Louis LaRasso
Encyclopedia
Louis "Fat Lou" LaRasso was a New Jersey mobster and the longtime official Underboss
of the DeCavalcante crime family
.
by former boss Filippo "Phil" Amari, LaRasso and reputed Underboss
Frank Majuri
attended the infamous 1957 Apalachin Meeting
, as the only ones representing the newly made New Jersey family
. Amari himself did not attend, as he reportedly retired due to family rivalry later that year, and was replaced by Nicholas "Nick" Delmore. This saw to it that Majuri was demoted to captain, as well as LaRasso was promoted Underboss of the North Jersey
rackets. http://www.americanmafia.com/Mob_Hits/1991_04_update.html
to new boss of his family. DeCavalcante doubled the family's income and membership, and promoted back Majuri as the family Consigliere
, as well as keeping LaRasso as the reputed Underboss. After Sam DeCavalcante and LaRasso were sent to prison due to federal authorities monitoring conversations between DeCavalcante and LaRasso discussing illegal gambling operations worth more than $20 million a year, Giovanni "John the Eagle" Riggi
, LaRasso's rival, stepped up as Acting boss while DeCavalcante and LaRasso were imprisoned for 5 years. He was a prominent member of Building Laborer's Union Local 394 of Elizabeth, New Jersey
.
based head of the Gambino crime family
, Carlo Gambino
, asked the DeCavalcante crime family for a favor. The favor was to kill Joseph "Joey Surprise" Feola, an associate in the garbage business deemed suddenly unreliable. According to Jerry Capeci
, Underboss LaRasso lured Feola to a garage, where, according to whispered words picked up on the bug, Feola was strangled, wrapped in a burlap bag and buried. LaRasso later confirmed the hit to Gambino captain James "Jimmy Brown" Failla
.
, handing the leadership over to Giovanni Riggi. Riggi promoted Girolamo "Jimmy" Palermo
as new acting Underboss of the family in the late 1970s, leaving LaRasso's position becoming only official.
and Giuseppe "Pino" Schifilliti
. As LaRasso's friend Frank Majuri
died and the position of Consigliere went to Stefano "Steve the Truck Driver" Vitabile
, LaRasso was demoted in the late 1980s to soldier, as Riggi was put on trial for extortion
and racketeering charges along with Palermo, leaving Giacomo "Jake" Amari
as the new acting Underboss.
took over as Acting boss with Giacomo Amari as acting Underboss and Stefano "Steve the Truck Driver" Vitabile
still as Consigliere. It was around this time that LaRasso, after a fallout with D'Amato, was reported missing in the summer of 1991 after he failed to show up for his 65th birtday. http://www.nj.com/sopranos/ledger/index.ssf?/sopranos/ledger/index.ssf?/sopranos/stories/mafiosi_20030509sl_decavalcante00.html Reportedly, D'Amato feared LaRasso as a rival and thought he'd turn captain Charles "Big Ears" Majuri, son of Frank Majuri, to follow him in an attempt to take over the DeCavalcante crime family. His body has never been found, however, his killer Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo
later turned state's evidence and confessed to the crime. Palermo also became the later Acting boss and testified against dozens of New Jersey mobsters.
and Philip "Phil" Abramo
were tried and convicted of LaRasso's murder, as well as two others. In addition to extortion and racketeering charges, these high-ranking mobsters were sentenced to life imprisonment
. LaRasso's shooters were reportedly Anthony "Tony" Capo
, Louis "Louie Eggs" Consalvo
and Gregory Rago
, who, except for Capo, were sent to prison.
Underboss
Underboss is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The underboss is second in command to the boss...
of the DeCavalcante crime family
DeCavalcante crime family
The DeCavalcante crime family is an organized crime family that controls organized crime activities in Elizabeth, New Jersey and surrounding areas in the state, despite operating on the other side of the Hudson River in New York, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the American Mafia...
.
Apalachin meeting
After being promoted to CapoCaporegime
A caporegime or capodecina, usually shortened to just a capo, is a term used in the Mafia for a high ranking made member of a crime family who heads a "crew" of soldiers and has major social status and influence in the organization...
by former boss Filippo "Phil" Amari, LaRasso and reputed Underboss
Underboss
Underboss is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The underboss is second in command to the boss...
Frank Majuri
Frank Majuri
Francesco "Fat Frank" Majuri was a New Jersey mobster and the former Consigliere of the DeCavalcante crime family. His son is Charles "Big Ears" Majuri, a longtime recognized Captain in the Newark faction of the same crime family....
attended the infamous 1957 Apalachin Meeting
Apalachin Meeting
The Apalachin Meeting was a historic summit of the American Mafia held on November 14, 1957, at the home of mobster Joseph "Joe the Barber" Barbara in Apalachin, New York. The meeting was attended by roughly 100 Mafiosi from the United States, Canada, and Italy...
, as the only ones representing the newly made New Jersey family
DeCavalcante crime family
The DeCavalcante crime family is an organized crime family that controls organized crime activities in Elizabeth, New Jersey and surrounding areas in the state, despite operating on the other side of the Hudson River in New York, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the American Mafia...
. Amari himself did not attend, as he reportedly retired due to family rivalry later that year, and was replaced by Nicholas "Nick" Delmore. This saw to it that Majuri was demoted to captain, as well as LaRasso was promoted Underboss of the North Jersey
North Jersey
North Jersey is a colloquial term, with no precise consensus definition, for the northern portion of the U.S. state of New Jersey. A straightforward, noncolloquial term for the region is northern New Jersey.- Two-portion approaches :...
rackets. http://www.americanmafia.com/Mob_Hits/1991_04_update.html
Sam the Plumber
After Delmore's health turned ill and later died in 1964, he appointed his nephew Simone "Sam the Plumber" DeCavalcanteSam DeCavalcante
Simone Rizzo "Sam" DeCavalcante , known as "Sam the Plumber", was a member of the New Jersey Mafia. Claiming descent from the Italian royal family, DeCavalcante was nicknamed "The Count"...
to new boss of his family. DeCavalcante doubled the family's income and membership, and promoted back Majuri as the family 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...
, as well as keeping LaRasso as the reputed Underboss. After Sam DeCavalcante and LaRasso were sent to prison due to federal authorities monitoring conversations between DeCavalcante and LaRasso discussing illegal gambling operations worth more than $20 million a year, Giovanni "John the Eagle" Riggi
Giovanni Riggi
Giovanni "John the Eagle" Riggi is a New Jersey mobster and member of the DeCavalcante crime family since the 1940s, before the family had acquired its name. Riggi was the leader of the "Elizabeth crew" in the family when he was a Caporegime. He had been the acting boss during the 1970s and has...
, LaRasso's rival, stepped up as Acting boss while DeCavalcante and LaRasso were imprisoned for 5 years. He was a prominent member of Building Laborer's Union Local 394 of Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
.
A favor for Carlo Gambino
But before turning to prison, the BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
based head of the Gambino crime family
Gambino crime family
The Gambino crime family is one of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia . The group is named after Carlo Gambino, boss of the family at the time of the McClellan hearings in 1963...
, Carlo Gambino
Carlo Gambino
"Don" Carlo Gambino, was a Sicilian mafioso who became Boss of the Gambino crime family, that still bears his name today. After the 1957 Apalachin Convention he unexpectedly seized control of the Commission of the American Mafia. Gambino was known for being low-key and secretive...
, asked the DeCavalcante crime family for a favor. The favor was to kill Joseph "Joey Surprise" Feola, an associate in the garbage business deemed suddenly unreliable. According to Jerry Capeci
Jerry Capeci
Gerald "Jerry" Capeci is an American journalist and author who specializes in coverage of the Five Mafia crime families of New York City. Capeci has been described by news organizations, such as CNN and BBC, as an expert on the American Mafia.-Gang Land:Capeci writes a column called Gang Land...
, Underboss LaRasso lured Feola to a garage, where, according to whispered words picked up on the bug, Feola was strangled, wrapped in a burlap bag and buried. LaRasso later confirmed the hit to Gambino captain James "Jimmy Brown" Failla
James Failla
James "Jimmy Brown" Failla was a senior caporegime with the Gambino crime family who was a major power in the garbage hauling industry in New York City...
.
Release from prison
After returning to the DeCavalcante crime family in the early 1970s, LaRasso's position gradually declined as DeCavalcante retired from the New Jersey rackets and moved to FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, handing the leadership over to Giovanni Riggi. Riggi promoted Girolamo "Jimmy" Palermo
Girolamo Palermo
Girolamo "Jimmy Dumps" Palermo is the longtime underboss of the DeCavalcante crime family in Elizabeth, New Jersey, under the imprisoned boss Giovanni "John the Eagle" Riggi.-Murdering Al Colicchio:...
as new acting Underboss of the family in the late 1970s, leaving LaRasso's position becoming only official.
Demoted by John Riggi
During the 1980s, Riggi continued to run the large labor and construction racketeering operations in North Jersey with help from various capos Giacomo "Jake" AmariGiacomo Amari
Giacomo "Jake" Amari was the powerful Underboss and later Acting Boss of the DeCavalcante crime family.- Background :According to the testimony provided by Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo, the later Acting Boss of the DeCavalcante crime family, Amari was a prominent and ruthless captain before being...
and Giuseppe "Pino" Schifilliti
Giuseppe Schifilliti
Giuseppe "Pino" Schifilliti was a prominent member of the DeCavalcante crime family since the 1980s, heavily involved in labour racketeering and extortion activities.- Made by DeCavalcante :...
. As LaRasso's friend Frank Majuri
Frank Majuri
Francesco "Fat Frank" Majuri was a New Jersey mobster and the former Consigliere of the DeCavalcante crime family. His son is Charles "Big Ears" Majuri, a longtime recognized Captain in the Newark faction of the same crime family....
died and the position of Consigliere went to Stefano "Steve the Truck Driver" Vitabile
Stefano Vitabile
Stefano "Steve the Truck Driver" Vitabile, , is a New Jersey mobster and former consigliere of the DeCavalcante crime family.-Early years:...
, LaRasso was demoted in the late 1980s to soldier, as Riggi was put on trial for extortion
Extortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
and racketeering charges along with Palermo, leaving Giacomo "Jake" Amari
Giacomo Amari
Giacomo "Jake" Amari was the powerful Underboss and later Acting Boss of the DeCavalcante crime family.- Background :According to the testimony provided by Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo, the later Acting Boss of the DeCavalcante crime family, Amari was a prominent and ruthless captain before being...
as the new acting Underboss.
His murder
After Riggi was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1990, John "Johnny Boy" D'AmatoJohn D'Amato
John "Johnny Boy" D'Amato was a New Jersey mobster and former Acting boss of the DeCavalcante crime family. After being recruited by Gambino crime family Boss John Gotti to take over the family, and amidst rumors that he was homosexual, D'Amato was murdered in January 1992.- Captain :After being...
took over as Acting boss with Giacomo Amari as acting Underboss and Stefano "Steve the Truck Driver" Vitabile
Stefano Vitabile
Stefano "Steve the Truck Driver" Vitabile, , is a New Jersey mobster and former consigliere of the DeCavalcante crime family.-Early years:...
still as Consigliere. It was around this time that LaRasso, after a fallout with D'Amato, was reported missing in the summer of 1991 after he failed to show up for his 65th birtday. http://www.nj.com/sopranos/ledger/index.ssf?/sopranos/ledger/index.ssf?/sopranos/stories/mafiosi_20030509sl_decavalcante00.html Reportedly, D'Amato feared LaRasso as a rival and thought he'd turn captain Charles "Big Ears" Majuri, son of Frank Majuri, to follow him in an attempt to take over the DeCavalcante crime family. His body has never been found, however, his killer Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo
Vincent Palermo
Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo is a former de facto boss of the New Jersey DeCavalcante crime family who eventually became a government witness. Fictional mob boss Tony Soprano is said to be loosely based on Palermo.-Background:...
later turned state's evidence and confessed to the crime. Palermo also became the later Acting boss and testified against dozens of New Jersey mobsters.
The aftermath
In 2006, More than a decade later, administration member and Consigliere Stefano Vitabile as well as capos Giuseppe "Pino" SchifillitiGiuseppe Schifilliti
Giuseppe "Pino" Schifilliti was a prominent member of the DeCavalcante crime family since the 1980s, heavily involved in labour racketeering and extortion activities.- Made by DeCavalcante :...
and Philip "Phil" Abramo
Philip Abramo
Philip Abramo , also known as "The King Of Wall Street", "Lou Metzer" is a caporegime in the New Jersey DeCavalcante crime family who was allegedly involved in security fraud and murder. Abramo was a capo of the DeCavalcante family's crew in Miami, Florida.-Early years:Born in New York, Abramo...
were tried and convicted of LaRasso's murder, as well as two others. In addition to extortion and racketeering charges, these high-ranking mobsters were sentenced to life imprisonment
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
. LaRasso's shooters were reportedly Anthony "Tony" Capo
Anthony Capo
Anthony "Tony" Capo is a hitman in the DeCavalcante crime family who became a government witness.- Made Man :A resident of South Beach, Staten Island, Capo became an associate of the DeCavalcante crime family during the early 1980s under powerful Elizabeth, New Jersey faction leader Giovanni...
, Louis "Louie Eggs" Consalvo
Louis Consalvo
Louis "Louie Eggs" Consalvo is a New Jersey mobster and reputed "soldier" in the DeCavalcante crime family.A lifelong resident in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, Consalvo reportedly joined the North Jersey based DeCavalcante crime family during the disappearance in October 1991 of underboss Louis...
and Gregory Rago
Gregory Rago
Gregory "Georgie" Rago is a New Jersey mobster and "soldier" in the DeCavalcante crime family.A resident in Bayonne, New Jersey prior to his conviction in 2002, Rago was reportedly inducted into the North Jersey-based DeCavalcante crime family after he, along with fellow soldiers Anthony Capo and...
, who, except for Capo, were sent to prison.
External links
- http://www.americanmafia.com/Mob_Hits/1991_04_update.html
- http://www.nypost.com/seven/12152007/news/columnists/meat_the__sopranos_407709.htm