bodies of the Cartel’s boss Antonio Montana, number two Miguel Robina, and number three Gaspar Gomez, as well as ten alleged Drug Cell bosses have been found around the Miami area; save for the boss Mr. Montana whose body was found in an alleyway in Bogota, Colombia; territory of the vicious Medellin-based Drug Cartel. It is known that the Medellin Cartel supplies drug traffickers in the United States with product grown in countries like Peru and Bolivia, which is then refined into cocaine in the jungle plants of Colombia. While there is no official account of what happened to the Miami drug-runners the FBI’s experts have formulized a theory. Recently small-time drug dealers in Miami and California have been arrested with large amounts of high-grade cocaine, though to have originated in South America. Three weeks ago $500 million of illicit cash was seized by officials from the Coast Guard and DEA from a large ocean-freighter (sporting Peruvian flags) off the coast of Puerto Rico. FBI officials believe that the dirty money was bound for the cartel bosses in Colombia as payment from the Miami Cartel for a massive shipment of cocaine; the same cocaine officials believe is in the hands and noses of American drug traffickers and partygoers. The FBI believes that this scenario is most likely citing the fact the Miami’s drug boss Tony Montana was apparently murdered in the Medellin’s heartland while his gang back home was wiped out following the seizure of the illicit money. It is not known who will now control Miami’s drug scene now that the Robina Cartel is defunct, but it’s likely that the Medellin Cartel will simply claim it as their territory.

- It wasn’t but two days ago that I fought tooth and nail against a drunken haze to report to you a cessation of hostilities of New York’s most recent Mafia war when another civil war has apparently had fuel thrown on its fire. Sparks Steak House; long has it been a popular spot for steak connoisseurs and Mafia rubout victims. Last night Charles “the Brain” Lombardo became the latest member of the sidewalk’s Concrete Hall of Fame as he stepped from the upscale eatery around 11 pm. Believed to be the boss of the Gaggi Crime Family, Lombardo was shot to death by a total of 13 bullets; 5 in chest, and an overkill of 8 in the head. As always there is yet to be an official explanation of what happened, but I was talking with my good friends Jack, Jim, and Jose and we have two thoughts:
1. The elderly Alessandro Provenzano finally made a move for the boss’ chair.
2. Fresh out of prison Remo Gaggi decided to take back his throne.

– Rarely are there days where I am coherent enough to do two posts in one day, but with potentially major developments in the possible civil war in the Gaggi Family I decided to straighten up with a margarita and hit the books. Insider information reports that last night’s hit on Charles Lombardo came from the combined efforts of underboss Alessandro Provenzano and capo/former boss Remo Gaggi. While that seems to have worked swimmingly there is now some heated discussion between the capos on who should take the throne; Provenzano or Gaggi. Provenzano is next-in-line as underboss but Gaggi still holds massive respect and power on the streets from his many years as the family’s boss and namesake. While there has yet to be an official declaration of war between the two the family’s capos are already throwing their allegiances in the ring. Vincenzo Alphatti, a Queens crew boss, has voiced his support for Provenzano while Carmine Trumunti, the consigliere, and Giorgio Provenzano, a Brooklyn crew boss, have backed Gaggi. Perhaps the weirdest revelation of all this is the fact the Alessandro Provenzano and Giorgio Provenzano are brothers. This potential battle truly does have all the makings of a Civil War reenactment.

- This time last year the citizens of New York City had to be careful not to trip over the dozens of Mafia bodies littering the streets. For the better part of 3 years the 6 families that make up the Italian underworld of NY/NJ had the morgue’s shelves bursting at the seams. But one year has passed since the last mobster was laid to rest on the concrete and not a single public execution has taken place since then. It’s an almost certainty that the Mafia’s ranks have been manually thinned since then, but it seems as though the bosses have placed a moratorium on public murders. The only news to report as of late have been rank changes. According to our unofficial sources in the FBI the Lupertazzi Family finally has a new underboss in Steven “Fat Steve” Barone, a rotund capo from Staten Island. Over in the Gaggi Family it seems as though that outfit still has two acting bosses in Alessandro Provenzano and Remo Gaggi. Following the murder of the Gaggi Family’s former sitting boss Charles Lombardo, which was allegedly arranged by the combined efforts of Provenzano and Gaggi, the two powers have been in a cold war of sorts with neither crew side willing to hop the fence.

– Today’s other crime news comes from across the Hudson in the territory of the DiMeo Crime Family. Unconfirmed reports state that long-time consigliere Silvio Dante has come out of his bullet-induced coma and is slowly recovering. There is no word as of yet on whether or not he will resume his role under family boss Tony Soprano should he recover. It is assumed that Patrick “Uncle Pat” Blundetto is still handling Mr. Dante’s duties as acting consigliere.

- Startling Mafia news from across the ocean today as news filters out that the administration of Sicily’s notorious Corleonesi Clan has been arrested on numerous counts pertaining to their criminal activities. These charges include fraud, racketeering, bribery, extortion, money laundering, kidnapping, bookmaking, loan sharking, armed robbery, murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and assault. The syndicate’s boss Matteo Denaro has been charged with all counts while his underboss Pino Greco has been charged with every count except booking, and the group’s consigliere Michele La Manna has only been charged with bookmaking and money laundering. Mr. Denaro and Mr. Greco face life in prison if convicted while Mr. La Manna faces a maximum of 15 years in prison. Mafia experts and law enforcement authorities are calling this one of the most crippling blows to the criminal outfit in its history while others are saying there are still hundreds of Mafia soldiers waiting in the wings to take the boss’ spots.

- It seems as though the stalemate in leadership of the Gaggi Crime Family as the family’s two acting boss’, Remo Gaggi and Alessandro Provenzano, who leading opposing factions in the family were each shot to death while enjoying some alfredo in northern Bronx last night. Insiders speculate that the two men were trying to iron-out their differences at the meeting when a three-man hit squad burst into the restaurant with sub-machine gunfire. Also in attendance at the business dinner was Gaggi consigliere Carmine Trumunti. Mr. Trumunti was unscathed in the mayhem leading some to theorize that he was behind the rubout given the volume of fire. There are as of yet no claims to the family’s leadership but the three strongest candidates are Carmine Trumunti, Queens capo Vincenzo Alphatti, and Brooklyn capo (and Alessandro’s brother) Giorgio Provenzano. The leadership of the Gaggi family has been a mess for over a year and there are many in the law enforcement community who are asking why the commission has not stepped in to settle the family’s woes. Our own experts speculate that the other families are standing on the sidelines to pick up the pieces that come from the Gaggi infighting, such as bookmaking and shylock territories that are now under control of the city’s four other families.

- In the violent world of the Mafia there are seldom days that bring news that doesn’t involved shells casings hitting the pavement, but over in Jersey the Mafiosi of the Garden State through a “Welcome Home” bash for their beleaguered consigliere Silvio Dante. Mr. Dante was released from the hospital last week after spending more than a year in a coma following a hit attempt in last year’s Lupertazzi – DiMeo war that left many mobsters dead, including DiMeo capo Robert Baccalieri and then Lupertazzi boss Phil Leotardo. There is now news as of yet when or if Mr. Dante will resume his duties as Tony Soprano’s consigliere. As of now long-time DiMeo soldier Patrick Blundetto is still handling things as acting consigliere.

- Once again the dysfunctional Gaggi Crime Family seems destined to be filling each other full of holes as the syndicate reportedly now has three mobsters vying for the boss’ mantle. Consigliere Carmine Trumunti and capos Vincenzo Alphatti and Giorgio Provenzano are said to be preparing their loyalists for war. Authorities are all but in agreement that Mr. Trumunti was the brains behind last month’s assassination of former boss rivals Alessandro Provenzano and Remo Gaggi, and there are rumors that the family’s soldiers were outraged at the murder of the family’s namesake Remo Gaggi.

– Back in the Mafia’s birthplace the dismantling of the powerful Corleonesi Clan has achieved its first milestone with the conviction of consigliere Michele La Manna. Mr. La Manna was convicted of bookmaking and money laundering and was sentenced to 15 years in prison in a prison close to the Tuscany region of Italy. La Manna’s two cohorts Matteo Denaro (boss) and Pino Greco (underboss) are set to go on trial next week with each man facing life in prison.

- The war that had yet to start has come to a quick and violent end. The Gaggi Crime Family was poised to break out into another civil war as several high-ranking members were attempting to take the boss’ chair. At a late-afternoon lunch the three most prominent members of the Gaggi Crime Family were gunned downed over their pastrami on rye sandwiches and that’s the simple part. According to eyewitness testimony and unofficial police reports Giorgio Provenzano, Vincenzo Alphatti, and Carmine Trumunti were not shot by a hit-squad wielding Tommy-Guns, instead they were shot by pistol-fire at point-blank range from their own hands. A waiter on the scene reported that the three men were having an intense discussion that escalated into a loud argument with the staff pleading for the men to calm themselves for the sake of the other patrons. What happened next could be misconstrued as a scene straight out of Hollywood. According to the waitress Mr. Provenzano insulted Mr. Alphatti with a derogatory sexual term, at which point Mr. Alphatti pulled out a pistol and pointed it in the direction of Provenzano. Immediately after this the third patron Carmine Trumunti pulled out his pistol and pointed it at Alphatti. A dropped kitchen pan set off the next deadly chain of events as a knee-jerk reaction from Vincenzo Alphatti sent four bullets into Giorgio Provenzano’s chest. A bullet into the side of Alphatti’s abdomen from Carmine’s gun came next as the consigliere reacted to the gunfire. As Vincenzo fell from his chair he was able to pump five rounds into Carmine’s chest, but not before Mr. Trumunti was able to send six more slugs into Alphatti. After the last shell casing bounced on the marble floor the only thing at the table left undisturbed was the pastrami on rye as the three most powerful men in the Gaggi Crime Family lay dead on the restaurant’s dusty floor. Now according to Mafia rules its customary for mob meetings to be free of guns, but it seems that the trust between these three men was not what you’d call brotherly. With the top candidates for the boss position dead and no other official members of the Gaggi administration alive it is virtual bedlam in the family’s ranks with each capo refusing to recognize one above another, and with each crew acting like a mini-family. The time may have finally come for the commission to step in and regain control of one of its families.

- Wiseguys all over New York ran like ants under a magnifying glass earlier this week as indictments from the feds in Manhattan blew open the Mafia’s secret doors. The top three bosses in four of the five families were named in the so-called “Concrete Cartel” operation as the leaders of a concrete bid-rigging scheme. Only the Gaggi Family was spared as it is currently thought the family has no official or even acting administration at this time following internal warfare. Twelve of the twenty-three defendants are comprised of the family bosses and should the leaders be convicted they face up to one-hundred years in prison. Our experts have unconfirmed reports that the key to the government’s case is information stemming from two made members of the Barzini Crime Family, who have yet to be identified and are still presumed to be wire-up on the streets.

- News from the Mafia’s womb of Sicily indicates that the Italian government has won round 2 of its fight against the notorious Corleonesi Clan as it’s been reported that Pino Greco, family underboss, was convicted on all charges and sentences to life in prison. The trial of family boss Matteo Denaro is set to begin next month with the young mobster also facing life behind bars.

- It seems as though the underworld has taken the hostilities long simmering on the United States southern border to violent levels as members of a Chicago drug cell belonging to the Tijuana Cartel have been turning up dead in the Windy City’s streets. The obvious culprit for the slayings would be the powerful, Irish dominated Clover Gang. It is believed that the Irish gang has long received its drug supply from south of the border and was thought that the bosses of the two groups (Joseph Bane, Memo Lucero) had maintained a friendly relationship, but these recent incidents seem to suggest otherwise. Officials are saying that if the two crime groups engage in full-scale war it could be one of the more violent gangs wars of recent times as both syndicated are very powerful, and are known for the ruthless approach to business.

- Barzini mobster Alfredo De Niro found shot to death in Hells Kitchen early this morning. It is believed that Mr. De Niro was one of the two alleged Mafia informants whose information is key in the government’s case against the “Concrete Cartel.” Officials theorize that De Niro may have been murdered by members of the Westies, a notorious Irish gang, under contract of the Altobello Crime Family. The leaders of the world’s most powerful Mafia family have all been indicted as members of the “Concrete Cartel” and would have a vested interest in seeing Mr. De Niro dead.

- The number two man in the Tijuana Cartel and five of his associates were found murdered in a chartered yacht off the coast of California late last night as the apparent war between the Cartel and Chicago-based Clover Gang seems to be in full-swing. Ricardo Ramirez was the street boss of the powerful Mexican cartel and was technically second-in-command to Memo Lucero, although Mexican and DEA officials say that Mr. Ramirez was the real power in the outfit. The six men were all shot execution-style with what is known as “the Mozambique Drill,” which is a double-tap to the chest followed by a carefully aimed head shot. Investigators also found evidence that the hit men tried, but failed to start the craft and fire to possibly sink the vessel or disguise the victims’ identities. As of yet law enforcement authorities have no solid leads on the case but are silently attributing the murders to the pre-mentioned gang war.

- After nearly three months of the Gaggi Family acting like a violent federation of crews the outfit seems to be re-organizing itself as there are reports that the commission has chosen a new administration. Sixty-seven year old Nicholas “Little Nick” Corozzo is being label as the new boss with fifty-nine year old Joseph “Joey Squints” Squitieri, and sixty-four year old Joseph “Jo Jo” Corozzo (elder Corozzo’s brother) being named as underboss and consigliere. With the Gaggi Family dodging indictments stemming from the “Concrete Cartel” case they are in prime to position to regain their power. It is believed that the three men were chosen by a consensus of the commission but insider reports indicate that the actual decisions were made between Altobello boss Giuseppe Giuliani, and his New Jersey counterpart Anthony Soprano.

- DiMeo Crime Family consigliere Silvio Dante seems to be back to work as he was seen leaving a meeting with the Altobello’s of New York. Little more than a year ago Mr. Dante was on his deathbed following an assassination attempt courtesy of the Lupertazzi Family whose boss at the time had declared war on his New Jersey neighbors. Dante was in a coma for several months and was not expected to make the full recovery he has. Luckily for him he followed his boss’ example of survival instead of the one set by former capo/acting underboss Robert Baccalieri who now lies six feet under after being killed in the same war.

- The second informant in the “Concrete Cartel” has been officially announced following arrests of high-level Mafia bosses. Nicodemo “Nicky Cigars” Marangello was a soldier in the Barzini family and believed to be one of the bagmen for the “Concrete Cartel.” Officials say that his testimony will deal with the bosses of the Lupertazzi and Barzini families and that the leaders of the Altobello and Tattaglia families may be off the hook for now as the informant handling their information was killed in Hell’s Kitchen last week. Following the announcement of the second informant Gaetano Pinzolo, Francesco Vario, and Vito Cotroni of the Barzini Family were arrested at a café in Brooklyn. In Queens Charles DeConcini, Steven Barone, and Albert Cianflone were arrested at a bar owned by a reputed Lupertazzi capo. There is no word as of yet if any charges will be filled against the bosses of the Altobello and Tattaglia families, but the six men arrested today are expected to go on trial early next year and will face the possibility of 100 years in prison if convicted.

- The three-man advisory council of the Clover Gang, known as the “Gang Council,” was blown away in a Chicago barbershop earlier this morning. Richard Cusack, brother Joseph Cusack, and Liam Durnham were all shot to death by shotgun fire from a four-man hit squad. The shaving cream on the men’s faces was said to still be foaming as the shotguns cut loose and perforated the scruffy Irishmen. Like most murders involving organized crime police have no solid leads, but speculate that this act was return fire from the drug pushers from Mexico who have suffered severe losses of their own in the violent war.

- Reports from the windy streets of Chicago indicate that the powerful Irish gang known as the Clovers has refilled its ranks with a new “Gang Council,” which serves as advisors to the boss. Earlier this year it’s believed that the previous council was wiped out in a war with the Tijuana Cartel. This came after the Mexican Cartel’s number two man, or street boss Ricardo Ramirez was found shot to death on his private yacht. His murder was also attributed to the aforementioned war. The drug pushers from down south seemed to have followed the Irishmen’s lead as it is believed that the cartel has named Ricardo’s younger brother Carlos as the new street boss. Patrick Flannigan (street boss James Flannigan’s younger brother), William Kelly, and Roger Lynch are said to be the newest members of the Clover Gang’s advisory panel. There is no word or speculation as of yet if the war between the two syndicates will continue, but there are rumors the two of the world’s most powerful crime lords may step in to settle things. Ricardo Diaz, boss of the Colombian Cartel, and Giuseppe Giuliani, boss of the Altobello Mafia Family, are said to be disturbed by the violent war between the two organizations. Giuliani is believed to be the most powerful crime boss in the world with Mr. Diaz coming in at a close second.

- Devastating news from Virginia today as it has been confirmed that government witness Nicodemo “Nickey Cigars” Marangello died in his protective custody cell late last night after having been apparently poisoned through his food. All suspicions lay with guard/staff within in the facility at the moment as they would have been to only ones able to introduce a poison to Mr. Marangello. Following this news the FBI announced late this afternoon that they were dropping all charges against the 6 mafia bosses currently under indictments stemming from the “Concrete Cartel.” It is believed the suspects had already been released from custody at the time of printing.

- Severe violence hits the streets of New York this week as 4 high-ranking Mafia members have been gunned down within the last 48 hrs. Within a 4-hour span two nights ago Francesco Vario and Steven Barone were shot to death. Mr. Vario is believed to hold the rank of underboss in the Barzini Crime Family, and was recently released from Federal custody following the collapse of the “Concrete Cartel” case. The deceased was shot to death as he stepped from an apartment building on Manhattan’s West Side. Steven Barone, who was also a defendant in the concrete case, was blown away by a shotgun as his car sat at a red light. The car’s driver and what is presumed to be a bodyguard were also killed. One borough north and 24 hours later brought the demise of two Mafia consiglieres. Vito Cotroni and Albert Cianflone were machine-gunned to death as they dinned in an upscale Italian restaurant on the Bronx’s north end. Police reports indicate that a total of 124 bullets were fired from 3 Thompson Sub-Machine guns. Mr. Cotroni was hit 58 times; Mr. Cianflone 66. Like the two underbosses killed the night before Mr. Cotroni and Mr. Cianflone were recently released defendants of the “Concrete Cartel” case. Police have no leads as of yet but fear that an ultra-violent Mafia war could erupt.

Organized Crime Hierarchies

New York City

- Altobello Crime Family -

Boss- Giuseppe “Mulberry Joe” Giuliani

Underboss - Pasquale “Paulie Sis” Cicero

Consigliere - Salvatore “Big Sal” Leone

- Barzini Crime Family -

Boss - Gaetano “Tommy Brown” Pinzolo

Underboss - Vacant

Consigliere - Vacant

- Gaggi Crime Family -

Boss – Nicholas “Little Nick” Corozzo

Underboss – Joseph “Joey Squints” Squitieri

Consigliere – Joseph “Jo Jo” Corozzo

- Lupertazzi Crime Family -

Boss - Charles “Butch” DeConcini

Underboss - Vacant

Consigliere - Vacant

- Tattaglia Crime Family -

Boss - Philip “Philly Spoons” Tattaglia

Underboss - Giacomo “Jackie the Lackey” Cafaro

Consigliere - Vincenzo “Skinny Vinny” Altieri

New Jersey

- DiMeo Crime Family -

Boss - Anthony “Tony” Soprano

Underboss - Paul “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri

Consigliere - Silvio “Sil” Dante

Chicago

- The Clover Gang -

Boss - Joseph “Ruthless Joe” Bane

Street Boss - James “Jimmy two-guns” Flannigan

Gang Council (advisors) - Vacant

Miami

- Controlled by the Medellin Cartel -

Medellin Drug Cell Boss - Felix Ochoa or Felipe Valdez

Colombia

- Medellin Cartel -

Drug Lord - Ricardo Diaz

Street Boss - Alejandro Gomez

Advisor - Pedro Gutierrez

Mexico

- Tijuana Cartel -

Drug Lord - Memo Lucero

Street Boss - Vacant

Advisor - Miguel Gomez

Sicily

- Corleonesi Clan -

Capo Crimini - Matteo Denaro

Sotto Capo - Pino Greco (Prison – life)

Consigliere - Michele La Manna (Prison - 15 years)

London

- Polford Gang -

Boss - Charles “Brick Top” Polford

Enforcer - Errol Williams

Soldiers (known) - John Beckett, Cliff Williams, Sol Anders, John Beckwith, James Polford, Mickey Stevens, Peter Gallagher, Paul Gallagher, George Starkey, Winston Jones, Stuart Adams, Richard Stone, Henry Page, Willie Moore, Stephen Bloom

NY Five Families/NJ Stats

- Altobello Crime Family -

Capos/Crews: 36

Soldiers: 850 – 1,000

Associates: 1,500 – 2,000

- Barzini Crime Family –

Capos/Crews: 31

Soldiers: 500 – 750

Associates: 1,000 – 1,500

- Lupertazzi Crime Family –

Capos/Crews: 27

Soldiers: 350 – 500

Associates: 850 – 1,000

- Gaggi Crime Family –

Capos/Crews: 24

Soldiers: 300 – 450

Associates: 600 - 750

- Tattaglia Crime Family –

Capos/Crews: 19

Soldiers: 200 – 350

Associates: 250 – 400

- DiMeo Crime Family –

Capos/Crews: 7

Soldiers: 50 – 100

Associates: 75 - 150

Submitted by,
Bluto Babaganoosh
Staff Writer - NY Times

- Edit 1 -

The format is up to style yet and there are still grammar/spelling mistakes that have to be fixed. The main reason neither of this has occurred yet is because I was entirely way too lazy to do such.

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