Patriarca crime family
Encyclopedia
The Patriarca crime family, also known as the New England crime family and the Providence crime family, is an Italian-American organized crime syndicate based in New England
, specifically Providence
, Rhode Island
and Boston
, Massachusetts
, and is part of the Italian-American Mafia
or "La Cosa Nostra". The Patriarca crime family is considered one of the most active mob families outside of New York City
. However, it has long had problems maintaining a monopoly on underworld crime in New England, due to large non-Italian presences in New England.
in 1916, and he led the family until his retirement in 1924. Messina was then succeeded by Phil Buccola. Under Buccola the family increased its power and wealth, mostly through loan sharking, gambling, and bootlegging. Buccola remained the boss of the crime family for thirty years before retiring to Sicily in 1954. He was succeeded by Raymond "Il Patrone" Patriarca
.
("Vinnie") insisted that Patriarca forbade the family to become involved in drugs.
During his reign as boss, Patriarca also formed strong relationships with the New York
crime families, who had controlled organized crime in Providence before he moved in. Patriarca’s long-time underboss, Enrico Tameleo
, was even a member of New York’s Bonanno crime family
. He also worked with the Genovese crime family
frequently. Patriarca and the Genoveses decided that the dividing line between the two families’ territory would be the Connecticut River
. In addition to having close ties to the powerful New York Mafia, Patriarca was also on the Mafia’s ruling commission and had investments in two Las Vegas casinos.
Another of Patriarca's underbosses was Gennaro "Jerry" Angiulo. Angiulo was involved in the numbers racket in Boston, and was being shaken down by rival mobsters because he was not a "made" member. Angiulo solved this problem by paying Patriarca $50,000 and agreeing to pay him $100,000 a year to become a made member of the family. Angiulo was based in Boston and gained complete control of gambling in the city.
, a small town in upstate New York. The meeting was attended by powerful organized crime figures such as Joe Bonanno, Carlo Gambino
, and Vito Genovese
. Raymond Patriarca was also in attendance and was subsequently arrested with all of the other attendees. The Apalachin Meeting
drew a lot of attention to Patriarca from the press, the public, and law enforcement.
The situation became worse for Patriarca and his family in 1961, when Robert Kennedy became Attorney General and began an assault on organized crime. Law enforcement agencies worked to develop informers within the mob and finally succeeded in 1966 when Joe Barboza
, a hit man for the Patriarca family who claimed to have killed 26 people, was arrested on a concealed weapons charge. Barboza became concerned when Patriarca did not raise his bail and two of his friends were killed for trying to do so. Barboza became an informant not long after, and in 1967, Patriarca and Enrico Tameleo
were indicted for the murder of Providence bookmaker, Willie Marfeo. Patriarca was convicted and began serving time in 1969. While Patriarca was in prison, Angiulo served as acting boss. Patriarca was released in 1974 and resumed control of the family.
Patriarca was plagued by law enforcement for the rest of his life and was charged numerous times for a variety of crimes until his death in 1984: in 1978, Vinnie Teresa testified that Patriarca had participated in a 1960 attempt by the Central Intelligence Agency
to kill Fidel Castro
that was never carried out. In 1983, Patriarca was charged with the murder of Raymond Curcio, and in 1984, he was arrested for the murder of Robert Candos, whom Patriarca believed was an informant. Raymond "il Patrone" Patriarca
died of a heart attack at the age of 76 on July 11, 1984.
, but he was sentenced to thirty years in prison in 1987. Gennaro Angiulo was sentenced to 45 years in prison for racketeering charges. Other senior members such as Henry Tameleo and Francesco Intiso died, and William Grasso then filled in as underboss because of the younger Patriarca’s weak leadership. Some law enforcers believed Grasso was actually in charge, but these rumors ended when Grasso was found dead in June 1989. Nicholas Bianco then took over the family’s Providence operations.
On March 26, 1990, Raymond Patriarca Jr. and 20 other family members and associates, including underboss Bianco, consigliere Joseph Russo, and lieutenants Biagio Digiacomo, Vincent Ferrara, Matthew Gugleilmetti, Joseph A. Tiberi Sr, Dennis Lepore and Robert Carozza, were indicted on numerous racketeering, extortion, narcotics, gambling, and murder charges. The arrests were described as “the most sweeping attack ever launched on a single organized crime family.” One of the most damaging pieces of evidence was a tape recording of a Mafia induction ceremony, at which 13 Mafiosi were present. Because of this embarrassment, Patriarca was replaced as boss by Bianco, who maintained a very low profile.
However, in 1991, Bianco was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while eight other family members were convicted of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
(RICO) charges. Bianco died in prison in 1994. Patriarca was sentenced to 8 years in prison in 1992 after pleading guilty to racketeering charges. On January 6, 1992, all of the defendants in the RICO trial pled guilty and received lengthy sentences and large fines. In 1993, 26 others were indicted and convicted for running a bookmaking operation. Much of the legal trouble was the result of cooperation between Whitey Bulger, a mob rival and leader of Boston's Winter Hill Gang
, and Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) agent John Connolly
, who let Bulger run his criminal operations with impunity.
took over the family after the trials and moved the family’s base back to Boston. Salemme’s ascension to the position of boss, however, sparked tensions among family factions. In 1991 and 1992, six mob-related killings resulted from internal family violence. The war between Salemme and a crew of renegade mobsters continued for several years, with murders of more mob associates piling up all over Massachusetts until 1996. In 1995, Salemme was indicted on racketeering charges, and his younger brother Jack took over as acting boss.
In 1997, the FBI indicted 15 members of the renegade crew including Anthony Ciampi, Michael P. Romano, Sr., Vincent “Gigi Portalla” Marino, Enrico M. “Rico” Ponzo, Nazzaro Ralph Scarpa, Sean Cote,Todd Mitchell, Mark F. Spisak and Anthony Allan Diaz, Eugene A. “Gino” Rida, Jr., John M. Arciero, Paul DeCologero, Christopher Puopolo and Leo M. “Chipper” Boffoli as well as faction leader Robert Carozza—the only made member of the group. The grand jury testimony that resulted in the indictments was dominated by Sean Thomas Cote, who was the first of four indicted members to turn government witness. When the verdict for the trial returned, the jury acquitted the defendants of most charges and was deadlocked on murder and racketeering charges. While a second trial was underway, several of the defendants, including Anthony Ciampi and Eugene Rida, changed their pleas to guilty. In February 2000, Salemme, who had already been in prison for several years, made a plea bargain and got eleven years in jail.
The Patriarca family continues its influence in New England, yet like all American Mafia families, it declined in numbers. The Patriarca family is perhaps the most active, influential and dangerous criminal syndicate for its size in the country. The family's influence is in the New England area, such as Boston
and Providence, Rhode Island
.
There have been several FBI RICO indictments in recent years on the family landing several prominent members behind bars; however, like all criminal organizations, when one man gets locked up, another takes his place. The Patriarca family has found numerous ways to generate money, and they are keeping up with the times through modern day stock and internet scams.
The most recent high profile cases of the family as of 2010 have been Carmen "The Cheeseman" DiNunzio, and Arthur Gianelli, John Connolly
's brother-in-law.
Ricardo Moonshine DiOrio, Bianco family
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, specifically Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
and Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, and is part of the Italian-American Mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
or "La Cosa Nostra". The Patriarca crime family is considered one of the most active mob families outside of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. However, it has long had problems maintaining a monopoly on underworld crime in New England, due to large non-Italian presences in New England.
Early years
The New England-based Mafia family that would later be known as the Patriarca crime family was founded by Gaspare MessinaGaspare Messina
Gaspare Messina founded the New England Mafia also known as the Patriarca crime family in 1916. Married to Francesca Messina, he immigrated to Brooklyn from Sicily with his wife Francesca, his brother Phillip, and his brother’s wife Giovanna in 1905. Phillip eventually abandoned his family...
in 1916, and he led the family until his retirement in 1924. Messina was then succeeded by Phil Buccola. Under Buccola the family increased its power and wealth, mostly through loan sharking, gambling, and bootlegging. Buccola remained the boss of the crime family for thirty years before retiring to Sicily in 1954. He was succeeded by Raymond "Il Patrone" Patriarca
Raymond L.S. Patriarca
Raymond Loreda Salvatore Patriarca, Sr. was an Italian-American mobster from Providence, Rhode Island who became the longtime boss of the Patriarca crime family, whose control extended throughout New England for over three decades...
.
Patriarca era
In 1954 Patriarca made drastic changes in the family, the biggest being moving the family's base of operations to Providence, Rhode Island. He ran his family from the National Cigarette Service Company and Coin-O-Matic Distributors, a vending machine and pinball business on Atwells Avenue in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence. The business was known to family members as "The Office." Patriarca was a strict and ruthless leader. He successfully ran his crime family for decades. He made it clear that other crime families were not permitted to operate in New England, and was also skilled at warding off police and maintaining a low profile and thus received little hindrance from law enforcement. The family ventured into new rackets such as pornography and narcotics, though mob informer Vincent TeresaVincent Teresa
Vincent "Fat Vinnie" Teresa was an American mobster in the Boston branch of the Patriarca crime family who was a lieutenant of boss Raymond Patriarca....
("Vinnie") insisted that Patriarca forbade the family to become involved in drugs.
During his reign as boss, Patriarca also formed strong relationships with 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...
crime families, who had controlled organized crime in Providence before he moved in. Patriarca’s long-time underboss, Enrico Tameleo
Enrico Tameleo
Enrico "Henry" Tameleo , also known as "The Referee," was an Italian-American mobster from Boston, Massachusetts and underboss in the New England-based Patriarca crime family of La Cosa Nostra from 1952 to 1968.-Criminal career:...
, was even a member of New York’s 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 ....
. He also worked with the Genovese crime family
Genovese crime family
The Genovese 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 Genovese crime family has been nicknamed the "Ivy League" and "Rolls Royce" of organized crime...
frequently. Patriarca and the Genoveses decided that the dividing line between the two families’ territory would be the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
. In addition to having close ties to the powerful New York Mafia, Patriarca was also on the Mafia’s ruling commission and had investments in two Las Vegas casinos.
Another of Patriarca's underbosses was Gennaro "Jerry" Angiulo. Angiulo was involved in the numbers racket in Boston, and was being shaken down by rival mobsters because he was not a "made" member. Angiulo solved this problem by paying Patriarca $50,000 and agreeing to pay him $100,000 a year to become a made member of the family. Angiulo was based in Boston and gained complete control of gambling in the city.
The Apalachin Meeting and aftermath
In 1957, more than 60 of the country’s most powerful crime bosses met in ApalachinApalachin, New York
Apalachin is a census-designated place within the Town of Owego in Tioga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,126 in the 2000 census. It is named after the Apalachin Creek. Apalachin means From where the messenger returned in the Lenape.Apalachin is in the southeast part of the...
, a small town in upstate New York. The meeting was attended by powerful organized crime figures such as Joe Bonanno, 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...
, and Vito Genovese
Vito Genovese
Vito "Don Vito" Genovese was an Italian mafioso who rose to power in America during the Castellammarese War to later become leader of the Genovese crime family. Genovese served as mentor to future mob boss Vincent "The Chin" Gigante...
. Raymond Patriarca was also in attendance and was subsequently arrested with all of the other attendees. The Apalachin Meeting
Apalachin Meeting
The Apalachin Meeting was a historic summit of the American Mafia held on November 14, 1957, at the home of mobster Joseph "Joe the Barber" Barbara in Apalachin, New York. The meeting was attended by roughly 100 Mafiosi from the United States, Canada, and Italy...
drew a lot of attention to Patriarca from the press, the public, and law enforcement.
The situation became worse for Patriarca and his family in 1961, when Robert Kennedy became Attorney General and began an assault on organized crime. Law enforcement agencies worked to develop informers within the mob and finally succeeded in 1966 when Joe Barboza
Joe Barboza
Joseph "The Animal" Barboza was a Portuguese-American mafioso and one of the most feared mob hitmen during the 1960s...
, a hit man for the Patriarca family who claimed to have killed 26 people, was arrested on a concealed weapons charge. Barboza became concerned when Patriarca did not raise his bail and two of his friends were killed for trying to do so. Barboza became an informant not long after, and in 1967, Patriarca and Enrico Tameleo
Enrico Tameleo
Enrico "Henry" Tameleo , also known as "The Referee," was an Italian-American mobster from Boston, Massachusetts and underboss in the New England-based Patriarca crime family of La Cosa Nostra from 1952 to 1968.-Criminal career:...
were indicted for the murder of Providence bookmaker, Willie Marfeo. Patriarca was convicted and began serving time in 1969. While Patriarca was in prison, Angiulo served as acting boss. Patriarca was released in 1974 and resumed control of the family.
Patriarca was plagued by law enforcement for the rest of his life and was charged numerous times for a variety of crimes until his death in 1984: in 1978, Vinnie Teresa testified that Patriarca had participated in a 1960 attempt by the Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
to kill Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
that was never carried out. In 1983, Patriarca was charged with the murder of Raymond Curcio, and in 1984, he was arrested for the murder of Robert Candos, whom Patriarca believed was an informant. Raymond "il Patrone" Patriarca
Raymond L.S. Patriarca
Raymond Loreda Salvatore Patriarca, Sr. was an Italian-American mobster from Providence, Rhode Island who became the longtime boss of the Patriarca crime family, whose control extended throughout New England for over three decades...
died of a heart attack at the age of 76 on July 11, 1984.
Decline
After Patriarca's death, the New England Mafia began a long period of decline, resulting from both legal prosecution and internal violence. After Patriarca’s death, Jerry Angiulo attempted to take over as boss, despite being in jail. However, Larry Zannino, the family’s top lieutenant, backed Patriarca’s son, Raymond Patriarca Jr. for the position. The National Commission approved Patriarca Jr.’s ascendancy to leadership and his position was confirmed. Zannino was made consigliereConsigliere
Consigliere is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The word was popularized by Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather , and its film adaptation...
, but he was sentenced to thirty years in prison in 1987. Gennaro Angiulo was sentenced to 45 years in prison for racketeering charges. Other senior members such as Henry Tameleo and Francesco Intiso died, and William Grasso then filled in as underboss because of the younger Patriarca’s weak leadership. Some law enforcers believed Grasso was actually in charge, but these rumors ended when Grasso was found dead in June 1989. Nicholas Bianco then took over the family’s Providence operations.
On March 26, 1990, Raymond Patriarca Jr. and 20 other family members and associates, including underboss Bianco, consigliere Joseph Russo, and lieutenants Biagio Digiacomo, Vincent Ferrara, Matthew Gugleilmetti, Joseph A. Tiberi Sr, Dennis Lepore and Robert Carozza, were indicted on numerous racketeering, extortion, narcotics, gambling, and murder charges. The arrests were described as “the most sweeping attack ever launched on a single organized crime family.” One of the most damaging pieces of evidence was a tape recording of a Mafia induction ceremony, at which 13 Mafiosi were present. Because of this embarrassment, Patriarca was replaced as boss by Bianco, who maintained a very low profile.
However, in 1991, Bianco was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while eight other family members were convicted of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization...
(RICO) charges. Bianco died in prison in 1994. Patriarca was sentenced to 8 years in prison in 1992 after pleading guilty to racketeering charges. On January 6, 1992, all of the defendants in the RICO trial pled guilty and received lengthy sentences and large fines. In 1993, 26 others were indicted and convicted for running a bookmaking operation. Much of the legal trouble was the result of cooperation between Whitey Bulger, a mob rival and leader of Boston's Winter Hill Gang
Winter Hill Gang
The Winter Hill Gang is a structured confederation of Boston, Massachusetts-area organized crime figures, predominantly Irish-American with a small Italian-American faction. It derives its name from the Winter Hill neighborhood of Somerville, Massachusetts north of Boston. Its members have...
, and Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
(FBI) agent John Connolly
John Connolly (FBI)
John J. Connolly, Jr. is a former FBI agent, who was convicted of racketeering and obstruction of justice convictions stemming from his relationship with James J. "Whitey" Bulger, Steve Flemmi, and the Winter Hill Gang...
, who let Bulger run his criminal operations with impunity.
Internal warfare
Frank SalemmeFrank Salemme
Francis P. Salemme [Salemone], also known as "Cadillac Frank" and "Julian Daniel Selig" , is a Boston, Massachusetts mobster who became a hitman and eventually the boss of the Patriarca crime family of New England before turning government witness.-Early years:In 1957, while in prison, Salemme...
took over the family after the trials and moved the family’s base back to Boston. Salemme’s ascension to the position of boss, however, sparked tensions among family factions. In 1991 and 1992, six mob-related killings resulted from internal family violence. The war between Salemme and a crew of renegade mobsters continued for several years, with murders of more mob associates piling up all over Massachusetts until 1996. In 1995, Salemme was indicted on racketeering charges, and his younger brother Jack took over as acting boss.
In 1997, the FBI indicted 15 members of the renegade crew including Anthony Ciampi, Michael P. Romano, Sr., Vincent “Gigi Portalla” Marino, Enrico M. “Rico” Ponzo, Nazzaro Ralph Scarpa, Sean Cote,Todd Mitchell, Mark F. Spisak and Anthony Allan Diaz, Eugene A. “Gino” Rida, Jr., John M. Arciero, Paul DeCologero, Christopher Puopolo and Leo M. “Chipper” Boffoli as well as faction leader Robert Carozza—the only made member of the group. The grand jury testimony that resulted in the indictments was dominated by Sean Thomas Cote, who was the first of four indicted members to turn government witness. When the verdict for the trial returned, the jury acquitted the defendants of most charges and was deadlocked on murder and racketeering charges. While a second trial was underway, several of the defendants, including Anthony Ciampi and Eugene Rida, changed their pleas to guilty. In February 2000, Salemme, who had already been in prison for several years, made a plea bargain and got eleven years in jail.
Current status
The current boss of the Patriarca crime family is believed to be Peter Limone. Reputed underboss is supposedly Robert "Bobby" DeLuca. The New England Mafia is estimated to have about 50 made members and many more associates. The Patriarca crime family remains one of the largest and most prominent Mafia families outside of New York.The Patriarca family continues its influence in New England, yet like all American Mafia families, it declined in numbers. The Patriarca family is perhaps the most active, influential and dangerous criminal syndicate for its size in the country. The family's influence is in the New England area, such as Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
.
There have been several FBI RICO indictments in recent years on the family landing several prominent members behind bars; however, like all criminal organizations, when one man gets locked up, another takes his place. The Patriarca family has found numerous ways to generate money, and they are keeping up with the times through modern day stock and internet scams.
The most recent high profile cases of the family as of 2010 have been Carmen "The Cheeseman" DiNunzio, and Arthur Gianelli, John Connolly
John Connolly
John Connolly may refer to:*John Connolly *John P. Connolly , actor*John Connolly , Irish author whose best-known novels revolve around former policeman Charlie Parker...
's brother-in-law.
Bosses (official and acting)
In the beginning the Boston and Providence families were separate. The Boston family was controlled by Gaspare Messina from 1916 to 1924 along with his underboss Joseph Lombardo. The Providence family was under the leadership of Frank Morelli from 1916 to 1931. Filippo Buccola took control of the Boston family in 1924, which allowed the group to grow stronger in power and influence. By 1931 Buccola began to merge the Boston and Providence families into one. He allowed Frank Morelli to serve as his new underboss and Lombardo to serve as consigliere in 1931.- 1932–1954: Filippo "Phil" Buccola (Boston leader, called meeting in 1952 to announce retirement and pass on leadership)
- Acting 1952–1954: Raymond Patriarca Sr.
- 1954–1984: Raymond Patriarca Sr. (Providence leader, and seen as the first official boss; dies July 11, 1984)
- 1984–1991: Raymond Patriarca Jr. (Providence leader, took control of family after the death of his father; steps down in 1991)
- 1991–1991: Nicholas BiancoNicholas BiancoNicholas "Nicky" Bianco was a Rhode Island mobster who became an influential member of the Patriarca crime family of New England.-Biography:Bianco was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island...
(Providence underboss to Patriarca and a former Colombo crime familyColombo crime familyThe 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 ....
capo; he was jailed in 1991 and died in 1994) - 1991–1996: Frank "Cadillac Frank" SalemmeFrank SalemmeFrancis P. Salemme [Salemone], also known as "Cadillac Frank" and "Julian Daniel Selig" , is a Boston, Massachusetts mobster who became a hitman and eventually the boss of the Patriarca crime family of New England before turning government witness.-Early years:In 1957, while in prison, Salemme...
(Boston leader; jailed in 1998 and defected to FBI in 2004) - Acting 1995–1996: Jackie Salemme (Boston leader, jailed)
- 1996–2009: Luigi "Baby Shanks" ManocchioLuigi ManocchioLuigi Giovanni "Baby Shanks" Manocchio is an Italian-American mobster from Providence, Rhode Island. He is the former boss of the New England-based Patriarca crime family, which is part of La Cosa Nostra.-Criminal career:...
(Providence leader) - 2009–Present: Peter Limone (Boston Faction)
Underboss (official and acting)
- 1916–1924: Gaspare MessinaGaspare MessinaGaspare Messina founded the New England Mafia also known as the Patriarca crime family in 1916. Married to Francesca Messina, he immigrated to Brooklyn from Sicily with his wife Francesca, his brother Phillip, and his brother’s wife Giovanna in 1905. Phillip eventually abandoned his family...
: Started the first crime family in Boston, controlling illegal activities. - 1954–1968: Enrico "Henry the Referee" TameleoEnrico TameleoEnrico "Henry" Tameleo , also known as "The Referee," was an Italian-American mobster from Boston, Massachusetts and underboss in the New England-based Patriarca crime family of La Cosa Nostra from 1952 to 1968.-Criminal career:...
: imprisoned, died 1985 - 1968–1986: Gennaro "Jerry" AnguiloGennaro AngiuloGennaro "Jerry" Angiulo was a New England mob boss who rose through the Mafia under Raymond L. S. Patriarca. He was convicted of racketeering in 1986 and was in jail until being released in 2007. One of the Angiulo Brothers, Angiulo was "probably the last very significant Mafia boss in Boston’s...
: imprisoned, died 2009 - 1986–1989: William Grasso: murdered
- 1989–1991: Nicholas BiancoNicholas BiancoNicholas "Nicky" Bianco was a Rhode Island mobster who became an influential member of the Patriarca crime family of New England.-Biography:Bianco was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island...
: imprisoned - 1991–1996: John "Jackie" Salemme: demoted
- 1996–present: Carmen "The Cheese Man" DiNunzio
Consigliere (official and acting)
- 1931–1954: Joseph Lombardo: retired, died 1969
- 1954–1976: Frank "The Cheeseman" Cucchiara: committed suicide
- 1976–1984: Nicolo "Nicky" Angiulo: imprisoned, died 1987
- 1984–1987: Ilario "Larry Baiona" ZanninoIlario ZanninoIlario "Larry Baione" Maria Antonio Zannino was the muscle and chief gambling honcho for Raymond J. Patriarca and the Patriarca crime family. Zannino was said to be the second-highest-ranking figure in the Boston faction of the Patriarca family...
: imprisoned, died 1996 - 1987–1998: Joseph "J.R." Russo: imprisoned, died 1998
- 1998–present:
Members and associates
- Vincent TeresaVincent TeresaVincent "Fat Vinnie" Teresa was an American mobster in the Boston branch of the Patriarca crime family who was a lieutenant of boss Raymond Patriarca....
, former prominent associate (who claimed to only report to the boss and underboss of the family) in the New England Mafia when headed by Patriarca. Became a government informant in the 1970s - Joseph Barboza, Portuguese-American Patriarca enforcer
- John "Mad Dog" Nazarian, Assassin for Patriarca, led the hit on Albert Anastasia of Murder Inc
- Ronnie Costa Mob member for Patriarca until moving to Los Angeles crime family
- John J. Kelley, contract killer for Raymond Patriarca
- Richard Tiberi, Assistant to Raymond Patriarca
- Joseph Tiberi, Associate to Raymond Patriarca
- Morice "the Pro" Lerner: Mob associate and assassin
- Vincent Iannelli: Mob member and Assassin under Patriarca
- Matthew GuglielmettiMatthew GuglielmettiMatthew L. Guglielmetti, Jr., also known as "Matty" , is a high-ranking mobster from Cranston, Rhode Island who is a Caporegime, or "captain," in the New England-based Patriarca crime family of La Cosa Nostra...
, Rhode Island Caporegime - Angiulo BrothersAngiulo BrothersThe Angiulo Brothers , were the leading Italian-American crime group from Boston's North End, during the 1950s and early 1960s...
, Donato,
Ricardo Moonshine DiOrio, Bianco family