The Lucchese crime family had viable leadership in place and seemed to be one of the more stable of the New York Mafia families.
That changed when the feds dropped a major racketeering indictment last year targeting members of the Cosa Nostra families current administration. Lucchese family acting boss Matthew Madonna, underboss Steven (Stevie Wonder) Crea and consigliere Joseph DiNapoli were charged with various crimes. Alleged mafia captains Steven Crea Jr., Dominic Truscello, and John Castelucci were also indicted along with various mob associates. Over the last couple years, the families veteran hierarchy seemingly had them reorganized and back on the rise. Now the family seems to be facing a transition period.
“Steven Crea and Matthew Madonna”
Both Madonna and Crea are facing murder charges connected to the 2013 gangland hit on Purple Gang leader Michael Meldish. While DiNapoli seemingly escaped murder charges he is still facing an extended stay behind bars if convicted. According to reports, the feds were aided by informants from within the Lucchese family. It seems like the entire family hierarchy could be joining official boss Vittorio (Vic) Amuso behind bars. It’s unclear how much influence Amuso currently has on the streets but according to the feds, he is still the head of the organization.
The administration as a whole seems to be headed for some hard time if found guilty at trial or through fairly stiff plea deals. So the question is where does the Lucchese crime family go from here! Madonna has dealt with various legal problems over the last few years that landed him in prison so his place in the family was already in limbo. It seems likely he was already replaced in an acting capacity at a minimum. The potential loss of Crea and DiNapoli would definitely be a big blow to the families newfound momentum. They are both highly respected members and by all accounts qualified to lead.
But as we have seen in the past the American Mafia is very resilient and always finds a way to adapt and move forward. The Lucchese family still seems to have some talent in the ranks. If a new administration is needed it could include names like Anthony Santorelli, Joseph “Joey” Giampa, and Joseph Lubrano among others. Those mentioned all have extensive careers in the mafia and have made their way through the ranks becoming captains within the family. They seem poised to take another step forward to fill the leadership roles left void at least in an acting capacity if needed.
It will be interesting to see what lies ahead for the crime family and who steps up to take the reigns. Perhaps there is even a more youthful side of the family we are unaware of ready to take the Lucchese’s into a new era.
