In February 2016, many of Trafficante's personal belongings were sold at an auction in St. Petersburg, Florida. "But then you get into alias this and alias that and when they get you in court, you probably just create more problems," he says. His sons, Dino and Joseph, run it for him, though he worries that sometimes they don't work hard. His son, Santo Trafficante Jr., took over the crime family and became tangled in a web of conspiracies to kill the leader of revolutionary Cuba and, it is rumored, President John F. Kennedy. The report was given to the District Attorney's office. Trafficante weathered the violence of Floridas Mob wars and the various conspiracy theories, the Cuban Revolution and the loss of his offshore casinos, as well as intense law enforcement scrutiny, without ever spending time in prison. Chris and I will never forget Santo's presence at Leia's welcome home party. In the mid-2000s, he would say he was a legitimate businessman, citing, Tony "Joe Batters" Accardo - De Facto Boss of the Chicago Outfit, Giacomo Black Jack Tocco - Last of the Old School Detroit Partnership, Joseph Iacobacci - "Joe Loose" of the Cleveland Mob, John "Sonny" Franzese - A Colombo Family Legend. After the Kennedy hubbub, Trafficante kept a low profile or, lower that is. Santo Trafficante Jr. had long followed in his father's footsteps, and proved to be an even more effective Mafia kingpin. He maintained all of the lucrative casinos in Cuba, further cemented ties with powerful Mafia families he had established as a young man in New York, and ruthlessly put down any attempts to usurp his territory or power. Santos Trafficante Jr. was the son of Santos Trafficante Sr., who owned several casinos in Havana. . Our thoughts and prayers with you. The Trafficante Family Under Santo Junior . More importantly, Castro imprisoned Trafficante and then had him exiled from Cuba. He has been featured on the History Channel, A&E, Discovery Channel, AHC, Oxygen Network and many local and national news shows. Trafficante was a ruthless mob boss, and quickly consolidated control over the criminal networks in Tampa. He walked outside and got into a 1951 Mercury sedan driven by one of his associates. They used to be my greatest friend," Trafficante says. 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. Published: March 15th, 2017 - By Scott M. Deitche, Contributing Writer, Florida Mafia boss Santo Trafficante Jr. died 30 years ago March 17, El Chapos lawyers complain about strict rules at New York prison. [9][10] The CIA and the Mafia had a common enemy in Castro, a communist revolutionary who had shut down Cuba's lucrative casino businesses. Verify and try again. Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. Fla. (AP), Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52792202/frank-cacciatore-trafficante, L'Unione Italiana Cemetery, Ybor City, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Trafficante_Jr, Death of Santo Trafficante, Jr at Houston, TX. "When my uncle visited it was like a family reunion. 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.. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. He owned and operated some of the most lavish casinos in pre-Castro Cuba. Indeed, a wiretapped conversation picked up a Key Bank official calling Trafficante a "sacred cow," with loans in excess of a million dollars. But before Trafficante testified, someone conveniently killed Roselli. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. 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. Maheu hid the fact that he was sent by the CIA, instead portraying himself an advocate for international corporations. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. With over 30 years experience in the field of Mechanics, I will work with you on a personal basis, I will discuss with you your specific needs pertaining to your motorcycle. "When I woke up, they told me they raided Key Bank. Trafficante again escaped conviction. 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. In this episode, we will discuss the fascinating life of Tampa's most powerful mobster: Santo Trafficante Jr. He even sent his son, Santo Trafficante Junior, to New York, to gain a better understanding of how the mafia operated there. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. I laughed _ until I realized it was a total f------ disaster," Trafficante says. Another bank sued Trafficante and his wife in October for repayment of a $100,000 promissory note. After Cuban revolution, the Mafia saw Castro as a threat to their business. Try again. [3] His wife, Josephine, died in 2015 at the age of 95; he is survived by two of his daughters. On Oct. 26, 1937, Frank Trafficante named his first son after his own father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. [4] All were fined, up to $10,000 each, and given prison sentences ranging from three to five years. Claiming association with the CIA, Roselli knew of Trafficantes vendetta and told his new pal that the U.S. government also wanted to take down Castros Communist regime. Oops, we were unable to send the email. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Read free previews and reviews from booklovers. "I was going to ask him to come over and try our beignets to see how they compare to the Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans," Alessi says. Santo Trafficante then categorically denied every allegation about stating he wanted RFK or JFK dead and got off scot-free. 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. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. He drove a forklift for 20 years. The first case stemmed from the FBIs well-known Donnie Brasco undercover sting operation. They lived in modest, ranch-style houses in quiet neighborhoods in Tampa and Miami. Send your deepest condolences with fresh flowers. The authorities continued to charge him with participating in illegal activities, but the aging mob boss escaped conviction each time. He attended a notorious convention of Mafia bosses held in the upstate New York town of Apalachin on November 14, 1957. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. [21], Trafficante was summoned to court in 1986 and questioned about his involvement with the King's Court Bottle Club operated by members of the Bonanno crime family, including undercover FBI agent Joseph D. "Joe" Pistone, a.k.a. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. So, at his attorney Ralph Fernandez's urging, he has agreed to talk publicly, hoping to shore up his damaged reputation. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? The other case was a RICO indictment for insurance fraud. The idea behind the assassination wasnt just to punish JFK but also to get his brother off the Mobs back. Email blog@themobmuseum.org. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. A native and lifelong resident of Tampa, Mr. Traffi-cante is survived by his loving family, wife, Geraldine "Gerry" L. Trafficante; sons, Dino Jose and Joseph Frank Trafficante; daughters,. Search results for "Images of America" at Rakuten Kobo. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987 ). Share Santo's life story with friends and family. Santo Jr. was indicted several times through the 1950s but was convicted only once, on state charges in 1954 for bribery, and that conviction was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court. "I don't go to the bank and make all these billion-dollar deposits," he says. Husband of Private In fact, Florida had the dubious distinction of being home to a decades-old Mafia criminal network: the Trafficante Family. As Jimmy Hoffas former lawyer Frank Ragano would later recall, Jimmy told me to tell [New Orleans boss Carlos] Marcello and Trafficante they had to kill the president. There are few indicators that the family is still an active crime network. That arrest also led Cuban authorities to become warier of the mobster, especially as the political tides seemed to be turning there. [14] When this was pointed out, Aleman denied that he meant that he believed Kennedy was going to murdered and said he thought that Trafficante meant that Kennedy was going to be "hit" politically during the next election. Harris & Ewing/Library of Commons/Wikimedia Commons. Trafficante scrambled out the passenger-side door. Late in life LoScalzo denied any connections to organized crime. [13], On January 14, 1992, Trafficante's former attorney, Frank Ragano, told Jack Newfield of the New York Post that he relayed a request from Hoffa to Trafficante and New Orleans boss Carlos Marcello to have Kennedy killed. More troubling for Trafficante was a court document that listed him for the first time as "a member of the Trafficante crime family.". During the rule of Cuba's authoritarian dictator Fulgencio Batista, Trafficante openly operated the Sans Souci Cabaret and the Casino International gambling establishments in Havana. Trafficantes chance came in the 1960s when he became acquainted with mobster John Handsome Johnny Roselli. Santo Trafficante Jr. had long followed in his fathers footsteps, and proved to be an even more effective Mafia kingpin. During a recent trip to Lake Tahoe he bought two basketballs autographed by Michael Jordan. Undercover detectives ran a gambling sting operation there, hoping to nab a circle of Tampa men they said were making illegal sports bets. THE CHARLIE WALL STORY Kingpin Charlie Wall (center holding bottle, right of child) and his notorious gang. She lived an exciting life dividing her time between her multiple family members and friends in Tampa, Miami and Havana. Weve updated the security on the site. TRAFFICANTE, Santo Jose, 72, of Tampa, passed away July 13, 2010, To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our, All my Love to the family Michael R. Tartaro. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. A car registered to former state attorney and current state appellate judge E.J. He wears tasselled leather loafers without socks. Make sure that the file is a photo. The "Family Jewels" confirmed that in September 1960, the CIA recruited ex-FBI agent Robert Maheu to approach the West Coast representative of the Chicago mob, Johnny Roselli. He dropped out of high school before the 10th grade. 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. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Consequently, while generally recognized as the most powerful organized crime figure in Florida throughout much of the 20th century, Trafficante was not believed to have total control over Miami, Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, or Palm Beach. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. [1] In 1997, further declassified documents indicated that some mafiosi worked with the agency on assassination attempts against Castro. The wiretap evidence has been thrown out of court. A year has passed. When the CIA decided to recruit the Mob in their efforts to assassinate Fidel Castro, they went to see Trafficante. 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. He dressed nicely but not ostentatiously, and his choice of cars was never flashy. 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. In January 1963, he married Geraldine Valenti, the daughter. He died of natural causes, at the age of 72, in Houston, Texas. He had a big heart and will be missed. According to the account of Judith Exner, however, one of JFKs many mistresses, it was she who introduced Kennedy to Chicago boss Giancana. Meet Santo Trafficante: The Silent Don Who Tried To Kill Fidel Castro And May Have Ordered JFKs Assassination. This browser does not support getting your location. After this look at Santo Trafficante Jr., read the gruesome story of the murderous American dentist, Benjamin Salomon, of World War II. She was a wonderful cook, and she loved to crochet and travel with her husband, but she lived her life for her family. Learn more about merges. Santo Trafficante Jr Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. Learn more about managing a memorial . Trafficante was apprehended in November 1957, along with over 60 other mobsters, at the Apalachin meeting in Apalachin, New York. In Trafficante's food chain, reporters rank only marginally higher than prosecutors and bank regulators, whom he likes to refer to as "rat bastards.". Santo met and married Maria Giuseppe Cacciatore on April 20, 1909. ", Christopher Sabella elected as Hillsborough Countys next chief judge, Tampa man arrested in death of person found in apartment with unharmed infant, deputies say, Suspect in Hillsborough slaying of woman IDd, man known as Ya Dig, deputies say, After nearly a century of fixing Tampas flat tires, downtown Firestone closes, Under investigation, HART CEO proposes settlement, payout and exit, Dead body found in Hillsborough apartment with unharmed infant, deputies say, NAACP wants reparations for Tampas Black cemeteries that governments stole, Latin Kings gang leaders among 21 arrested in Hillsborough drug operation, sheriff says, Estimated 630,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Hillsborough River, records show, Tampa man who was first to face trial for Florida voter fraud in 2020 election gets probation. James Anthony Traficant Jr. (May 8, 1941 - September 27, 2014) was an American politician who served as a Democrat, and later independent, member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio.He represented the 17th Congressional District, which centered on his hometown of Youngstown and included parts of three counties in northeast Ohio's Mahoning Valley. In 1950, the aging Trafficante Sr. began to slow down. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Mrs. Gerry, Gina, Dino, Joe and Marisa - they broke the mold with Traff. Following his death, Mobster Vincent LoScalvo took over the Trafficante familys criminal network in Florida. So, as the popular theory goes, the mob bosses that lent a helping hand in getting Kennedy into office wanted revenge. GREAT NEWS! Associates: Sam Giancana, Charlie Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Cuba, Fidel Castro, Johnny Rosselli, Robert Maheu. 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. Love and peace to you all. The mafiosos that made up the family are either retired, in prison, or have died due to old age. Mob Lawyer Frank Ragano Says He Knows Who Killed JFK", "Book alleges plot to kill JFK in Tampa, cover-up", "At Santo Trafficante auction, a chance to buy a piece of Tampa's mob history", Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, Associated Press report on Trafficante's death, "Little Man: Meyer Lansky and the Gangster Life" By Robert Lacy, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Santo_Trafficante_Jr.&oldid=1140940042, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 15:02. A A. All Rights Reserved. In October 1966, while waiting in a Queens courthouse for his turn to be questioned by a grand jury about the infamous LaStella meeting (later dubbed "Little Apalachin") held a couple of weeks earlier on September 22, Santo Trafficante Jr., who was the boss of the Tampa Bay Crime Family, overheard reporters talking about someone . While he had several close calls with law enforcement including the famed FBI, Late in life LoScalzo denied any connections to organized crime. In 1975, the CIA declassified a report stating that Trafficante had been persuaded to poison Castro, an allegation he denied. Today, Santo Trafficantes criminal legacy lives on through his nephew and namesake, Santo Trafficante III, who was charged with organized fraud in 1992. love gloria "owens" hill. F. Kennedy not only failed to deliver on his promise to the mob but also actually put the Mafia under increasing pressure. You've got to be a fool to marry wrong," he says. Santo Trafficante Jr. continued to develop his interests in Cuba serving as Luciano and Lanskys local liaison. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. But considering the fiercely anti-Soviet atmosphere of the Cold War, its not that hard to believe. Josephine Marchese Trafficante Trafficante's appetite and his legal woes seem linked like the strands of a cruller. One of the last surviving mobsters from the Luciano era, he died of heart disease in a Houston, Texas, hospital in 1987. [7], In January 1958, Trafficante was questioned by the Cuban police regarding the Apalachin meeting. In 1946, Santo Sr. sent his son, already a family underboss, to Cuba to invest in the growing number of nightclubs and casinos in the island nation. 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. But he was also the most powerful crime boss in pre-Castro Cuba, with influence that extended into Florida and the rest of the United States. Trafficante took control of the Tampa mob in 1954 after the death of his father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Nicknames: The Silent Don The mobsters also attempted to get Castro into a poisoned wetsuit and even offered to blow him up with an exploding seashell. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Josephine Marchese Trafficante, 95, died peacefully in her sleep, Wednesday morning at her home. Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. After a violent mob war left several of Trafficantes rivals dead or weakened, his gang rapidly rose to prominence in Tampa. Santo Trafficante Jr. had long followed in his fathers footsteps, and proved to be an even more effective Mafia kingpin. The chairman cited a confession from Roselli that Trafficantes allies organized a sharpshooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, to take out the President. The people of Tampa, especially the ones still around to remember those days still feel a duty of sorts to keep quite of these things, as if these people are still amongst us and can hear our chatter. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Trafficante proceeded to open casinos in Cuba at his fathers behest and facilitated heroin smuggling by working together with famous mobsters Charles Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky. She was a native of Tampa, a second-generation Sicilian immigrant who grew up in Ybor city. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Santo Trafficante (53540265)? Afterwards, the son he had groomed to take his place, Santo Trafficante Jr., took the reins of the Trafficante crime family. Finally, in 1987, Trafficante died at the age of 72. 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. Don Santo Trafficante Jr was one of the last of the old-time American Mafia bosses in the United States. Hey, they have more convicts at the track than straight people," Trafficante says. "Sam Gold" was Sam Giancana; "Joe" was Trafficante.