Photograph of arrested mobsters being led by the FBI on Thursday by ~Raymond on Flickr
It turns out that Thursday's take down of 62 mob figures, many of them high-ranking members of the Gambino crime family and called the biggest mob bust in decades, was spurred by a Staten Island trucking company owner. Joseph Vollaro, who made a lot of money for the Gambinos, ended up becoming a government informant after being caught in a drug deal.
Vollaro, dubbed a "two-time loser" by the Advance, lived on Staten Island with wife Trisha and owned Andrews Trucking. He had previously done time in prison on loansharking and extortion charges, but had impressed the Gambinos enough that a source told the Daily News they were "ready to make him (a soldier)" in the crime family. Vollaro even got to "communicate directly with the capos, bypassing lower-ranking soldiers." Of course, the fact they got $400,000 in extortion money from him probably helped. But when the Feds closed in on him three years ago, Vollaro agreed to wear a wire and recorded numerous conversations.
Vollaro has gone into witness protection - without his pregnant wife. Trisha Vollaro told the Post she won't go into hiding, "Of course I'm worried. I'm worried for my safety. I'll probably lose babies over this." A former FBI agent who has investigated the Gambinos, Bruce Mouw, says she's probably okay, "The Gambino family has never gone after a guy's wife. It's unlikely, but a lot of times they use threats and intimidation to put pressure on family members." Ironically, Vollaro is described as someone who liked to sing (songs).
We're guessing the popularity of "mobster nicknames" as a Google search is because of the take down. The Post explained how some of them get made:
Thomas Cacciopoli: "Tommy Sneakers."He "likes sneakers," Michael "Mikey Scars" DiLeonardo testified at the trial of Gambino boss Peter Gotti.
Robert Epifania: "Bobby the Jew." He's not Jewish. But he "looks like a Jew," his cohorts told investigators.
Vincent Decongilio: "Vinny Hot." His father was "Freddy Hot" - plus he's into gambling.
Leonard DiMaria: "Uncle," "Lenny," "L," "Fatso," "The Conductor." Self-named, he once signed a get-well note to a Newsday reporter "Uncle Lenny." He's short, squat, with a broad nose.
Anthony Licata: "Anthony Firehawk," "Anthony Nighthawk," "Cheeks." Firehawk and Nighthawk are names of trucking companies.
John D'Amico: "Jackie Nose." "He had his nose fixed. He had a big, distorted nose at one time," DiLeonardo said at the Gotti trial. D'Amico was said to have been upset with prosecutors for using the nickname.
It's just like the Goodfellas introduction.
Authorities have emphasized that although the bust was wide-reaching, under no circumstances in the mob dead. A new generation of mob leaders may rise and even former FBI agent Mouw tells the Times, "If [the arrested top Gambinos are] all in jail, they can have administrative meetings together.”
