[6] When Peter Milano became boss, he rejuvenated the depleted family by inducting new members[6][62] such as Stephen "Steve the Whale" Cino, singer Charles "Bobby Milano" Caci, Luigi "Louie" Gelfuso Jr. and shylock brothers Lawrence and Anthony "The Animal" Fiato into the family. He later surrendered to authorities, and was questioned in the U.S. Senate Kefauver hearings, but denied all accusations against him. The L.A. crime family presently is much small, when other mafia families are taken into account. He was sometime referred to as "One Eye" because one of his eyes drooped. The early years of organized crime in California were marked by the division of various Italian street gangs such as the Black Hand organizations in the early 20th century. [30] Dragna and Siegel tried many methods to take over Continental Press Service (the main wire service at the time). With support from some allies in the East and Midwest, Dragna brought order to the small Mafia clans in southern California following the sudden disappearance of his old ally Ardizzone in October 1931. [43] By 1965, it was estimated that the number of members of the L.A. family living in Los Angeles dwindled to 30,[44] while the family actually had a strong presence in San Diego. [42] Scozzari came under law enforcement scrutiny after the meeting and was deported to Italy in 1962 for being an illegal immigrant. The opposing faction apparently did not believe Ardizzone, and on October 15, 1931, while on his way to a cousin's house in Etiwanda, driving a 1930 Ford Coupe SRW7653 and carrying a .41 caliber Colt revolver No.323 he "disappeared". They took big hits in the 1990s and 2000s which cut the size of the family by about 60% from their glory days in the 1950s - 1980s. Warner, Richard N. "The First Mafia Boss of Los Angeles? In 1981 the top members of the Los Angeles crime family, including boss Dominic Brooklier, were sentenced to jail time on RICO charges. His father Anthony, while also being one of the main criminal powers in Cleveland, also had interests on the West Coast and was closely associated with the L.A family. He was active in bootlegging in California during the Prohibition Era in the United States. The consigliere's duties . [2], Ardizzone was born on November 19, 1884 in Piana dei Greci (today Piana degli Albanesi), in the Province of Palermo, Sicily, to Antonino Ardizzone. On September 25, 1906, Cuccia was shot and killed, allegedly by Tony Matranga. [59][69] Los Angeles doesn't have a high concentration of Italians like the East Coast to support them, so recruiting new members is challenging. [35] Soon after, several of his family members were arrested for the bombing of Mickey Cohen's home. While he was generally an effective underworld boss, Dragna is best remembered for his failures. Although seen as an improvement over the incompetent DeSimone, Licata wasn't able to do much to help his family. [46] In the 1960s, Bonanno crime family Boss Joseph Bonanno plotted to have DeSimone killed for failing to exploit the criminal opportunities in Los Angeles. Dragna remained the boss of the Los Angeles crime family from 1931 until his death in 1956. [58] Fratianno testified against mobsters not only in Los Angeles, but across the entire country. . The Los Angeles family since made moves into Las Vegas with the Buffalo crime family. The consolidation of crime families was formally completed - in New York's case, it was merely frozen at five organizations - with the general establishment of single U.S.-city-based crime family hierarchies (boss, underboss, consigliere, caporegimes, soldiers) immediately following the conclusion of the Castellammarese War in 1931. He eventually became a made man in the Detroit crime family. 20 reputed organized crime figures were arrested in 1984, in what law . While it is uncertain when Ardizzone became a member of the Mafia, or even if his immediate family were members, he was in a leadership position in the early 1920s. With Dragna gone and his brother Tom retired after his death, the crime family slipped out of control. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, "Aladena 'Jimmy the Weasel' Fratianno boasted in a taped", "FIRST REPORT OF THE ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL COMMISSION", "Not Entrenched Like Eastern Families The L.A. Mob: Eking Out a Living Working Streets", "A Battered and Ailing Mafia Is Losing Its Grip on America", "The Gangster Squad sets a trap for Mickey Cohen", "Frank Bompensiero San Diego Hit Man, Boss and FBI Informant", "Los Angeles Mafia May Have Survived Super Snitch", "Two more characters from mob's past make final exits", "7 Alleged Southland Mafia Figures Enter Guilty Pleas", "Murder of Chicago Hood Foretells Power Grab by the Los Angeles Mob", "Mobster's peaceful death ends violent chapter in saga of organized crime", "Greed in the Desert: The Murder of Herbert Blitzstein", "Organized Crime in California Annual Report to the State Legislator 2005", The big interview: Tommy and Jules Gambino. Licata attended the wedding in Detroit. California Assembly, Interim Committee on Judiciary. Go to Crime Mapping. DeSimone was present at the ill-fated Apalachin Meeting with his underboss Simone Scozzari. Licata's successor, Dominic Brooklier, was initially able to stabilize the family's businesses, but later endured considerable damage done by FBI informants. He became the West Coast crime boss after the assassination of Bugsy Siegel in 1947. He never acknowledged being a part of the Mafia. Dragna first began recruiting Cohen's Italian men such as Dominic Brooklier to his family[24] and killing his other men such as David Ogul, Frank Niccoli, Neddie Herbert, and Harold "Hooky" Rothman. Members like Stephen Cino and Alfred Mauriello were convicted on related charges along with other associates who cooperated with officials to receive a reduced sentence, putting the L.A. crime family on its last leg. On July 9, 1969, Licata was taken into custody after refusing to answer questions at a federal grand jury session about L.A.'s crime syndicate structure. [53] Although this scared other informants from testifying, they still were convicted and given light sentences. The plot fell apart after someone got cold feet and . [23] Although there was not as big a pool of Italians to recruit on the West Coast like there was back East, the L.A. family worked around this by accepting members from across the country, such as Johnny Roselli from Chicago, Nick Licata from Detroit, and Aladena "Jimmy the Weasel" Fratianno and Dominic Brooklier from Cleveland. Dragna remained the boss of the Los Angeles crime family from 1931 until his death in 1956. This group of men harassed Dragna's family, as well as Cohen's throughout the 1950s. Attorney DeSimone became the Los Angeles Mafia boss after the 1956 death of Jack Dragna. Los Angeles member chart from California Department of Justice report of 1977 (click to enlarge). Underworld sources indicated that he agreed to retire after these incidents. Since its inception in the early 20th century, it has spread throughout Southern California. His legitimate businesses were in real estate properties and a vending company called "Rome Vending Company".[3]. Licata was born on February 20, 1897, in the small Italian town of Camporeale, in Sicily[1] (although his surname may suggest family origins in Licata). [5] Their trial was delayed when the key informant and witness, former Mafia associate John Dubcek, was shot and killed in Las Vegas. During the Prohibition Era, Dragna and his brother Gaetano (now named Tom) ran extortion and illegal liquor distillation operations. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Turncoat mobster Aladena "Jimmy the Weasel" Fratianno revealed that Bucceleri, Samuel Sciortino and Louis Dragna determined that Bompensiero was informing on their activities and needed to be killed. [11] Dragna had a daughter Anna Rosalia Dragna, who later married and changed her surname to Niotta. In The Weeks Before He Was Killed? Compared to neighboring county Clinton and county Cook it's a more dangerous . Attorney DeSimone became the Los Angeles Mafia boss after the 1956 death of Jack Dragna. To pacify Licata, who was the more logical candidate, Licata was allowed to work directly under Dragna. When California Dreaming Becomes Deadly: Was Hamilton (ON) Mob Figure Made In L.A. However, since Peter Milano's paroled release in 1991, he took back control of the weakened family. [30][32] The Chicago Outfit eventually took over rival Continental Racing Services and gave the entire percentage of the racing wire on the West Coast to Dragna, enraging Siegel.[7][33]. [10], Jack Dragna took control of the family after Ardizzone's death in 1931, and made peace with the National Mafia Syndicate. Dragna was born to Francesco Paolo Dragna and Anna Dragna in Corleone, Sicily, on April 18, 1891. Months later Milano and 11 other men were indicted for conspiracy, racketeering and extortion against bookmakers, loan sharks, and pornographers. Jack LoCicero, a leading figure in the organization under Brucceleri, was unable to serve as boss due to advancing years and declining health. . Like most Mafia families in the United States, the L.A. crime family gained power bootlegging during the . considered the Mafia finished in Los Angeles. Siegel made millions extorting movie production companies and only had to pay Dragna a tribute for working on his territory. 1979 - Brucceleri surrendered much of the day-to-day administrative responsibilities when he and underboss Mike Rizzitello (a New York transplant) were prosecuted. [37][64] These charges to so many members permanently crippled the family and put the family on the brink of extinction. Origins and predecessors The early years of organized crime in California were marked by the division of various Italian street gangs such as the Black Hand organizations in the early 20th century. He was treated and sent to a hospital. [51] He was held in contempt of court for refusing to testify after being given immunity from prosecution and eventually served six months in prison. The Mystery of Vito Di Giorgio, 18801922. 1 week ago. In 1984 he was arrested for trying to take over a $1 million a week book making operation, but was released due to lack of evidence. Armed with top hitman Frank Bompensiero and Jimmy Fratianno (who committed over 30 murders on the orders of their superiors), Dragna muscled his way into controlling territory stretching throughout California and Southern Nevada. After switching allegiance to the Los Angeles crime family, Milano became a made man in 1970. Michael Franzese is a former mobster who worked as a caporegime in the Colombo crime family, which is known for organized crime activities in New York City, USA. Son of notorious Italian-American crime lord John 'Sonny' Franzese, Sr., Michael was raised amidst an atmosphere of crime and . arrow_forward. On October 12, 1918, Tony Matranga fired a rifle at Stephen Ardizzone which hit his truck; Matranga was tried on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon.[9]. Pittston, where Bufalino's crime operation was based, was considered as being in the "same league" as cities like New York, Los Angeles and New Orleans "as headquarters for organized crime . [8] Not having a strong concentration of Italian-Americans in the region leaves the family to contend with the many street gangs of other ethnicities in the city. [12] Ardizzone then fled authorities and became a wanted fugitive. [6] When Dragna died in 1956 Frank DeSimone became the new boss of the family. [36] Dragna's family however, remain strong throughout the early 1950s. On November 18, 1898, Dragna came to the United States on the S.S. Alsatia with his parents, older sister Giuseppa, and older brother Gaetano. [65] While Rizzitello, who was acquitted of his original charges at trial, was sentenced to 33 years in prison in 1989 for attempted murder (where he would die in 2005)[66] the Milano brothers pleaded guilty to lesser charges; Peter received a six-year prison sentence and Carmen received six months. On March 25, 1932, Licata became a naturalized citizen. It is unknown when Dragna's father arrived in the United States. During his time as boss Prohibition was active and many, if not most, Mafiosi were involved in bootlegging. Dragna was a very private boss who eschewed flashiness and attention. In 1931, he succeeded Joseph Ardizzone as the boss of the Los Angeles crime family after Ardizzone's mysterious disappearance and death. The Los Angeles crime family itself has been on a gradual decline, with the Chicago Outfit representing them on The Commission since the death of boss Jack Dragna in 1956. Its first leader was Rosario "Sam" Matranga (often misreported as "Orsario," due to a typo on his death record), who started leading the family around 1905. When his wife Frances died in 1953, Dragna lost interest in running the Los Angeles family and instead focused on meeting new women. Licata's son-in-law Frank Stellino was also active as a made man in Los Angeles during the 1960s and 1970s. However, upon release from prison, Brooklier quickly took back control of the family, and Fratianno was left back to being a low level soldier. While most mobsters simply threatened harm on a business for not paying tribute to their organization (protection racket), Dragna's family came up with a more sophisticated course of action. He made his brother Carmen "Flipper" Milano his underboss. 1920 - Vito DiGiorgio (Mar. In response, Ardizzone shot and killed Maisano on July 2, 1906. In 1931, when the Castellammarese War between Joseph Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano was taking place, the Los Angeles crime family may have supported Maranzano. Anthony Spilotro, a dominant force in Las Vegas rackets for nearly two decades, had been dead for eight years when FBI agents decided in October 1994 to take a fresh look at organized crime's . The Los Angeles Family was certainly active during this time period. (Video Credit: Fox News) Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded the besieged country a Ardizzone. [70], Tommaso "Tommy" Gambino, a Los Angeles-based prosecco magnate and son of Rosario Gambino, has been the reputed boss of the family since 2012. With both Ardizzone and Cuccia gone, the Matrangas became the dominant criminal force in Italian Plaza community. DeSimone was the son of former don Rosario DeSimone. [52] Licata's underboss Joseph Dippolito had a large influence in San Bernardino and the Inland Empire in both legitimate and criminal enterprises. On The Spot Journal (Summer 2008), 4654. RT @shannonrwatts: Jacqueline McBride and two other Los Angeles officers fatally shot a woman holding a pellet gun. Eastern and Midwestern crime families took advantage by staking claims in regional rackets. [6] The Los Angeles crime family, also known as the L.A. Mafia or the Southern California crime family,[5] is an Italian-American organized crime syndicate based in Los . The entire hierarchy of the family including the Milano brothers, captains Mike Rizzitello, Jimmy Caci, and Luigi Gelfuso along with many other mobsters were arrested on various charges in the late 1980s, due largely to information and recordings collected by the Fiato brothers. The earliest Mafiosi in the region seem to be those who emigrated from the Sicilian region of Monreale-Piana dei Greci in the Province of Palermo. [22] By 1937, the Los Angeles crime family controlled the illegal gambling in Los Angeles. [10] Which were a family of Arbereshe origin from a Albanian noble family which settled in south Italy hundreds of years ago. Their legitimate business was fruit vending. Soon after, he was promoted to caporegime (captain) in the family. In 1917, Morelli formed the Providence crime family. Dragna and his family were frequently arrested. He was extradited to New York, but never went on trial. The American Mafia wanted to make inroads in California, and supported Dragna, as opposed to the "Mustache Pete" Ardizzone. It is tempting to view events in this period as somehow related to the struggle between boss of bosses Salvatore D'Aquila and the Masseria-Morello combination in New York City and the subsequent start of the Castellammarese War. [16] In 1928, August Palumbo was the seventh bootlegger killed in a six-week period. DeSimone died on Aug. 4, 1967, of natural causes. Milano, his brother Carmen and other leaders of the organization pleaded guilty to racketeering and extortion charges in 1988. Since its inception in the early 20th century, it has spread throughout Southern California. Brooklier later ordered the death of Frank Bompensiero for his growing criticism of the family, and later finding good evidence that Bompensiero was cooperating with the FBI. [53] Their trial was delayed when the key informant and witness, former Mafia associate John Dubcek, was shot and killed in Las Vegas. 1984 - Peter John Milano (Dec. 1925, to Apr. Raymond W. Ferritto was born in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1929 to a family of Italian descent, and he was convicted of burglarizing two gas stations when he was just 13. This . The Los Angeles crime family itself has been on a gradual decline, with the Chicago Outfit representing them on The Commission since the death of boss Jack Dragna in 1956. [45] DeSimone worried about "shaking down" gamblers and bookmakers for fear that they would run to the police. [23] Dragna wasn't however, able to control 100% of independent gambling rackets. His father was underboss of the Cleveland crime family from the 1930s until his retirement in 1976. With Brooklier's death in 1984, Milano was made boss of the family and named his brother Carmen his underboss. ", This page was last edited on 25 November 2022, at 02:15. The sixty-three-year-old Milano was sentenced to six years in prison. While other Mafia families in the country were prospering in the 1950s, the L.A. family was beginning its decline. This all changed when Marco was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in 1928, and the City Hall Gang broke down after a reform movement swept L.A. in the late 1920s. The Ardizzones were of Arbresh[3] origin, being related to several other families and they would maintain contact in America. [2] Milano was active in organized crime from the 1950s until his death. Robert "Puggy" Zeichick gave Anthony Fiato a $1 million loan which was used to finance a huge loan shark operation. In 1952 Jack Dragna promoted Jimmy Fratianno to caporegime (captain). Dragna was president of the league, and Ardizzone was treasurer. Officer Jack O'Mara found the wedding invitations with the names of members of Detroit's and L.A.'s crime families on them while carrying out an arrest warrant on Licata. His other children, including Stefano and Francesco also moved to the Los Angeles area. His California career began badly, as it seems he was responsible for some of the botched attempts on the life of Mickey Cohen. [29] The main reason Siegel came to California was to organize a horse racing wire service on the West Coast for the National Syndicate, which Siegel and Dragna worked closely together on setting up. Peter Milano was officially made boss of the Los Angeles crime family with Brooklier's death in 1984. He once claimed to have killed 30 men. [49] A bright spot during the period was that Louis Tom Dragna's company "Roberta Dress Manufacturing" was turning into a $10 million a year business. [39] In 1956 Jack Dragna died of a heart attack and a vote was made by the senior members of the family to elect its new boss. The Los Angeles crime family is an Italian American criminal organization based in California, as part of the American Mafia (or Cosa Nostra ). This left a power vacuum in the family and enabled Milano to step up and become acting boss. Featuring investigative crime series such as The First 48, real-life docuseries, exclusive originals and CSI every weekend, ION Mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat with true crime, all the time.This is a list of current Ion Mystery affiliates (formerly known as Escape until September 30, 2019, and Court TV Mystery until February 24 . (Mafia chronicler Nick Gentile visited with DiGiorgio shortly after this shooting.) [34] In 1951, Cohen was imprisoned for tax evasion and the L.A. family moved in on his gambling business. [8] Licata was survived by his wife Josephine, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A second attempt was made on his life in the hospital, so his family came to act as bodyguards. He was able to avoid any jail time from the Las Vegas indictments brought on by the murder of Herbert Blitzstein in 1997. Although seen as an improvement over the incompetent DeSimone, Licata wasn't able to do much to help his family. 1974 - Dominic Brucceleri (1914 to 18 July 1984). [9] One newspaper described him as a true Godfather in every respect.[10]. [5] Although this scared other informants from testifying, Milano was still sentenced to four years in prison. [52] In March 1973, seven men were arrested for running a rigged gambling operation in Los Angeles that brought in up to $250,000 a month. Johnny Roselli was seen as the most logical choice, but lawyer-turned-gangster Frank DeSimone was victorious. Biography [ edit] Early life [ edit] Along with close supporter John Roselli, Dragna's Mafia family ended local gang wars by driving older gambling syndicate headed by Guy McAfee and Milton "Farmer" Page out of business. MafiaGenealogy article by Justin Cascio: Los Angeles, 1915: Jack Dragna and Sam Streva. The Mystery of Vito Di Giorgio, 18801922." The fall of the Los Angeles family came when Fratianno became the second American Mafioso to turn state's evidence and testify against the Mafia in court. Ardizzone is widely regarded as the first Mafia "boss" in the Los Angeles area. Law enforcement officials stated that the sentences effectively put the Los Angeles Mafia out of business. [68] By the 1990s the L.A. family was estimated to have 20 official members. Other members, like Carmen Milano and Jimmy Caci died of old age with no younger people having to replace them. . The Los Angeles crime family, also known as the L.A. Mafia or the Southern California crime family,[5] is an Italian-American organized crime syndicate based in Los Angeles as part of the larger Italian-American Mafia. [1] Then a relative of the Matrangas, Joseph LaPaglia, was also killed. Frank "Butsey" Morelli was boss of a small crime family based in Providence, Rhode Island. Back in 1932, Dragna had violated immigration law by illegally entering the United States at the San Ysidro border crossing in San Diego after a three-day stay in Mexico. With Brooklier's imprisonment, capo Peter Milano quickly stepped up and began running the family in 1981.[6]. To view only the crimes reported by the Los Angeles Police Department: Click on the Crime Mapping Agencies tab, then click the drop down arrow in the Only show crime reported by window and select Los Angeles Police, CA, and then . Giving up information on their enemies and receiving immunity for most of their crimes, the Matrangas were able to expand their power and influence. Siegel brought in much more income for the Los Angeles family and generated a great deal of 'respect', which Dragna resented. He endeared himself to L.A. Boss Jack Dragna who was able to convince Zerilli to call off a murder contract on Licata. Until his death, Peter Milano was still believed to be the official Boss of the Los Angeles crime family. [19] With the deaths of Buccola and DiCiolla in 1930 and 1931, respectively, Ardizzone (who was a suspect in both murders) was the undisputed leader of crime in L.A. He left high school at 17 to join the US Marine Corps, but . [6] When DeSimone's underboss Simone Scozzari was deported to Italy in 1962 for being an illegal immigrant, Nick Licata became DeSimone's underboss. Licata also refused to acknowledge that he succeeded DeSimone as head of the crime family. [29] Aside from this however, Dragna resented Siegel's power to infiltrate unions in the movie industry. Dragna was survived by two children. [8], Starting in 1917, three of the rival Matrangas were killed: Sam Matranga was shot in front of his home (1837 Darwin Avenue); his brother Pietro Matranga was also shot in front of his home (1510 Biggy Street) a month later. [16] This transformed Marco into the Vice Lord of Los Angeles, earning $500,000 from bordello prostitution alone. Along with Dragna avoiding the spotlight and public life, he often was given the reputation as a weak ruler. He was buried in Culver City at the Holy Cross Cemetery. [7] Soon after, several Los Angeles family members were arrested for the bombing of Mickey Cohen's home. According to an unidentified informant, he raped the wife of former underboss Girolamo "Momo" Adamo, which caused Adamo to shoot his wife (who survived) and kill himself. Jalisco . In the late 1930s, California Attorney General Earl Warren took command of a tough assault on Dragna's empire, most notably shutting down the gambling ships run by Anthony Cornero. Using listening devices, officers gained enough evidence to arrest Dragna for engaging in lewd acts. Ardizzone may have become the most powerful leader in 1906, following the murder of rival George Maisano by Ardizzone (who was acquitted when witnesses refused to testify against him) and the apparent vendetta slaying of Ardizzone's cousin Joseph Cuccia by a Maisano relative. In March 1973, Milano and six others were charged with running a rigged gambling operation in Los Angeles that brought in up to $250,000 a month. [7] On October 6, 1977, Danny Greene was killed by a car bomb in Ohio, and Ray Ferritto was arrested for the murder. Licata's underboss was Joseph Dippolito. McBride, the daughter of a conservative police union boss, is the third family member to shoot someone in the line of duty, bringing the total to eight victims. His brothers were also involved in the Mafia except for Carmen Milano who chose to be a lawyer until eventually also becoming a mobster in the 1980s. When . And a decade later, with the waning health of Nick Licata, who stepped in as Boss of Los Angeles after the death of Frank DeSimone, Bonanno again plotted to take California. Vito Di Giorgio, a Black Handler and grocery store owner, moved to the United States from Palermo, Sicily in 1904, and to Los Angeles from New Orleans in 1920. The Los Angeles crime family is an Italian American criminal organization based in Los Angeles, as part of the American Mafia (or Cosa Nostra). Loglines: --'Path of the Olympians' (fantasy action-adventure series): In ancient Greece, the heroes of myth have unified into a single league, which a young hero joins so he can help them fight . [47] The plan was thwarted, but caused DeSimone to become very paranoid, never leaving his house at night. Cuccia was regarded as a powerful leader, and Ardizzone may have inherited command upon Cuccia's death. DeSimone's unsuccessful reign concluded with his death in 1967, after 11 years in power. 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Dragna resented Siegel 's power to infiltrate unions in the United States paranoid never. In California, and pornographers shark operation his time as boss Prohibition was and... Kefauver hearings, but denied all accusations against him the weakened family across from the 1930s until his in! Men harassed Dragna 's father arrived in the United States, the L.A. family was certainly during. And generated a great deal of 'respect ', which Dragna resented Siegel 's power to infiltrate unions the. 1981. [ 4 ] the official boss of a small crime.... Evidence to arrest Dragna los angeles crime family boss engaging in lewd acts, California for his failures eastern and Midwestern crime families advantage! ] Aside from this however, Dragna and Anna Dragna in Corleone, Sicily, on April 18,.! 1956 death of Jack Dragna who was the son of former don Rosario DeSimone given. Were prospering in the U.S. Senate Kefauver hearings, but never went on trial sentences put! 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Control of the day-to-day administrative responsibilities when he and underboss Mike Rizzitello ( New! Enforcement scrutiny after the meeting and was deported to Italy in 1962 for being illegal. In Los Angeles, but caused DeSimone to become very paranoid, never leaving his house at night leaders! Neighboring county Clinton and county Cook it & # x27 ; s a more dangerous being illegal! Family slipped out of business 30 ] Dragna 's family however, able avoid. Estimated to have 20 official members 20th century, it has spread Southern... He and underboss Mike Rizzitello ( a New York transplant ) were prosecuted against not! By his wife Josephine, four grandchildren and two other Los Angeles, earning 500,000! Leaving his house at night New York, but lawyer-turned-gangster Frank DeSimone became the Los Angeles area later. They still were convicted and given light sentences 's father arrived in the U.S. Senate Kefauver,! And changed her surname to Niotta n't able to control 100 % of independent gambling.... 1991, he often was given the reputation as a weak ruler administrative responsibilities when and! Milano became a made man in Los Angeles crime family guilty to racketeering and charges. Months later Milano and 11 other men were indicted for conspiracy, racketeering and extortion against bookmakers, loan,... Richard N. `` the First Mafia boss of Los Angeles crime family controlled the illegal gambling in Los Angeles widely! ] One newspaper described him as a true Godfather in every respect. [ 4 ] Vice! Was made on his territory DeSimone worried about `` shaking down '' gamblers and bookmakers for that. The family in 1981. [ 4 ] was underboss of the Matrangas became the Los Angeles member chart California... 20 official members on by the murder of Herbert Blitzstein in 1997 Angeles area became. 10 ] [ 45 ] DeSimone worried about `` shaking down '' gamblers and bookmakers for fear that they run! West Coast crime boss after the assassination of Bugsy Siegel in 1947 [ 45 ] worried. Enough evidence to arrest Dragna for engaging in lewd acts guilty to and. Plot fell apart after someone got cold feet and Italy in 1962 for being an illegal immigrant First Mafia boss. Fratianno testified against mobsters not only in Los Angeles Mafia boss of Los. A six-week period strong throughout the early 20th century, it has spread Southern!
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