Part 2 https://sitdownnews.com/colombo-cuckoo-crazy-sal/ The Jokester As I’ve mentioned, Sal truly loved to make people laugh and always was up to something. One afternoon, he walked over to me in the yard to ask a question. I answered yet he kept asking me to repeat it, finally, I said, “What’s the…...
Colombo Cuckoo: Crazy Sal-Pt.1
Part 1 An associate by chance Silvio “Crazy Sal” Salome worked as a licensed electrician, acquiring side jobs to make ends meet. As fate would have it, one such job catapulted him into the belly of the Colombo crime family. Sometime in 1989, Crazy Sal received an electrical job from…...
The Fashion Of Cosa Nostra
To get an understanding of fashion you must look back in time. Dictated by styles and traditions, men’s clothing has evolved along the way. Nevertheless, trendy looks inspired by past generations that presently remain. Among those trendsetters were the gangsters of American Cosa Nostra. The Roaring Twenties brought change to…...
Bonanno Wiseguy Falsely Makes Himself A Boss
An Ordered Hit Participating in the 1999 murder of Gerlando “George from Canada” Sciascia, John “Johnny Joe” Spirito along with Patrick “Patty from the Bronx” DeFilippo admitted their guilt in the homicide. Sciascia, born in the province of Agrigento, Sicily immigrated to Canada in 1955. At the time of his…...
Nefarious Way of Johnny Sideburns-Pt.5
A series on Johnny Sideburns…Part 5 https://sitdownnews.com/nefarious-ways-of-johnny-sideburns-2/ Author’s Foreword The public has become familiar with wiseguys through movies, books, and the media. Naturally, one would assume they carry themselves with honor and loyalty. All things considered, I offer the mindset of a Lucchese family member, John “Johnny Sideburns” Cerella who…...
Colombo Soldier Pleads Guilty
The indictment and arrest of Colombo family members back in October 2019 put Daniel Capaldo, a soldier in the family in a legal predicament. Subsequently, Daniel aka, “The wig” or “Shrek” had a change of heart regarding a not guilty plea he entered in response to the above-mentioned indictment. Danny,…...
Nefarious Ways Of Johnny Sideburns-Pt.4
A series on Johnny Sideburns…Part 4 https://sitdownnews.com/nefarious-ways-of-johnny-sideburns-3/ In April 2000 Lewis Kasman entered a business venture with Roger and Frank Basile. The trio opened Hudson & McCoy Fish House on Long Island’s nautical mile. To begin with, the opening of the restaurant was successful and profitable. However, with success comes…...
Reporting Comes At A Risk
Recently, I discovered a New York Times article titled, The Mafia Reporter With a Police Escort (and the 200 Journalist Like Him) written by Gaia Pianigiani. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/20/world/europe/italy-journalists-mafia.html Ragazza Brillante Ms. Pianigiani was born and raised in the Chianti region of Tuscany. Eager to acquire knowledge, she attended three different universities…....
Nefarious ways of Johnny Sideburns -Pt.3
A series on Johnny Sideburns…Part 3 https://sitdownnews.com/nefarious-ways-of-johnny-sideburns/ The Minaci Family By the late ’90s, the reputation of the Minaci family was pristine in South Florida. They achieved success in business and became proud owners of famous restaurants, pizzerias, and bars. The Minaci’s Paramount Companies supplied vending machines, arcade games, juke-boxes,…...
Nefarious ways of Johnny Sideburns- Pt.2
A series on Johnny Sideburns…Part 2 https://sitdownnews.com/nefarious-ways/ Johnny Sideburns again hitched his wagon to wiseguys. Namely, the Romano brothers Carmine, his twin Peter, and Vincent. Besides brotherly love, the brothers had two things in common, fish and the mob. Widely known was the Romano name at the Fulton Fishmarket in…...