Anthony Scotto
Encyclopedia
Anthony M. Scotto (born May 10, 1934) is a New York mobster and labor union racketeer in the Gambino crime family
who eventually became the head of the Brooklyn
waterfront.
Carroll Gardens
section of Brooklyn
and studied pre-law and political science at Brooklyn College
for two years. Scotto married Marion Anastasio, whose father was capodecina
Anthony Anastasio
and uncle was family boss Albert "Mad Hatter" Anastasia
of the then Anastasia crime family. As an officer of the International Longshoremen's Association
Local 1814 in Red Hook, Anastasio used his position to control the Brooklyn waterfront. Scotto eventually joined Anastasio at the union local and became an ILA officer. In 1957, Anastasia was gunned down in a Manhattan hotel barber
shop and Carlo Gambino
became boss of what became the Gambino family. Enjoying an excellent relationship with Gambino, Scotto was soon inducted into the family.
In 1963, Anastasio died and Scotto succeeded him as head of ILA Local 1814. Called a "new breed labor leader" by the press, Scotto quickly rose into high level business and political circles. He eventually became the ILA general organizer, one of the three highest positions in the 100,000 member labor union.
within the Gambino crime family
.
Scotto became one of the most powerful mafiosos in New York due to his powerful political connections. Scotto even became friends with the mob's most feared enemy, U.S. Attorney General
Robert Kennedy. In 1972, Scotto was named as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
, but stepped down in protest over the actions of the Convention Credentials Committee. In 1974, Scotto raised thousands of dollars for Democratic candidate Hugh Carey
's New York gubernatorial campaign and $50,000 for Democrat Mario Cuomo
's bid for lieutenant governor
. President Jimmy Carter
had named Scotto as a possible candidate for the position of U.S. Secretary of Labor. At the same time, Gambino planned to make Scotto president of the entire ILA in the United States; however, this ambition was derailed by criminal charges.
In 1979, Scotto was convicted of federal bribery
and racketeering charges. Scotto had accepted $300,000 over five years from two dockside businessmen, William Montella Jr. and Walter D. O'Hearn Jr. Montella also built a swimming pool
for Scotto at his vacation home for free. Before sentencing, US District Judge Charles E. Stewart, Jr.
remarked that he was "extremely impressed" by letters he received from former New York City mayors Robert Wagner
and John Lindsay
, businessmen, and labor leaders all requesting leniency for Scotto. As a consequence, Stewart bypassed the maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and instead gave Scotto five years in prison with a $75,000 fine.
In 1984, after serving 39 months, Scotto was released from prison. Since then, Scotto has not been indicted for any other crimes. Scotto has been identified as a made man
, or full member, of the Gambino family by mob informant Joe Valachi
and government witness Salvatore Gravano. Gambino's successor, family boss Paul Castellano
, was intercepted by a federal wiretap explaining to Thomas Gambino
and Thomas Bilotti
about Scotto that,
After Castellano's assassination in 1986, newly-crowned family boss John Gotti
replaced Scotto with another Red Hook mobster, Anthony "Young Sonny" Ciccone.
reached out to Scotto to help him in his battle against the Teamsters Union for jurisdiction over New York City's hospital workers. Scotto made his attorney, Bertram Perkel, DC 37's outside counsel (Scotto also appointed Perkel to the New York Port Commission). Eventually, DC 37 would come under the control of the Colombo crime family
, namely former family underboss William Cutolo
, soldier Frank "Frankie the Gent" Morelli and associate Thomas DiNardo.
Scotto lectured at Harvard University
on labor relations and served as a trustee for the Brooklyn Academy of Music
.
, the New York City evening news TV anchor, Elaina Scotto, Anthony Scotto Jr. and John Scotto. With their mother, Marion, the family owns and operates the restaurant Fresco by Scotto in Manhattan. They have made a number of appearances on the Today show.
Gambino crime family
The Gambino crime family is one of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia . The group is named after Carlo Gambino, boss of the family at the time of the McClellan hearings in 1963...
who eventually became the head of the Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
waterfront.
Early life
Scotto grew up in the Red HookRed Hook, Brooklyn
Red Hook is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 6. It is also the location where the transatlantic liner, the , docks in New York City.- History :...
Carroll Gardens
Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Carroll Gardens is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA. The area is named for Charles Carroll, a revolutionary war veteran who was also the only Roman Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence...
section of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
and studied pre-law and political science at Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is a senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, United States.Established in 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the College had its beginnings as the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College and the City College of New...
for two years. Scotto married Marion Anastasio, whose father was capodecina
Capodecina
A capodecina is the head of a decina, a branch within a Mafia family. In the larger families, a capodecina is selected by the head of the family and coordinates units of about ten people....
Anthony Anastasio
Anthony Anastasio
Anthony "Tough Tony" Anastasio was a New York City mobster and labor racketeer for the Gambino crime family who controlled the Brooklyn dockyards for over thirty years...
and uncle was family boss Albert "Mad Hatter" Anastasia
Albert Anastasia
Albert Anastasia was boss of what is now called the Gambino crime family, one of New York City's Five Families, from 1951-1957. He also ran a gang of contract killers called Murder Inc. which enforced the decisions of the Commission, the ruling council of the American Mafia...
of the then Anastasia crime family. As an officer of the International Longshoremen's Association
International Longshoremen's Association
The International Longshoremen's Association is a labor union representing longshore workers along the East Coast of the United States and Canada, the Gulf Coast, the Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, and inland waterways...
Local 1814 in Red Hook, Anastasio used his position to control the Brooklyn waterfront. Scotto eventually joined Anastasio at the union local and became an ILA officer. In 1957, Anastasia was gunned down in a Manhattan hotel barber
Barber
A barber is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, and to shave or trim the beards of men. The place of work of a barber is generally called a barbershop....
shop and Carlo Gambino
Carlo Gambino
"Don" Carlo Gambino, was a Sicilian mafioso who became Boss of the Gambino crime family, that still bears his name today. After the 1957 Apalachin Convention he unexpectedly seized control of the Commission of the American Mafia. Gambino was known for being low-key and secretive...
became boss of what became the Gambino family. Enjoying an excellent relationship with Gambino, Scotto was soon inducted into the family.
In 1963, Anastasio died and Scotto succeeded him as head of ILA Local 1814. Called a "new breed labor leader" by the press, Scotto quickly rose into high level business and political circles. He eventually became the ILA general organizer, one of the three highest positions in the 100,000 member labor union.
Scotto and the Gambino crime family
As early as 1969, the FBI identified Scotto as a caporegimeCaporegime
A caporegime or capodecina, usually shortened to just a capo, is a term used in the Mafia for a high ranking made member of a crime family who heads a "crew" of soldiers and has major social status and influence in the organization...
within the Gambino crime family
Gambino crime family
The Gambino crime family is one of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia . The group is named after Carlo Gambino, boss of the family at the time of the McClellan hearings in 1963...
.
Scotto became one of the most powerful mafiosos in New York due to his powerful political connections. Scotto even became friends with the mob's most feared enemy, U.S. Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
Robert Kennedy. In 1972, Scotto was named as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
, but stepped down in protest over the actions of the Convention Credentials Committee. In 1974, Scotto raised thousands of dollars for Democratic candidate Hugh Carey
Hugh Carey
Hugh Leo Carey was an American attorney, the 51st Governor of New York from 1975 to 1982, and a seven-term United States Representative .- Early life :...
's New York gubernatorial campaign and $50,000 for Democrat Mario Cuomo
Mario Cuomo
Mario Matthew Cuomo served as the 52nd Governor of New York from 1983 to 1994, and is the father of Andrew Cuomo, the current governor of New York.-Early life:...
's bid for lieutenant governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
. President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
had named Scotto as a possible candidate for the position of U.S. Secretary of Labor. At the same time, Gambino planned to make Scotto president of the entire ILA in the United States; however, this ambition was derailed by criminal charges.
In 1979, Scotto was convicted of federal bribery
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
and racketeering charges. Scotto had accepted $300,000 over five years from two dockside businessmen, William Montella Jr. and Walter D. O'Hearn Jr. Montella also built a swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
for Scotto at his vacation home for free. Before sentencing, US District Judge Charles E. Stewart, Jr.
Charles E. Stewart, Jr.
Charles E. Stewart, Jr. was a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York....
remarked that he was "extremely impressed" by letters he received from former New York City mayors Robert Wagner
Robert Wagner
Robert John Wagner is an American actor of stage, screen, and television.A veteran of many films in the 1950s and 1960s, Wagner gained prominence in three American television series that spanned three decades: It Takes a Thief , Switch , and Hart to Hart...
and John Lindsay
John Lindsay
John Vliet Lindsay was an American politician, lawyer and broadcaster who was a U.S. Congressman, Mayor of New York City, candidate for U.S...
, businessmen, and labor leaders all requesting leniency for Scotto. As a consequence, Stewart bypassed the maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and instead gave Scotto five years in prison with a $75,000 fine.
In 1984, after serving 39 months, Scotto was released from prison. Since then, Scotto has not been indicted for any other crimes. Scotto has been identified as a made man
Made man
A made man, also known as a Mafioso , made guy, man of honor, or uomo d'onore , is someone who has been officially inducted into the Sicilian or American Mafia . They may also be referred to by some as a goodfella or wiseguy...
, or full member, of the Gambino family by mob informant Joe Valachi
Joe Valachi
Joseph "Joe Cargo" Valachi , Italian American, also known as "Charles Chanbano" and "Anthony Sorge" was the first Mafia member to publicly acknowledge the existence of the Mafia. He is also the person who made Cosa Nostra a household name.-Career:Joseph Valachi was born in East Harlem, New York...
and government witness Salvatore Gravano. Gambino's successor, family boss Paul Castellano
Paul Castellano
Constantino Paul "Big Paul" Castellano , also known as "The Howard Hughes of the Mob" and "Big Paulie" , was an American Mafia boss in New York City. He succeeded Carlo Gambino as head of the Gambino crime family, at the time, the nation's largest Mafia family...
, was intercepted by a federal wiretap explaining to Thomas Gambino
Thomas Gambino
Thomas "Tommy" Gambino is a New York mobster and a longtime Caporegime of the Gambino crime family who successfully controlled lucrative trucking rackets in the New York City Garment District.-Early life:...
and Thomas Bilotti
Thomas Bilotti
Thomas Bilotti was a New York mobster and then Underboss for the reputed Boss of the Gambino crime family, Paul Castellano.-Early years:...
about Scotto that,
- "We respected him...It was our union...We were making him advance in our union...Go up, up, up ... the ladder. And ... what's gonna happen, we're gonna have a president."
After Castellano's assassination in 1986, newly-crowned family boss John Gotti
John Gotti
John Joseph Gotti, Jr was an American mobster who became the Boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City. Gotti grew up in poverty. He and his brothers turned to a life of crime at an early age...
replaced Scotto with another Red Hook mobster, Anthony "Young Sonny" Ciccone.
Later years
During his 20-year reign on the New York waterfront (and quite possibly the most powerful labor racketeer in the entire country), Scotto was also able to penetrate DC 37, America's biggest, richest, and most indicted municipal union. Former union leader Victor GotbaumVictor Gotbaum
Victor H. Gotbaum was an American labor leader. From 1965 to 1987, he was president of AFSCME District Council 37 , the largest municipal union in New York City.-Biography:...
reached out to Scotto to help him in his battle against the Teamsters Union for jurisdiction over New York City's hospital workers. Scotto made his attorney, Bertram Perkel, DC 37's outside counsel (Scotto also appointed Perkel to the New York Port Commission). Eventually, DC 37 would come under the control of the Colombo crime family
Colombo crime family
The Colombo crime family is the youngest of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia ....
, namely former family underboss William Cutolo
William Cutolo
William Cutolo , also known as "Billy Fingers" and "Wild Bill", was a Brooklyn mobster in the Colombo crime family who committed several murders and was heavily involved in labor racketeering...
, soldier Frank "Frankie the Gent" Morelli and associate Thomas DiNardo.
Scotto lectured at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
on labor relations and served as a trustee for the Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn Academy of Music is a major performing arts venue in Brooklyn, a borough of New York City, United States, known as a center for progressive and avant garde performance....
.
Family
Scotto is the father of Rosanna ScottoRosanna Scotto
Rosanna Scotto is an American news anchor. She currently anchors WNYW's Good Day New York with Greg Kelly. Previously, Scotto anchored at 5 and 10 P.M. with Ernie Anastos and Fox 5 Live at 11 A.M. Scotto has been the lead female news anchor since 1990...
, the New York City evening news TV anchor, Elaina Scotto, Anthony Scotto Jr. and John Scotto. With their mother, Marion, the family owns and operates the restaurant Fresco by Scotto in Manhattan. They have made a number of appearances on the Today show.