wills o' nats last of the summer wine. The Internal Revenue Service tried to collect $400,000 in back taxes owed on the business, saying it had not been run as business eligible for tax write-offs, but a hobby. Hoffa said to me, This has to be done.'. Authorities also said he urged former bank vice president Michael Pupello to impersonate him in calls to federal bank regulators. Trafficantes father was the lucky survivor of what was called the Era of Blood, when rival gangs based in Tampa fought for control of Prohibition-era nightclubs and, crucially, the local numbers rackets called bolitas. Battling Mob rivals in South Florida essentially weakened each other financially and, through murder, the number of available soldiers. [14] He stated that he was concerned for his safety and was not certain that he had ever correctly heard or understood Trafficante's comment. "When I woke up, they told me they raided Key Bank. Love, Jimmy Schaffer. Undercover detectives ran a gambling sting operation there, hoping to nab a circle of Tampa men they said were making illegal sports bets. Finally, after the infamous failed Bay of Pigs Invasion, the CIA gave up on their attempts to kill the Cuban dictator and thus Trafficantes attempts at revenge never materialized. Honorary Pallbearers are Joe Castellana, Malio Iavarone, FrankCookie Fava, Antonino Marchese, Derek Iavarone, Frank Albano, Drew Smith, Joey Hunt, Michael Sierra, Tony Marchese, Peter Albano, Mario Pullara, Frank Miranda, Dino Trafficante, and Joseph Trafficante. He will be sorely missed and his heart of gold will be remembered by all who new him. Santo Trafficante then categorically denied every allegation about stating he wanted RFK or JFK dead and got off scot-free. He worked to expand the crime familys business holding and territory he was particularly interested in Cuba as a location for gambling, hotels and night clubs and worked to cement good ties with his fellow mobsters in New York City. Passing before her were her parents Antonino and Sarafina Marchese; her beloved husband Santo Trafficante Jr.; her son-in-laws Augie Paniello and Richard Valdes; and her brothers, Bennie Marchese, Tommy Marchese, and Peter Marchese. "He's very creative in terms of the combination of things he eats," Alessi says. He was accused of making false financial statements for loans he used to invest in his citrus business, to purchase luxury cars and to buy a beach condo. REPUTED FLORIDA GODFATHER TRAFFICANTE, 72, DIES - Sun Sentinel Santo Jr.'s daughters still owns 3610, where Santo spent time when he wasn't in Tampa or Miami. Born Tampa, Florida March 24, 1920 I have thought of you and Santo many times over the past 50 years. Zeng8r/Wikimedia Common A set of bolita balls. He was known as an organized crimes figure. He died on March 17, 1987. The mobster would later testify: I got news that Cuban officials were looking for to put me in jail because one of the things was that I was a Batista collaborator. President John. In 1965, Giancana was convicted of contempt of court, serving one year in prison. Born in Tampa, Florida to Sicilian parents Mafia don Santo Trafficante, Sr. and his wife Maria Giuseppa Cacciatore. Wife : Josephine MARCHESE (Santo TRAFFICANTE Jr. married Josephine in Tampa, Florida on April 17, 1938). However, by the late 1920s, facing little pressure, Sicilian gangsters began setting up lucrative gambling and narcotics rackets. When you think of Florida and organized crime, it is difficult to avoid conjuring up images of Tony Montana in Scarface, or the heyday of Miami Vice. [13] During his testimony, Trafficante also admitted for the first time that he had worked with the CIA from 1960 to 1961 for an attempt to poison Castro but stated that his role was only as an interpreter between CIA officials and Cuban exiles. The idea behind the assassination wasnt just to punish JFK but also to get his brother off the Mobs back. When you think of Florida and organized crime, it is difficult to avoid conjuring up images of Tony Montana in. Santo Trafficante Jr. was a reserved, modest man married to the same woman for 49 years. The international narcotics trade was also an important topic on the Apalachin agenda. You'll learn about bolita, the rumored tunnels of Ybor, and the Era of Blood.Join us for this one-of-a-kind walking tour of Tampa's most storied neighborhood. She misses him, but she's making do. "Sam Gold" was Sam Giancana; "Joe" was Trafficante. The first case stemmed from the FBIs well-known Donnie Brasco undercover sting operation. After his father died in 1954, he became the head in Tampa and took over his fathers interests in Cuba. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Year should not be greater than current year. He sought treatment for stomach cancer and was ready to hand power over to a trusted lieutenant. Santo met and married Maria Giuseppe Cacciatore on April 20, 1909. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. More importantly, Castro imprisoned Trafficante and then had him exiled from Cuba. Interestingly, Trafficante who was worth about $25 billion at his height in the 80s lived a fairly reserved, modest lifestyle. TAMPA CRIME BOSS SANTO TRAFFICANTE JR PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE IN THRILLER MAFIA SPIES. The authorities continued to charge him with participating in illegal activities, but the aging mob boss escaped conviction each time. In the mid-2000s, he would say he was a legitimate businessman, citing his ownership of a car dealership, and employment at various restaurants and night clubs over the years. All the while, he lives in a palatial lakeside compound in rural northwest Hillsborough. In his previous statements, Roselli also tied Lee Harvey Oswalds killer, Jack Ruby, to Santo Trafficante. There is a problem with your email/password. It was all on the up and up. And as for the rest of the Trafficante Crime family? Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Then, check out these photos of the aftermath from some of the bloodiest mob hits. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Gerry and your family. Reputed 'boss of bosses' dies at 72 TAMPA, Fla, "' Trafficante dies at age 72 TAMPA. Trafficante Sr. hung back and developed relationships with politicians and his Mob colleagues in New York and Chicago. "There's no such thing as organized crime in Hillsborough County," Trafficante says, clapping his hands for emphasis. Many fond memories of Santo will continue with me. In addition, "on January 23, 1958 the Cuban Department of Investigation, Havana, Cuba notified the Bureau of Narcotics that Santo Trafficante was registered in their Alien Office under No. When the CIA decided to recruit the Mob in their efforts to assassinate Fidel Castro, they went to see Trafficante. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Trafficante_Jr. The IRS was unsuccessful, according to Fernandez, Trafficante's attorney. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. The Shore Acres home is 2,350-square-feet with 10 rooms that Capone reputedly built in 1925 for his mother. Indeed, some people would rather not dwell on the less-than-noble aspects of our local history. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. [15][16] He stated he was chosen by Hoffa because, as both Hoffa and Trafficante's lawyer, he could be assured of attorneyclient privilege. Other Mafia leaders, as well as newer organized crime networks, took over many of the rackets the family ran throughout the 20th Century. Santo Trafficante Jr. - Wikipedia Trafficante admitted his anti-Castro activities to the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations in 1978, and vehemently denied allegations that he had knowledge of a plot to assassinate President John F. Kennedy. Santos ran numerous legitimate businesses as well as illegal, including several legal casinos in Cuba, a Havana drive-in movie theater, and shares in restaurants and bars in Tampa. "[12], In 1978, both Trafficante and Aleman were called to testify before members of the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations investigating possible links between Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald and anti-Castro Cubans, including the theory that Castro had Kennedy killed in retaliation for the CIA's attempts on his own life. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. In January 1963, he married Geraldine Valenti, the daughter. Until last year, the younger Trafficante had never been accused of anything more dramatic than bookmaking, a charge that a judge dismissed. Scott M. Deitche is the author of six books on organized crime, including a biography of Santo Trafficante Jr., and has written dozens of articles on organized crime for magazines and newspapers. Geni requires JavaScript! He buys Jaguars for his two sons, hobnobs with sports stars on resort golf courses and occasionally flies to Miami for lunch at a favorite restaurant, the Rascal House. "I thought all this would end when my uncle died. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. While the senior Trafficante had been a major mobster in his own right, nobody could have expected the heights that were going to be reached by his son. [13] On September 27, 1978, Aleman reiterated to HSCA investigators that Trafficante had complained to him for hours in June or July 1963 about Kennedy's crackdown on organized crime at a meeting to discuss a business loan. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. And the Trafficante Crime family found out that it had an unusual ally in their concerns about Castro: the Central, Trafficante Jr. controlled his Tampa-based crime network for over three decades. Robert F. Kennedy even taunted those mobsters he brought into court, telling Chicago mob boss Sam Giancana that I thought only little girls giggled, Mr. Giancana.. By Santo III's own estimation, this was a wise move. [7], In January 1958, Trafficante was questioned by the Cuban police regarding the Apalachin meeting. A few months later, two members of that group took the train to New York City to drum up support for a move against Santo. You have been in pain too long. Over the next 30-plus years, Trafficante, Jr. rose to oversee Mafia operations across the state of Florida. They lived in modest, ranch-style houses in quiet neighborhoods in Tampa and Miami. The guy really tried to do it right.". The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the public understanding of organized crime's history and impact on American society. Our thoughts and prayers with you. It wasn't somebody going into a back room to kiss somebody's ring. I laughed _ until I realized it was a total f------ disaster," Trafficante says. Daughters: Mary Josephine Sarah Ann Brothers: Frank, Salvatore (Sam), Epifanio and Enrico (Henry) Uncle: Joseph M. CACCIATORE (convicted narcotic trafficker) CRIMINAL HISTORY: Dr. Dennis Pupello was looking for heart disease, brought on by his overweight and diabetic patient's "voracious eating.". [1] Trafficante maintained several residences in New York City and Florida. He headed the . His uncle, the late Santo Trafficante Jr., was reputed to have been the boss of the local Mafia. But the news was not good on the Key Bank front. Santo Trafficante Jr Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. Desr Gerry, please know that I am thinking of you and never forget the kindness bestowed on me in my difficult time but especially the generosity and affection shown to my daughter and grandson. This is a carousel with slides. Harris & Ewing/Library of Commons/Wikimedia Commons. President John F. Kennedy, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Dennis Caruso/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Santo Trafficante Jr. continued to develop his interests in Cuba serving as Luciano and Lanskys local liaison. Santo told the state attorney, I dont have an enemy in the world. Failed to delete memorial. There was a problem getting your location. While the plot never came to fruition, Trafficante later testified that he did help the CIA recruit other mobsters for the surreal plot. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. In 1957 he was suspected of involvement in the barbershop slaying of Albert Anastasia, the . She touched all who knew her, and upon meeting her, she would embrace you, and you would instantly become part of the family. Those were some of the greatest memories growing up. Batista let Trafficante and other mobsters build as many casinos and hotels as they wanted in exchange for a cash kickback. The wiretap evidence has been thrown out of court. After the Kennedy hubbub, Trafficante kept a low profile or, lower that is. My prayers are with all of you. based on information from your browser. By this point, Trafficante Jr. had fully taken over the oversight of drugs shipped between Florida, Cuba, and the rest of the States. And despite relatively small time beginnings, Trafficante proved to be a shrewd mobster. Fifteen years following the assassination, Trafficante testified in front of the United States House Select Committee on the murder of JFK in exchange for immunity. Indeed, he owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreclosures to local banks, which he says treat him "like I had leprosy" because of Key Bank. And while cocaine-fueled Latin American criminal networks have been a serious problem in Florida for decades, the Trafficante familys illicit activities were quite infamous as well. prosecution, fled temporarily to Cuba. While shouldering the legacy of his father and. Home - Boxer Cycle Works Robert Anderson aka The Killer Between 50 and 100 buildings were burned. Failed to remove flower. The beachfront properties were the site of many parties and barbecues. It was also rumored that Santos was involved in a Mafia plot to kill President John F. Kennedy, though he denied there was any such conspiracy. The Trafficante Family - American Mafia History So, as the popular theory goes, the mob bosses that lent a helping hand in getting Kennedy into office wanted revenge. So, who was this so-called Silent Don who wielded enough power to allegedly kill the President? Please allow 24 hours for your entry to be reviewed for appropriate content. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Getty ImagesSanto Trafficante was wanted in 48 states by the time he was 43. Learn more about merges. U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, Florida, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1823-1982, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Sam Giancana - Wikipedia He owned a West Tampa restaurant called Cafe Sevilla. He headed the Trafficante crime family from 1954 to 1987 and controlled organized criminal operations in Florida and Cuba, which had previously been consolidated from several rival gangs by his father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Husband of Private His abiding passion is food. Donnie Brasco. As one of the most powerful mobsters in the US, Trafficante was invited to the Havana Conference in December 1946. He maintained close working ties with the Lucchese crime family and the Bonanno crime family from New York City. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. The investigators were looking for proof of drug-money laundering. [8] Allusions to these historic connections were confirmed by the CIA's 2007 declassification of the "Family Jewels" documents.