Salvatore (Sally Stretch) Stracci was an associate in the Genovese mob and the brother of Joe Stretch Stracci who was active in the garment industry racket. Salvatore (Sally Stretch) Stracci was born in 1911 in East Harlem where he resided for many years at 238 E. 106th Street. He was the younger brother of Joseph (Joe Stretch) Stracci. His activities included policy rackets and the garment industry. Salvatore (Sally Stretch) Stracci He listed his legitimate employment as “production manager” at Jovon Fashions, Inc., located at 225 West 37th Street, Manhattan which was a dress manufacturing firm where his brother, Joe, was listed as a partner. Stracci was identified by the late 1950s as an “associate” in the Genovese mob and his brother's aide/helper. In 1958, Sal was one of 13 arrested after police made a series of raids against three East Harlem numbers “banks”. Considered a policy “controller” in the operation, 47-year-old Sally Stretch was one of several nabbed while tallying policy ribbons at one “bank” at 422 East 115th Street that raiders had smashed. The arrested gamblers were all indicted on charges of conspiracy, contriving, drawing and assisting in a lottery, and maintaining a policy business. Stracci eventually pled guilty to the second count of contriving and drawing and assisting in a lottery. He was sentenced to a jail term of six months, but the sentence was suspended. He was then placed on probation for the six-month term and paid a fine. Stracci had no previous record. Salvatore “Sally Stretch” Stracci was typical of the many brothers, cousins, uncles, fathers, nephews, and other family members and close friends of top mafiosi who often operated in the shadows all their lives, performing vital functions to keep the various borgatas running smoothly -- and, yet, were completely unknown to the general public! They were highly trusted and respected for their devotion and protection of their Family members! East Harlem and many other New York City Italian stronghold neighborhoods were full of them! It was one of the reasons Cosa Nostra was so strong for decades! Until next time..."The Other Guy"
