Patrick DeFilippo
Encyclopedia
Patrick "Patty From the Bronx" DeFilippo (born 1939) is a reputed high-ranking member of the Bonanno crime family
.
sometime in the 1970s, though his involvement with the family dates back much farther. His father Vito was a high-ranking Sicilian-born member of the family and a close associate of Joe Bonanno. During the war of the 1960s, Patty served as a driver and bodyguard to Joe's son, Salvatore Bonanno
. During this time, the younger Bonanno was detained in Montreal, Canada along with both Patty and Vito DeFilippo and several other associates. The group was alleged to have met with the family's powerful Canadian faction and attended the wedding of Vito Rizzuto
. In the 1980s, Patty was promoted to Caporegime
under reputed family leaders Philip "Rusty" Rastelli
and Joseph "Big Joe" Massino. DeFilippo's early criminal activities included labor and construction racketeering, extortion
, loansharking, illegal gambling, and bookmaking.
faction leader of the Bonanno crime family since the 1980s, DeFilippo was also an associate of capo Dominick "Sonny Black" Napolitano, whom he supported during the Bonanno internal rivalries. In 1981, Napolitano and Massino gained control of the family by murdering renegade capos Alphonse "Sonny Red" Indelicato, Philip Giaccone
and Dominick Trinchera
. During this turmoil, DeFilippo maintained good relations with both Napolitano and Massino.
While in the 1990s operating illegal poker machines in the Bronx faction along with reputed soldier Vincent "Vinny Gorgeous" Basciano
, Massino became the absolute powerhouse in the Bonanno crime family and reportedly brought the family back in the Commission
.
. Over the past few years, Massino had grown tired of Sciascia's constant complaints about Massino's leadership and about capo Anthony "T.G." Graziano
, a close associate. Massino finally ordered DeFilippo and soldier John Joseph Spirito to kill Sciascia. In March 1999, Massino ordered Sciascia to meet with DeFilippo in the Bronx to discuss Graziano. When Sciascia arrived at the meeting, DeFilippo and Spirito shot and killed him. On March 18, 1999, Sciascia's body was found in the Bronx. Police immediately considered DeFilippo to be the prime suspect.
. She was charged with a misdemeanor for helping the crew collect gambling profits.
On August 14, 2003, Massino, Underboss Salvatore Vitale
, and many other Bonanno members were indicted on charges ranging from labor and construction racketeering, to extortion and loansharking, to murder and conspiracy. DeFilippo was charged with conspiracy in ordering the 1999 Sciascia murder, racketeering, extortion, loansharking, and illegal gambling. Soon, both Massino's and Vitale agreed to become government witnesses.
On one occasion while in prison, Massino received a visit from mob lawyer Thomas Lee with a message from acting boss Basciano. According to Lee, Basciano wanted permission to "jocko", or kill, DeFilippo. However, neither Lee or Basciano knew that Massino was recording the conversation for the government. Basciano was later indicted on charges of murder and conspiracy, and Lee with conspiracy to commit murder. Acting capo Salvatore "Sal the Ironworker" Montagna
became the new acting boss of the Bonanno crime family.
In 2005, DeFilippo was convicted of racketeering, but exonerated of murder. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
As of July 2011, DeFilippo is incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Terre Haute, Indiana
. His projected release-date is June 25, 2038, effectively a life sentence.
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 ....
.
Bonanno member
A longtime member of the Bonanno family, DeFilippo became a made manMade 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...
sometime in the 1970s, though his involvement with the family dates back much farther. His father Vito was a high-ranking Sicilian-born member of the family and a close associate of Joe Bonanno. During the war of the 1960s, Patty served as a driver and bodyguard to Joe's son, Salvatore Bonanno
Salvatore Bonanno
Salvatore Vincent "Bill" Bonanno was the son of Cosa Nostra boss Joseph Bonanno. Although his father never intended for him to be the underboss of the Bonanno crime family, his appointment to high positions in the syndicate precipitated a "mob war" which led to the Bonanno family's exile to Arizona...
. During this time, the younger Bonanno was detained in Montreal, Canada along with both Patty and Vito DeFilippo and several other associates. The group was alleged to have met with the family's powerful Canadian faction and attended the wedding of Vito Rizzuto
Vito Rizzuto
Vito Rizzuto , known as Montreal's Teflon Don, was alleged to be the leading Mafia boss of the Sicilian Mafia in Canada and heads the Rizzuto crime family.-Family:...
. In the 1980s, Patty was promoted to 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...
under reputed family leaders Philip "Rusty" Rastelli
Philip Rastelli
Phillip "Rusty" Rastelli was a New York mobster and former boss of the Bonanno crime family.-Biography:...
and Joseph "Big Joe" Massino. DeFilippo's early criminal activities included labor and construction racketeering, extortion
Extortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
, loansharking, illegal gambling, and bookmaking.
Bonanno rivalry
Reportedly a BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
faction leader of the Bonanno crime family since the 1980s, DeFilippo was also an associate of capo Dominick "Sonny Black" Napolitano, whom he supported during the Bonanno internal rivalries. In 1981, Napolitano and Massino gained control of the family by murdering renegade capos Alphonse "Sonny Red" Indelicato, Philip Giaccone
Philip Giaccone
Phillip Giaccone also known as "Philly Lucky" and "The Priest" was a Bonanno crime family member.-The three capos murder:...
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...
. During this turmoil, DeFilippo maintained good relations with both Napolitano and Massino.
While in the 1990s operating illegal poker machines in the Bronx faction along with reputed soldier Vincent "Vinny Gorgeous" Basciano
Vincent Basciano
Vincent J. Basciano is an American mobster who rose to become acting boss of the Bonanno crime family after the arrest of Joseph Massino. He is nicknamed "Vinny Gorgeous", due to owning a Bronx beauty salon called "Hello Gorgeous," and for his fastidious grooming, hairstyle and looks...
, Massino became the absolute powerhouse in the Bonanno crime family and reportedly brought the family back in the 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...
.
Murdering Sciascia
In 1999, DeFilippo murdered Bonanno capo Gerlando SciasciaGerlando Sciascia
Gerlando Sciascia , also known as "George from Canada", was a New York mobster and a caporegime for the Bonanno crime family, also the Sixth family's Rep for New York, who was a major narcotics trafficker in Canada.-Background:...
. Over the past few years, Massino had grown tired of Sciascia's constant complaints about Massino's leadership and about capo Anthony "T.G." Graziano
Anthony Graziano
Anthony "T.G." Graziano is a New York mobster and former consigliere of the Bonanno crime family.- Bonanno captain :...
, a close associate. Massino finally ordered DeFilippo and soldier John Joseph Spirito to kill Sciascia. In March 1999, Massino ordered Sciascia to meet with DeFilippo in the Bronx to discuss Graziano. When Sciascia arrived at the meeting, DeFilippo and Spirito shot and killed him. On March 18, 1999, Sciascia's body was found in the Bronx. Police immediately considered DeFilippo to be the prime suspect.
Indictments and prison
In 2000, New York Police Department (NYPD) agents infiltrated DeFilippo's crew and started gathering evidence on its illegal gambling and loansharking operations as part of a two-year investigation. On November 12, 2002, DeFilippo and 20 crew members were arrested on numerous state charges. One of those arrested was Margaret Mascone, the legally blind 83-year-old mother of Bonanno soldier Anthony (The Hat) Mascone and DeFilippo's godmotherGodparent
A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. A male godparent is a godfather, and a female godparent is a godmother...
. She was charged with a misdemeanor for helping the crew collect gambling profits.
On August 14, 2003, Massino, Underboss 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 many other Bonanno members were indicted on charges ranging from labor and construction racketeering, to extortion and loansharking, to murder and conspiracy. DeFilippo was charged with conspiracy in ordering the 1999 Sciascia murder, racketeering, extortion, loansharking, and illegal gambling. Soon, both Massino's and Vitale agreed to become government witnesses.
On one occasion while in prison, Massino received a visit from mob lawyer Thomas Lee with a message from acting boss Basciano. According to Lee, Basciano wanted permission to "jocko", or kill, DeFilippo. However, neither Lee or Basciano knew that Massino was recording the conversation for the government. Basciano was later indicted on charges of murder and conspiracy, and Lee with conspiracy to commit murder. Acting capo Salvatore "Sal the Ironworker" Montagna
Salvatore Montagna
Salvatore "Sal the Iron Worker" Montagna was an acting boss of the Bonanno crime family of the New York City mafia families, and the Sicilian faction-leader of the Bronx section. At the time of his death, he had been associated with the Rizzuto crime family of Montreal...
became the new acting boss of the Bonanno crime family.
In 2005, DeFilippo was convicted of racketeering, but exonerated of murder. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
As of July 2011, DeFilippo is incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Terre Haute, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. His projected release-date is June 25, 2038, effectively a life sentence.