Michael Taccetta
Encyclopedia
Michael Salvatore Taccetta (born September 16, 1947), also known as "Mad Dog", is a high-ranking member of the Lucchese crime family
, who wound up controlling the entire New Jersey
faction of the family in the 1980s. His brother Martin
was also in charge for a brief period of time.
in New Jersey
on September 16, 1947. This was the same neighborhood as Gambino crime family
capo Joseph Paterno, who Taccetta reportedly worked for in his early teens. Taccetta is the son of Angelo Taccetta, a self-employed building materials supplier, who law enforcements reputed was a "made man
" in the Lucchese crime family. Taccetta stands at 5'7" weighs close to 300 pounds with a wrestler's build with black hair and brown eyes.
Michael was first arrested for assault at the age of twelve and was sent to Boys Town
, a Catholic youth facility. As a youth he pitched pennies and played cards on on the streets. He lived in Florham Park, New Jersey
before his incarceration. He told people that he was self-employed. Taccetta graduated from Saint Benedict's Preparatory School
in Newark at nineteen years old and attended one semester at Johnson & Wales University
School of Business in Providence, Rhode Island
. Taccetta returned to New Jersey and enrolled in Essex County College
School of Business for a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, where he received grades of C and D. He later worked as a laborer with his father and younger brother at the family construction supplies firm. Taccetta married his long-time girlfriend who he met at Newark Preparatory, Carol Ann Nozdrovicky in his early twenties. They had one son, Carlo Taccetta. The couple lived with Carol's parents in South Orange, New Jersey
before moving into a three-family house.
with his family. Michael is the godfather to his brother Martin's children as Martin is to his. Michael was a heavyset man whose dark sunken eyes always looked to be tired and liked to be thought of as an intellectual among his criminal associates. During conversations he would often quote and misquote passages from Niccolò Machiavelli
's The Prince
to anyone who would listen in an attempt to impress.
. He is also the uncle of Pamela Abdy, the Hollywood film producer whose credits include "Garden State
" that was awarded an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature in 2005 as well as three other movies including "Man on the Moon
" in 1999.
Although recognized as an associate of the Gambinos, Taccetta was influenced by his older friend from childhood, Anthony "Tumac" Accetturo
, who, at the age of 17, was already recruited by the rival Lucchese crime family, and joined Accetturo's street crew in their North Jersey
faction. During the mid 1960s, both Michael and Martin Taccetta started with Accetturo in illegal gambling and loansharking operations, on the orders of Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese. On December 23, 1971, Taccetta was convicted of conspiracy to operate a lottery and numbers, for which he was sentenced to less than two years in prison, and fined $1,000. He was also identified as a career criminal offender and an associate of other identified criminal offenders, such as members of the Lucchese crime family in New Jersey and New York.
, and decided to avoid prosecution by escaping to Florida
. In this way, Taccetta was chosen by Accetturo to run the day-to-day activities in Newark. In February 1973, Accetturo was indicted for loansharking and extortion
, as he was eventually arrested in Miami, Florida
, with his bail set at $10,000. Accetturo would later return and run his Newark operations with Taccetta in early 1975.
of the Lucchese crime family, Anthony "Tony Ducks" Corallo
decided to make his New Jersey faction even stronger, as Accetturo, Taccetta and several others were reportedly inducted into the Lucchese crime family during that same year. Accetturo was put in charge of the North Jersey
faction of the Luccheses, as Taccetta was promoted the top protégé to Accetturo.
, but remained the official chief of New Jersey. Michael Taccetta was then chosen again to run the Northern Jersey
faction of the Lucchese crime family on Accetturo's behalf, and soon expanded Accetturo's operations, all from illegal gambling and loansharking, to extortion, drug trafficking and money laundering
, through his legitimate business "Taccetta Group Enterprises", where Taccetta's position was company president. The business was under the control of the Lucchese crime family in New York
.
Angelo "Gentle Don" Bruno
was shot to death, in the aftermath of which the double dealing Funzi Tieri of the Genovese LCN had the Commission support the murder of all those involved in the Bruno murder (though they had been encouraged to do the same by Tieri). After this, Philip Testa found himself Boss, but was killed by his Underboss Pete Casella. ConsigliereNicodemo Scarfo
, then fighting the remnants of the Casella faction to maintain control of the Philadelphia family. When Accetturo heard of this, he ordered Taccetta to establish a new crew of the Lucchese crime family, under the control of Michael Taccetta and the New Jersey faction. Because of the bad relations between the two factions in Philadelphia's crime family, as well as both Taccetta and Accetturo taking advantage of the situation, the relationship between Philadelphia and the Five Families
eventually turned even worse.
organization. On January 6, 1984, Taccetta was excluded from New Jersey, stemming from his prior convictions in the 1970s. Despite his exclusion, Taccetta kept operating in the North Jersey area. His brother Martin Taccetta would then step up and serve as acting boss on behalf of Taccetta in the mid 1980s.
were set up in New York, where Anthony Corallo and the entire administration of the Lucchese crime family were brought on trial, Taccetta and Accetturo would be arrested during that same year, along with 18 other top mobsters of the Northern New Jersey faction of the family. The indictment was the result of a four-year investigation, provided by the law enforcement of New Jersey. The charges were 76 counts of labor racketeering, illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, drug trafficking, money laundering
, conspiracy and murder for hire. The longest trial ever in the United States
, it went for more than 21 months, as it has been placed in the Guinness Book of Records. Stunningly, all 20 defendants were found "not guilty" on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
predicates, but as the trial was over due, rivalry was being developed in what was called the Jersey Crew
.
and Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso
chose themselves as the new bosses of the Lucchese crime family. Underboss Casso was allowed wide control by his friend Amuso and became paranoid, murdering several mobsters he feared were disloyal in a bloody purge. Amuso hadn't been satisfied with their profit from the New Jersey faction in the late 1980s, as he demanded 50% of both Taccetta and Accetturo's profit, where they both refused. Vic Amuso and Anthony Casso, a man of great fear and reportedly with dozens of murders on his hands, announced his order, which led "Whack Jersey". Summoned to a meeting in Brooklyn with Amuso, the entire North Jersey faction, who were fearful of being massacred, went into hiding. Over the next 12 months, most of the New Jersey crew members came back to the family. Victor Amuso told the returned crew members that Accetturo needed to be disposed off. Reportedly, Taccetta is to have sent messages to Amuso in Brooklyn, asking a contract to be placed on Accetturo's life. Amuso is reportedly to have agreed, as Taccetta was now under the wings of Victor Amuso.
, John Gotti
, through Gambino caporegime, Thomas "Tommy" Gambino
. During the last years of the 1980s, Taccetta's faction was much weakened due to increased law enforcement and bad relations to Victor Amuso. The new administration was accordingly to NewJersey.Com, Michael Taccetta as the Boss of faction, Michael Perna as the Underboss
and Martin Taccetta as the official Consigliere
. Reportedly, it was around this time that law enforcement started seeing the NJ faction of the Lucchese crime family as its own family.
, as he was doing his sentence in Atlanta.
. His projected release date is May 18, 2015.
Lucchese crime family
The Lucchese 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 family originated in the early 1920s with Gaetano "Tommy" Reina serving as boss up until his murder...
, who wound up controlling the entire New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
faction of the family in the 1980s. His brother Martin
Martin Taccetta
Martin "Marty" Taccetta is a New Jersey mobster who is the alleged boss of the Jersey Crew, a powerful faction of the Lucchese crime family.-Early life:...
was also in charge for a brief period of time.
Early life and crimes
Taccetta, also known as "Mike T" was born in the poverty stricken neighborhood of Vailsburg, NewarkVailsburg, Newark
Vailsburg is a neighborhood in the West ward of Newark, New Jersey elevation 280 ft. As of 2000, Vailsburg has a population of 34,348. The Vailsburg section of Newark seems to stick out from the rest of the area, not only geographically, but because of its hodgepodge of suburban, urban and park...
in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
on September 16, 1947. This was the same neighborhood as 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...
capo Joseph Paterno, who Taccetta reportedly worked for in his early teens. Taccetta is the son of Angelo Taccetta, a self-employed building materials supplier, who law enforcements reputed was a "made man
Made man
A made man, also known as a Mafioso , made guy, man of honor, or uomo d'onore , is someone who has been officially inducted into the Sicilian or American Mafia . They may also be referred to by some as a goodfella or wiseguy...
" in the Lucchese crime family. Taccetta stands at 5'7" weighs close to 300 pounds with a wrestler's build with black hair and brown eyes.
Michael was first arrested for assault at the age of twelve and was sent to Boys Town
Boys Town
Boys Town or Boystown may refer to:*Boys Town , an organization dedicated to the housing and education of at-risk children, founded by Father Edward J...
, a Catholic youth facility. As a youth he pitched pennies and played cards on on the streets. He lived in Florham Park, New Jersey
Florham Park, New Jersey
Florham Park is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 8,857, which had grown to 12,389 as of the Bureau's 2008 estimate....
before his incarceration. He told people that he was self-employed. Taccetta graduated from Saint Benedict's Preparatory School
Saint Benedict's Preparatory School
Saint Benedict's Preparatory School is a college preparatory school in Newark, New Jersey, United States. It is an all-boys, secondary school located on a urban campus serving students in the seventh through twelfth grades...
in Newark at nineteen years old and attended one semester at Johnson & Wales University
Johnson & Wales University
Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, co-educational, career-oriented university with four campuses located throughout the United States. Providence, Rhode Island, USA, is home to JWU's first and largest of four currently operating campuses. Founded as a business school in 1914, by...
School of Business in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. Taccetta returned to New Jersey and enrolled in Essex County College
Essex County College
Essex County College is an open-door, public two-year college located in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. It is committed to providing quality educational programs and life-long learning activities at the most affordable cost. The college is open to students with a wide variety of...
School of Business for a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, where he received grades of C and D. He later worked as a laborer with his father and younger brother at the family construction supplies firm. Taccetta married his long-time girlfriend who he met at Newark Preparatory, Carol Ann Nozdrovicky in his early twenties. They had one son, Carlo Taccetta. The couple lived with Carol's parents in South Orange, New Jersey
South Orange, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,964 people, 5,522 households, and 3,766 families residing in the township. The population density was 5,945.3 people per square mile . There were 5,671 housing units at an average density of 1,987.5 per square mile...
before moving into a three-family house.
Winning the New Jersey State Lottery
In 1983 his wife Carol Ann won $611,979 from the New Jersey State Lottery that was to be paid out over the next twenty-years. Carol was deemed the '100th Millionaire' by the State Lottery Commission, since it began holding the lottery in 1969. She described Michael to the media upon winning the lottery as a "oil company consultant." They were married for seventeen years and Michael himself is the father of four children. As a father and husband he attended the Holy Family Parish located at 1 Lloyd Avenue in Florham Park, New JerseyFlorham Park, New Jersey
Florham Park is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 8,857, which had grown to 12,389 as of the Bureau's 2008 estimate....
with his family. Michael is the godfather to his brother Martin's children as Martin is to his. Michael was a heavyset man whose dark sunken eyes always looked to be tired and liked to be thought of as an intellectual among his criminal associates. During conversations he would often quote and misquote passages from Niccolò Machiavelli
Niccolò Machiavelli
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was an Italian historian, philosopher, humanist, and writer based in Florence during the Renaissance. He is one of the main founders of modern political science. He was a diplomat, political philosopher, playwright, and a civil servant of the Florentine Republic...
's The Prince
The Prince
The Prince is a political treatise by the Italian diplomat, historian and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli. From correspondence a version appears to have been distributed in 1513, using a Latin title, De Principatibus . But the printed version was not published until 1532, five years after...
to anyone who would listen in an attempt to impress.
Family Mob ties
He is the cousin of mobsters Michael Perna, and Daniel, Joseph and Thomas Ricciardi. He was especially close to his cousin Daniel Ricciardi who was five years younger than Michael. The two cousins were described as being 'inseparable' during the 1960s. Robert Buccino, New Jersey organized crime expert said that Taccetta and Ricciardi ran with a gang that thought noting of "beating up someone 10 to 1". His cousins Daniel and Thomas would later become informants and turn state's evidence when facing jail time for murder and drug trafficking. Michael is also the uncle of Joseph Perna born c.a. 1969, John Perna born c.a. 1977 and Ralph Perna Junior born c.a. 1972. They all followed their father and uncle into organized crime. He is also reported to be a "close blood relative" of mobster Christopher Piro, who in 1997 was arrested for his leadership of a multi-million dollar illegal gambling ring in the BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
. He is also the uncle of Pamela Abdy, the Hollywood film producer whose credits include "Garden State
Garden State
Garden State is the official nickname of the state of New Jersey in the United States.Other meanings include:* Garden State , a 2004 film written by, directed by, and starring Zach Braff** Garden State , the film's soundtrack...
" that was awarded an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature in 2005 as well as three other movies including "Man on the Moon
Man on the Moon
Man on the Moon is a 1999 American biographical film about the American entertainer Andy Kaufman, starring Jim Carrey.The film was directed by Milos Forman and also features Courtney Love, Paul Giamatti and Danny DeVito....
" in 1999.
Although recognized as an associate of the Gambinos, Taccetta was influenced by his older friend from childhood, Anthony "Tumac" Accetturo
Anthony Accetturo
Anthony "Tumac" Accetturo is a former caporegime and leader of the New Jersey faction of the Lucchese crime family The Jersey Crew.-Biography:...
, who, at the age of 17, was already recruited by the rival Lucchese crime family, and joined Accetturo's street crew in their 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 :...
faction. During the mid 1960s, both Michael and Martin Taccetta started with Accetturo in illegal gambling and loansharking operations, on the orders of Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese. On December 23, 1971, Taccetta was convicted of conspiracy to operate a lottery and numbers, for which he was sentenced to less than two years in prison, and fined $1,000. He was also identified as a career criminal offender and an associate of other identified criminal offenders, such as members of the Lucchese crime family in New Jersey and New York.
Business in Newark
During the early 1970s, Accetturo, who currently worked as Taccetta's mentor, was indicted on illegal gambling operations in Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, and decided to avoid prosecution by escaping to Florida
Florida
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...
. In this way, Taccetta was chosen by Accetturo to run the day-to-day activities in Newark. In February 1973, Accetturo was indicted for loansharking and 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...
, as he was eventually arrested in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, with his bail set at $10,000. Accetturo would later return and run his Newark operations with Taccetta in early 1975.
Lucchese Made Man
Upon the year of 1976, the newly made BossCrime boss
A crime boss or boss is a person in charge of a criminal organization. A boss typically has absolute or near-absolute control over his subordinates, is greatly feared by his subordinates for his ruthlessness and willingness to take lives in order to exert his influence, and profits come from the...
of the Lucchese crime family, Anthony "Tony Ducks" Corallo
Anthony Corallo
Anthony "Tony Ducks" Corallo was a New York City mobster and boss of the Lucchese crime family.-Early life:...
decided to make his New Jersey faction even stronger, as Accetturo, Taccetta and several others were reportedly inducted into the Lucchese crime family during that same year. Accetturo was put in charge 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 :...
faction of the Luccheses, as Taccetta was promoted the top protégé to Accetturo.
Expanding Jersey
During the late 1970s, Accetturo would suffer from several indictments, following the State of New Jersey try to extradite Accetturo, but failed due to poor health. Accetturo later relocated his business interests to Miami and Hollywood, FloridaHollywood, Florida
-Demographics:As of 2000, there were 59,673 households out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of...
, but remained the official chief of New Jersey. Michael Taccetta was then chosen again to run the Northern 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 :...
faction of the Lucchese crime family on Accetturo's behalf, and soon expanded Accetturo's operations, all from illegal gambling and loansharking, to extortion, drug trafficking and money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
, through his legitimate business "Taccetta Group Enterprises", where Taccetta's position was company president. The business was under the control of the Lucchese crime family in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Philly operations
On March 12, 1980, the Boss of the Philadelphia crime familyPhiladelphia crime family
The Philadelphia crime family, also known as the Scarfo crime family, Bruno crime family, Philadelphia Mafia, or Philly Mob, is an Italian American criminal organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is one of the most active American Mafia families outside of the Five Families of New York...
Angelo "Gentle Don" Bruno
Angelo Bruno
Angelo "The Gentle Don" Bruno was a Sicilian-American mobster who ran the Philadelphia crime family for two decades. Bruno gained his nickname and reputation due to his preference for conciliation over violence.-Early years:Born in Villalba, Sicily, Bruno emigrated to the United States in his...
was shot to death, in the aftermath of which the double dealing Funzi Tieri of the Genovese LCN had the Commission support the murder of all those involved in the Bruno murder (though they had been encouraged to do the same by Tieri). After this, Philip Testa found himself Boss, but was killed by his Underboss Pete Casella. ConsigliereNicodemo Scarfo
Nicodemo Scarfo
Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Domenico Scarfo is a member of the American Mafia who eventually became the Boss of the Philadelphia crime family after the death of Angelo Bruno and Phil Testa...
, then fighting the remnants of the Casella faction to maintain control of the Philadelphia family. When Accetturo heard of this, he ordered Taccetta to establish a new crew of the Lucchese crime family, under the control of Michael Taccetta and the New Jersey faction. Because of the bad relations between the two factions in Philadelphia's crime family, as well as both Taccetta and Accetturo taking advantage of the situation, the relationship between Philadelphia and the Five Families
Five Families
The Five Families are the five original Italian-American Mafia crime families which have dominated organized crime in America since 1931. The Five Families in New York remain as the powerhouse of the Italian Mafia in the United States.-History:...
eventually turned even worse.
Excluded from New Jersey
In 1983, the State of New Jersey put together an exclusion order on Michael Taccetta, as he was recognized as a high-ranking member of the Northern Jersey organized crimeOrganized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
organization. On January 6, 1984, Taccetta was excluded from New Jersey, stemming from his prior convictions in the 1970s. Despite his exclusion, Taccetta kept operating in the North Jersey area. His brother Martin Taccetta would then step up and serve as acting boss on behalf of Taccetta in the mid 1980s.
Longest trial in U.S.
In 1986, as prosecutions which resulted in the Mafia Commission TrialMafia Commission Trial
The Mafia Commission Trial was a criminal trial in New York City, USA. Using evidence obtained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, eleven organized crime figures, including the heads of New York's so-called "Five Families," were indicted by United States Attorney Rudolph Giuliani under the...
were set up in New York, where Anthony Corallo and the entire administration of the Lucchese crime family were brought on trial, Taccetta and Accetturo would be arrested during that same year, along with 18 other top mobsters of the Northern New Jersey faction of the family. The indictment was the result of a four-year investigation, provided by the law enforcement of New Jersey. The charges were 76 counts of labor racketeering, illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, drug trafficking, money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
, conspiracy and murder for hire. The longest trial ever in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, it went for more than 21 months, as it has been placed in the Guinness Book of Records. Stunningly, all 20 defendants were found "not guilty" on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization...
predicates, but as the trial was over due, rivalry was being developed in what was called the Jersey Crew
The Jersey Crew
The Jersey Crew is a powerful faction of the Lucchese crime family, that operates and controls illegal activities like drug trafficking, labor racketeering, loansharking, extortion, illegal gambling, money laundering, and murder, in the Northern New Jersey area....
.
Accetturo rivalry
During the trial, both Taccetta and Accetturo agreed that it wasn't the right time for a war, however, in 1988, it became clear that Taccetta had claimed war on Accetturo, as the North Jersey crew broke up into two factions. One of the main reasons were that Accetturo had promoted his son, Anthony Accetturo, Jr. to reorganize the Jersey crew upon his retirement, which was something Taccetta had been eager to take over since the early 1980s. When the trial ended in acquittals for the defendants on all charges, Accetturo returned to Florida for his own safety.Whack North Jersey
After the conviction of Anthony Corallo in 1986, and his protégé Anthony "Buddy" Luongo being found murdered, Brooklyn, New York faction leaders Vittorio "Vic" AmusoVictor Amuso
Vittorio "Little Vic" Amuso is a New York mobster and, as of 2011, the reputed Boss of the Lucchese crime family. Amuso is currently serving life at the Federal Correctional Complex in Beaumont, Texas on murder and racketeering charges....
and Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso
Anthony Casso
Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso is a former New York City mobster who served as underboss and acting boss of the Lucchese crime family until he was arrested in 1993, becoming a cooperating witness for the Federal Government...
chose themselves as the new bosses of the Lucchese crime family. Underboss Casso was allowed wide control by his friend Amuso and became paranoid, murdering several mobsters he feared were disloyal in a bloody purge. Amuso hadn't been satisfied with their profit from the New Jersey faction in the late 1980s, as he demanded 50% of both Taccetta and Accetturo's profit, where they both refused. Vic Amuso and Anthony Casso, a man of great fear and reportedly with dozens of murders on his hands, announced his order, which led "Whack Jersey". Summoned to a meeting in Brooklyn with Amuso, the entire North Jersey faction, who were fearful of being massacred, went into hiding. Over the next 12 months, most of the New Jersey crew members came back to the family. Victor Amuso told the returned crew members that Accetturo needed to be disposed off. Reportedly, Taccetta is to have sent messages to Amuso in Brooklyn, asking a contract to be placed on Accetturo's life. Amuso is reportedly to have agreed, as Taccetta was now under the wings of Victor Amuso.
Weakening New Jersey
With Accetturo out of the way, Michael and Martin Taccetta were reportedly the leaders of the New Jersey faction, as Taccetta started cooperating with the head of the Gambino crime familyGambino 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...
, John Gotti
John Gotti
John Joseph Gotti, Jr was an American mobster who became the Boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City. Gotti grew up in poverty. He and his brothers turned to a life of crime at an early age...
, through Gambino caporegime, Thomas "Tommy" Gambino
Thomas Gambino
Thomas "Tommy" Gambino is a New York mobster and a longtime Caporegime of the Gambino crime family who successfully controlled lucrative trucking rackets in the New York City Garment District.-Early life:...
. During the last years of the 1980s, Taccetta's faction was much weakened due to increased law enforcement and bad relations to Victor Amuso. The new administration was accordingly to NewJersey.Com, Michael Taccetta as the Boss of faction, Michael Perna as the 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...
and Martin Taccetta as the official 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...
. Reportedly, it was around this time that law enforcement started seeing the NJ faction of the Lucchese crime family as its own family.
Trial and imprisonment
In the early 1990s, the entire New Jersey faction's administration was put on trial, including the elder Anthony Accetturo, who had been imprisoned due to the contract both Taccetta and Amuso had put on his life in the late 1980s. As it couldn't be any worse, the two of them began another internal war against each other. Michael and Martin Taccetta were given 25 years for racketeering, narcotics, extortion, loansharking, conspiracy and murder in 1993. Taccetta reportedly went on to control The Jersey CrewThe Jersey Crew
The Jersey Crew is a powerful faction of the Lucchese crime family, that operates and controls illegal activities like drug trafficking, labor racketeering, loansharking, extortion, illegal gambling, money laundering, and murder, in the Northern New Jersey area....
, as he was doing his sentence in Atlanta.
Currently imprisoned
Although his years as leader of the Lucchese crime family's New Jersey faction, Taccetta managed to develop several internal wars, both with Accetturo and later Thomas Ricciardi, who also turned state's evidence to convict Taccetta. His brother Martin, though sentenced to life, was let out of prison in 2005 after his appeal showed that he was framed in his murder trial. Marty is back out on the streets of New Jersey as a made man of the New Jersey Lucchese crew under Ralph Perna. As of September 2010, Michael Taccetta, at age 61, is imprisoned in New Jersey's South Woods State PrisonSouth Woods State Prison
South Woods State Prison is a state prison located in Bridgeton, New Jersey for male offenders. It is operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.-History:...
. His projected release date is May 18, 2015.
External links
- NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement Exclusion list
- La Cosa Nostra – State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation 1989 Report The Lucchese/Corallo/Amuso Family
- http://www.1010wins.com/Paramount-VP-Heard-on-Wiretap-in-Mafia-Case/1369690
- Mafia Wiseguys: The Mob that took on the Feds by Robert Rudolph