Several were wounded. The American governments close ties to Santo Trafficante Jr. and the rest of the Mafia didnt end with their attempts to kill Castro. They lived in modest, ranch-style houses in quiet neighborhoods in Tampa and Miami. You've got to be a fool to marry wrong," he says. Indeed, he owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreclosures to local banks, which he says treat him "like I had leprosy" because of Key Bank. Santo TRAFFICANTE Obituary (2010) - Tampa, FL - TBO.com Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. "I'm in the I.O.U. TAMPA The daughter sits on the front porch of a little bungalow in Seminole Heights, her new home since her husband died a few months ago down south. Trafficante would be charged with bank fraud, perjury and disclosure of criminal investigation. The Trafficante family formed a strong alliance with the Batista government in Cuba and profited from their investments, although they never achieved the goal of dominating gambling on the island. By the time Prohibition and the Era of Blood ended, he was the top man in the Florida Mafia, operating with the blessing of exiled Mob boss Charlie Lucky Luciano, Frank Costello of the Five Families, and Meyer Lansky of the national Syndicate. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Finally, in 1987, Trafficante died at the age of 72. He maintained all of the lucrative casinos in Cuba, further cemented, After Cuban revolution, the Mafia saw Castro as a threat to their business. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). The IRS was unsuccessful, according to Fernandez, Trafficante's attorney. Alongside Chicago boss Sam Giancana, Roselli and Trafficante came up with some truly insane plots to kill Fidel Castro. 93461.". 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. One small gang, led by Italian immigrant Santo Trafficante Senior, profited from the illegal lottery-style games they ran across Tampa. One of the last surviving mobsters from the Luciano era, he died of heart disease in a Houston, Texas, hospital in 1987. "I'm a freak for that kind of stuff," he says. Century, Tampa was a small but growing city, and the organized crime it faced was modest. Santo Jr.'s daughters still owns 3610, where Santo spent time when he wasn't in Tampa or Miami. Trafficante crime family - Wikipedia He maintained all of the lucrative casinos in Cuba, further cemented ties with powerful Mafia families he had established as a young man in New York, and ruthlessly put down any attempts to usurp his territory or power. Sam Giancana - Wikipedia Pallbearers are Augie Castellana, Sam Paniello, Christopher Paniello, Anthony B. Marchese, Peter Marchese Jr., Ian Cordell, Don Smith, Frank Pancho Trafficante, John Castellana, and Dr. Santo Paniello. You'll learn about bolita, the rumored tunnels of Ybor, and the Era of Blood. "I think it's all bull----," says Trafficante's former horse trainer, Arthur Pedregal Jr. "It's only because his name is Trafficante. Trafficante was born in Tampa, Florida, to Sicilian parents Santo Trafficante Sr. and his wife Maria Giuseppa Cacciatore in 1914. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53540265/santo-trafficante. Fifteen years following the assassination, Trafficante testified in front of the United States House Select Committee on the murder of JFK in exchange for immunity. He attended the University of Florida for a year, then transferred to the University of Tampa and left without completing his degree. Although a judge dismissed the charge for lack of evidence, the arrest had a lasting impact on another of Trafficante's ventures: thoroughbred breeding and racing. Treasury Department History of Santo Trafficante Jr 1961 And all this occurred throughout seven Sylvia at age 12 and her father Jimmy Velasco in California, June 1948 Jimmy Velasco was a political fixer. There is a problem with your email/password. We have set your language to No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Another bank sued Trafficante and his wife in October for repayment of a $100,000 promissory note. Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. A full report was made by the Cuban police, dated January 23, 1958, includes transcripts of long-distance telephone calls made from the Sans Souci during the period AugustDecember 1957. Meet Santo Trafficante: The Silent Don Who Tried To Kill Fidel Castro And May Have Ordered JFKs Assassination. Trafficante proceeded to open casinos in Cuba at his fathers behest and facilitated heroin smuggling by working together with famous mobsters Charles Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky. The mobster would later testify: I got news that Cuban officials were looking for to put me in jail because one of the things was that I was a Batista collaborator. They raided my apartment, they were looking for money, they tore up all the furniture, they used to come and get me at nighttime, take me out in the woods, trying to tell where I had my money, this and that, until I finally went into hiding.. When the CIA decided to recruit the Mob in their efforts to assassinate Fidel Castro, they went to see Trafficante. Robert F. Kennedy even taunted those mobsters he brought into court, telling Chicago mob boss Sam Giancana that I thought only little girls giggled, Mr. Giancana.. Despite all of this or, perhaps, because of it, a few writers and filmmakers have chosen to focus on organized crime, determined to give Tampa its due. But those werent even their most ridiculous ideas. He offered to pay $150,000 to have Castro killed, but Roselli declined any pay and introduced Maheu to two men he referred to as "Sam Gold" and "Joe." You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Try again later. By this point, Trafficante Jr. had fully taken over the oversight of drugs shipped between Florida, Cuba, and the rest of the States. Chris and I will never forget Santo's presence at Leia's welcome home party. [5][6] Cuba was one of the Apalachin topics of discussion, particularly the gambling and narcotics smuggling interests of La Cosa Nostra on the island. Today, Santo Trafficantes criminal legacy lives on through his nephew and namesake, Santo Trafficante III, who was charged with organized fraud in 1992. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Gerry and your family. Valenti hired his son-in-law at the produce company and allowed him to name his own salary. While shouldering the legacy of his father and. Welcome to Boxer Cycle Works. His wife also was named in the fraud charges. He headed the Trafficante crime family and controlled organized criminal operations in Florida and Cuba, which had previously been consolidated from several rival gangs by his father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Reputedly the most powerful crime boss in Batista -era Cuba, he . [14] When this was pointed out, Aleman denied that he meant that he believed Kennedy was going to murdered and said he thought that Trafficante meant that Kennedy was going to be "hit" politically during the next election. The Internal Revenue Service tried to collect $400,000 in back taxes owed on the business, saying it had not been run as business eligible for tax write-offs, but a hobby. The guy really tried to do it right.". Ed Giorandino/NY Daily News Archive via Getty ImagesSanto Trafficante arrives at Queens Supreme Court in Kew Gardens. Hoffa said to me, This has to be done.'. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. In 1975, the CIA declassified a report stating that Trafficante had been persuaded to poison Castro, an allegation he denied. TAMPA CRIME BOSS SANTO TRAFFICANTE JR PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE IN THRILLER MAFIA SPIES. He owned a West Tampa restaurant called Cafe Sevilla. He will be sorely missed and his heart of gold will be remembered by all who new him. Santo met and married Maria Giuseppe Cacciatore on April 20, 1909. Santo Trafficante Jr. had long followed in his fathers footsteps, and proved to be an even more effective Mafia kingpin. James Traficant - Wikipedia We cant help ourselves when it comes to watching mob films like The Godfather, Goodfellas, Casino and HBOs Boardwalk Empire and the iconic cable TV show, The Sopranos. "[12], In 1978, both Trafficante and Aleman were called to testify before members of the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations investigating possible links between Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald and anti-Castro Cubans, including the theory that Castro had Kennedy killed in retaliation for the CIA's attempts on his own life. Santo Trafficante Jr - Mafia Facts Santo Trafficante arrives at Queens Supreme Court in Kew Gardens. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Notoriety comes with family name - Tampa Bay Times REPUTED FLORIDA GODFATHER TRAFFICANTE, 72, DIES - Sun Sentinel The senior Trafficante's name has been linked to gambling, drug-dealing and even plots to kill Fidel Castro and John F. Kennedy. Brother of Frank Cacciatore Trafficante; Private and Private. wills o' nats last of the summer wine. She was the Matriarch of the Trafficante Family; and we will all miss her presence, guidance, love and affection. She was born on March 24, 1920. Santo Trafficante Senior died in 1954. I will always remember your perseverance, happiness and smiles at Marisa's wedding. Until last year, the younger Trafficante had never been accused of anything more dramatic than bookmaking, a charge that a judge dismissed. And purchase valuable sports memorabilia for himself. The "Family Jewels" confirmed that in September 1960, the CIA recruited ex-FBI agent Robert Maheu to approach the West Coast representative of the Chicago mob, Johnny Roselli. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Despite his arrest, Trafficante managed to escape charges and continue to fly under the laws radar. The wiretap evidence has been thrown out of court. He had a big heart and will be missed. Trafficante's appetite and his legal woes seem linked like the strands of a cruller. My uncle, never wore a ring," Trafficante says. So, who was this so-called Silent Don who wielded enough power to allegedly kill the President? One small gang, led by Italian immigrant Santo Trafficante Senior, profited from the illegal lottery-style games they ran across Tampa. Following his death, Mobster Vincent LoScalvo took over the Trafficante familys criminal network in Florida. Born Tampa, Florida March 24, 1920 This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. When you start talking about organized crime, things can get dicey. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.. Share to let others add their own memories and condolences. Who better than his son, Trafficante Jr., to inherit his throne? ". In 1963, the Mob allegedly had enough of Kennedy. [14], The HSCA had previously quoted Aleman as stating that he thought Trafficante's use of the phrase "he is going to be hit" meant that the mob boss knew Kennedy was going to be killed. For the last 20 years, everyone knew her as JuJu. Santo Trafficante Jr. - Wikipedia The mafiosos that made up the family are either retired, in prison, or have died due to old age. He attended the University of Florida for a year, then transferred to the University of Tampa and left without completing his degree. In the mid-2000s, he would say he was a legitimate businessman, citing, Tony "Joe Batters" Accardo - De Facto Boss of the Chicago Outfit, Giacomo Black Jack Tocco - Last of the Old School Detroit Partnership, Joseph Iacobacci - "Joe Loose" of the Cleveland Mob, John "Sonny" Franzese - A Colombo Family Legend. Santo Jr. succeeded his father as the boss of Tampa upon his death. We are one of them! [13], On January 14, 1992, Trafficante's former attorney, Frank Ragano, told Jack Newfield of the New York Post that he relayed a request from Hoffa to Trafficante and New Orleans boss Carlos Marcello to have Kennedy killed. THE HIT THAT EXPOSED SOME OF TAMPAS ELITE. Harris & Ewing/Library of Commons/Wikimedia CommonsCuban leader Fulgencio Batista in Washington, D.C. in 1938. A year has passed. He owned and operated some of the most lavish casinos in pre-Castro Cuba. With deepest sympathy and love. Consequently, while generally recognized as the most powerful organized crime figure in Florida throughout much of the 20th century, Trafficante was not believed to have total control over Miami, Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, or Palm Beach. Maheu hid the fact that he was sent by the CIA, instead portraying himself an advocate for international corporations. I am sorry I am unable to attend the services due to a illness. That horse won $161,080 for its new owners, according to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Dennis Caruso/NY Daily News Archive via Getty ImagesFrank Ragano and Santo Trafficante Jr. (right). We guarantee you'll never look at Ybor City the same way again. "When I woke up, they told me they raided Key Bank. Upon his return to the United States, he became determined to bring down the man who ended his empire. And despite relatively small time beginnings, Trafficante proved to be a shrewd mobster. On Oct. 26, 1937, Frank Trafficante named his first son after his own father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Please enter your email and password to sign in. This account has been disabled. Please reset your password. And despite relatively small time beginnings, Trafficante proved to be a shrewd mobster. [15] He repeated the claim two days later on ABC's Good Morning America,[16] in Newfield's Frontline report entitled JFK, Hoffa and Mob broadcast in November 1992,[17] and again in his 1994 autobiography Mob Lawyer. Trafficante had been operating in Cuba since the late 1940s under his father, Santo Trafficante Sr., a mobster in Tampa, Florida. Resend Activation Email. So, at his attorney Ralph Fernandez's urging, he has agreed to talk publicly, hoping to shore up his damaged reputation. Finally, after the infamous failed Bay of Pigs Invasion, the CIA gave up on their attempts to kill the Cuban dictator and thus Trafficantes attempts at revenge never materialized. My aim is to provide you with the best Service experience for you and your motorcycle. Phil Alessi, a childhood friend, marvels at Trafficante's taste and capacity. Still, he lives comfortably enough to give his sons Jaguar sports cars, red for Dino and white for Joseph. He grimaces at the thought that the rumor has persisted so long. He was married to his wife for 49 years. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Love and peace to you all. Like many of the most prominent mobsters of the 20th century, his father, Santo Trafficante Sr., grew up in Sicily, Italy but became a major player in the criminal world after migrating to America. Harris & Ewing/Library of Commons/Wikimedia Commons. Santo Jr., who had inherited the leadership of the Tampa Mafia around 1950 when his father, Santo Sr., fell ill, had now completed his consolidation of power in Tampa and beyond. At age 16, he boarded the S.S. Lombardia and set sail for American in search of a better life. He wants Trafficante, whom he considers to have an authoritative palate, to sample a new pastry that Alessi plans to sell at his bakery. He buys Jaguars for his two sons, hobnobs with sports stars on resort golf courses and occasionally flies to Miami for lunch at a favorite restaurant, the Rascal House. Trafficante was one of the last surviving members of the original Luciano mob era upon his death, and the truth behind the JFK assassination may have perhaps died with him. "The Mob? After that, he ordered casino owners to cough up employee back pay, then shut them down again. Weve updated the security on the site. They used to be my greatest friend," Trafficante says. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. The choice was nothing more than honoring a tradition. A few months later, two members of that group took the train to New York City to drum up support for a move against Santo. However, while the Latin American drug trade has figured prominently in the sunshine states less savory history, so has the Mafia. ", Christopher Sabella elected as Hillsborough Countys next chief judge, Tampa man arrested in death of person found in apartment with unharmed infant, deputies say, Suspect in Hillsborough slaying of woman IDd, man known as Ya Dig, deputies say, After nearly a century of fixing Tampas flat tires, downtown Firestone closes, Under investigation, HART CEO proposes settlement, payout and exit, Dead body found in Hillsborough apartment with unharmed infant, deputies say, NAACP wants reparations for Tampas Black cemeteries that governments stole, Latin Kings gang leaders among 21 arrested in Hillsborough drug operation, sheriff says, Estimated 630,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Hillsborough River, records show, Tampa man who was first to face trial for Florida voter fraud in 2020 election gets probation. Wikimedia CommonsPresident John F. Kennedy, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Try again later. The gunmen drove off, unaware they had failed to kill Trafficante, merely grazing his arm. [13] On September 27, 1978, Aleman reiterated to HSCA investigators that Trafficante had complained to him for hours in June or July 1963 about Kennedy's crackdown on organized crime at a meeting to discuss a business loan. Buy the time LoScalzo took over in 1987, the Trafficante Crime Family was far past its heyday. Thanks for your help! "But then you get into alias this and alias that and when they get you in court, you probably just create more problems," he says.
Mercer House Crime Scene Photos, Articles S
Mercer House Crime Scene Photos, Articles S