buffalo had 100 made members at most at its peak

As I stated it depends on the source.
The 300 member quote was from the book "DICARLO" Buffalo's first family of crime, by Thomas Hunt.

Most likely. 20 members means 10% of their current membership left which is nothing more than a remnant of a family. I don't think DiCarlo in his book states Buffalo had 300 members. I believe he states more than 100, which is what Magaddino himself said that was overheard on a wiretap.

100 made men plus in 1969 there was a rebellion in the family 'cause the Magaddino greed (the old man was saying to the capos that there are no enought money and was seized 1 milion in cash in his son Peter home) and the Valenti that split from buffalo. So there was only 50-60 made men at Magaddino death.

So tell me, are there no gangs in New York City? Is there no threat of terrorism in NYC, either? It seems as if your argument is that law enforcement in Buffalo is more worried about gangs and terrorism so that is why they leave the mafia alone. However, there is a significant amount of gangs and drug activity in New York which is being investigated by the NYPD and the FBI and for some reason they still have the time and resources to investigate and bring cases against the mafia. As evidenced by 9/11 and other events afterward, I'm sure that New York remains a hotbed for terrorist activity which is why the FBI and NYPD made terrorism their MAIN priority after 9/11 ... did they stop going after the mob? No. They significantly reduced the manpower of their organized crime squads so they could focus on terrorism, but they didn't simply give up on investigating LCN activity.

Why? Because the five families, even though not as powerful as they once were, are still viewed as a threat. The same goes for law enforcement in New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, Providence and elsewhere that the families remain viable. If there were 35-40 made guys in Buffalo believe me law enforcement would dedicate resources to fight it whether or not terrorism or gangs remained their main priority. You've basically proven my point for me - the gangs in Buffalo are more prominent than what's left of the mob and that's why law enforcement places a higher priority towards them.




Even though I'm not sure what to believe with Violi, I do agree with you 100% on that assessment. It's extremely risky. His whole claim of Todaro supposedly naming him the underboss just seemed fishy to me. For all of this time people claimed that Todaro was retired and making millions from his pizza joint, which I'm not disputing. If you have a legitimate business raking in cash like that at his age why would you want anything to do with a declining mob family that is going to do nothing for you but put you behind bars for the rest of your life? I don't claim to know a lot about Buffalo LCN but I remember that there were several names thrown around as being the boss when this topic was brought up before, I just don't remember them from the top of my head. All of a sudden a wiretap comes up with Violi claiming that Todaro named him the underboss and now Todaro is the godfather again and Buffalo is resurrected with 35-40 made guys on the streets. I could be wrong, the pieces just don't add up correctly to me.

35-40 seems like alot

I look at it this way

Up until very recently before the first body dropped in Hamilton

Basically the opinion of Hamilton was there was very little more than likely NOTHING going on
And the groups over there were dead by the way of the Buffalo, dead since Papallia and Borello were killed in the 90's

That those groups were so weak that they could not have hit back in the 90's

Now that assessment seems a little off.

These guys are dropping these bodies and burying their sons and brothers has to be for some decent rackets...

Carmen Barillaro was killed and all other guys go home and search for a 8/5 job ? OC is about Money not about revenge. The most OC Hits are inside job not war between groups. A change in LCN structure are very probably. I do not believe they have the same structure as last in century. But a kill with 3 arrested guys does not make a whole group disappear.

Please don't compare Buffalo and NYC.

BPD - 131 million Budget with 700 officers. 1 police man -> 371c
Erie County Sheriff's Office - POLICE SERVICES DIVISION - 26m
Erie County - DISTRICT ATTORNEY 15m
FBI Buffalo Field Office - No Data

NYPD - 5.6 billion with 36,000 officers. 1 police man -> 233 civilian

Now the Crime Side
crime rate (100000) murder/slaughter
Buffalo 1019.25 15.61
NYC 538.90 3.39

Of course gangs are "more prominent" they kill each other at daylight. But this had nothing to do with the questions. Exist in Buffalo LCN/Italian OC activity ? anf Which is the best way to find out ?

January 6, 1997 - Herbert "Fat Herbie" Blitzstein
May 31, 1997, Frank Papalia 
July 23, 1997 Carmen Barillaro

I agree with Nitro.In 1997 they was enought organizated to kill Blitzstein and try to take over his racket with the LA family made men and after the killers was arrested and Papalia and Barillaro dies,the organization disappear?
Come on for sure doesnt had a classic LCN hierarchy but for sure arent dead and taken revenge on Musitanos.

It seems they were pretty active in recent years.

No these guys are not doing nothing they are all gone.

Same in Detroit and western PA and more .

^ can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not.

Yes I was being sarcastic “ people think that there is nothing going on in these old strong holds . Now I am not talking 1969 but they are still there.

Buffalo City Hall raided by FBI, HUD, IRS

https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-new...?_amp=true&__twitter_impression=true

The US Attorney mentioned public corruption investigation yesterday at the press conference about the DEA agent.

BURA, it's a who's who of who the feds are looking for. If they are planning of coming down hard on a bunch of different groups, then it is definitely part of a larger investigation.

Prosecutors try to disqualify noted defense lawyer in mob case

https://buffalonews.com/2019/12/09/feds-try-to-disqualify-noted-defense-lawyer-in-mob-case/

“When former federal agent Joseph Bongiovanni found himself facing criminal charges, he turned to one of Buffalo's premier defense lawyers: Paul J. Cambria Jr.
Now, the government wants Cambria off the case...”

“...At the root of Bongiovanni's prosecution is the allegation that the former Drug Enforcement Administration agent took $250,000 in bribes from drug dealers who he believed had ties to the local Mafia...”

Interesting case to follow...the hunt for lcn

Federal agents raid Cheektowaga gentlemen's club as part fo investigation into former DEA agains accused of taking bribes from friends in Buffalo Mafia: https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-new...t-of-investigation-into-former-dea-agent

From The Buffalo News
Federal agents raid Cheektowaga strip club

"Paul J. Cambria Jr., Bongiovanni's defense lawyer, said the raid is part of the government's efforts at linking Peter Gerace, owner of the strip club, to the conspiracy outlined in the charges against his client.

Cambria denied the existence of a conspiracy and noted that the government is also trying to remove him from the case, claiming he has a conflict of interest."

https://buffalonews.com/2019/12/12/federal-agents-raid-cheektowaga-strip-club/

Pharaoh's strip club raid fuels reports of mafia links
The Buffalo News
Dec. 15
By Phil Fairbanks

“If you buy the argument that former DEA agent Joseph Bongiovanni is tied to the Buffalo mafia, it might be because of his boyhood relationship with Peter Gerace.

Gerace is the operator of Pharaoh's, the Cheektowaga strip club raided by federal agents Thursday, and the nephew of Joseph Todaro Jr.”

https://buffalonews.com/2019/12/15/pharaohs-strip-club-raid-fuels-reports-of-mafia-links/

Peter Gerace is a brother in law of Todaro Jr not nephew he is married to Todaro sister.

Yes Peter Gerace Sr. is Joe Todaro’s Jr’s brother-in-law and owns the strip club, at least a few years back when they were investigated for I-9 violations ... etc. I believe this article is speaking of Peter Gerace Jr. who operates the club for his Dad. The article also mentions Gerace Jr.’s brother Anthony who was indicted on narcotics and weapons charges in May. If I remember correctly the found evidence of sports sports betting material when they raided his home in Clarence Center in January.

Here is the link to Anthony’s indictment:
https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/clarence-center-man-indicted-multiple-drug-and-gun-charges

Link to WGRZ story: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wg.../71-5187b6d8-9039-44e8-9ace-42da88d61a43

I-Team: Is strip club raid a sign of Buffalo Mafia resurgence?
Crimes north of Canadian border alleged
WKBW Buffalo
Dec. 17
by Charlie Specht

"Last month, federal prosecutors indicted former DEA agent Joseph Bongiovanni for allegedly accepting bribes from criminals with ties to what they called “Italian organized crime.”

Last week, the feds followed up with a raid at Pharaoh’s Gentleman’s Club in Cheektowaga. The strip club is operated by Peter Gerace, who is related to the Todaro family that the FBI accused decades ago of running the Buffalo mob (the Todaros denied the charges).

But documents obtained by the 7 Eyewitness News I-Team show these recent developments are part of a wider federal investigation into the possible re-emergence of organized crime in Buffalo."

SNIP

"“You've got a reemergence because there's so much profit to be made north of the Border,” Manning said.

Manning has direct knowledge of mafia efforts to infiltrate law enforcement. As a police officer, he went undercover in the mob, an experience that nearly cost him his life . He said he was betrayed by crooked Hamilton officers and nearly killed by a mob hit. He is now suing the Hamilton government.

The allegations against Bongiovanni, the former DEA agent, follow the same pattern, and the I-Team has learned that Bongiovanni is not the only police officer suspected of breaking the law.

“It also confirms that we do have a problem with law enforcement working for the other side,” Manning said."

Link to the article

https://www.wkbw.com/news/i-team/i-team-is-strip-club-raid-a-sign-of-buffalo-mafia-resurgence

Not just north of the border. There are markets and in some cases a vacuum in the Buffalo area and surrounding counties for complete control. Plus gambling and loan sharking has been the mafia's bread and butter for a long time, keep watching the states and online betting, but they are smart and do that legally.

A high school teacher in Buffalo Public Schools arrested last year may be a member of the mob according to new Buffalo News article on DEA agent Bongiovanni and Masecchia: https://buffalonews.com/2020/06/22/feds-tie-former-dea-agent-to-drug-dealer-and-mob/

More on Peter and Anthony Gerace from Phil Fairbanks' article in the Buffalo News: During a pandemic, even strip clubs raided by federal agents want a helping hand.


Here is the link: https://buffalonews.com/news/local/duri ... 2340a.html

Lee Coppola sticks to his guns

Another Voice: Law enforcement needs to stop referring to the 'Mafia'

https://buffalonews.com/opinion/ano...s-to-stop-referring-to-the-mafia/article

Cross posting from Angelo Musitano Hit in Hamilton Thread:

Nicaso says some interesting things about the conflict in Canada and how it may relate to groups in Hamilton and Southern Ontario rebuilding their ties to the Buffalo mob.

Here is a link to the interview: https://www.facebook.com/cbchamilton/videos/1036507083459691

Thanks to Antimafia for bringing this interview to our attention in the Angelo thread.