There was a spot "open" in 1985 when Accetturo was indicted for credit card and wire fraud. It is possible that Ricciardi functioned as the acting capo during that time.

There were actually two known Tommy Ricciardis involved with the New York/New Jersey Mafia. The other one moved to Los Angeles after the Gallo/Profaci war and became made in that Family.
Strangely enough, he was put under capo Mike Rizzi (another former New Yorker and former Gallo gang member who had fled New York). During the war, Rizzi had shot but only wounded Ricciardi. However, they seem to have gotten along pretty well while in LA.