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lateshow

By lateshow
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elfenix

elfenix 34,223

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“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” the old cliche goes. But in Sicily, a new paper contends, lemons also made mafiosi.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/01/19/how-a-19th-century-lemon-craze-gave-rise-to-the-infamous-sicilian-mob/

still counterfeits olive oil and the mexican cartels were fucking up limes and avocados in the last few years

Edited by elfenix
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billfromlaketravis

billfromlaketravis 11,448

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51 minutes ago, LoneStarBiker said:

Sweet thread, enjoy reading this kind of stuff. Knew about the mafia in Dallas & Galveston, still want to read about how H town never took off but wondering if there was/is any mob ties to Austin?? Never really heard of anything like that here.

I believe there was some kind of Greek crew that ran Houston long ago.

I believe Texas, specifically Dallas, was a satellite city for the Marcello Family out of New Orleans. The Civellos from Dallas and the Maceo Brothers from Galveston reported up to Marcello. The Maceos were only active until 1950. 

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Chopper

Chopper 17,230

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This article went up today at New York magazine. Author said he's trying to turn it into a book.

How New York’s Bagel Union Fought — and Beat — a Mafia Takeover

The mob saw an opportunity. Local 338 had other ideas.

https://www.grubstreet.com/2020/01/bagel-mafia-wars-local-338-union.html

 

 

Edited by Chopper
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MaybeACoordinator

MaybeACoordinator 8,349

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7 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

I believe there was some kind of Greek crew that ran Houston long ago.

I believe Texas, specifically Dallas, was a satellite city for the Marcello Family out of New Orleans. The Civellos from Dallas and the Maceo Brothers from Galveston reported up to Marcello. The Maceos were only active until 1950. 

Correct. The Maceo's handed over their interests to their relatives the Fertittas when they ceased operations in Texas. They had seen the light and made the move to Vegas, as had another branch of the Fertitta family, the Beaumont bunch who went on to beat cousin Tilman to the casino punch and also own the UFC.

Speaking of Beaumont, my grandmother, who is almost 95, grew up there and claims Sicilians "ruined Beaumont." Specifically, mobsters. On good days she is still super-lucid. Next time I see her I'll try to get her to elaborate on that. She fired that little salvo of racism off to me about 30 years ago. As I recall she was watching some show about how the mob took over some town up north and it reminded her of similar doings in Beaumont.

Contrary to the impression created by the movie, the American mafia did not originate in New York. New Orleans has that honor, and a steady trickle of them migrated into east Texas cities from the 1880s on. As mentioned, Marcello was the overlord. Legend has it that Al Capone once tried to add Galveston to his portfolio, but the Maceo Brothers sent his messenger back to Chicago a bloody mess and with a message from Marcello to back off.

That Houston Greek mafia is real, but legit information about them is very hard to find. Supposedly the rise of the Pappas restaurant empire was abetted by mob-like tactics. Googling "Greek Mafia Houston" turns up some weird sites peddling wild theories -- one site has it that the Greek Mafia secretly controls the whole city entirely out of a hide-out in Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral -- but no real news. There is a book about them on Amazon but I haven't read it, nor has anyone else, based on the lack of reviews available. 

Never heard any stories out of Austin. I've heard some crazy Mexican organized crime stories first-hand from people in San Antonio, but never anything about Italians.

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billfromlaketravis

billfromlaketravis 11,448

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1 hour ago, MaybeACoordinator said:

Correct. The Maceo's handed over their interests to their relatives the Fertittas when they ceased operations in Texas. They had seen the light and made the move to Vegas, as had another branch of the Fertitta family, the Beaumont bunch who went on to beat cousin Tilman to the casino punch and also own the UFC.

Speaking of Beaumont, my grandmother, who is almost 95, grew up there and claims Sicilians "ruined Beaumont." Specifically, mobsters. On good days she is still super-lucid. Next time I see her I'll try to get her to elaborate on that. She fired that little salvo of racism off to me about 30 years ago. As I recall she was watching some show about how the mob took over some town up north and it reminded her of similar doings in Beaumont.

Contrary to the impression created by the movie, the American mafia did not originate in New York. New Orleans has that honor, and a steady trickle of them migrated into east Texas cities from the 1880s on. As mentioned, Marcello was the overlord. Legend has it that Al Capone once tried to add Galveston to his portfolio, but the Maceo Brothers sent his messenger back to Chicago a bloody mess and with a message from Marcello to back off.

That Houston Greek mafia is real, but legit information about them is very hard to find. Supposedly the rise of the Pappas restaurant empire was abetted by mob-like tactics. Googling "Greek Mafia Houston" turns up some weird sites peddling wild theories -- one site has it that the Greek Mafia secretly controls the whole city entirely out of a hide-out in Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral -- but no real news. There is a book about them on Amazon but I haven't read it, nor has anyone else, based on the lack of reviews available. 

Never heard any stories out of Austin. I've heard some crazy Mexican organized crime stories first-hand from people in San Antonio, but never anything about Italians.

What’s the name of the book? 

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Baboontyme

Baboontyme 2,809

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3 hours ago, MaybeACoordinator said:

Correct. The Maceo's handed over their interests to their relatives the Fertittas when they ceased operations in Texas. They had seen the light and made the move to Vegas, as had another branch of the Fertitta family, the Beaumont bunch who went on to beat cousin Tilman to the casino punch and also own the UFC.

Speaking of Beaumont, my grandmother, who is almost 95, grew up there and claims Sicilians "ruined Beaumont." Specifically, mobsters. On good days she is still super-lucid. Next time I see her I'll try to get her to elaborate on that. She fired that little salvo of racism off to me about 30 years ago. As I recall she was watching some show about how the mob took over some town up north and it reminded her of similar doings in Beaumont.

Contrary to the impression created by the movie, the American mafia did not originate in New York. New Orleans has that honor, and a steady trickle of them migrated into east Texas cities from the 1880s on. As mentioned, Marcello was the overlord. Legend has it that Al Capone once tried to add Galveston to his portfolio, but the Maceo Brothers sent his messenger back to Chicago a bloody mess and with a message from Marcello to back off.

That Houston Greek mafia is real, but legit information about them is very hard to find. Supposedly the rise of the Pappas restaurant empire was abetted by mob-like tactics. Googling "Greek Mafia Houston" turns up some weird sites peddling wild theories -- one site has it that the Greek Mafia secretly controls the whole city entirely out of a hide-out in Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral -- but no real news. There is a book about them on Amazon but I haven't read it, nor has anyone else, based on the lack of reviews available. 

Never heard any stories out of Austin. I've heard some crazy Mexican organized crime stories first-hand from people in San Antonio, but never anything about Italians.

Reading about this right now. Someone in the Hoffa thread recommended the Fie Families book by Raab. Good read so far. Just starting it. 

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crash_davis

crash_davis 23,101

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16 hours ago, Chopper said:

This article went up today at New York magazine. Author said he's trying to turn it into a book.

How New York’s Bagel Union Fought — and Beat — a Mafia Takeover

The mob saw an opportunity. Local 338 had other ideas.

https://www.grubstreet.com/2020/01/bagel-mafia-wars-local-338-union.html

 

 

the mafia and unions, only the thinnest of lines separates the two.

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crash_davis

crash_davis 23,101

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9 hours ago, MaybeACoordinator said:

Correct. The Maceo's handed over their interests to their relatives the Fertittas when they ceased operations in Texas. They had seen the light and made the move to Vegas, as had another branch of the Fertitta family, the Beaumont bunch who went on to beat cousin Tilman to the casino punch and also own the UFC.

Speaking of Beaumont, my grandmother, who is almost 95, grew up there and claims Sicilians "ruined Beaumont." Specifically, mobsters. On good days she is still super-lucid. Next time I see her I'll try to get her to elaborate on that. She fired that little salvo of racism off to me about 30 years ago. As I recall she was watching some show about how the mob took over some town up north and it reminded her of similar doings in Beaumont.

Contrary to the impression created by the movie, the American mafia did not originate in New York. New Orleans has that honor, and a steady trickle of them migrated into east Texas cities from the 1880s on. As mentioned, Marcello was the overlord. Legend has it that Al Capone once tried to add Galveston to his portfolio, but the Maceo Brothers sent his messenger back to Chicago a bloody mess and with a message from Marcello to back off.

That Houston Greek mafia is real, but legit information about them is very hard to find. Supposedly the rise of the Pappas restaurant empire was abetted by mob-like tactics. Googling "Greek Mafia Houston" turns up some weird sites peddling wild theories -- one site has it that the Greek Mafia secretly controls the whole city entirely out of a hide-out in Annunciation Orthodox Cathedral -- but no real news. There is a book about them on Amazon but I haven't read it, nor has anyone else, based on the lack of reviews available. 

Never heard any stories out of Austin. I've heard some crazy Mexican organized crime stories first-hand from people in San Antonio, but never anything about Italians.

I have a friend whose uncle in the 70s and 80s used to deal for the Greek Mafia in Houston. He ended up throwing huge parties and orgies with the drugs. They were trying to kill him until my friend's grandfather, the uncle's dad paid off his debt.

I have another friend who is cousins with the Galveston and Beaumont/Vegas Fertitas. Correction, the brothers sold the UFC for $4B. The parents told them not to buy the UFC. They went behind their parents back and bought it for $2M. They had a vision and plans for it. I'd say it worked out.

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MaybeACoordinator

MaybeACoordinator 8,349

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2 hours ago, crash_davis said:

I have a friend whose uncle in the 70s and 80s used to deal for the Greek Mafia in Houston. He ended up throwing huge parties and orgies with the drugs. They were trying to kill him until my friend's grandfather, the uncle's dad paid off his debt.

I have another friend who is cousins with the Galveston and Beaumont/Vegas Fertitas. Correction, the brothers sold the UFC for $4B. The parents told them not to buy the UFC. They went behind their parents back and bought it for $2M. They had a vision and plans for it. I'd say it worked out.

I went to a HS with a kid from a once-prominent Houston Greek restaurant family. He didn't like the car his parents bought him so he put out a bounty on it. Word was he would give whoever set it on fire $1000. Not sure how that worked out for him. 

While still in HS, he got busted for prostitution. Not sure if he was a trick or a john, pitching or catching, or what -- I think he might have been the only hermaphrodite I've ever known. I see via a records search that by the time he turned 22, he'd been busted for coke twice, DWI once and fencing once, and then he just vanished. 

I used to kinda know the Greek guy who owns the Cleburne Cafeteria. It's odd how that place keeps burning down and then expanding when its rebuilt. Must have great insurance. 

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Catpfish

Catpfish 618

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I mentioned it on the other site, but my dad and Benny knew each other.  When dad would go to Vegas, he'd meet up with Benny and they'd have a bowl of chili together every now and then at the 'Shoe.  I never found out how they knew each other, it could've been through Vegas connections.

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Frank Erwin

Frank Erwin 203

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Honor Thy Father by Gay Talese.  Specifically about the Bonanno family, but a great read about the Five Families and the origins of Cosa Nostra.  After reading other mob books which all mention how ruthless and bloody Joe Bonanno was, I realized what a hagiography this book was (Bill Bonanno collaborated on it).  Still, a good book.

 

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Catpfish

Catpfish 618

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Also know a guy that was friends with Ray Jr (Patriarca).  They met while he was going to college in Massachusetts.  He told me that they were going to go out one night and didn't have nice enough clothes to wear.  Ray Sr sent them to a friend's house and the whole basement was lined with hijacked suits that they had their pick of.  

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Bateshorn

Bateshorn 9,927

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CSB Alert:   I cooked a restaurant up in the Lakes Region of NH one summer after college.  I was having a beer with the GM one day after work and he was telling me about setting up the restaurant some years back.  He calls one guy about linen service, the guy tells him he's too busy, can't help him, call X instead. So he calls X.  X answers the phone, says "I've been waiting to hear from you" and qoutes him an outrageous price relative to whatever he's ever paid when setting up previous joints in other parts of the country.  The next two guys give him the same "Too busy, Call X line." So he relents and calls X back, sets the price, and they agree to do the contract.  Before he hangs up, X says "I'm going to save you some trouble, just call Y about garbage and z about grease service and be done with it."  When the first linen's arrive, a full blown sterotype out of a Scorese picture shows up with it, hands him a card, and basically tells him that he's the guy to call about everything, always, period.  After he starts doing that, the liquor license comes free, the local Sysco dealer starts returning his calls, etc.

He wouldn't say who the guy was, but just indicated he disappeared one day, then after a local Boston mobster got popped on a RICO charge, suddenly everyone started calling him with competitive bids. I guess the local Patriarca Manchester branch collapsed over night, nobody moved in, and that was it.

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