Wikipedia

Rochester crime family

The Rochester crime family, also known as the Valenti crime family or the Rochester Mafia, was an Italian American Mafia crime family based in Rochester, New York and throughout the Greater Rochester area. The crime family was founded in the 1950s and named after its original boss, Constenze "Stanley" Valenti.

Rochester crime family
Foundedc. 1950s
FoundersBuffalo crime family
Named afterConstenze "Stanley" Valenti
Founding locationRochester, New York, United States
Years activec. 1950s–1993[1]
TerritoryPrimarily the Rochester metropolitan area, with additional territory throughout Western New York
EthnicityItalians as "made men" and other ethnicities as associates
ActivitiesRacketeering, loansharking, gambling, extortion, prostitution, arson, bombing, assault and murder
Allies
Rivals

History

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The Rochester family's first well known official boss was Constenze "Stanley" Valenti. In 1957, after the Apalachin Conference, Stan and his brother Frank were both jailed for civil contempt, because they refused to answer questions about the meeting. In 1958, Stan was sentenced to 16 months in prison, and Jake Russo became the next boss.[1][2]

Splitting from Buffalo

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In 1964, Frank Valenti returned to Rochester with his brother Stan, and Pittsburgh associate Angelo Vaccaro. Frank became an associate in the Pittsburgh crime family in John LaRocca's family. Stan Valenti was married to the daughter of Antonio Ripepi, who was a capo in the Pittsburgh family. This time, Frank Valenti was taking over the Rochester family. By the end of the year, Russo went missing and his body has never been found. In 1970, Valenti wiped out the last Russo soldier, Billy Lupo. Also, Frank Valenti told Buffalo crime family boss Stefano "The Undertaker" Magaddino that Rochester would become an independent family. Prior to this, Rochester was just a crew which answered to the Magaddino's Buffalo crime family.

The Valenti regime

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Valenti created a well-organized crime family by promoting Samuel Russotti to underboss, Rene Picarreto to consigliere and Salvatore Gingello, Dominic Celestino, Thomas Didio, Angelo Vaccaro and Dominic Chirico as his capos.[1] His most trusted ally was capo Chirico, who he gave special tasks to carry out. He divided up the family's illegal activities of gambling, extortion, loan sharking, insurance fraud, arson, narcotics and weapon trafficking among his capos to ensure peace.

In 1970, the Rochester crime family bombed nine buildings, including three Jewish synagogues and two black churches, as part of the Rochester bombings designed to focus the attention of local authorities away from organized crime. Only one person was injured.[3][4][5]

In 1972, Valenti was approached by his underboss Samuel "Red" Russotti, his consigliere Rene Piccarreto, and highly powerful capo Salvatore "Sammy G" Gingello. The three accused Valenti of skimming profits and asked him to step down as boss; he refused. Valenti felt that the Pittsburgh family would back him and the Chirico crew up with muscle. Unknown to him was that his consigliere, Picarreto, had made a secret alliance with members of the Bonanno crime family. Valenti's most trusted capo and bodyguard, Domenic Chirico, was shot and killed on Augustine Street. Instead of fighting he was allowed to move to Phoenix, Arizona and retire. After retiring Valenti was arrested and convicted of extortion,[1] he later died on September 20, 2008.

The Russotti era

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After Valenti fled the city, Samuel Russotti became boss, Piccarreto remained as consigliere, and Gingello became the underboss. The family was strong until January 1977 when the police fabricated evidence to indict all the upper echelon. The convictions put Russotti, Piccaretto, Gingello, Thomas Marotta and Eugene DeFrancesco away for murdering Vincent Massaro with a 25 years to life sentenced. When this happened, Thomas Didio became the acting boss. Russotti thought he would be able to manipulate Didio, but he really just created a monster. Didio began demoting all the Russotti loyalists while receiving advice from imprisoned former boss Valenti. When the truth came out about the fabricated evidence, all the top guys got out of prison. This created an "A team and B Team" war. Part of the "A team" was Russotti, Piccarreto, Gingello, Richard Marino, Thomas Marotta and others. Part of the "B Team" was Thomas Didio, Rosario Chirico (Domenic's brother), Stan Valenti, Angelo Vaccaro and others.[1]

On April 23, 1978, Salvatore "Sammy G" Gingello was killed when a bomb was detonated when he entered his car, which was parked across from the Stillson St. restaurant, Ben's Cafe Society.[6] On July 6, 1978, Thomas Didio was murdered by a gunman who was using a machine gun. After these two murders the FBI decided it was time to crack down on the situation, with the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) coming into play they took down most of the remaining key players. In 1988, Angelo Amico and Loren Piccarreto were both indicted under RICO. Angelo Amico was the acting boss, and Loren Piccarreto (son of Rene Piccarreto) was the underboss.[1]

Amico pleaded guilty to racketeering, conspiracy and tax evasion in October 1988, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Loren Piccarreto, Joseph Geniola and Donald Paone were convicted and imprisoned in early 1989.[7] The RICO convictions of the late 1980s effectively dismantled the Rochester family.[7] Russotti died of a heart attack in federal prison in Michigan on June 25, 1993, at the age of 81.[8]

Following his release from prison in July 1996, Thomas Marotta led around half of the remaining former members of the defunct Rochester family in joining the Bonanno family.[9][10] Others, including Rene Piccarreto and Angelo Amico, rejoined the Buffalo family.[10]

Historical leadership

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Boss (official and acting)

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  • c. 1950s–1958 – Constenze "Stanley" Valenti – imprisoned in 1958; released in 1960; died on February 23, 2001
  • 1958–1964 – Jake Russo – murdered
  • 1964–1972 – Frank Valenti – retired, died on September 20, 2008
  • 1972–1993 – Samuel "Red" Russotti – imprisoned in 1984; died in 1993[1]
    • Acting 1977–1978 – Thomas Didio – murdered in July 1978 during the "A & B Wars"
    • Acting 1977–1978 – Salvatore "Sammy G" Gingello – murdered on April 23, 1978, during the "A & B Wars"
    • Acting 1988 – Angelo Amico – arrested in 1988; released in 1993[11]
    • Acting 1988 – Loren Piccarreto – son of Rene Piccarreto; arrested 1988; released in 1994[12]

Underboss

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  • 1964–1972 – Samuel "Red" Russotti – promoted to boss
  • 1972–1978 – Salvatore "Sammy G" Gingello – promoted to acting boss
  • 1978–1984 – Richard Marino – convicted imprisoned for murder
  • 1984–1988 – Loren Piccarreto – promoted acting boss

Consigliere

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  • 1964–1984 – Rene Piccarreto – imprisoned in 1984; released in 2007; died in March 2014.[13][14]

Former members

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  • Angelo Amico – former soldier and acting boss. According to the government in March 1986, Amico was intercepted on a wire with vice-president of Teamster Union 398 Angelo Misuraca, telling him 'no one gets moved without checking with me first.'[15][16][17] He died in March 2011 at the age of 79.[18]
  • William Barton – former soldier. In 1969, Barton was charged with interstate transportation of stolen property in connection with an armed robbery.[19] In January 1980, Barton was accused of federal conspiracy, racketeering and weapons charges.[20]
  • Eugene DiFrancesco – former soldier and alleged hitman. In June 1975, DiFrancesco was indicted on charges arising out of a series of bombings that occurred in the Rochester area on Columbus Day in 1970. A second indictment filed in April 1976 accused DiFrancesco of involvement in an "arson-for-hire" ring operating in the Rochester area, including the death of a potential witness, Samuel DiGaetano.[21] In February 1978, he was released from prison after police were caught fabricating evidence following the murder of Jimmy Massaro.[22][23] In March 1978, DiFrancesco was found guilty of racketeering and bombings. One week later, the court sentenced DiFrancesco to concurrent ten-year terms of imprisonment on the two racketeering counts, to be served concurrently with sentences totalling nine years on the bombing counts.[24] He died in 2009 at the age of 75.
  • John "Johnny Flowers" Fiorino – former capo under Samuel Russotti who served as vice-president of Teamster Union Local 398 in Rochester.[25] He was murdered by Joseph Sullivan in December 1981 at the Blue Gardenia restaurant.[26][27][28]
  • Frank Frassetto – former soldier. In March 1981, Frassetto was convicted of a series of bombings and attempted bombings in Rochester, New York, between December 1977 and June 1978.[29] In February 2000, Frassetto was arrested for participating in a heroin transaction worth a kilo. In March 2006, Frassetto pleaded guilty to drug conspiracies.[30]
  • Loren Piccarreto – former soldier and acting boss who served as shop steward of Teamster Union Labourer Local 435.[31] According to the government, Piccarreto was heavily involved in illegal gambling operations and extortion protection payments from gambling club owners.[32] In November 1988, former Rochester family soldier and government witness, Anthony Oliveri, implicated Piccarreto of being inducted into the Rochester family since at least 1978.[33]
  • Rocco Reitano – soldier born approximately 1936. In May 1987, Reitano was convicted of operating an illegal gambling and was sentenced to 1 year imprisonment and fined $2,500.[34][35]
  • Dominic Taddeo – soldier and hitman. In January 1992, Taddeo pleaded guilty to committing 3 murders during the 1980s, attempting to murder 2 individuals and conspiracy to murder another man.[36] Taddeo also pleaded guilty to drug offences, corruption and weapon charges.[37] In May 1982, Taddeo shot and killed Nicholas Mastrodonato at a gold and silver purchasing store. In August 1982, Taddeo murdered Gerald Pelusio in front of a townhouse. In April 1983, Taddeo attempted to shoot and kill Thomas Marotta, another attempt is made on Marotta in November 1983 but he also manages to survive. In August 1983, Taddeo fatally shot Dino Tortatice outside the home of Tortatice's mother. In February 1987, Taddeo is indicted on illegal weapon charges and is granted bail of $25,000. In April 1992, he was sentenced to 24 years for racketeering and homicide.[38]

Government informants and witnesses

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  • Joseph "Spike" LaNovara – former soldier. He was a part of Frank Valenti's regime and became an informer in the early 1970s after facing murder charges.
  • Angelo Monachino – former soldier. It is believed he participated in the December 14, 1970 murder of William Constable.[39][40] He owned a construction company named Barmon Construction. Monachino also served as an accomplice in the murder of Jimmy "the Hammer" Massaro, as he allowed the murder to take place inside of a garage located at his business property; Massaro was shot 9 times. He agreed to become an informer in 1975. In September 1975, he was arrested along with former Rochester mob boss Frank Valenti, and Jimmy Massaro who was murdered in November 1973, and were accused of burning down a warehouse and receiving $80,000 insurance money in September 1971.[41][42]
  • Anthony Oliveri – former soldier. It is noted that he was a close friend of fellow Rochester crime family member, Anthony Columbo. It is believed he and Columbo conspired to murder Angelo DeMarco in March 1978, as the pair had parked their car in front of DeMarco's home and were in a car chase with law enforcement on the same night, a .357 Magnum and a 12 gauge shotgun were found in the car.[43] Oliveri participated in the July 1978 murder of Thomas Didio, who was murdered by Anthony Columbo with a machine gun, inside of a motel in Victor, New York. He was allegedly inducted into the Rochester mob in December 1978. He became an informer since at least in 1980.[44] He testified in December 1984 against several members of the Rochester crime family.[45]

List of murders committed by the Rochester crime family

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NameDateReason
Dominic "The Deacon" AllocoFebruary 24, 1965Alloco was murdered on orders of Frank Valenti, whom had served as boss of the Rochester family from between 1964 and 1972, as it was believed Alloco was revealed to be a police informant.[46][47]
William "Billy" LupoFebruary 18, 1970Lupo had served as a driver to Rochester family boss, Frank Valenti, and was shot 4 times in the head. Lupo's wife was placed into the witness protection program after testifying against Valenti.[48][49]
Dominic ChiricoJune 5, 1972Chirico was a soldier for the Rochester family and was a close associate of former Rochester family boss, Frank Valenti. Chirico was killed by a shotgun blast, outside of the home of his girlfriend.[50][51]
Ernie WhiteApril 3, 1973White was an associate of the Rochester family. White was murdered the day after he had served on an armed-robbery crew which targeted the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Irondequoit, New York.
Vincent "Jimmy the Hammer" MassaroNovember 23, 1973Massaro had served as a Frank Valenti loyalist and it is believed he was murdered for not following orders for the new Rochester family administration, and he was found in the trunk of his car on November 28, 1973 in Monroe County, New York.[52][53]
William "Zeke" ZimmermanDecember 1974Zimmerman was an associate of the Rochester family and later became a police informant. He was blamed for encouraging Charles Monacchino, Angelo Monacchino and Joe "Spike" LaNovara to cooperate with authorities following charges of the November 1973 homicide of Vincent Massaro.[54][55]
John "Johnny Flowers" FiorinoDecember 17, 1981Fiorino had served as a captain for the Rochester family around the time of his murder, and he was also the Teamsters Vice-President in Rochester. It is believed Fiorino was murdered by John "Mad Dog" Sullivan outside of the Blue Gardenia restaurant.[56]
Nick MastrodonatoMay 25, 1982Mastrodonato was shot and killed by fellow Rochester family member Dominic "Trigger Dom" Taddeo.[57][58]
Gerry PelusioAugust 26, 1982Pelusio was gunned down by Dominic Taddeo using a shotgun as part of the Alphabet Mafia War.[59][60][61][62]
Dino TortaticeApril 2, 1983Tortatice was possibly murdered by Dominic Taddeo outside of his home as part of the Alphabet Mafia war.[63][64][65][66]

See also

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References

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Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The Mafia Made Easy: The Anatomy and Culture of La Cosa Nostra
  2. ↑ Mario Machi, Allan May, Charlie Molino Rochester, New York Rick Porrello's AmericanMafia.com
  3. ↑ Montgomery, Paul (1970-11-07). "8th Blast in Rochester Area Damages a Third Synagogue". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2022-07-08. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "Police Investigating Bombing of Temple, the Third in Less Than Two Weeks". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1970-11-09. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  5. ↑ Riley, David (2013-10-12). "Oct. 12: The Columbus Day Bombings shake Rochester". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York · Page 1A". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  7. 1 2 Rochester, New York Mario Machi, Allan May, Charlie Molino and Greg Q., American Mafia Archived May 8, 1999, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ This day in history, June 25 - Head of Rochester mafia dies in prison Megan Demarco, Democrat and Chronicle (June 25, 2013) Archived October 26, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ Man of the Mob: The Making and Breaking of Tom Marotta Gary Craig, Democrat and Chronicle (April 25, 2004) Archived April 13, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  10. 1 2 Is Buffalo Cosa Nostra Family the Mafia's Dark Horse? Ed Scarpo, Cosa Nostra News (November 21, 2017) Archived November 25, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator "Angelo Joseph Amico" Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine released August 3, 1993
  12. ↑ Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator "Loren Piccarreto" Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine released January 21, 1994
  13. ↑
    Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator "Rene Piccarreto" Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine released December 13, 2007
  14. ↑ "Rene J. Piccarreto Sr. Obituary (2014) Rochester Democrat and Chronicle". Legacy.com.
  15. ↑ Kenny, Blair T. (2022). Teamsters Local 398: Lifetime Affiliation with the Mafia. Blair. ISBN 979-8-218-05230-0. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  16. ↑ "INVESTIGATIONS OFFICER, Claimant, v. ANGELO MISURACA, Respondent". IRB Cases. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  17. ↑ "Teamsters Local 398: Lifetime Affiliation with the Mafia - Blair T. Kenny". Myshopify. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  18. ↑ "Obituary of Angelo Amico". Falvo Funeral Home. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  19. ↑ "18 Charged After F.B.I. Raids on Crime Figures Upstate and in Pennsylvania". NY TIMES. 22 April 1973. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  20. ↑ "Trial of Rochester Mob Members to Begin (Jan. 1980)". Newspapers.com. 6 January 1980. p. 21. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  21. ↑ "United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Eugene Difrancesco, Defendant-appellant.united States of America, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Eugene Difrancesco, Defendant-appellee, 604 F.2d 769 (2d Cir. 1979)". US Justia Law. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  22. ↑ "Two former lawmen guilty of phony evidence; two acquitted". UPI. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  23. ↑ "Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York • Page 2". Newspapers.com. 13 April 1979. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  24. ↑ "United States v. Eugene Difrancesco, United States of America v. Eugene Difrancesco". Court Listener. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  25. ↑ "Joseph 'Mad Dog' Sullivan, suspected of being an organized..." UPI. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  26. ↑ "Notorious Rochester mob hit man 'Mad Dog' Sullivan dies in prison". Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  27. ↑ "John Fiorino Murder Trial continued from 1a D&C 22 Sep 1982". Newspapers.com. 22 September 1982. p. 2. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  28. ↑ "John Fiorino Obit 12/17/1981 D&C Rochester NTY 20 Dec 1981 pg 99". Newspapers.com. 20 December 1981. p. 99. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  29. ↑ "United States of America, Appellee, v. William Barton, Anthony Chirico, Rosario Chirico, Dominic"sonny" Celestino, Betti Frassetto, Frankfrassetto and Angelo Vaccaro, defendants-appellants, 647 F.2d 224 (2d Cir. 1981)". Justia US Law. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  30. ↑ "March 28, 2006 Mobster implicated in 2 son's drug pleas". Newspapers.com. 28 March 2006. p. 15. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  31. ↑ "Semiannual Report of the Inspector General" (PDF). U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  32. ↑ "November 17, 1988 Piccarreto wrote he was a mafiosa". Newspapers.com. 17 November 1988. p. 17. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  33. ↑ "November 4, 1988 3 linked to mob initiation". Newspapers.com. 4 November 1988. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  34. ↑ "862 F.2d 982 UNITED STATES of America, Appellee, v. Rocco D. REITANO, Defendant-Appellant. No. 196, Docket 88-1208. United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit". Law Resource. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  35. ↑ "United States of America, Appellee, v. Rocco D. Reitano, Defendant-appellant, 862 F.2d 982 (2d Cir. 1988)". Justia US Law. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  36. ↑ "Convicted hit man's escape evokes mob's 'ruthless' heyday in one American city". CNN. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  37. ↑ "Mob hitman who walked away from halfway house captured near Miami". NBC NEWS. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  38. ↑ "Timeline of Rochester mob hitman Dominic Taddeo's crimes and escapes". Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  39. ↑ "Three charged in 70' slaying" (PDF). The Geneva News. Helen Casey. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  40. ↑ "Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York · Page 2". Democrat and Chronicle. 13 April 1979. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  41. ↑ "Reconnecting with dad, a mob informant". Democrat and Chronicle. Gary Craig. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  42. ↑ "Arson Laid to Ex-Rochester Fire Chief". The New York Times. NY TIMES. 13 September 1975. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  43. ↑ "Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York · Page 9". Democrat and Chronicle. 10 November 1982. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  44. ↑ "Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York · Page 1". Democrat and Chronicle. 12 November 1980. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  45. ↑ "Mob A-Team/B-Team". Rochester First. Archived from the original on 2018-06-01. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  46. ↑ "February 25, 1965 Alloco murder pt2". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  47. ↑ "Democrat and Chronicle Archive: Thursday, 25 February 1965 • Rochester, New York Page Page 1". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  48. ↑ "February 19, 1970 Billy Lupo Hit". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  49. ↑ "Oct. 12: The Columbus Day Bombings shake Rochester". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  50. ↑ "June 7, 1972 Chirico slaying not execution". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  51. ↑ "June 6, 1972 Ex con gunned to death". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  52. ↑ "Richard J. Marino". National Registry of Exonerations. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  53. ↑ "Criminal, yes, but this mobster cut a remarkable figure in Rochester". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  54. ↑ "Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York • Page 7". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  55. ↑ "Reconnecting with dad, a mob informant". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  56. ↑ "The Blue Gardenia was a notorious 'mob hangout.' Whatever happened to the restaurant?". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  57. ↑ "Notorious Rochester mob hit man is seeking COVID-related release from prison". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  58. ↑ "Convicted hit man's escape evokes mob's 'ruthless' heyday in one American city". CNN. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  59. ↑ "U.S. v. Pelusio". Vlex Case Law. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  60. ↑ "Timeline of Rochester mob hitman Dominic Taddeo's crimes and escapes". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  61. ↑ "725 F.2d 161". Public Law Resource. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  62. ↑ "United States of America, Appellee, v. Michael A. Pelusio, Thomas A. Pelusio, Defendants-appellants, 725 F.2d 161 (2d Cir. 1983)". Justia U.S. Law. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  63. ↑ "Notorious New York mob hitman escapes federal custody in Florida". The Independent. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  64. ↑ "Search for an escaped mob hitman who killed three men ends in Hialeah". Miami Herald. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  65. ↑ "November 12, 1983 Dino Tortatice". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  66. ↑ "Dominic Taddeo, Escaped Mob Hit Man, Is Recaptured". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
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