Cesare Bonventre
Encyclopedia
Cesare "The Tall Guy" Bonventre (January 1, 1951 – April 16, 1984) was a Sicilian
mobster and caporegime
for the New York
Bonanno crime family
.
, Sicily
, Bonventre was a member of the Sicilian Mafia and the Bonanno family operating out of Brooklyn, New York. Brought to the United States by Bonanno boss Carmine Galante
, Bonventre was appointed underboss of the "Zips
." Zips was a derogatory term for the young Sicilian men who were born and raised in Italy and brought over to the U.S. by the New York crime families
. Galante was using Bonventre as his bodyguard. Bonventre's uncle was John Bonventre
, a former underboss of the Bonanno family. Bonventre was a relative of former Bonanno boss Joseph Bonanno
and also the cousin of Baldassare "Baldo" Amato.
Bonventre's moniker was "The Tall Guy" because he stood close to six feet nine tall. Bonventre was lean and stylish and hung out mostly at The Toyland Social Club and the Knickerbocker Avenue area, with the other Zips. In the book King of the Godfathers, Anthony M. Destefano writes that there was something about Bonventre that made him stand out from the other ethnic Italians. His stylish clothing, aviator sunglasses and European man's purse embodied Italian couture
.
Although it was a hot summer day, Bonventre and Amato were both wearing leather jackets; presumably to protect themselves from stray bullets and debris. Bonventre was arrested by federal agents a week later, then released. The hit on Galante required Philip "Rusty" Rastelli to get approval from the Zips, Big Paul Castellano and the other Commission bosses. It was later rumored that the Mafia Commission
, which oversees all the crime families, had sanctioned Galante's murder and arranged for Bonventre and Baldo to betray him. Galante was "whacked" for not sharing his drug trafficking profits with the family.
Philip "Rusty" Rastelli succeeded Galante as boss of the family, even though he was incarcerated at the time and Joseph Massino became underboss. Although some believed Massino was the real power in the family. After Galante's death, Bonventre was upped from soldier to capo and joined Salvatore Catalano's Brooklyn crew. At 28, Bonventre became the youngest capo in Bonanno family history at that point. Bonventre became involved in the importation and drug trafficking of heroin from Sicily into New York pizza parlors, known as the "Pizza Connection".
Bonventre had been on the side of the three capos' Alphonse "Sonny Red" Indelicato, Phillip Giaccone and Dominick Trinchera
; a family faction who were planning a coup to take over the family. However, Bonventre switched sides, joining Philip "Rusty" Rastelli's faction. If not for Bonventre and the Zips changing sides, it is probable that "Sonny Red" would have taken over the Bonanno family.
Massino warned, "He's a very sharp guy. You have to be careful." In April 1984, Bonanno mobsters Salvatore Vitale
and Louis Attanasio picked up Bonventre to bring him to a meeting with Rastelli. As Vitale drove, Attanasio shot Bonventre twice in the head. Surprisingly, Bonventre still struggled; grabbing the steering wheel and trying to crash the car, forcing the two hitmen to fight him off. As Vitale steered into the garage, Bonventre crawled out of the car before Attanasio finished him off with two more shots. Bonventre's body was hacked to pieces and dumped into three 55-gallon glue drums in a Garfield, New Jersey
warehouse.
After the body was recovered, it took forensic technicians three months to identify it. One month later, federal agents broke up the Pizza Connection with a series of arrests. Cesare Bonventre was one of the people indicted in the Pizza Connection Trial
, but was murdered a year before the trial began. Bonventre is buried at Saint Charles Cemetery. Bonventre was married and his wife gave birth to their first son after he was murdered.
restaurant, six months after the discovery of Bonventre's body.
In January 2004, nearly 20 years after the murder, federal authorities arrested Louis Attanasio, Peter Calabrese and Louis's brother Robert Attanasio. Vitale cooperated with authorities. In 2006, Louis Attanasio and Calabrese were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. Robert Attanasio, who cleaned up the car in which Bonventre had been shot, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
mobster and caporegime
Caporegime
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...
for the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Bonanno crime family
Bonanno crime family
The Bonanno 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 ....
.
Early life
Born in Castellammare del GolfoCastellammare del Golfo
Castellammare del Golfo is a town and comune in the Trapani Province of Sicily. The name is roughly translated "Sea- Fortress of the Gulf", deriving from the medieval fortress in the harbor...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, Bonventre was a member of the Sicilian Mafia and the Bonanno family operating out of Brooklyn, New York. Brought to the United States by Bonanno boss Carmine Galante
Carmine Galante
Carmine Galante, also known as "Lilo" and "Cigar" was a mobster and acting boss of the Bonanno crime family...
, Bonventre was appointed underboss of the "Zips
Zips
Zips is a slang term often used as a derogatory slur by Italian American and Sicilian American mobsters in reference to newer immigrant Sicilian and Italian mafiosi...
." Zips was a derogatory term for the young Sicilian men who were born and raised in Italy and brought over to the U.S. by the New York crime families
Five Families
The Five Families are the five original Italian-American Mafia crime families which have dominated organized crime in America since 1931. The Five Families in New York remain as the powerhouse of the Italian Mafia in the United States.-History:...
. Galante was using Bonventre as his bodyguard. Bonventre's uncle was John Bonventre
Giovanni Bonventre
Giovanni "John" Bonventre was a New York mobster with the Bonanno crime family.-Early years:Born in Castellammare del Golfo in Sicily, Bonventre emigrated to New York with his family. The family settled in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, a stronghold of immigrants from their village...
, a former underboss of the Bonanno family. Bonventre was a relative of former Bonanno boss Joseph Bonanno
Joseph Bonanno
Joseph Charles Bonanno, Sr. was a Sicilian-born American mafioso who became the boss of the Bonanno crime family. He was nicknamed "Joe Bananas," a name he despised.-Early life:...
and also the cousin of Baldassare "Baldo" Amato.
Bonventre's moniker was "The Tall Guy" because he stood close to six feet nine tall. Bonventre was lean and stylish and hung out mostly at The Toyland Social Club and the Knickerbocker Avenue area, with the other Zips. In the book King of the Godfathers, Anthony M. Destefano writes that there was something about Bonventre that made him stand out from the other ethnic Italians. His stylish clothing, aviator sunglasses and European man's purse embodied Italian couture
Italian fashion
Italy is one of the leading countries in fashion design, alongside others such as France, USA, Great Britain and Japan. Fashion has always been an important part of the country's cultural life and society, and Italians are well known for their attention to dressing-up well; "la bella figura", or...
.
Galante assassination
On July 12, 1979, Galante was dropped off for lunch at Joe & Mary's; an Italian restaurant in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn. After a short while, bodyguards Bonventre and Baldo Amato joined Galante. Suddenly three men in ski masks appeared and opened fire on Galante. Two innocent bystanders were killed (Joe Turano of Joe & Mary's and a friend). Bonventre and Amato allegedly joined in the attack, then disappeared from the scene after the three hitmen. Galante died at the scene.Although it was a hot summer day, Bonventre and Amato were both wearing leather jackets; presumably to protect themselves from stray bullets and debris. Bonventre was arrested by federal agents a week later, then released. The hit on Galante required Philip "Rusty" Rastelli to get approval from the Zips, Big Paul Castellano and the other Commission bosses. It was later rumored that the Mafia Commission
The Commission (mafia)
The Commission is the governing body of the American Mafia. Formed in 1931, the Commission replaced the "Boss of all Bosses" title, with a ruling committee, consisting of the New York Five Families bosses and the boss of the Chicago Outfit...
, which oversees all the crime families, had sanctioned Galante's murder and arranged for Bonventre and Baldo to betray him. Galante was "whacked" for not sharing his drug trafficking profits with the family.
Philip "Rusty" Rastelli succeeded Galante as boss of the family, even though he was incarcerated at the time and Joseph Massino became underboss. Although some believed Massino was the real power in the family. After Galante's death, Bonventre was upped from soldier to capo and joined Salvatore Catalano's Brooklyn crew. At 28, Bonventre became the youngest capo in Bonanno family history at that point. Bonventre became involved in the importation and drug trafficking of heroin from Sicily into New York pizza parlors, known as the "Pizza Connection".
Bonventre had been on the side of the three capos' Alphonse "Sonny Red" Indelicato, Phillip Giaccone and Dominick Trinchera
Dominick Trinchera
Dominick "Big Trin" Trinchera was a Bonanno crime family capo who was murdered with Alphonse Indelicato and Phillip Giaccone for planning the overthrow of aspiring Bonanno boss Phillip Rastelli.-Biography:Born in Rockland, New York, Trinchera was the son of an immigrant from Rome, Italy and an...
; a family faction who were planning a coup to take over the family. However, Bonventre switched sides, joining Philip "Rusty" Rastelli's faction. If not for Bonventre and the Zips changing sides, it is probable that "Sonny Red" would have taken over the Bonanno family.
Death
The ascension of Rastelli as boss triggered a period of discontent and rivalry in the Bonanno family. As a result, Rastelli and Massino started purging their opponents in the family. In 1984, Massino decided that Bonventre was a threat to the Bonanno leadership and should be eliminated. Bonventre's pedigree, increasing wealth and fearsome reputation had made him into a threat. The Zips were a powerful and dangerous crew who were known as the meanest killers in the business. Bonventre himself was prone to outbursts of sadistic violence and was suspected of over 20 murders.Massino warned, "He's a very sharp guy. You have to be careful." In April 1984, Bonanno mobsters Salvatore Vitale
Salvatore Vitale
Salvatore "Good Looking Sal" Vitale was a New York City caterer and former underboss of the Bonanno crime family of La Cosa Nostra before becoming a government informant.-Biography:...
and Louis Attanasio picked up Bonventre to bring him to a meeting with Rastelli. As Vitale drove, Attanasio shot Bonventre twice in the head. Surprisingly, Bonventre still struggled; grabbing the steering wheel and trying to crash the car, forcing the two hitmen to fight him off. As Vitale steered into the garage, Bonventre crawled out of the car before Attanasio finished him off with two more shots. Bonventre's body was hacked to pieces and dumped into three 55-gallon glue drums in a Garfield, New Jersey
Garfield, New Jersey
Garfield is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,487.When the area that is now Garfield was first developed in 1873, it was known as East Passaic. In 1881, the community's name was changed to Garfield in honor of...
warehouse.
After the body was recovered, it took forensic technicians three months to identify it. One month later, federal agents broke up the Pizza Connection with a series of arrests. Cesare Bonventre was one of the people indicted in the Pizza Connection Trial
Pizza Connection Trial
The Pizza Connection Trial was one of the longest criminal jury trials on record in the district of Manhattan. It took place between October 24, 1985 and March 2, 1987-Scope of the trial:...
, but was murdered a year before the trial began. Bonventre is buried at Saint Charles Cemetery. Bonventre was married and his wife gave birth to their first son after he was murdered.
Aftermath
A government informant later claimed that one of Bonventre's killers was mobster Cosimo Aiello. It is unknown what involvement Aiello had in the murder, because he himself was shot to death in the parking lot of a Clifton, New JerseyClifton, New Jersey
Clifton is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 84,136. The 2010 population represented an increase of 5,464 residents from its population of 78,672 in the 2000 Census, making it the state's 11th largest...
restaurant, six months after the discovery of Bonventre's body.
In January 2004, nearly 20 years after the murder, federal authorities arrested Louis Attanasio, Peter Calabrese and Louis's brother Robert Attanasio. Vitale cooperated with authorities. In 2006, Louis Attanasio and Calabrese were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. Robert Attanasio, who cleaned up the car in which Bonventre had been shot, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Additional reading
- Raab, Selwyn. Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America's Most Powerful Mafia Empires. New York: St. Martin's Press 2005. ISBN 0-312-30094-8
- Sifakis, Carl. The Mafia Encyclopedia. New York: Da Capo Press, 2005. ISBN 0-8160-5694-3
- Crittle, Simon. The Last Godfather: The Rise and Fall of Joey Massino. Berkley 2007. ISBN 0-4252-0939-3
- Pistone, Joseph D.; & Brandt, Charles (2007). Donnie Brasco: Unfinished Business, Running Press. ISBN 0-7624-2707-8.
- Pistone, Joseph D.; & Woodley, Richard (1999) Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the MafiaDonnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the MafiaDonnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia is a non-fiction crime book written by Joseph D. Pistone. It is the true story of FBI agent Joseph Pistone going undercover and infiltrating the Mafia...
, Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 0-340-66637-4. - DeStefano, Anthony. The Last Godfather: Joey Massino & the Fall of the Bonanno Crime Family. California: Citadel, 2006.
- Rudolph, Robert. "3 charged in case of dead man in a drum," The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger, January 22, 2004 (retrieved on March 10, 2010).
- Marzulli, John. "15-Yr. Sentences for 1984 Rubout," New York Daily News, September 21, 2006 (retrieved on March 10, 2010).