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Re: MOST SUCCESSFUL AND LOW-KEY MAFIOSO?
[Re: Louiebynochi]
#994509
07/26/20 07:02 AM
07/26/20 07:02 AM
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12,492
NYMafia
OP
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OP

Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12,492
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Louie, THAT'S a great pick!!
Giuseppe (Joe) Arcuri is a very underrated mafioso. Why? Because during his tenure in the life, a position that always saw him near the top of power, whether he was a soldier or later a skipper Arcuri was low-key and very cautious.
He lived his life the way a TRUE mafioso should and that is "in the shadows", not a showboat.
He largely stayed out of prison. I'm not even sure he's ever done 1 day in jail. If he did a bit then it was way back in his youth and must have been a short bit at best. But as I say I'm not so sure he's even seen the inside of a cell.
A very well respected man. Close to the bosses regardless of whether it be Salvatore D'Aquilla, Albert Anastasia, Carlo Gambino, or Paul Castellano.
Regardless of his "official" status, Arcuri was a name well known throughout national gangland by those who needed to know. If I'm not mistaken he was utilized to carry messages and the dictates of New York leaders to bosses in other parts of the country. He was also a "mediator" of sorts who was sent to quell disturbances and quarrels between mob factions in different states by the Commission in his earlier years.
I'm sure he wasn't hurting for money. He had interests in several legit businesses in NYC. Just a smart and shrewd guy. If I'm not mistaken he owned a successful retail liquor store on the upper East Side for years, and some real estate holdings. He may not have been a multimillionaire (or maybe he was), but he always earned well.
He also lived to a ripe old age! The most exposure he ever got was during the Gotti era because Gotti was like a magnet for LE. And all those around him had that light shown on them. I do believe your choice more than meets ALL the criteria I set out for a pick.
THATS a pick! Great choice..... One of the true "sleepers" of Cosa Nostra.
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Re: MOST SUCCESSFUL AND LOW-KEY MAFIOSO?
[Re: NYMafia]
#994514
07/26/20 09:24 AM
07/26/20 09:24 AM
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 137
Nitro
Made Member
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Made Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 137
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I'm not sure with jail Time in his early years but Charles (Charlie the Blade) Tourine was a active guy and big fish and most time under the radar. His son Charles Tourine jr aka Charles “Chuck†Delmonico was also low key. Died 2008. Im not sure about prison times. https://therealdeal.com/miami/2015/09/03/mobsters-former-miami-beach-home-listed-for-sale/If i'm correct Gerardo Catena serving only 5 years. For a Boss not much time.
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Re: MOST SUCCESSFUL AND LOW-KEY MAFIOSO?
[Re: NYMafia]
#994551
07/26/20 10:13 PM
07/26/20 10:13 PM
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12,492
NYMafia
OP
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OP

Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12,492
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IMO Vincent (Vincey) Rao out of East Harlem was another low key powerhouse deserving of making this list.
He had only 5-6 arrests in a career spanning 70 + years.I do not believe he ever did a bit, except maybe, MAYBE a contempt sentence of 30 days (maybe). He was one of the wealthiest guys in the entire Lucchese Family. He owned massive parcels of realty, a vending firm, a mortgage and finance company, a paint company, a huge retail liquor store, and a real estate firm with his brother Charlie.
Vincent Rao was also one of the biggest shylocks in all of NYC for decades. A "Shylocks Shylock", with millions on the street again in partnership with Charlie.
Rao did all this while serving quietly in the capacity as the "official" consigliere of 4 successive administrations: that of Reina, Gagliano, Lucchese, and Tramunti. (and a few interim leaders as well). He also served as the "acting boss" while the boss seat was in limbo on more than one occasion.
A very wealthy and revered mafioso. Known and respected nationally on the Commission and across the U.S.
PS: I almost forgot. He also had a piece of several unions he oversaw for the borgata, and had a solid piece in partnership with Tommy Brown of a large policy-lottery network in E. Harlem.
Last edited by NYMafia; 07/26/20 10:26 PM.
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Re: MOST SUCCESSFUL AND LOW-KEY MAFIOSO?
[Re: NYMafia]
#995012
08/03/20 07:03 PM
08/03/20 07:03 PM
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12,492
NYMafia
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OP

Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12,492
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Here's another low key mafioso who quietly ruled for over fifty years and never served even 1 DAY in the can... Giuseppe (Joe Brown) Lucchese. Tommy's brother.
He was "given" the town of Corona by his brother as a gift. He became the resident "capo" over the entire territory, and was also a very dominant power over neighboring Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Flushing, Forest Hills, Rego Park, etc, etc. From the 1940's through 1975 he was the man to see in that area.
He ran mostly gambling and shylocking.... ran a very large but quiet crew. Most were never even known to the public.
They made millions upon millions. He lived in exclusive Malba, Queens. His "acting capo" was the better known Joseph (Joey Narrow) Laratro, who still was very low key. NO violence. NO bullshit. NO high profile hijackings, narcotics, robberies, or other rackets that draw police attention.
He held ownership in Whitestone Lanes Bowling Alley, extensive real estate in Queens and the Bronx, a lathing company, etc.
Joe Brown died in his sleep. He was in his mid-80s I believe. He lived a VERY charmed life indeed!
NOT the wealthiest mafioso out there, but he made one hell of a living, and more importantly didn't spend his life in the can or die in the gutter.
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