Who is currently heading up New York’s Five Family structure? For that matter, who are the bosses for what remains of other Cosa Nostra networks in the United States?

In recent years there’s been a lot of idle chatter, debate and unsubstantiated claims. But what do you think is the reality of it all?

Genovese:
Gambino:
Bonanno:
Colombo:
Lucchese:
DeCavalcante:
Buffalo:
New England:
Philadelphia:
Chicago:

I'm almost 100% certain that when it comes to the five families, these men lead the charge

Gambino: Lorenzo Mannino (Cefalu might be official, but Mannino is pulling all the strings)
Genovese: Barney Bellomo (Ernie could be official, but this is definitely Barney's family)
Lucchese: Mike DeSantis (Vic is probably official, but same thing)
Bonanno: Johnny Joe (Mikey Nose is probably official, but Johnny carries too much weight)
Colombo: Joey Amato (Teddy might be official)

Philly is being run by George Borgesi. Capeci is not wrong about that. Joey Merlino is a social media influencer

Chicago is being run by either Vena or Cataudella. Solly might have the title, but he's a dinosaur

DeCavs: Louie Eggs? I'm not sure

For New York and Philadelphia, just whatever Gangland is reporting

Buffalo: Joseph A. Todaro
DeCavalcante: Likely Charles Majuri, possibly with an acting boss given his age
New England: Most probably the DiNunzio brothers. Hopefully we see that RISP bust at some point and get more info for the family, especially now that Edward Lato is dead

Chicago is likely DeLaurentis with various acting administrators?

This makes sense.

I think these are logical choices also, JP

Lol lol lol

Are there any others...either cities, or guys, that we missed?

Nope. The other families are all died.

Yep, I agree. Just wanted there to be a consensus about that. (for that matter, there are another 4 or 5 on that list that are on their last legs right now)

Seems like right now Pittsburgh just has some smaller crews running illegal gambling, drug distribution and a little bid rigging.



Southwestern gambling ring

Robert "Bobby I" Iannelli – is an associate to the Pittsburgh family and the leader of the "Southwestern gambling ring" who controls illegal sports gambling and numbers lottery in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties from his Chub's Place restaurant in North Park. In September 2020, Iannelli and his son pleaded guilty, they paid fines of $300,000 and sentenced to 10 years in prison but were given probation and will not have to spend time in prison.

Rodney Elia "Rusty" Iannelli – the son of "high ranking" associate Robert Iannelli. Rodney was arrested in 1991 on illegal gambling from Chub's Place. He was charged in the 2013, with illegal gambling along with Pittsburgh mob figures Ron "Porky" Melocchi and Jeff "Biscuit" Risha. In 2019, Iannelli was arrested and charged along with his father Robert Iannelli and twelve others with operating an illegal gambling operation. In September 2020, Iannelli and his father pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 10 years in prison but were given probation and will not have to spend time in prison.

James Roger Martorella
John James Harkins
Harry Ronald Stetson
Floyd A. Panella
Arden Keith Metcalfe
Victor Marchitello
Frank Joseph Pasquino
Vincent M. Rapneth
Levi Wilson Helsel



McKeesport gambling ring

Ronald "Porky" Melocchi – is an associate of the Pittsburgh family and leader of the "McKeesport gambling ring". In 2013, Melocchi was indicted along with Jeffery Risha, Rodney Iannelli and fourteen others on illegal gambling charges. Melocchi was accused of run the illegal gambling operation from his defunct business the Coffee Pot in McKeesport. The indictment also charged Melocchi with selling illegal gambling machines and with controlling illegal gambling activity of lotteries and bookmaking throughout Monongahela Valley and McKeesport area. In the indictment Melocchi was accused of and boasted that he had law enforcement and local city council members in his pocket. The indictment alleged that Melocchi bought "Back Alley Vending", a Glassport business from Primo Mollica, a Pittsburgh Mafia associate who controlled illegal gambling in Mon Valley until he died in 2001. In June 2015, Melocchi was sentenced to a decade of probation.

Kirk "K-Prime" Mollica – the son of former "high ranking" associate Primo Mollica, who once controlled gambling throughout Glassport, McKeesport, and the surrounding areas. Before his father Primo Mollica died in 2001, he had sold his "Back Alley Vending", a Glassport vending business to Ronald Melocchi. In 2013, Mollica was indicted along with Ronald Melocchi, Rodney Iannelli, Jeffrey Risha and fourteen others on illegal gambling charges.The indictment list Kirk's "M&M Coffee Shop" in Glassport associated with Melocchi's "Back Alley Vending".

Mark Holtzman
Ronald Preset
Arthur Pero
James Cerqua
Robert H. Bogesdorfer
Eugene T. Kowalski
Timothy John Minkus



Fayette and Allegheny gambling ring

Ralph "Big Head" Maselli – is an associate of Pittsburgh family. In October 2000, Maselli along with Pittsburgh made member Thomas Ciancutti, associate Jeffery Risha, his wife Karen Maselli and ten other associates were charged with illegal gambling in Fayette County. It was revealed in court that Maselli and Jeffery Risha were Thomas Ciancutti's top lieutenants who operated from Pittsburgh before moving into the "New Beacon Club" in Bloomfield. The courts described Maselli as Ciancutti's lieutenant controlling sports betting and numbers rackets throughout Allegheny County and also was involved in the placement of video poker machines.

Louis Cutone Jr.
Dave Borkovich
Mark Borkovich
Joseph Scarillo
Albert Tabasco
Thomas Thornton
Thomas Ferris
Mark Anthony Howard
James Michael John

Duffy gambling ring

John Francis "Duffy" Conley Jr. – a Pittsburgh family associate who operates an illegal video poker machine ring in Pittsburgh area. Conley owned two vending machine companies "Three River Coin Co." and "Duffy Vending" and controlled illegal gambling Allegheny County. Conley was associated with both Pittsburgh family associates Ralph Maselli and John Adams. In 2006, Conley was arrested for running illegal gambling operations.The federal investigation never proved that Conley paid the Pittsburgh mob for protection, but the Pennsylvania Crime Commission claimed Conley received video poker machines from a company aligned with New Jersey's Lucchese and DeCavalcante organized crime families. In November 2006, Conley and Chris Hankish were charged in a gambling ring. Conley was released from prison in July 2009. In 2010, Conley and William Curtin opened a legal online gambling website.

William Curtin – is Conley's number two man in the gambling ring. In 2010, Curtin and John Conley opened a legal online gambling website.

Michael "Mickey" Flynn Jr. – an associate of Conley's. He pleaded guilty November 1, 2006, to gambling conspiracy charges in connection with Conley's illegal gambling operation. Flynn is the owner of the Union Grill in Washington, and was convicted on state gambling charges in 2004.


Penn Hills gambling machine ring

Mauro P. Matone – a Pittsburgh associate. Matone worked closely with Eugene Gesuale and involved in the narcotics distribution. He was released from prison on February 22, 1996. In March 2003, Matone was arrested along with thirteen others for operating illegal video gambling machines in Penn Hills.

Joseph P. Scolieri Sr. – a Pittsburgh associate involved in sports gambling and bookmaking in the Penn Hills area.

Other associates

John V. "Johnny A" Adams Jr. – a Pittsburgh associate. Adams controls a large gambling operation in the Pittsburgh area and is a close associate of John Conley Jr. and Ralph Maselli.

Salvatore A. "Sonny" Williams – a Pittsburgh associate. His father controlled a large Pittsburgh gambling ring. Williams is a close associate of John Conley Jr. Williams was also a close associate of Paul Hankish.

Anthony Murgie – a Pittsburgh associate. He is the nephew of Charles Imburgia and was a close associate of Charles Porter and Michael Genovese. Murgie was involved in illegal gambling.

Gerald D. Sabatini – a Pittsburgh associate. Sabatini's brothers John V. and Robert J. were associates of the Pittsburgh family and involved in narcotics and illegal gambling operations. Sabatini's is a close associate of Thomas Ciancutti.

James "Brad" LaRocca – a Pittsburgh associate involved in bid rigging.

Reginald "Nico" Demelio – a Pittsburgh associate involved in bid rigging and extortion.

Jon Edward Scalzitti – a Pittsburgh associate. In 2002, Scalzitti was found guilty of a drug distribution network from Florida to Pittsburgh.

Joseph LaQuatra – a Pittsburgh associate.

Frank Rosa – a Pittsburgh associate.

Gerald Pecora Jr. – a Pittsburgh associate and former Local 1058 Union president.

Felix "Phil" Pitzerell– a Pittsburgh associate involved in gambling, narcotics and stolen goods.

Alfred F. Corbo – a Pittsburgh associate overseeing large scale gambling operations in Wheeling, WV and Altoona, PA.

Frank Unis Jr. – a Pittsburgh associate with ties to the Gambino LCN family in New York. Unis was charged by federal authorities with running a $500,000 per week bookmaking operation.