u/Wdstrvx

1959

Giovanni "John" Tartamella was the consigliere to Joseph Bonanno for most of his tenure.

A possible relative, Giambattista Tartamella, was involved with the Castellammarese family, and another, Domenico "Mimmo" Tartamella, was part of the "Pizza Connection".

• Son Sereno "Bobby T" (1922-1991) and nephew Francesco "Frank" Tartamella (1911-1989) were Bonanno captains.
• Daughter married member Anthony Lucido (1920-2010). Family from Sambuca di Sicilia and Santa Margherita di Belice comunes of Agrigento, Sicily.

Born March 11, 1891 in Castellammare del Golfo comune of Trapani to Giovanni (59y) and Paola Vivona (43y). Alternate birthdate given as January 4, 1895.

On March 27, 1908, arrived with parents at Ellis Island aboard SS König Albert. Settled at 168 Throop Ave in Brooklyn.

On March 23, 1914, filed declaration of intention in Kings County Court. Listed occupation as barber at 246 S. 4th St.

On December 6 that year, married Oliva "Lillian" Coco (19y). Shared residence at 73 Marcy Ave. Bride's family from Castellammare.

By 1919, served as organizer of the Journeymen Barbers Union being part of Local 913, of which he was later president.

On June 8, 1920, spoke in Italian at an Independent Union meeting at 389 Bridge St after gaining moral support from their International counterpart.

Son Sereno baptized by Joseph Bonanno.

On August 21, 1923, organized strike.

On July 24, 1924, motivated Union to fight Master Barbers.

On August 6 that year, relieved fear of haircuts going up to $1, stating they would remain in the current $60-to-$80 range if Union members' demands were met, those being a $32-a-week salary, 40% commission over $42 weekly and an 8 o'clock closing hour on all evenings, including Saturday.

On March 23, 1925, filed second declaration of intention in the Eastern District of New York. Listed residence at 8814 26th Ave.

On April 22, 1926, announced walkout intending to regroup Union members in Long Island City, Astoria and the surrounding area.

On May 7 that year, threatened strike.

On February 27, 1927, attended the Master Barbers' second ball. Also present was possible Gambino member Carmelo LiConti.

On January 5, 1928, filed petition for naturalization. Listed residence at 2359 W. 1st St.

On May 17, 1930, wished to organize barbers in shops from Greenwich Village to W. 31st St.

On January 6, 1931, ordered by judge to sell property at 1403 7th St.

On July 8 that year, LiConti killed in Times Square. Tartamella and other Union leaders brought in for questioning.

On December 15, with newly-formed Beauty Culturists Union, threatened a walkout if demands were not met. This occurred six days later, with barbers abandoning 250 shops in Bay Ridge.

By January 26, 1932, sought to unionize the South Brooklyn, Erie Basin and Borough Hall districts.

That year, arrested for felonious assault.

On January 4, 1934, announced members would go to Washington, DC to protest.

In 1935, attempted to resign but was re-elected by acclamation.

On November 4, 1936, obtained Union deal.

On May 27, 1937, met with the Union at the Hotel Center in Manhattan.

On May 16, 1938, oversaw strikes in 400 barbershops in the Bronx.

In 1939, became the consigliere of the Bonanno family, replacing Filippo Rappa, part of its non-Castellammarese faction that lost power with the killing of Frank Italiano four years prior and his own murder in 1944. Probably a capodecina by this time, Tartamella maintained this position while on the administration.

Purchased a one-half interest of the trucking business in Manhattan with the Colombo family.

In charge of the family war chest. Money kept inside a tin box.

By 1941, was president of Barbers and Beauty Culturalists Local 2. Also served as secretary-treasurer. On December 29 that year, reminded his members to obtain their licenses.

Was additionally on the executive board of the Italian-American Liberty Council supporting enlistment during World War II.

1942

In March 1942, awarded Congress of Industrial Organizations Vice President Allan Haywood with a wristwatch.

On August 17 that year, announced haircuts and shaves were being raised to $1, with veterans getting a 30% reduction.

On April 12, 1943, elected president of the newly-formed United Barbers and Beauty Culturists Union.

On August 18 that year, expelled from the Italian-American Labor Council for allegedly partaking in a secessionist movement within it at the direction of the Communist Party.

In 1945, Union was described as having "considerable strength left in the New York locals".

On September 9, 1947, supervised strike of 500 barbers demanding a raise of $1 a week, health and welfare fund, five-year-contract, extra week's vacation and yearly holiday. Stated workers wouldn't return until all shops were signed out.

On October 27, 1948, sent telegram to Mayor William O'Dwyer requesting arbitration in a disagreement with the Kings and Queens County Master Barbers Association.

Became president of Wolf Delivery and Dover Trucking. Was given a half-stake ownership of Belmont Garment Delivery by capodecina Natale "Joe Diamond" Evola, at one time owing him $5000 for it.

In 1953, possibly present (the two Bonannos differ) at extraordinary Commission meeting at Buffalo boss Stefano Magaddino's estate with Bonanno and underboss Frank Garofalo.

On June 4, 1955, with fellow members John Aquaro and John DiBella, attended the wedding of Detroit member Anthony Tocco to Carmela Profaci at the Commodore Hotel in Manhattan.

On August 18, 1956, attended the wedding of capodecina Salvatore "Bill" Bonanno and Rosalie Profaci at the Hotel Astor in Times Square.

On May 28, 1957, lawsuit against him by the Great Bear Spring Company dismissed.

In August that year, put in charge of the family alongside acting underboss John "Johnny Burns" Morale, with capodecina Gaspar DiGregorio alternating, by Bonanno while he was on a trip to Italy.

By 1958, members in his crew included Matteo and Benjamin Valvo and Salvatore Mirabile and possibly Mario Tagliagambe and John Mione.

On February 22, 1959, testimonial banquet held in his honor at the Hotel Statler in Manhattan by the Barbers Joint Council.

Around June 1962, suffered a stroke and was replaced as captain by Matteo Valvo. Assisted by Bill Bonanno during illness. Represented him unsuccessfully in the opposition to boss Joseph Colombo acquiring the shares of the Manhattan trucking business.

After Joseph Bonanno's arrest in Canada in late May 1964, suffered another stroke, leaving him completely paralyzed, confined to a wheelchair, blind in one eye and partially deaf. Bonanno initially ordered he remain in the position as long as he lived, and his son Bill became acting consigliere. Morale sent a message to Bonanno that the captains favored electing a permanent replacement, and he called a hierarchy meeting where he gave orders through telephone. There, Tartamella taken down as consigliere. Officially replaced by Bill Bonanno by July.

Died on July 13, 1966 at home at 416 Oak St in Copiague, New York. Was then vice president of the Joint Council. Waked by the James Funeral Home in Massapequa, Long Island. Buried at Saint Charles Cemetery in East Farmingdale.

Credit to JogodoBicho on the Black Hand Forum for sharing this (parts 3, 4, 5 and 6). Compilation of information I found interesting.

Part 3

• An informant (I believe Frank Bompensiero) stated in the past, Steve Italiano was the boss and Santo Trafficante Sr. was his underboss. Italiano was deposed for being an "incompetent leader", moving to Staten Island, and the Tampa family then elected Jimmy Lumia as boss two years before he was killed (this would be 1948), with Trafficante Sr. being kept on as underboss. The informant said Lumia's death came from "a feud between the Cubans and the Sicilians involved in gambling". At that moment, Trafficante Sr. became the boss and remained as such until he died, with his son succeeding him, though the cooperator was unable to identify the underboss for Trafficante Jr. (p. 430).
• Recalls one of the members around then was John Cacciatore (p. 430).
• Ignazio Antinori was involved in narcotics and migrant smuggling by the time Trafficante Sr. became close to him around the 1930s. They partook in gambling together (p. 67).
• A different informant advised that "during the gambling heyday", Lumia "seemed to be the number one" and that the Trafficantes appeared to gain power after opening the Rex gambling house (p. 165).
• By 1967, Santo Trafficante Jr. split up the take from bolita in Miami, which was based on the number from the Cuban national lottery, at the Majorca drug store in Coral Gables, Florida (p. 29).
• On February 13, 1969, it was reported that he and an associate were interested in the development of a casino gambling operation in Estoril, Portugal, with some gaming interest from Boston as well (p. 32).
• On February 19 and 20 of that year, attended the wake and funeral of bolita gambling chief Rafael Sarmiento at Caballero Funeral Home and Saint John Bosco Church in Miami, having supper with his family. Trafficante's lawyer Frank Ragano sent a large floral arrangement (pp. 28-29).
• On February 25, went out with a model from the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, joining two other couples at Les Violins restaurant. At one point, a confrontation started between one of the women and her date, and Trafficante diffused the situation, taking his companions out of the restaurant, cramming them into a car and leaving a $35 tip (p. 274).
• John LaRocca was in Tampa in March with three other people and they may have stayed at the Hawaiian Village hotel (p. 59).
• On March 5, it was reported that someone from Florida who claimed to be a godson of Vito Genovese and "in the outfit" (Ralph Caglioti) wanted some associates to answer for shorting him on promissory notes and stock deals, and he was told that any grievances in the area would have to be brought to Trafficante or Joe Massei (p. 99).
• On April 2, Trafficante mentioned to an informant that he had an interest in a casino in Guayaquil, Ecuador (p. 41).
• On April 11, source advised Trafficante had for at least a year been speaking about permanently leaving the United States and renouncing his American citizenship in favor of obtaining a residence visa in Spain. It was previously reported that Trafficante's mistress wanted to go to there as well (p. 3, 42).
• It was reported that in the past, Trafficante had offered a man $50,000 in cash to let him enter Venezuela as a resident, but he refused (p. 44).
• Met multiple times with Phil Alderisio, first when he came to Miami in February, mainly staying at the Fontainebleau hotel and leaving on the 28th, then when Trafficante was in Chicago from April 15-18 where they had two meetings, the latter taking place at Gaylur Mercantile and being in contact in the city again on September 27 (pp. 5-6).
• From January 30 to April 21, contact noted between Ragano and Carlos Marcello, including telephone calls and meetings at the Elmwood Plantation, Bourbon Orleans and Imperial House Motor Motel establishments in Louisiana concerning the New Orleans boss' interest in Jefferson Downs Tracks, either at home or in Florida, given his connection to the state Racing Commission (pp. 10-11).
• Trafficante went to Tampa at this time, meeting twice with Jimmy Longo — whom he was frequently with when in town — and others around April 21-22, first at the Columbia restaurant, where topics of discussion included Santo relocating to Miami, pressure on the Mafia there and how it affected his health. Someone made a joke about this but was checked by Longo, who said their organization was no laughing matter (p. 53, 72).
• By April 23, Trafficante was in Arizona (p. 31).
• Patriarca member Frank Ferrara, active in gambling in Cuba, had a casino on the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean (p. 29).
• A portion of the files state "[Redacted] is an LCN member from the Cleveland, Ohio 'family', now believed to be a 'capo' in the TRAFFICANTE 'family' in Florida. [Redacted] B & D Auto Sales and Caribe Muffler Shop located at 602 Northeast 167th Street" (p. 38). This is in reference to Stefano Randazzo, a Cleveland transfer who owned said shop. An interesting tidbit because I don't think he has been identified as a captain in the past, though elsewhere in the files, he is referred to more generally as a "member" (p. 132).
• Trafficante was back in Tampa on May 2 for the funeral of his aunt, Josephine Cacciatore Rios (p. 57).
• By May 9, Ragano was said to be in serious debt as he owed money to every major shylock and mobster in the United States, including people on 41st Street in Miami Beach from whom he borrowed $15,000 in exchange for resolving their problems with the Teamsters Union, which he failed in doing and only being able to pay back $5000 by June 25, with Trafficante only finding out after the fact. The attorney tried to promote labor loans but was unable to after Jimmy Hoffa's incarceration, which was not helped by his ongoing lawsuit against Time Life and arrests for disorderly conduct while drunk. He would also spend more than he could afford and charge exorbitant fees to clients under the pretext of "fixing" their cases, asking $20,000 for services that would only run them about $2000 normally (p. 122, 125, 126, 235).
• On June 12 and July 17, seen with who appeared to be Colombo captain Harry Fontana in Miami, the latter time at Carino's Italian Restaurant (p. 111).
• Was in Ybor City on June 16 asking about an associate (p. 73).
• Controlled black bolita operators (p. 105).
• In late July, reported as suffering from a number of skin cancers, passing blood from an issue with his kidney and recently having slept for 24 hours (p. 108).
• By August, Marcello was frustrated with Ragano because he had failed to live up to his promise of closing the deal on the Bourbon Orleans hotel for him (p. 212).
• Longo arrested for a traffic violation while driving away from Trafficante's house in Miami on August 8 (p. 115).
• On October 27, a drug network headed by Trafficante was identified between Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, Miami and New York City (pp. 400-401).
• In Italy, Dino Cellini was living off a percentage from his former gambling interests (p. 243).
• On November 17, it was advised Trafficante had ordered Ragano to cease his drinking and debauchery, leave his mistress in Miami and go back to his family (p. 263).
• Mike Miranda referred to as "the LCN godfather" of Trafficante and that the latter went to New York whenever the former sent for him (p. 274).
• Sam Pieri and Joe DiCarlo travelled to Daytona Beach from Buffalo on November 3, meeting with Trafficante and Frank Diecidue through John Tronolone (p. 281, 360, 371).
• Someone from the prosecution on Trafficante's tax case told the FBI that on November 6, he received a telephone call from a man who told him, "You got a big mouth. Tell your people on the jury to lay off if you know what's good for you" before hanging up (p. 287).
• In December, Trafficante met to discuss the construction of a hospital in North Dade County (p. 405).
• On February 5, 1970, met at the coffee shop of the Fontainebleau with about eight men, among them Tronolone and Jewish gangster Yiddy Bloom (p. 426).
• An informant stated that the media coverage on Longo about his involvement with the Teamsters was embarrassing for the rest of the family and that aside from Trafficante himself, the other members rarely meet with him (p. 273).
• Primo Lazzara appeared to be financing a bolita operation on his own before he died (p. 473).
• Nick Scaglione ran a bolita and dog racing racket in a certain area and was not allowed to expand outside of it (p. 475).
• Scaglione stated that Trafficante and his brother Sam supervised all of the illegal gambling in the region and that whenever a new bookmaker or bolita runner got started up, they would set the boundaries on his operating area (p. 475).
• By March 24 of that year, Scaglione was upset that after his conviction for gambling and getting a five-year sentence, he was serving time at the State Prison in Raiford instead of Avon Park Correctional Institution and that he was not paroled after a year, both of which were promised to him by Sam Trafficante. Scaglione threatened that if Sam didn't help him, he would turn State's evidence, to which Sam answered that there was nothing they would be able to do for him at that point (p. 475).

Part 4

• Nick Furci appeared in Florida in 1950 and was apparently taken in right away by Trafficante and others. Furci and Trafficante travelled around the world together, once discussing the possibility of purchasing a hotel in Hong Kong. At that time, an informant stated Trafficante was a front man and trip organizer for his brother Sam, who he referred to as "Mr. Big in Florida" (p. 467).
• In September 1953, Trafficante and Longo hid out at the Sands Hotel not to be subpoenaed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. They were ultimately located there and served the notices (pp. 427-428).
• An informant whose reliability is unclear advised later that year that Trafficante was involved in the murder of Vincent Mangano (p. 428).
• Around 1956, Sam Trafficante ran a large gambling operation in Tampa which Santo got a cut of but wouldn't personally involve himself in except for handling big loans made to the operators (p. 381).
• Trafficante had a major interest in the Capri Club in Havana, skimming money from it, and once failed to attend a sitdown in New York City concerning its operation because an arrest warrant had been issued for him in Florida. Richie Boiardo also had a piece of the Club, and it was said when he came to Cuba, "even Trafficante paid him tribute" (p. 431).
• On January 31, 1958, Meyer Lansky had a meeting at his apartment in Havana with his brother Jake and Trafficante (p. 433).
• Joe Silesi identified as a close associate of Trafficante in Havana. They were also said to run a crap game in Brooklyn with others (p. 437, 453).
• Apparently, before the Cuban coup d'état on New Years 1959, Trafficante was to meet in New York City with an arms dealer from Montreal to discuss a plan proposed by members involved in gambling in Cuba that consisted in offering $1 million to Fidel Castro in exchange for concessions when it came to gaming and protection for these operations (p. 439).
• Don Ferraro, a businessman who handled money for several mobsters, was in Florida in April 1963 and had asked for help from Trafficante because Tommy Eboli was threatening him (p. 449).
• In May of that year, a meeting was held in Florida to discuss a recent bombing in Cleveland. It was said the Commission wanted to know what happened, and that certain people in Cleveland did not respect its authority. Trafficante was told to call John Scalish to a meeting there to answer for this (p. 449).
• One informant stated Trafficante was "anxious" to locate and kill Cuban revolutionary Eloy Gutiérrez Menoyo, apparently sending someone to Puerto Rico to look for him (p. 450).
• On February 2, 1964, Trafficante met with Angelo Bruno and Philadelphia member Charles Costello in North Miami (p. 453).
• On May 10, 1965, Trafficante met with Diecidue and another man, possibly Jimmy Donofrio, at the Dixie Amusement Company (p. 456).
• On September 23 that year, it was reported that Trafficante had met with Gambino member Joe Scootch Indelicato and four others at three different spots, probably in Miami (p. 457).
• On March 23, 1967, Trafficante was seen with Jackie Cerone at Capra's Italian restaurant in Miami (p. 461).
• It was reported that year Trafficante was moving in on Harlan Blackburn's numbers operations in Orlando, where he said he had policemen on his payroll, and Blackburn and another person said they would kill Trafficante with "grease guns". Further, it was alleged that Trafficante had once apparently beat up Blackburn's girlfriend (pp. 462-463).
• Sam Lorenzo said he could fence any type of stolen property through Trafficante (p. 471).
• By February 1970, Trafficante was staying away from Capra's due to the heat on the place (p. 10).
• In April of that year, Trafficante and Ragano met with a businessman at the Gibson Girl restaurant near Miami International Airport to start a new venture in Atlanta (p. 60).
• Several years ago, Trafficante and Sam Giancana travelled to Curaçao to possibly invest in a casino-hotel (p. 126).
• Trafficante was also called "Ramon" (p. 128).
• Tony Salerno went to Miami on June 24 to put up some financing for a multi-million dollar contracting company run by Nick Montone, an associate of Trafficante, before he (Salerno) had to return home due to "pressing business up north" (p. 128).
• Part of the reason for Trafficante wanting to move to another country was to reduce the pressure on him by being away for about two years. He mentioned that he travelled around the world in 1968 and that this helped him avoid the heat (pp. 175-176).
• On June 27, Blackburn met with people from the Buffalo family and told them that although in the past he was partners with Trafficante in gambling on a 50-50 split, he had been fully independent for some years handling bookmaking and sports betting in Central Florida, including Daytona Beach (pp. 184-185).
• Trafficante stated he was a close friend of Albert Anastasia and that the relationship went back to Trafficante's father. He also said he (Trafficante) ran a casino in Havana, presumably the Sans Souci, and that many of his friends went there, probably including Anastasia. He said he was aware people know he was with Anastasia the night before his murder, but insisted he had nothing to do with it (p. 185).
• Sam Trafficante was interested in investing in a dog track that was to be built in the near future, and the other investors also reached out to his brothers Santo and Fano, but they were not brought into the project (p. 217).
• By July, Santo Trafficante had obtained employment at a tailor store called De Rogatis Casuals in Hialeah on advice of his attorney, but Trafficante said this was a phony job, that the business custom made his suits, which he paid $300 a piece for, and that the owner had him on a salary of $125 a week (p. 224).
• On August 14, Trafficante flew to Miami where he met with Joe Rosato and Eddie Coco of the Lucchese family. Trafficante may have stayed at Rosato's home while he was there. Short of money, Trafficante apparently picked up $7500 during his stay (pp. 259-260).
• Trafficante was arrested for drunk driving in Miami on September 4, and according to an informant, he had been drinking with Rosato, Genovese member Dominick Ciaffone and another person at Ciaffone's apartment in Miami Beach (p. 262).
• Ragano often claimed he had "something on" Judge Joe Eaton (p. 268).
• On November 6, Miranda, Charlie Tourine and others were observed at Dupont Galleries (p. 269).
• A conglomerate was being formed through stock issuance to operate nursing homes in the Miami area, and the main investors were Trafficante, Bruno and Joe Colombo (p. 274).
• Trafficante was believed to have sent Frank Albano to investigate on a gambling debt involving Raul and Luis Charbonier and Dr. Felix LoCicero. Gaspar Ciaccio was also involved somehow (p. 350).
• Mike Romanello died at the Atlanta Penitentiary around December 1, and his widow contacted John DeSalvo for him to in turn inform Trafficante of Romanello's death. DeSalvo assured the widow that he had told Trafficante, but at Romanello's funeral, neither DeSalvo nor Trafficante were in attendance (p. 358).
• Trafficante's mother died on March 21, 1971. The rosary and funeral services were held in Tampa and in attendance were Diecidue, Longo, Furci, Angelo and Ciro Bedami, and Joe Diez. Trafficante stated several people from out of town called to give their condolences but didn't go because they felt they would be pictured by authorities (pp. 368-369).
• Diecidue, who had some loansharking interest in Miami, told an informant about the size of the Tampa family, saying there were 18 members in Tampa and three in Miami (p. 380).
• Trafficante told multiple people Diecidue was a good businessman and would eventually control most of the vending machine business in Tampa (p. 509).

Part 5

• Santo Trafficante Sr. was a cigar maker in Tampa before he met Antinori and got involved in narcotics (p. 138).
• Trafficante Sr. smuggled whisky during Prohibition (p. 138).
• Santo Trafficante Jr. attended George Washington Junior High School from 1927 to 1929 and Hillsborough Senior High School in Tampa for a semester before dropping out (p. 137).
• He was also called "Smitty" (p. 29).
• He was using money backed by gold that the United States printed for the Cuban Government prior to the Revolution to finance guerrillas in foreign countries, with Trafficante receiving 50 cents on the dollar (p. 42).
• Visited Joe Fischetti after he was released from prison in Pensacola, Florida with an associate known as "Bananas" (p. 42).
• In January 1973, Trafficante mentioned Tony Accardo was running the Chicago family until he could find a replacement (p. 55).
• At some point, Trafficante and some associates met with Blackburn at a place called "the chicken farm" in Tampa. Trafficante did not want to bother with Central Florida anymore, and Blackburn was on his own there from time to time. Blackburn remained friendly with the Tampa family and paid them money in installments (p. 62).
• In December of that year, Gambino member Frank Gagliardi contacted Trafficante to ask if he was interested in construction he was involved with in Tampa. Trafficante declined the offer because he had enough heat on his own. Gagliardi was building condominiums financed by New York and Miami "racket guys" (p. 117).
• On October 10, 1975, it was reported Trafficante had come into Tampa to put pressure on "influential people" in order to get his brother Henry out of prison from his recent gambling conviction (p. 262).

Part 6

Not particularly remarkable, just an FBI agent's notes on interviews with mobsters in regards to an apparent threatening phone call made to them. Two stories I found funny, though.

• On March 23, 1967, the FBI attempted to interview Cacciatore but was unsuccessful. Later that same day, an anonymous telephone call was apparently received at the Tampa FBI Office where a man threatened harm against two agents and their families if they did not "leave the gang alone". Afterwards, agents approached Diecidue and informed him of the call, who said it all sounded "like a cowboy movie" to him (pp. 3-4).
• The same day, agents also went to the home of Lazzara over this, but he told them, "You have nothing to say to me" and slammed the door on them, calling them "sons of bitches" afterward (pp. 15-16).

Notes

• Addresses listed at 740 Northeast 155th Street in Miami, 1718½ Michigan Avenue (childhood home) and 2505 West Bristol Avenue in Tampa and 3610 El Centro Street in St. Petersburg Beach (part 1, p. 13, 57, part 2, p. 137).
• There is now confirmation of the leadership pre-Trafficante Sr. As mentioned, the informant is probably Bompensiero given the details seem like additions and show many similarities to his earlier knowledge about Tampa in addition to the emphasis on positions and protocol present in the report. Also nice to be able to confirm Lumia as boss given the uncertainty behind his position. To be noted how, in the informant's view, a sitting boss was killed by Cuban outsiders. Whether accurate or not, I don't know if there are many other examples of this.
• Apart from potentially helping to clear up the nebulous Tampa hierarchy, Randazzo's tentative identification as a captain also gives more insight into the Miami faction, where he was among the most prominent. He was close to Trafficante and served as his driver for a time, and it should be noted that he was already once referred to with a position, specifically as underboss, in the 1971 book 'The Mafia Is Not An Equal Opportunity Employer' by Nicholas Gage. This was inaccurate, but given it was based on law enforcement sources, it indicates that Randazzo was seen as a high-ranking member.
• The mention of Miranda as Trafficante's "godfather" probably refers to the Genovese family representing Tampa on the Commission. Another curious remark comes in the way of a portion of the files stating Miranda was "the one who sponsored Trafficante into the La Cosa Nostra" (part 2, p. 78). Presumably false but shows he was seen in a position of superiority.
• Tronolone's role in introducing the Buffalo leaders to Trafficante is interesting in that it shows his function as a middleman in Florida, an open territory and power base for the Mafia as a whole, for guys from Ohio and New York state. His background helped him to act as a liaison for this specific set of members. He was associated with Randazzo and probably helped with his transfer in this regard.
• For all his publicity and notoriety, it seems clear that Ragano was disliked by many and fumbled most of what was asked of him while costing others greatly for his mistakes. Considering this, his appeal probably stemmed from his status and image, being an apparently legitimate labor lawyer that could also serve as a conduit for illegal activity. He was so harmful that he was even detrimental to made members, considering Longo's publicity that distanced him from most of the family came from his association with the Teamsters via Ragano. It seems he mainly lasted because Trafficante was his protector, and he might have been pushed to the side or maybe even killed if this weren't the case.
• It is interesting that Scaglione would threaten to flip if Santo and Sam Trafficante didn't ensure better treatment for him, and surprising that Sam's only response was that they wouldn't be able to help him then. This would be very concerning and could warrant Scaglione being killed when he was released, yet nothing happened to him and he remained in good standing until his death. His family's heritage and connections might have helped. Perhaps a display of Sam's less competent nature. Also another case of a guy being motivated to flip because he wasn't looked after while in prison.
• Trafficante travelled a lot, partly in relation to his involvement in a large number of gambling operations, but him mentioning evading surveillance through it is intriguing. Seems somewhat similar to what Joe Massino later did by going to France, Italy and Mexico to avoid being recorded.
• The bit on Romanello's death gives more insight into the Jacksonville members. Further displays that they had direct contact with Trafficante, with no intermediaries, as they did when he mediated the dispute between Romanello and DeSalvo in 1964. Shows that DeSalvo may not have gotten over it or otherwise had another problem with Romanello, given he probably did not inform Trafficante of his death and was absent from the funeral.
• Great to get a number on membership from Diecidue. He referenced 21 members in Tampa and Miami in total, presumably excluding himself. Using the 1963 graphic and comparing it to 1971, when Diecidue made that comment, we can get a good look into membership dynamics in the family in that timespan. The 1963 chart counted 21 active members but excluded four, not counting the two Jacksonville guys since Diecidue didn't mention them. These four were Cacciatore, Henry Trafficante and Tom and Tony Diecidue. That puts the family at 25 active members between Tampa and Miami in 1963. Between then and 1971, three of these members died or disappeared, Lazzara, Sam Scaglione and Joe Bedami, which brings it back neatly to 22 including Diecidue when he spoke on this (23 counting DeSalvo). It doesn't seem the family made anyone in those seven years, which is consistent with Trafficante's constant concern with law enforcement present throughout all of the files, and people like Albano, Arthur Perla and Vincent LoScalzo were probably brought in shortly after the heat died down.
• The bit about Trafficante being involved in the murder of Mangano, though unverified, is intriguing. Trafficante's close relationship with Anastasia is well-documented, and it might also explain how Anastasia managed to solidify his position so easily after killing his predecessor. It is also somewhat difficult to believe Anastasia had no outside support in the murder, whenever hits on bosses happen, there is usually at least approval or backing from one other family, and Trafficante was running a heroin operation with Tommy Lucchese by this time, so it seems like he wasn't opposed to breaking rules with members of the Commission.