‘The Pizza Connection’

Gaetano Badalamenti

After nine years of trying, Pizza, one of Italy’s national dishes helps the FBI secure convictions on some slippery Mafia members. ‘The Pizza Connection’ case leads to the conviction of 18 people from various gangs. They were running an estimated $1.6 Billion drug smuggling operation. A large amount of cash was seized along with weapons … [Read more…]

Mexican Mafia Member Sentenced to Life in Prison

Mexican Mafia Member Jose Loza was sentenced to life plus thirty years

A member of the Mexican Mafia, arguably the most powerful criminal organization in Southern California, was sentenced to life in prison plus thirty years for murdering a rival 4 years ago. Jose Loza, 41, received a sentence of life in federal prison plus 30 years for the murder at a San Gabriel Valley restaurant of … [Read more…]

In Fear for his life, an Italian Prosecutor Fights the Mafia

Italian Prosecutor Nicola Gratteri has taken on the mafia for three decades.

Continually protected with heavy security, Nicola Gratteri leads the fight in Calabria against the world’s richest organized crime syndicate. The ‘Ndrangheta, whose roots started right at the tip of Italy’s boot and now span the entire globe, is being taken on by Italian prosecutor Nicola Gratteri, 61. In December, the prosecutor organized thousands of law-enforcement … [Read more…]

59 Italian Mafia Members Arrested in Messina

Anti-mafia investigators have arrested 59 suspected mafia members directed mainly at a group in the Sicilian province of Messina, according to a statement by the Carabinieri. ROME (28th February 2020) – The Carabinieri have released a statement that on Friday they arrested 59 people suspected of Mafia activities in the province of Messina in Sicily. … [Read more…]

Assault Case Against Ex-Mafia Hitman Antony Arillotta Dismissed

Antony Arillotta Assault case dropped

An assault case against the infamous hitman Anthony Arillotta was dismissed by the Springfield District Court on Wednesday. Just One Big Misunderstanding Arillotta stated that the incident, which took place in July between him and a female relative was just a huge misunderstanding. Arillotta had been released in 2017 after serving an 8-year prison sentence … [Read more…]

Mobster John “Sonny” Franzese Dead, age 103

John "Sonny" Franzese

Notorious Mafioso John “Sonny” Franzese has died at the age of 103. During his lifetime, he associated with celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Rocky Graziano, plus he spent many years in prison. He was released from his final stint about 3 years ago at the age of 100. He was the oldest prisoner in federal … [Read more…]

Brother of Mafia Boss Murdered

Agostino Alessandro Migliore Murdered

Palermo, Italy – Agostino Alessandro Migliore, 45,  has been shot dead in his car. Agostino is the brother of local mafia boss Giovanni Salvatore Migliore who was arrested recently during operation “Cupola 2.0″  and is the chief aid of Mafia boss Filippo Bisconti who, since 2018 has been collaborating with investigators. Ambushed Going to Work … [Read more…]

Italian court names two Australians as Mafia leaders

1962. Diego Luppino in front of the ship he left Italy on

Two successful Australian businessmen, one of whom is a political donor have been named as the bosses “capos” of a large international mafia organization. Fruit and vegetable millionaires Tony Madafferi and Diego (Danny) Luppino have been identified in papers filed in an Italian court as doing business with the ‘Ndrangheta. Interestingly, the arrest warrants were … [Read more…]

‘Hacksaw Ridge’ Producer Developing Colombo Crime Family Son’s Story

John Franzese Jr

After acquiring the rights to the story of the Colombo crime family’s second-in-command’s son, John Franzese Jr, The Oscar-nominated producer of ‘Hacksaw Ridge’, David Permut, can tell what I’m sure will be an interesting story. “Sonny” Franzese Sr. Recently passed away at the age of 103. Since the 1980s, Franzese Jr was heavily involved in … [Read more…]

Italian government and INTERPOL lead global effort to reign in ‘Ndrangheta.

INTERPOL lead global effort to reign in 'Ndrangheta.

A recently announced joint law enforcement program by Italy and INTERPOL will focus on pinpointing the criminal activities of one of the world’s largest and most powerful crime syndicates. The effort, underwritten by the Italian Department of Public Security, will be called the Interpol Cooperation Against ‘Ndrangheta, or I-CAN for short. It will focus initially … [Read more…]

‘Ciao’ Gomorrah: Italy’s Most Infamous Housing Estate

Le Vele, Scampia, Napoli

Known for being the setting for hit TV series and film Gomorrah, the Le Vele towers were a symbol of organized crime and poverty – until the residents decided to take matters into their own hands. Until recently, Le Vele was both the location for Western Europe’s biggest international arms and drugs supermarket as well … [Read more…]

The Mafia’s Longest Ever Kidnapping

Carlo Celadon

Carlo Celadon was at home in the small Italian town of Arzignano, having dinner alone. The 19-year-old’s father, Candido Celadon, a wealthy entrepreneur, was on holiday with his sister, and Carlo’s older brother was away on his honeymoon. Suddenly, four armed men broke into the house. They tied Carlo up, locked him in the trunk … [Read more…]

A Juror doubts Boston Mob Boss Whitey Bulger’s Conviction

Whitey Bulger

James “Whitey” Bulger was known to the world as a notorious criminal. Although he had been in and out of prison since he was 14, he caused real terror in the city of Boston from the 1970s till the 1990s. He’s been associated with murders, trafficking, and extortion in various different cases. He was convicted … [Read more…]

Mafia “Superboss” 30 years on the run

Matteo Messina Denaro

Matteo Messina Denaro, the dreaded Italian mobster also known as “Diabolik” has been on the run from the police for over 30 years now. He was long considered to be the ‘Boss of Bosses’ of the Sicilian Mafia. His life resembles that of fictional mobster Tony Montana and he must have quite a story to … [Read more…]

Murder in Little Italy

Johnnie "Johnny Maserati" Raposo

The murder of 35-year-old Johnnie “Johnny Maserati” Raposo took place in broad daylight at a Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe in Little Italy during the screening of a soccer match. The hired hit-man, Dean Wiwchar, was impersonating a construction worker by wearing an orange construction vest, sunglasses, a long-haired wig and a dusk mask. The killer approached … [Read more…]