How Rizzuto Got His Revenge, Mafia-Style
Adrian Humphreys' National Post story is required reading for anyone interested in the Canadian mob war (which included both Cosa Nostra and 'Ndrangheta members) that reached its bloody crescendo under the stewardship of now-deceased Montreal Godfather Vito Rizzuto.
The article focuses on new information regarding how Rizzuto swiftly took charge when he returned home from prison, marshaled his forces and with true Sicilian cunningness, set loose the dogs of war by first testing his own men's loyalty.
He seems to have taken a page from John Gotti's playbook by topping his death list with the names of those who blinked when he summoned them.
Gotti famously once said: "He's gonna die because he refused to come in when I called...." Louis DiBono, otherwise, hadn't done anything wrong. And this was not even during a war--though Gotti came close to being a wartime Don following the DeCicco murder.
The source of the new information in Humphreys' story is wiretap recordings of a Canadian mobster living in Sicily who "reveals tantalizing details about the recent Mafia war that killed more than 40 people in Montreal, Toronto, Mexico and Italy," noted Humphreys.
The target of a wide-ranging investigation in Palermo, the mobster offered a blow by blow account of Rizzuto's vendetta from its initial stages, which took place in Cuba and the Dominican Republic, where Rizzuto "summoned top henchmen to secret meetings..." What was discussed? Well, if you were invited and failed to attend, you were "among his first targets."
“But mice can only dance for a while because they’re small,” he added -- "as a warning of Rizzuto’s power," Humphreys added.
While these events occurred, all Fernandez’s phone calls were recorded for presentation at a Palermo murder trial.
The article focuses on new information regarding how Rizzuto swiftly took charge when he returned home from prison, marshaled his forces and with true Sicilian cunningness, set loose the dogs of war by first testing his own men's loyalty.
Rizzuto was referred to as the Tall Guy. |
He seems to have taken a page from John Gotti's playbook by topping his death list with the names of those who blinked when he summoned them.
Gotti famously once said: "He's gonna die because he refused to come in when I called...." Louis DiBono, otherwise, hadn't done anything wrong. And this was not even during a war--though Gotti came close to being a wartime Don following the DeCicco murder.
After his release from a U.S. prison--where he must have mentally murdered Joe Massino a million times for enabling the RMCP to yank him away, prompting the deadly turmoil in Montreal that claimed the lives of both his father and son--Rizzuto knew he had little time because cancer was devouring his lungs. So he got right to work.
A court in Italy heard the details. "It’s like the saying goes — when the cat’s away the mice will play,” veteran mobster Juan Ramon Fernandez said, referring to those who betrayed Rizzuto while he was away, Humphreys wrote.
“But mice can only dance for a while because they’re small,” he added -- "as a warning of Rizzuto’s power," Humphreys added.
While these events occurred, all Fernandez’s phone calls were recorded for presentation at a Palermo murder trial.
Rizzuto’s trips south allowed him to plot privately with his senior men about the attacks on his family, including the murders of his eldest son and father, police said.
Months before Rizzuto’s scheduled release from prison on Oct. 5, 2012, his friends were already making plans.
Fernandez frequently spoke with a man identified in court as Frank Campoli, 58, a Toronto businessman who is related by marriage to the Rizzuto family. Mr. Campoli said Rizzuto was planning a trip to Cuba on Nov. 22 and asked Fernandez to come, court heard.
“Yes, I’ll come, I’ll come,” said Fernandez.
Fernandez then immediately called a friend in Toronto, identified in court as Rosario Staffiere, 55, owner of a limousine rental firm, and told him of his conversation.
“He wanted to put me to the test,” Fernandez said. “He wanted to know if I still want to see him [Rizzuto], and I said ‘Yes, of course.’”
Then, he added with a laugh: “Take a shot in the f—ing head? Of course I’m going to see him.”
On the day of Rizzuto’s release, Fernandez again spoke with Mr. Campoli, court heard. “How is he?” Fernandez asked.
“I don’t know where the hell he went,” answered Mr. Campoli. “He didn’t want to be seen with anyone right now, know what I mean?”...
On Nov. 5, 2012 — a month after Rizzuto’s release and two weeks before his Cuba trip — Joseph Di Maulo, a veteran Quebec mobster, was gunned down in his driveway, a murder seen as the first volley of Rizzuto’s revenge.
Fernandez immediately phoned Canada asking about the shooting. He called a Montreal man identified in court as Antonio Carbone, 79, who was close to the mobsters.
Mr. Carbone said Rizzuto’s opponents were afraid, staying indoors, wearing bulletproof vests or driving armoured cars.
“The important ones are hiding,” Mr. Carbone said. “A few big names will soon feel…” he said, with his words trailing off....
most under rated Godfather
ReplyDeleteWhen he was in prison the entire Canadian media wrote him off. Boy were they wrong.
ReplyDeleteyou are right on that ed. The next people on the list are tony magi and tony mucci. In the article a guy said they are in hiding with imported armored vehicles and bullet proof vests. After they are gone, the next target will obviously be joey massino. If the wiseguys can get a powerful computer hacker and infiltrate the networks of the marshalls service, a hit team will be sent down to either kidnap him or kill joey on the spot.
ReplyDeleteHas the Mafia the resources to kill anyone in WitSec? has it ever been attempted before?
ReplyDeleteThey were about to kill sammy gravano when he was running his illegal pill operation. That was because he blown his cover and left the program. The feds don't care about the safety of informants that leave the program. They will throw these guys to the trash just like what they did to gaspipe casso. If they are serious about going after informants in the program, they could get people to do the dirty work for them as in farm it out. All they have to do is hire a powerful hacker to infiltrate the servers of the marshals service, extract the info and have a mexican cartel kidnap them and bring them to either mexico or canada for execution. If they did that, they would regain some deterrence in the underworld while maintaining the new low profile strategy. The rizzuto loyalists have the resources, money and international connections to make that happen.
ReplyDeleteVito killed more guys than cancer. Then cancer downed him. Imagine if Vito didn't pass away, there'd be plenty more bodies, and not just in Montreal. Montreal, Toronto, Mexico, and Sicily,
ReplyDeleteVito let nothing stand in his wake. Domenico Manno, Vito's uncle, new boss, carrying out Vito's death warrants, just slower than Vito would have done it. Montreal, the mafia will reign supreme under Manno.
That's a big question though... Does he have Rizzuto's charisma/management capability. Big shoes to fill. Vito made his mark in a way nobody has since the old days. The Castellamarese war is the closest thing to come to mind by way of comparison in North America. And according to Hortis, that was not really even a war. Maybe Patriarcha..... he supposedly killed 50-60 in his wars consolidating power in New England but that was different. Vito sounds like a Rommel... leading his men from the front. He definitely took a page from the Sicilian Mafia, I should've wrote, not so much Gotti.
ReplyDeleteGambino boss Peter Gotti also believed Gravano was challenging him to come after him. It was more a matter of honor, I think. The exception to the rule. I'm sure Massino will NEVER leave the program...
ReplyDeleteHe was vito's uncle and basically was around vito's rise to the top. He knows what worked for vito and I'm sure he will follow the same playbook. He is already showing signs that his management style has been working. Selectively targeting the traitors as to lower the heat. Case in point joesph ducarme street gang leader who supported the murders of vito's son and dad. The old alliances will reemerge and everyone will be making money peacefully because thats the way vito wanted it. Also its in everybody's interest to maintain the former status quo.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that massino would not leave the program ever since the rizzuto faction wants his head on a platter for what he did. If he does a joey calco, looses his cool, gets arrested then exposed. He will die. but if they know his new identity and location while in the program, they will not hesitate to go after him.
ReplyDeletebut there is one problem. MR.manno is really old, they need younger blood with the same mindset.
ReplyDeleteMost under rated topic... And im from england. Great info on hear
ReplyDeleteDidn't someone get murdered after Vito passed?
ReplyDeleteThanks, I really appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteYes, Ducarme something....
ReplyDelete