Hundreds of people showed up to pay their respects to former Montreal mafia leader Rocco Sollecito as he was laid to rest. Sollecito was the latest victim of the ongoing bloody Montreal mafia war which remains unsettled.
It seems the old guard which sat atop the Rizzuto crime family and controlled the mafia in Montreal for so many years is being systematically eliminated by a new aspiring leadership group. It’s still unclear as to who exactly is behind the move on the Rizzuto family and its loyalists but they seem to be the much stronger group at this point taking out various members of the old Montreal mob hierarchy.
“Rocco Sollecito Funeral“
The murder of Sollecito took place only months after the murder of Lorenzo Giordano another leading member of the old Rizzuto family leadership. Both mobsters were seen as leading options to step in and take control of the Montreal mafia after the arrests of newly crowned mafia bosses Stefano Sollecito and Leonardo Rizzuto. Stefano and Leonardo sons of both Rocco and Vito Rizzuto were said to sit atop a recently formed “leadership table” of the mob in Montreal before their arrest. Rocco acted as a counselor to the new leaders and Giordano who was recently released from prison had expressed his intentions to step back into the leadership fold. It’s believed by mob insiders and authorities that this leadership table may have already met its end.
“Leonardo Rizzuto and Stefano Sollecito“
Another murder has taken place which police believe may have been a misidentification targeting another Rizzuto family loyalists Carmine Antonio Vanelli. Authorities believe an innocent man who was believed to be Vanelli was mistakenly murder by assassins at a local cafe. Vanelli was associated with the Calabrian mafia clan in Montreal but rallied to the side of the Rizzuto family when they took control of the mafia in Montreal back in the 80s. This is yet another sign that the bloody Montreal mafia war is still unsettled even after the Sollecito murder. Many people including authorities believe Francesco Del Balso another former Rizzuto family leader could be next on the execution list.
“Francesco Del Balso“
Del Balso is currently fighting for his release from prison and says he doesn’t believe his life is in danger even though many of his former mafia associates have been killed. He was released back in February after being granted statutory release under strict conditions but was returned to prison after the murder of Giordano. Parole board feared for his safety and suspended his release along with that of fellow mobster and associate Francesco Arcadi who may himself be a target. All three men were arrested in Operation Colisée which took down multiple Rizzuto family leaders back in 2006. Del Balso was a trusted and respected member of the leadership group that took over after the arrest of then godfather Vito Rizzuto.
Del Balso told the Parole Board of Canada that he wants to be released as scheduled and was not concerned for his safety. The parole board was reviewing his request and decided in a hearing that he could be released although the murder of Sollecito the very next day put things back in limbo. It’s currently unclear as to where Del Balso is currently and there have been no response from the Correctional Service of Canada to inquiries as to his status and it’s possible he may be on the verge of being released to a halfway house or perhaps moved back into a secure prison location. One thing seems clear the assault on those that remain from the old Rizzuto family hierarchy is still ongoing and even though they are clearly losing the war its still not over.
Who is next in line to take control of the turbulent Montreal underworld is yet unknown but organized crime especially the mafia seldom stays leaderless for long. Could a new consortium have been formed between the aspiring new Montreal mafia leaders, bikers, and street gangs? Could the Calabrian Mafia or Ndrangheta have been behind these attacks once again making them the dominate Montreal mafia force?
This should just about be at an end as there just isn’t much left of the old Rizzuto family and they seem to have pretty much lost and be ready to fade into the past as their era comes to an end. It will be interesting to see who emerges as the new power of the Montreal mafia as we may finally know who was behind this bloody attack this whole time or at least to some extent. Seems like a lot of people think the Calabrians had a part in this in some form or fashion although I am not sure if they were it was in anyway directly but perhaps in a do what you have to do kind of stance and we will quietly support the effort.
The Quiet leader of Canada. Cossimo Commisso.
If I were a betting man, combine the fact that part of Rizzutos revenge was being doled out in Ontario to Caulucci an Verducci, whom take their orders from the TOP Calabrian kingpin – Commisso.
He is rarely, if ever mentioned, very intelligent – but I’m sure he has the power to not only kill off the older guard in his own organization as had happened with the Deaths very recently of Rocco Zito in Toronto as well.
It’s just a guess but maybe Zito wouldn’t give the go ahead to TAKE Montreal – So he was wiped out in a coo and I’m betting Commisso will be the NEW KING (Rizzuto) of Canada. ‘Quietly’
That’s a very interesting theory. Have to believe the man power and strength are at his disposal if he did make such a move.
Thanks John.
One way Rizzuto organization was SOO successful for Soo long was by being Quiet and not talked about.
If any one Don in Canada would have that type of Manpower and backing, it would be Commisso.
The history of this man and his family in ontario is a well anchored and LONG Strong history .
I’m betting when Rizzuto sought revenge in killing Caulucio and Verducci, (Caulucci was the most likely trigger man in Nicolo – Vitos father’s death), Those players get their marching orders from the top. The TOP In Ontario is the aforementioned. Do a little historical search on The Calabrian faction within ontario and their tactics and keep in Mind, Rizzuto was going to PUSH Into Ontario at his peak – In the face of the Calabrians.
It’s not the Bikers, as they sat in a consortium with the Gang leaders and Rizzuto JR/ Sollecito Junior.
I am willing to wager at some point, The Ndreghata will own and run Organized Crime in Montreal.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2007/12/23/how_the_rcmp_botched_a_sting.html
Always quietly done!
Id say being a leader since the days of Rizzuto himself taking over the reigns in Montreal from Cotronis is plenty of time to compile manpower.
This is NO newcomer. Ya just don’t hear the name, But folks in Toronto since the 70;s to curently. Sure know it well.
As powerful as Montreal, No ofcourse not, or there could never have been even a thought by Rizzutos to push into Ontario Circa 2004, But powerful enough to make a push asap after the Extradition of Vito to Colorado and project Colisee.
http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/a-new-mafia-crime-families-ruling-toronto-italy-alleges
Would seem like the Calabrian’s have been behind the move on the Rizzuto to some extent at least and are poised to make a strong move in Montreal and I agree wouldn’t be shocked at all to see them become the new power in Montreal sooner rather then later.
Im with ya. We’ll all know within a year or two. They barely survived with Vito Alive and behind bars, but now, there really isn’t much remaining strength. Lotsa money – which means a ton, but no one to propperly manage things.
Not to mention the Quebec inquiry into the Construction and the lost income there.
Del Balso’s kazzillion $ Sports and wagering dollars lost.
If these guys didn’t make the Billions they did in the 80’s and 90′ s they’d likely have vapourized even sooner.
Not every family can afford Revenge over business, But VR sure could.
With,who ever is authorizing these killing accidentally killing a civilian, wouldn’t it be wise not to ascend to the “Throne”? I know in the US that would get the Feds on you quickly,but i don’t know how the Canadians work. Or am i just as anxious as everyone to find out who’s now in charge?
I think the Canadian authorities are a bit behind the US in the fight against the mafia , but your right the killing of a civilian one would think should be a lot more unwanted heat. Someone has to step in before to long and take the reigns or its going to hurl into a mess that may take years to recover from no matter who wins.
Ths Fckng Family is so dysfunctional, it’s a wonder how they hve managed to stay afloat..if they are not beefng with themselves ..it’s the bikers.guys dnt even hve tme to earn because of the hating…whn thse so clled new blood tkes over….who’s to say… .ijs.
It really is a total mess out there at the moment and who knows how long this continues before things settle down.
Vito and Nicolo before him were old school and ran an empire that trumped the 5 familes combined.
Trying to pass the torch to Spoiled Children won’t work.
http://www.cosanostranews.com/2012/11/mob-rat-says-montreal-most-powerful.html?m=1