John Sciandra
Encyclopedia
John "Johnny" Sciandra also known as "Giovanni" (1899–1940) was the notorious boss of the Bufalino crime family
of Pennsylvania
from 1933 until his death in 1940.
Very little is known about Sciandra's early life. The Sciandra family immigrated to the United States from Montedoro
, Sicily
in the 1880s. Originally a coal miner in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Sciandra became an enforcer and bootlegger for Buffalino family boss Santo Volpe. Like so many crime families, they are built upon blood ties, long standing friendships and various powerful arms. The Bufalino crime family
would have four very powerful members who pulled all the strings. These included Santo "King of The Knights" Volpe, Angelo Polizzi, Giuseppe "Joe The Barber" Barbara
and John "Johnny" Sciandra. In 1933, Following the death of Volpe, Sciandra was nominated boss over Scranton and surrounding areas. Polizzi became consigliere
, maintaining this role until his death in 1957.
In 1940, Sciandra was found murdered. Speculation was that Pollizzi and Barbara colluded in Sciandra's killing. Sciandra's death was most certainly approved by the ruling Cosa Nostra crime board in New York City
known as the Commission
.
Bufalino crime family
The Bufalino crime family, also known as the Pittston crime family, or the Scranton Wilkes-Barre family, was an American Mafia crime family active in Northeastern Pennsylvania cities of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Pittston...
of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
from 1933 until his death in 1940.
Very little is known about Sciandra's early life. The Sciandra family immigrated to the United States from Montedoro
Montedoro
Montedoro is a comune in the Province of Caltanissetta in the Italian region Sicily, located about 80 km southeast of Palermo and about 20 km west of Caltanissetta...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
in the 1880s. Originally a coal miner in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Sciandra became an enforcer and bootlegger for Buffalino family boss Santo Volpe. Like so many crime families, they are built upon blood ties, long standing friendships and various powerful arms. The Bufalino crime family
Bufalino crime family
The Bufalino crime family, also known as the Pittston crime family, or the Scranton Wilkes-Barre family, was an American Mafia crime family active in Northeastern Pennsylvania cities of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Pittston...
would have four very powerful members who pulled all the strings. These included Santo "King of The Knights" Volpe, Angelo Polizzi, Giuseppe "Joe The Barber" Barbara
Joseph Barbara (mobster)
Joseph "Joe the Barber" Barbara was a New York state mobster who became the boss of the Bufalino crime family. Barbara is most notable for hosting the abortive Apalachin Conference in 1957...
and John "Johnny" Sciandra. In 1933, Following the death of Volpe, Sciandra was nominated boss over Scranton and surrounding areas. Polizzi became consigliere
Consigliere
Consigliere is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The word was popularized by Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather , and its film adaptation...
, maintaining this role until his death in 1957.
In 1940, Sciandra was found murdered. Speculation was that Pollizzi and Barbara colluded in Sciandra's killing. Sciandra's death was most certainly approved by the ruling Cosa Nostra crime board in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
known as the Commission
The Commission (mafia)
The Commission is the governing body of the American Mafia. Formed in 1931, the Commission replaced the "Boss of all Bosses" title, with a ruling committee, consisting of the New York Five Families bosses and the boss of the Chicago Outfit...
.