tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post4192562432605112996..comments2023-11-05T02:53:51.987-05:00Comments on Cosa Nostra News: Giacomo Luppino: Last Old-Style Mafia BossUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-91281698525087686112014-05-11T18:35:20.394-04:002014-05-11T18:35:20.394-04:00I'm not breaking balls, I'm just having a ...I'm not breaking balls, I'm just having a simple debate with you on this, that's all. If you're doing a blog such as this and give people the ability to comment, you should be willing to endure criticism or people who will question certain things. It seems like you have a little bit of a problem with that. You are admittedly also still learning about this subject as am I. This means that we are on the same level.<br /><br />That being said, you're right that the (Canadian) press sometimes refer to the Cotroni "family". Even though Cotroni was in essence the boss of Montreal, he was technically only a caporegime of a crew in the Bonanno family. This crew consisted of approximately 20 made members. After his death, Gerlando Sciascia was named his successor, even though he mostly operated in New York. Now things do become muddy when Sciascia was killed and it's debatable whether they are still part of the Bonannos today. With all that has happened in recent years, that doesn't seem to be the case, but who knows...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-67074535654856182562014-05-10T21:40:13.097-04:002014-05-10T21:40:13.097-04:00The real question to me is how did Magaddino work ...The real question to me is how did Magaddino work with Ontario. There are two distinct points of view: He worked with Papalia or he worked with Luppino. Based on the more recent research, Luppino had the upper hand, but I believe there must have been a power-sharing situation going on because Papalia was in prison all the damn time. I am interested in the Magaddino - Papalia - Luppino - Musitano dynamic... There is little research I have yet found that goes into this in detail...Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-20396833108962544032014-05-10T21:35:52.065-04:002014-05-10T21:35:52.065-04:00I am addressing all this in the story I am working...I am addressing all this in the story I am working on... there is room for some research here. Canadian writers recognize two Mafias are at work there, and one in America but apparently don't see this as an area ripe for research and probably a couple of good books. I've been working my way through several books -- and have some more to go. I am piecing together an article based on wiretaps and testimony available in these books. Canadian Ndrangheta may have been part of an American Cosa Nostra family but what does that mean? Cotroni "was only part of the American Cosa Nostra..." is incorrect. He was "not only" a part of Cosa Nostra, he was the Bonanno boss in Montreal -- and also at the same time: the boss of what the Canadian press refers to as the Cotroni family or the Cotroni/Violi family. But he took orders from the Bonanno family boss in New York. He was a hybrid individual. Violi, a Ndrangheta from Southern Italy, actually visited Cosa Nostra bosses in Sicily to complain about Nic Rizzuto. There Ndrangheta and Cosa Nostra obviously have respect for each other. As I noted on my FB page, Rizzuto lost his chief representative in Ontario out of respect for the Calabrians; they formally recognize made men in both groups as more respected than unmade man. In other words, Vito sided with the made Ndrangheta boss and let him whack his own rep, who was not made... There is mutual respect -- that seems to be the norm. Many different variable at work though.... Either your just breaking my balls by dissecting this to death or you simply think the sun revolves around the Five Families in New York....Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-7567000151592481792014-05-10T20:22:29.196-04:002014-05-10T20:22:29.196-04:00I was referring to your post above in which you st...I was referring to your post above in which you state that Calabrian equals 'ndrangheta, not the story itself. So Basically what you are saying is that in America there is only one Cosa Nostra to which all Italians belong to, but that does not apply to Canada? That would still mean that Cotroni was only part of the American Cosa Nostra, as their rules would also apply to him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-57438265518085659372014-05-07T19:26:39.978-04:002014-05-07T19:26:39.978-04:00Read the fifth paragraph and then the one farther ...Read the fifth paragraph and then the one farther down about Rocco that begins "In 1980..." If you're the same person in this thread, I noted you have to read the story first. I think you glanced at it. Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-23786750238522198972014-05-07T16:15:56.467-04:002014-05-07T16:15:56.467-04:00So based on your logic, Frank Costello and Albert ...So based on your logic, Frank Costello and Albert Anastasia were 'ndrangheta as well?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-16986789717866492162014-05-02T21:44:52.739-04:002014-05-02T21:44:52.739-04:00You're reading too much into his being made in...You're reading too much into his being made in America. You're defining him entirely by that. I try to explain this again and again. These guys sought the prestige and power of being associated with the American Mafia. But Canada has its own dynamics...He is identified as coming from Calabria; Calabrian gangsters are Ndrangheta, and he's identified in the book as Ndrangheta. That book is relatively recent and was written primarily for French-speaking Canadians, ie., it's more up-to-date and accurate than other books that are written more for an American audience, I believe...Honestly, I wouldn't make this up. Who killed Paoli? Paoli was Ndrangheta; he backed up Cotroni. Why else? I am trying to establish a foundation, a basis for all the killing in the past and present in Canada; it is primarily between Sicilians and Ndrangheta. Back in the 1930s Magaddino probably didn't give two shits what his reps were as long as they were Mafia.... Bonanno knew exactly what he was doing; he split the power -- which was the basis for 20 years of peace and prosperity. We'll have to agree to disagree. You see guys in Canadian only based on what American family there were made in... I don't give a shit about induction ceremonies. Cotroni's blood was Calabrian; Calabrian equals Ndrangheta, not Cosa Nostra. He was an opportunist though and the American Cosa Nostra probably didn't know or give a shit about that stuff after killing off Maranzano...I'm just repeating yourself. I appreciate your comments and believe you are sincere....Please believe, I am too.....Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-21928544558207809612014-05-02T16:49:09.273-04:002014-05-02T16:49:09.273-04:00I don't believe it is stated in Mafia Inc. tha...I don't believe it is stated in Mafia Inc. that Cotroni was inducted into the 'ndrangheta before he joined the Bonannos (you can correct me on that as it's been a while since I read that book). I don't have a source that can prove that Cotroni wasn't a member of the 'ndrangheta, but I don't remember reading any viable source (Sixth Family, Mafia Inc. Iced and hundreds of articles) that states that he was other than being a member of the Bonanno family. As Joe Bonanno was tradional and oldschool, I really don't believe he would accept someone into his family who was already part of another clan that wasn't Sicilian.<br /><br />As for Greco, that comes from author Pierre De Champlain, who is an expert on Canadian organized crime, particulary Montreal, who through his research discovered that Greco was from Molise, Italy. I believe he also reveals this in his new book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-52206038824015472212014-05-02T02:07:55.380-04:002014-05-02T02:07:55.380-04:00Really? I find it 10 times easier than Critchley. ...Really? I find it 10 times easier than Critchley. Do you have a recent translated version? I heard there may have been translation issues. I have Oxford 2003 edition. He predates Dickie; Dickie obviously found Paoli's work helpful. He ties lemon and other Sicilian fruits in with the huge influx of Italian immigrants to New Orleans in the late 19th centuryEd Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-17148299675465930742014-05-01T21:15:06.729-04:002014-05-01T21:15:06.729-04:00I have this book also but it sucks. It's to ac...I have this book also but it sucks. It's to academic for me!Funzinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-33264117993436913572014-04-30T18:54:16.336-04:002014-04-30T18:54:16.336-04:00What is your source for Cotroni and Greco? I'd...What is your source for Cotroni and Greco? I'd like to resolve this. I can't find; everything I have tells me they were NdranghetaEd Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-56145791300417400562014-04-30T18:51:29.123-04:002014-04-30T18:51:29.123-04:00Found one: Letizia Paoli's "Mafia Brother...Found one: Letizia Paoli's "Mafia Brotherhoods"Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-10700650725457358952014-04-29T21:43:15.445-04:002014-04-29T21:43:15.445-04:00Cotroni was respected; Nicolo was more astute poli...Cotroni was respected; Nicolo was more astute politically and knew Violi was vulnerable but everyone knew not to touch Cotroni. Yes, anon9:08, Rastelli did want reps down to vote him in as boss. Not sure who went, but it was a big deal in Montreal. They were excited to be invited and took it to mean they'd be playing a larger role in Five Family affairs. I should've noted both Joe Bonanno and Carmine Galante (who spent a lot of time in Canada, tried to expatriate to Canada but withheld their efforts when they were confronted with potential investigations to "clear" them....Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-55844835137342537802014-04-29T21:08:36.713-04:002014-04-29T21:08:36.713-04:00SO violi gets whacked in 1978 galante in charge so... SO violi gets whacked in 1978 galante in charge so he must have gave rizzuto the OK to take him out but not controni who was the real capo. maybe controni and galante had a OK friendship. but galante didn't make nick rizzuto capo of Montreal after violi muder. or maybe controni was well respected and held the capo rank in name only like gotti and his capo wagons till his death but the real power in Montreal late 70 tys till 2000 was rizzuto and friends. but in the long run violis kids and stuff got there revenge they took out vitos father brothers and a kid that's revenge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-82179310455726876372014-04-29T20:37:34.974-04:002014-04-29T20:37:34.974-04:00didn't controni send violin to NYC in 1973 or ...didn't controni send violin to NYC in 1973 or 74 to put there crew vote in for rustelli as boss of the bonannos. he was caught on wire. I think contoni was official capo till his death in the 80tys and then we know George s was capo for the rizzuttos. Massimo sent his guys to Montreal after his murder to appoint Vito capo. he said no my father who I guess was never a capo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-38944148973767363772014-04-29T17:15:23.062-04:002014-04-29T17:15:23.062-04:00Why couldn't he belong to 2 families? Wouldn&#...Why couldn't he belong to 2 families? Wouldn't be the first time guys made in Italy came over and got made into American Cosa Nostra.Funzinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-51883298556777448682014-04-29T17:11:00.391-04:002014-04-29T17:11:00.391-04:00I have all 3 of his books which do cover the Ndran...I have all 3 of his books which do cover the Ndrangheta but not so much Canada. Thanks for the tip tho.Finzinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-88341205874779847042014-04-29T14:28:55.559-04:002014-04-29T14:28:55.559-04:00No problem at all. I did read your story. Overall ...No problem at all. I did read your story. Overall you do know your stuff very well and I like your blog and enjoy your stories. Maybe I was just nitpicking, because you cover a very wide subject and sometimes the errors are in those little details. As for Cotroni I don't have any hard evidence that he wasn't part of the 'ndrangheta, but we do know that he was a made member in the Bonanno family. Common sense dictates that he couldn't have been inducted in two families. Luppino however is believed to have been a member of the 'ndrangheta, but he fell under the influence of the then powerful Buffalo family. He was respected by Magaddino, so much so that he was acting as his representative in Southern Ontario. Apparantly he was even considered to be above Papalia, who, even though having Calabrian roots, was a made member of the American Cosa Nostra.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-78739092206034804652014-04-29T13:34:22.196-04:002014-04-29T13:34:22.196-04:00I apologize; I tend to have a thick skin, except w...I apologize; I tend to have a thick skin, except when it comes to questions of fact. I am vulnerable there. Thanks for your comment, I do appreciate it. Mafia Inc., which I do name in the story, is a French-language work only recently translated into English. I used that book as sourcing for Cotroni and Greco. Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-76290833622197838162014-04-29T13:28:26.783-04:002014-04-29T13:28:26.783-04:00You didn't read the story then; I listed the t...You didn't read the story then; I listed the two primary works right there in the text; I used news reports and other books to provide supporting detail. It is too tedious on a blog to use footnotes; I also use background from protected sources sometimes.Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-62109489496012092942014-04-29T13:20:04.725-04:002014-04-29T13:20:04.725-04:00Maybe that's because you have a learning disab...Maybe that's because you have a learning disability...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-62112223769143828712014-04-29T13:18:24.641-04:002014-04-29T13:18:24.641-04:00What are your sources? I don't see them listed...What are your sources? I don't see them listed anywhere. Also, no need to act offensive. I just wanted to help you with your article, that's all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-24024797460340442322014-04-29T12:45:17.513-04:002014-04-29T12:45:17.513-04:00Dickie's Blood Brothers and Mafia Republic, I&...Dickie's Blood Brothers and Mafia Republic, I'm reading latter now, cover all three Mafias in Italy, Sicily and I believe America and Canada.....Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-1689716360211980622014-04-29T12:37:35.674-04:002014-04-29T12:37:35.674-04:00Cotroni was Ndrangheta and Luigi was Sicilian. I s...Cotroni was Ndrangheta and Luigi was Sicilian. I stand by the story. Give your sources if your going to fact check me. I have mine; I just double checked; you are wrong, anonymous.Ed Scarpohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02178654099167979284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408697780311463036.post-60052605293379910742014-04-29T12:32:57.146-04:002014-04-29T12:32:57.146-04:00I fucking hate know-it-all BBers like the guy abov...I fucking hate know-it-all BBers like the guy above. The BB stands for bulletin board and ball breaker...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com