Peter Chiodo
Encyclopedia
Peter "Big Pete" Chiodo was a capo
in the Lucchese crime family
who later became a government witness. He is the nephew of Lucchese mobster Frank Signorino.
in the Lucchese family in a ceremony held in an apartment over a funeral home
in Queens
. In 1989, Chico became a capo in charge of funneling payoffs from Local 580 of the Ironworkers' Union to the Lucchese leadership.
(NYCHA). Worried that construction union leader John Morrissey might testify in this case for the prosecution, family leaders ordered Chiodo to lure Morrissey to New Jersey, where he was murdered.
In 1991, Chiodo was charged with violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
(RICO) in the Windows case. Faced with a solid government case, Chiodo decided to plea guilty in return for a lighter sentence. However, Chiodo's plea angered Lucchese official boss Vittorio "Vic" Amuso
and official underboss Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso
, both in hiding from the law. Convinced that Chiodo was going to betray them Amuso and Casso ordered Alphonse 'Little Al' D'Arco, the acting boss, to kill Chiodo. D'Arco and Chiodo had been good friends for years, but D'Arco had no choice but to follow the bosses' command.
where he was working on a car. Chiodo received 12 bullet wounds in the arms, legs, and torso, but survived the attack. Doctors credited Chiodo's 500 pound (227 kg.) weight for saving his life. Following the unsuccessful assassination attempt, Lucchese mobsters delivered a blunt threat to Chiodo lawyer that they would kill Chiodo's wife if he testified. According to Chiodo, he decided to become a government witness to protect his family. The government quickly brought Chiodo's immediate family into the federal Witness Protection Program.
With the failure of his gunmen to murder Chiodo, D'Arco soon became afraid of the wrath of his bosses. After a 1991 meeting during which he feared being murdered, D'Arco went into hiding and soon became a government witness himself.
Chiodo's remaining family in Brooklyn
soon suffered retaliation from the Luccheses. On March 10, 1992, Lucchese associate Michael Spinelli shot Patricia Capozallo, Chiodo's sister, while she was driving in Bensonhurst. Capozallo suffered wounds to the arm, back and neck but survived. On February 2, 1993, the body of Frank Signorino, Chiodo's uncle, was found in the trunk of a car in East New York. The body displayed several gunshot wounds to the head.
Chiodo provided valuable evidence that helped convict both Amuso and Casso as well as many other gangsters. While testifying in different cities, the government had to fly Chido in a special plane due to his morbid obesity. In July 1997, Chido testified against Genovese crime family
boss Vincent Gigante
in another Windows-related racketeering trial.
On September 11, 2007, Chiodo was sentenced to 17 years in prison on racketeering charges. However, due to his testimony, Chiodo was to serve no time in prison. Chiodo is currently in the Witness Protection Program.
Caporegime
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...
in the Lucchese crime family
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 later became a government witness. He is the nephew of Lucchese mobster Frank Signorino.
Background
In 1987, Chiodo became a made manMade 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 family in a ceremony held in an apartment over a funeral home
Funeral home
A funeral home, funeral parlor or mortuary, is a business that provides burial and funeral services for the deceased and their families. These services may include aprepared wake and funeral, and the provision of a chapel for the funeral....
in Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
. In 1989, Chico became a capo in charge of funneling payoffs from Local 580 of the Ironworkers' Union to the Lucchese leadership.
Windows Case
In 1989, the Lucchese family began worrying about indictments from the Windows case. The Luccheses and three other New York families had participated in a window replacement scheme that stole millions of dollars from the New York City Housing AuthorityNew York City Housing Authority
The New York City Housing Authority provides public housing for low- and moderate-income residents throughout the five boroughs of New York City. NYCHA also administers a citywide Section 8 Leased Housing Program in rental apartments...
(NYCHA). Worried that construction union leader John Morrissey might testify in this case for the prosecution, family leaders ordered Chiodo to lure Morrissey to New Jersey, where he was murdered.
In 1991, Chiodo was charged with violations of 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...
(RICO) in the Windows case. Faced with a solid government case, Chiodo decided to plea guilty in return for a lighter sentence. However, Chiodo's plea angered Lucchese official boss Vittorio "Vic" Amuso
Victor 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 official underboss 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...
, both in hiding from the law. Convinced that Chiodo was going to betray them Amuso and Casso ordered Alphonse 'Little Al' D'Arco, the acting boss, to kill Chiodo. D'Arco and Chiodo had been good friends for years, but D'Arco had no choice but to follow the bosses' command.
Assassination attempt
On May 8, 1991 two shooters ambushed Chiodo at a gas station in Staten IslandStaten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
where he was working on a car. Chiodo received 12 bullet wounds in the arms, legs, and torso, but survived the attack. Doctors credited Chiodo's 500 pound (227 kg.) weight for saving his life. Following the unsuccessful assassination attempt, Lucchese mobsters delivered a blunt threat to Chiodo lawyer that they would kill Chiodo's wife if he testified. According to Chiodo, he decided to become a government witness to protect his family. The government quickly brought Chiodo's immediate family into the federal Witness Protection Program.
With the failure of his gunmen to murder Chiodo, D'Arco soon became afraid of the wrath of his bosses. After a 1991 meeting during which he feared being murdered, D'Arco went into hiding and soon became a government witness himself.
Government witness
In September 1991, using a wheelchair due to his wounds, Chiodo testified in the Windows trial. Chiodo stated that he had undergone a "transformation" from a violent criminal to a man with a conscience. When asked what prompted this transformation, Chiodo replied "I was shot 12 times,".Chiodo's remaining family in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
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...
soon suffered retaliation from the Luccheses. On March 10, 1992, Lucchese associate Michael Spinelli shot Patricia Capozallo, Chiodo's sister, while she was driving in Bensonhurst. Capozallo suffered wounds to the arm, back and neck but survived. On February 2, 1993, the body of Frank Signorino, Chiodo's uncle, was found in the trunk of a car in East New York. The body displayed several gunshot wounds to the head.
Chiodo provided valuable evidence that helped convict both Amuso and Casso as well as many other gangsters. While testifying in different cities, the government had to fly Chido in a special plane due to his morbid obesity. In July 1997, Chido testified against Genovese crime family
Genovese crime family
The Genovese 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 Genovese crime family has been nicknamed the "Ivy League" and "Rolls Royce" of organized crime...
boss Vincent Gigante
Vincent Gigante
Vincent Gigante was a short lived professional light heavyweight boxer who was known as "The Chin" Gigante. He fought 25 matches and lost four, boxing 121 rounds. On February 19, 1945, he fought Pete Petrello in Madison Square Garden and won by a knock out in the second round. During his successful...
in another Windows-related racketeering trial.
On September 11, 2007, Chiodo was sentenced to 17 years in prison on racketeering charges. However, due to his testimony, Chiodo was to serve no time in prison. Chiodo is currently in the Witness Protection Program.